The 18 Best Perfumes of All Time

Chanel No. 5 is perhaps the most famous fragrance of all time. Heavy with may rose and jasmine, it was the first perfume to be layered with aldehydes, a now-commonplace practice that lends the fragrance an airy quality. Game-changing then, iconic now.

• Key notes: May rose, jasmine, aldehydes, bourbon vanilla

One satisfied customer writes: "This perfume is stunning and absolutely worth the price tag. It's timeless and elegant." —Anonymous

Created as a collaboration between the perfumer and crystal manufacturer Baccarat to celebrate the company's 250th birthday, this popular scent is truly a masterpiece. A combination of woody notes, amber, jasmine, and other florals, its scent is sophisticated and robust without being overpowering. "Baccarat Rouge 540 is one of my favorites from Maison Francis Kurkdjian," beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson Davis notes. "The unique scent not only lingers all day long but also nicely works for any season."

• Key notes: jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambroxan

One satisfied customer writes: "One of the longest-lasting scents, if not the longest. Love it." —Anonymous

Dior perfumes are so iconic they even inspired a documentary. This modern classic truly has a bit of everything: Juicy blood orange and mandarin, fresh lily of the valley, and earthy patchouli combine for a timeless scent. Though technically considered a floral scent, the perfume's woody notes lend to its overall versatility.

• Key notes: Lily-of-the-Valley, centifolia rose, soft musk

One satisfied customer writes: "I used the fragrance for my wedding day, finished the bottle, and bought another one. It’s a beautiful scent that makes me feel feminine and powerful at the same time. My husband loves it when I wear it." —mariasakell

Kai has earned a devoted following over the years for its clean, tropical, gardenia-based fragrance. And for lovers of the best rose fragrances, there’s even a spin-off scent that pairs expertly with this one, known as (you probably guessed it), kai rose.

• Key notes: gardenia, white exotics

One satisfied customer writes: "Love this scent! It's the perfect floral without being dowdy. Get compliments all the time." —Alexandra

The daisy-adorned bottle became an instant sensation, but what’s inside is pretty fabulous as well. With fruity and floral notes of strawberry, sandalwood, and jasmine, Daisy is a light floral that’s become a rite of passage for teens (and teens at heart).

• Key notes: strawberry, violet leaves, jasmine

One satisfied customer writes: "Smells heavenly and very feminine. Not at all overpowering. I think this would be perfect for a date night!" —cyberbratx

You don’t have to live by the beach to appreciate this surf-inspired scent (and one of Jo Malone’s best sellers). With notes of sea salt, sage, and ambrette seeds, it’s simple, sophisticated, and genderless.

• Key notes: ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage

One satisfied customer writes: "Used this as my wedding scent!! Perfect scent! No regrets!! Will definitely wear this over and over again." —jmango420

Rangoon creeper, tuberose, and jasmine combine to create this robust and top-rated Gucci floral fragrance. And just like flowers do, its notes are meant to bloom over time, revealing more of its unique notes.

• Key notes: rangoon creeper, jasmine bud, tuberose

One satisfied shopper writes: "I absolutely love this perfume. I got it as a gift. I get a bunch of compliments when I wear it and it lasts for a long time. It smells like fresh flowers. Very clean and light. Worth the money!" —Gracestimson

A gorgeous combination of earthy vetiver with soft jasmine, tuberose, and bright orange flower, this top seller from Michelle Pfeiffer’s fragrance line smells like a blend of clean laundry and light white florals, and is made with clean ingredients; in fact, it’s the only fine fragrance line to be verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

• Key notes: vetiver, tuberose, orange flower

One satisfied shopper writes: "If you're a white flower fan, this one's for you. It's a good balance of floral and clean. I was looking for a clean beauty replacement for my Gucci Bloom, which is a favorite and Flora Carnivora is a perfect swap." —Sarah

When a brand has a hit like Glossier You, it's easy to think, if it ain't broke... However, this new scent, You Rêve, is considered by many to be even better than its predecessor. Why? Because it's a touch sweeter, deeper, and slightly more pronounced.

"The signature Ambrox base of Glossier You gets an energizing upgrade with notes of plum butter, sandalwood, and toasted almond," beauty director Jenna Rosenstein says of this beloved fragrance. "Perfect for the gourmand lover who prefers a subtle, skin-like scent."

• Key notes: buttercream, plum butter, musk

One satisfied shopper writes: "Wow I couldn't be more obsessed with this scent. IMO it is even better than You (my fav fragrance since it came out in 2017). I have been looking to upgrade to something a bit more mature since it has been 7 years after all, and this really hits it. Fun, sexy, cute." —Katie

Molecules 01 is a special scent that you almost can't smell on your skin, but if it's sprayed on a sweater, you'll find that sweater intoxicating. It contains an aroma molecule that does not exist in nature, and its presence hovers at low concentrations, almost in the background.

