The Best Smelling Perfume for Women in 2022: Top Fragrances & Scents From Dior, Armani, & YSL Reviewed

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Are you looking for the best-smelling perfume for women that perfectly encapsulates your preferred smell? We’ve lined up a list of the eight best perfumes for women with different notes and a scent that lasts, and Miss Dior Eau de Parfum topped the chart. Find your future signature scent on the list below.

Best Smelling Perfume for Women

You can find your very own best-smelling perfume among these iconic scents we have picked out.

1. Miss Dior Eau de Parfum – Best Smelling Perfume for Women Overall – 4.9/5

Pros:

• The perfect ‘millefiori’ of floral scents.
• Signature Dior fragrance family quality.
• Impeccable bottle design.
• Long-lasting scent.
• One of the more affordable iconic fragrances.

Cons:

• Not for those who don’t like floral fragrances.

Why Pick Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

Due to its traditionally feminine floral scents, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is the best-smelling perfume for women overall. It has Lilly-of-the-valley, pink pepper, and apricot-tinged peony top notes, with Iris as the slightly powdery finish. Gentle tones of tender wood as the base notes perfectly tie the fresh florals into the best floral perfume for women who love such scents.

Who Shouldn’t Pick Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is not a perfume for those who don’t like floral scents. It is an all-around floral fragrance and is renowned as such. If floral notes are not your personal preference, you should pick one of the other best perfumes for women on our list.

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Ranking 4.9/5

Cost 4.9/5

With a price tag of around $100, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is on the more affordable side.

Type of Notes 5/5

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is a perfect ‘millefiori’ of floral notes like pink pepper, which give it sweetness and warmth with some citrus notes as undertones.

Longevity 4.9/5

While the notes are light, the perfume has potent scent strength that lasts about eight hours.

Summary

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is the best-smelling perfume for women who are all about sweet, floral notes. It perfectly encapsulates the ultimate feminine fragrance with a lasting power of around eight hours. The scent comes in a glass bottle with an engraved Dior motif and a luxury couture fabric bow around the neck.

2. YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum – Best Fall Perfume for Women – 4.8/5

Pros:

• A women’s favorite scent for decades.
• A new, more powerful twist to femininity.
• Sensual vanilla notes.
• Perfect for fall.
• Dazzling bottle.

Cons:

• Not for floral and citrus scent lovers.
• Not for those who don’t like vanilla.

Why Pick YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum

YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum is the best-smelling perfume for women who prefer a more sensual and seductive scent and have a more daring idea of femininity. It combines the signature scent of coffee with sultry notes of bourbon vanilla and finishes with top notes of white musk and orange blossom. It’s an excellent option for fall and evening occasions.

Who Shouldn’t Pick YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum

If your idea of the best-smelling perfume for women is one with a citrusy scent, you should choose other options. If you are looking for a more traditionally feminine floral perfume, go with Miss Dior Eau de Parfum.

YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum doesn’t last as long as other best perfumes for women—its longevity is about six to seven hours, making it perfect for date night.

YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum Ranking 4.8/5

Cost 4.8/5

YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum is slightly more expensive than other perfumes on our list, but if you are a fan of sensual and seductive fragrances, it’s worth the price.

Type of Notes 4.9/5

The fragrance combines the base of coffee with middle notes of vanilla and an orange blossom finishing touch.

Longevity 4.7/5

YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum lasts about six to seven hours, making it a perfect date night fragrance.

Summary

YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum was first introduced in the 70s and has been a favorite of women who prefer more intense and daring scents. The coffee and vanilla tones and a lack of fruity scents make it a perfect fall fragrance and the best-smelling perfume for women going on a night out.

3. Georgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum – Best Fruity Fragrance – 4.8/5

Pros:

• Elegant fruity notes.
• For chic yet fearless women.
• Earthy scent base.
• Hints of vanilla.
• Timeless bottle design.

Cons:

• Not as long-lasting as other fragrances.
• Not for those who prefer strong, more powerful scents.

Why Pick Georgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum

Sì Eau de Parfum is the best-smelling perfume for women who are both chic and fearless. It’s the ultimate fruity perfume with top notes of blackcurrant nectar with floral undertones and an earthy, musky blond wood base. The citrus perfume is light, making it perfect for everyday wear.

Who Shouldn’t Pick Georgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum

Avoid Sì Eau de Parfum if you want the best-smelling perfume for women with a more potent scent. Sì Eau de Parfum is a gentle fruity perfume. It has powerful citrus scents, but it’s not very strong.

Georgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum Ranking 4.8/5

Cost 4.9/5

The price for Sì Eau de Parfum is on par with the costs of other women’s perfumes from name brands.

Type of Notes 4.7/5

Gentle, fruity notes prevail in this fragrance, making it a perfect clean scent for every day. The scent is not as powerful as other best perfumes for women on our list.

