I’m Convinced Perfumes With This Underrated Note Smell Better Than Any Others

I’m a strong believer that peony perfumes deserve to be worn year-round. Who wants to wait until the weather warms up to reach for your favorite floral fragrance? They’re a gorgeous symbol of love, honor, romance, and beauty, and the flower is traditionally gifted as a heartwarming expression of joy, best wishes, and luck.

If you’re a fan of Gossip Girl, you’d know they were even featured prominently as Blair Waldorf’s favorite flowers. (Eagle-eyed fans can spot the pale-pink blooms in her royal bridal bouquet.) Lucky for you, some of the world’s most famous peony scents can be found right here. So if you’re wondering which peony-scented perfumes are worth every penny, keep reading.

Here it is again: Jo Malone’s best-selling Peony and Blush Suede Cologne. This charming fragrance features soft notes of peony blended with those of crisp red apple and warm suede. It’s floral without being powdery or too sweet, so it’s perfect for anyone hoping for a peony scent that’s as classic as it is bold.

If the bottle isn’t enough to make you fall in love with this eau de parfum, just wait. Chloé is recognized for many of its timeless fragrances, but to me, this one takes the cake. It features notes of bright peony supported by notes of powdery rose, lychee, cedarwood, and sweet honey. 

Now’s your chance to finally try one of Henry Rose’s best-selling fragrances. Queens & Monsters counters its notes of soft peony with the freshness and zest of petitgrain and violet leaf as well as more woodsy, warm notes of sandalwood, vanilla, and coco musk. If you’re in the market for a day-to-night fragrance, this may be the one for you. 

I’m a huge fan of Ralph Lauren’s fragrances for all occasions, but this one would have to be my pick for a peony-based date-night fragrance. Beyond Romance is sweet and sultry, layering light notes of peony, raspberry coulis, and rose centifolia with luxurious bergamot and black vanilla for a warm floral finish. 

It took me a while to get on the Byredo train, but I’m glad I did. Byredo’s Slow Dance is a warm floral and altogether romantic fragrance that playfully combines notes of violet with amber, opoponax, incense, and vanilla. This is the violet fragrance for fall and winter you won’t want to miss out on.

This one’s new to me, but I’ve absolutely fallen in love with it. Part of Estée Lauder’s line of chic fragrances, this perfume takes a classic peony scent and adds an unexpected twist with fresh citrus notes of pomelo and mandarin, rich jasmine petals, and warm sandalwood added to the mix.

This is a light fragrance that’s both fruity and floral. It features vibrant notes of peony, Sicilian lemon, pink berries, pink guava, and raspberry flowers as well as deep base notes of cedarwood, vetiver, vanilla bean, and cotton candy. It’s also completely vegan and cruelty-free.

Calling all La Labo fans. Released in 2010 as a collaboration with Another Magazine founder Jefferson Hack, this unique fragrance opposes bright notes of peony, violet, and jasmine with earthier notes of moss and ambroxide (synthetic animal musk). You won’t be forgetting this fun fragrance anytime soon.

Now here’s a perfume that’s accurately named. It offers a delicate floral fragrance that invokes memories of pleasant days spent in the park with your loved ones surrounded by flowers in full bloom. In addition to violet, this eau de toilette is composed of notes of pear accord, lily of the valley, and jasmine for a soft and sweet finish.

This Ouai eau de parfum is a must-have for fans of powdery florals. It features hints of sweet and warm bergamot, lychee, and violet supported by base notes of cozy cedarwood and white musk. If you’re as big of a fan of this scent as I am, it can also be found in Ouai’s Detox Shampoo, Scalp and Body Scrub, Super Dry Shampoo, and Treatment Masques.

Caswell-Massey’s NYBG Peony Eau de Parfum is inspired by the New York Botanical Garden’s paeonia lactiflorathat blooms in late spring! It has beautiful notes of sweet amber, wild berry, green resin, and, of course, our beloved peonies. It’s a must-have if you’re in the market for a long-lasting scent that’s sweet and sophisticated.

Finally, here’s Dior’s best-selling eau de parfum, Miss Dior. This luxurious scent is composed of bright Grasse rose, peony, iris, and lily of the valley for a fresh, floral fragrance you’ll love. It’s not overly sweet or sugary, but it leaves its wearer feeling and smelling like a bouquet of spring flowers. 

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