• Key notes: sheer sandalwood

One satisfied shopper writes: "One of the most unique fragrances I own. Love it so much that I bought a second bottle! Enhances other fragrances too! Safe blind buy." —DA

Thousands of reviewers have dubbed this top-rated Margiela fragrance the best autumn perfume of all time. Vanilla and chestnut blend with the fireplace notes, while neroli offers lightness. It feels warm, comforting, and nostalgic.

• Key notes: chestnut, cashmeran, pink pepper

One satisfied shopper writes: "The perfect blend of woods and spice, it radiates a warmth that truly feels like sitting by a fire. The projection isn’t crazy strong but it does last on clothing & you’ll catch wiffs throughout the day. The bottle evokes a feeling of old times in the most beautiful way possible, and looks great displayed on a tray." —Kbiggs

Another your skin but better scent, this one from Maison Louis Marie was named after the family home where Marie grew up, which was surrounded by an "ancient and mysterious" forest. With notes of nutmeg and cedarwood, the blend feels faint yet familiar. Some wearers compare it to Le Labo's Santal 33.

• Key notes: vetiver, nutmeg, cedarwood

One satisfied shopper writes: "Love, love this scent… people always ask what I’m wearing. I have sold countless bottles of this perfume!" —Jane

The fragrance that launched a thousand copycats. Santal 33 debuted in 2011, but you still can't walk the streets of New York City without passing by someone wearing it. Woody, a little sexy, a little smoky—Santal 33 is the kind of easy-to-wear scent that smells great on everyone.

"Le Labo Santal 33’s woody earthiness demands to be noticed, yet manages not to be cloying. It’s also the only fragrance I’ve ever worn that my husband routinely compliments—and even requests I wear," contributing editor Genevieve Monsma says of the favorite. I think its appeal lies in the fact that the scent is sensual and warm, but understated, with a vibe that’s more crackling fire and cashmere PJs than high heels and red lipstick."

• Key notes: sandalwood, iris, cardamom, violet, cedarwood

One customer writes: "I'm obsessed with this! Alone or to give a sandalwood edge when layered with other cool weather fragrances. It’s comforting for fall." -L1211

Rihanna has been name-checked as the best-smelling celeb by just about everyone on the planet, so it was only natural that she create her own signature scent. It instantly sold out, but if you’re lucky enough to snag a bottle of this elevated blend of magnolia, musk, tangerine, blueberry, Bulgarian rose absolute, geranium, and patchouli, know that it’s worth all the hype.

• Key notes: magnolia, musk, tangerine, blueberry, Bulgarian rose absolute, geranium, and patchouli

One satisfied customer writes: "It definitely gets me noticed. I love the smell and it's lasts all day and night." —Kesha W.

If you’re looking for a sweet, strong floral scent, you may have found it in the Mediterranean-inspired Sì. It starts out fruity with top notes of black currant nectar, followed by freesia and Rose of Mai heart, finishing with a musky, vanilla-tinged base.

• Key notes: rose, woody vanilla

One satisfied customer writes: "This smells like feminine luxury. It’s suuuuch a complex fragrance. Beautifully crafted. I know fragrance is deeply personal, but this one makes me feel like I could take over the world. It balances power and femininity so well." —SofiValentina

Like most things associated with Tom Ford, this scent is undeniably sexy and glamorous. The namesake black orchid is surrounded by ylang-ylang and citrus, black plum, patchouli, and vanilla. It’s deep, dark, and elegant, especially for the evening.

• Key notes: black orchid, black truffle, patchouli

One satisfied customer writes: "The absolute sexiest smell ever. Just needs a matching body wash and lotion. I'd never buy a different brand again if it had everything. Tom Ford make a full gift set...fragrance, body wash, lotion, all of it please." —CDM4

With a name like Candy, you might mistake this scent for being cloying—but that's not the case at all. With notes of warm caramel and musk, Candy is sensual and fun: the perfect everyday scent.

• Key notes: White musks, benzoin, caramel accord

One satisfied customer writes: "I’ve loved this scent for years, it’s a go to for me. Sweet, but not overpowering. It’s exactly what you think of when you hear 'candy.' Longevity is pretty good, more so on clothes than my skin." —Amandal25

Not even the fragrance-averse can resist Byredo’s chic, cylindrical bottles, particularly this scent inspired by the Romani, or Gypsy, lifestyle. The woody scent features intoxicating notes of bergamot, lemon, incense, pine needles, and sandalwood.

• Key notes: bergamot, lemon, pepper, pine needles, orris, vanilla, sandalwood

One satisfied customer writes: "One of my new favorites, hard to describe, unusual. Desirable. Alluring." —Anonymous