Longevity 4.8/5

This perfume is not as long-lasting as other luxury brands fragrances, but it lasts around six hours, which is solid perfume longevity.

Summary

Georgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum is the best-smelling perfume for women looking for a light, fruity fragrance for everyday use. It embodies the sophisticated chic of Italy with its blackcurrant nectar and a dash of Rose Mai. The bottle is as elegant as the scent.

4. Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum – Best Floral Scent – 4.7/5

Pros:

• Iconic brand.
• The ultimate floral fragrance.
• A perfect combination of jasmine and pink pepper.
• White musk and vanilla undertones.
• Extra scent longevity.

Cons:

• Not for those who don’t like floral notes.
• More expensive than other best perfumes for women.

Why Pick Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum

Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray is the ultimate floral fragrance for flowery scent lovers. It features pink pepper, jasmine, amber, and a dash of vanilla, making it the perfect summer perfume. It comes from the iconic brand Chanel which is all about feminine chic.

Who Shouldn’t Pick Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum

Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray isn’t the best-smelling perfume for women who don’t like floral notes. It’s the ultimate floral fragrance, so if you are not a fan of floral notes, go with other options from our list of best perfumes for women.

Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Ranking 4.7/5

Cost 4.6/5

This Eau de Parfum spray is more expensive than other options on our list and designer brand perfumes in general.

Type of Notes 4.7/5

Floral notes like jasmine and pink pepper dominate the smell, which may not be the best option for women who are not big fans of that kind of smell.

Longevity 5/5

Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray tops our best-smelling perfume for women list regarding how long the scent lasts, with an impressive 10 to 12 hours of longevity.

Summary

Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum is the best perfume for you if you want a long-lasting, feminine floral fragrance. The jasmine and rose combination takes the lead with a discreet vanilla finish. This perfume beats most other best perfumes for women on our list regarding scent longevity and lasts about twelve hours.

5. Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum – Best Classic Perfume for Women – 4.7/5

Pros:

• The most iconic fragrance in pop culture.
• May Rose and jasmine heart with citrus top notes.
• Elegant yet sensual.
• Almost a century-old proven recipe.

Cons:

• More expensive than other best perfumes for women.
• Might be considered a musky perfume not suitable for younger generations.

Why Pick Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum

N°5 is the classic best-smelling perfume for women with over a hundred years of tradition. It’s the most iconic fragrance in history and pop culture. The smell embodies classic French elegance, and the perfume has been loved as such by generations of women around the world.

Who Shouldn’t Pick Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum

This may not be the best-smelling perfume for women of younger generations and teenagers as it has a musky smell. It’s also among the more costly best perfumes for women.

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum Ranking 4.7/5

Cost 4.6/5

This famous fragrance is among the most expensive perfumes on our list.

Type of Notes 4.7/5

Jasmin and May rose dominate with light citric undertones, giving it an elegant smell. However, younger generations may find Chanel N°5 to be too musky.

Longevity 5/5

Chanel N°5 is the best-smelling perfume for women, with the longest-lasting scent of up to twelve hours of longevity.

Summary

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum is the best perfume for women who love classic French elegance. Floral tones of jasmine and May rose dominate with gentle citric undertones. It may not be the best perfume for women under 30, though, as they may consider it too musky.

6. Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum – Best Unisex Fragrance – 4.6/5

Pros:

• The ultimate unisex perfume.
• Smoking wood and floral tones.
• High-quality and long-lasting.
• Minimalistic design.

Cons:

• The most expensive best-smelling perfume for women.
• Might not be considered outwardly feminine by some.

Why Pick Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

This is the best-smelling perfume for women who are tired of floral and citrusy scents and want a more unisex aroma. They call this perfume ‘the best-kept secret’ as it’s not so heavily marketed and has a more simplistic approach to the industry, focusing primarily on smell quality.

Who Shouldn’t Pick Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

If you are searching for a classically feminine scent with floral or fruity tones, this perfume is not for you. It contains iris and violet, but they crackle in the formula of Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, spicy, musky, and leathery notes.

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum Ranking 4.6/5

Cost 4.4/5

At around $300 for 3.4 fl oz, this is the most expensive perfume for women on our list, but it’s worth its price if you are a fan of wood aromas and unisex fragrances.

Type of Notes 4.7/5

The ‘smoking wood alloy’ mix of eathy scents is an excellent combination for those who like such notes, but it’s not for everyone.

Longevity 4.8/5

Le Labo Santal 33 has above-average longevity of about eight to nine hours.

Summary

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum is not for everyone, but it’s absolutely the best-smelling perfume for women who prefer a unique scent and a fresh smell of wood. Many famous women pick Le Labo Santal 33 for this reason and because not everyone knows of this high-quality brand.

7. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette – Best First Fragrance – 4.6/5

Pros:

• Fresh scent of floral and fruity tones.
• Perfect for younger women.
• Affordable for an eau de toilette.
• Playful design and spirit.

Cons:

• Not for those who don’t like floral or citrusy scents.
• More mature women may not like it.

Why Pick Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette

Daisy Eau de Toilette is the best first fragrance and smell for teenagers and younger generations of women. White berries at the top with white violet and jasmine at the heart, and a sandalwood base give this fragrance a fresh and playful aroma. The packaging is just as cute, and the price is affordable, making it an excellent choice for younger women.

Who Shouldn’t Pick Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette

You won’t like Daisy Eau de Toilette if you are not a fan of sweet or floral notes. More mature women also may not find it suitable. It’s also the fragrance with the weakest longevity span on our list of best perfumes for women, lasting only three to four hours.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette Ranking 4.6/5

Cost 4.9/5

This fragrance is more affordable than other options on our list, making it the perfect choice for a first fragrance.

Type of Notes 4.7/5

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette has a nice mix of floral notes with jasmine at the heart, but it could be considered too sweet by some.

Longevity 4.4/5

Lasting only about three to four hours, this is the fragrance with the shortest longevity on our list.

Summary

Marc Jacobs fragrances are the best starter designer brand perfumes for young women. Daisy Eau de Toilette has a sweet and playful aroma with jasmine and white violet at the heart. This fragrance is more affordable than others on our list, but it is also the one with the shortest longevity.

8. Fenty Eau de Parfum – Best Celebrity Perfume – 4.5/5

Pros:

• Spicy and sweet at the same time.
• Warm floral scent.
• Rihanna’s seal of approval.
• Unique red and gold design.

Cons:

• Not as long-lasting as other perfumes.

Why Pick Fenty Eau de Parfum

If you like to try out new perfumes and celebrity editions, Fenty Eau de Parfum is the best-smelling perfume for women created by a celebrity ⁠— Rihanna. The smell perfectly embodies the chic punk Rihanna is all about with magnolia, musk, tangerine, and Bulgarian rose heart notes.

Who Shouldn’t Pick Fenty Eau de Parfum

Fenty Eau de Parfum is not for those who don’t appreciate the floral scent, as it is a warm floral perfume. This perfume is not as long-lasting as most other options on our list. It has a longevity of only around three hours. If you are looking for long-lasting floral perfumes, pick Miss Dior Eau de Parfum instead.

Fenty Eau de Parfum Ranking 4.5/5

Cost 4.5/5

This perfume is more expensive than some of the more prominent name brands, but if you are a fan of warm floral notes, you will find it worth the price.

Type of Notes 4.6/5

Warm floral notes like that of magnolia, musk, tangerine, and Bulgarian rose dominate the smell.

Longevity 4.5/5

Sadly, Fenty Eau de Parfum won’t last longer than three or four hours.

Summary

Fenty Eau de Parfum rules the market of celebrity perfumes just as much as Fenty cosmetics rules the house for cosmetics. The fragrance is surprisingly high-quality for a celebrity product. You will love this Fenty edition if you enjoy warm tones and seductive smells.

How We Picked the Best Smelling Perfume for Women: Ranking Methodology Explained

In this section, we will go over the ranking methodology we used when we were choosing the best-smelling perfume for women.

Cost

Higher prices go hand in hand with designer brands, and perfumes are no different. Still, more affordable perfumes got bumped a spot on our list. We also looked at the value they bring for the money you pay for them.

Type of Notes

We looked at types of notes and how well they complement each other. Not everyone loves the same type of smell, so we ranked them based on their dominant notes.

Longevity

Everyone likes a perfume that lasts, especially when you invest in a designer perfume. The longevity of a smell was one of the biggest factors for us, and perfumes with long-lasting smells topped our list.

The Best Smelling Perfume for Women FAQs

We address some of the most commonly asked questions about the best-smelling perfume for women here.

Which Perfume Has the Best Smell for Women?

Based on our research, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum has the best smell for women overall. It’s the perfect ‘millefiori’ of floral scents that lasts about eight hours.

What’s the Most Popular Women’s Perfume Right Now?

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum has been one of the best perfumes for women for decades. Regarding some of the newer perfumes that have gained popularity, Fenty Eau de Parfum tops the charts.

What Scent Turns a Man On?

Smells like jasmine, pink pepper, iris, cinnamon, orange, and wood notes have been known to be seductive. That’s why you’ll find these among the common notes in perfumes for women.

Best Smelling Perfume for Women: Final Words

Finding the best-smelling perfume for women isn’t easy as not everyone appreciates the same scent or has the same requirements. Based on our research, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is the best all-time favorite perfume for women, with its flower bouquet of floral notes. If you don’t like the floral tones, find your next signature smell among the seven other perfumes on our list.

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This story was originally published November 3, 2022 6:00 PM.