Advances in perfumery have refined the olfactory notes extracted and made blending more innovative so you get unique concoctions that don’t smell “mass.”
With so many scents and brands out there, how do you find your signature scent? That’s where our handy guide comes in. We’ve spritzed and sniffed just about every fragrance out there to find the best. Read on to see which scents have made it to our list of the best perfumes of the year.
Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Deauville EDT, $215
The perfume, inspired by the Normandy coast where Gabrielle Chanel opened her first boutique, is both elegant and powerful, with sparkling notes of Sicilian orange and refreshing green of basil.
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Prada La Femme L’Eau EDT, $210
A blend of frangipani, ylang-ylang and tuberose, the sophisticated scent is made fresh and modern with mandarin and has a muted, woody drydown that is also very sensual.
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Les Eaux de Chanel Paris– Biarritz EDT, $215
A light floral inspired by the invigorating air of the Basque coast, this has citrusy Sicilian mandarin and lily of the valley. It’s feminine and wearable – perfect for daytime.
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Carolina Herrera Good Girl Legere EDP, $184
A lighter, softer version of the original Good Girl perfume, Legere has notes of the jasmine sambac imperial flower, tonka bean and dulce de leche. It starts off intensely sweet but settles into something sexier, muskier and more intense.
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YSL Beaute Mon Paris Couture EDP, $229
A lush, heady perfume that’s more floral than fruity, with strawberry, raspberry, grapefruit, mandarin, white flowers, rosebuds and patchouli. Our tester even received compliments from strangers in the lift.
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Kenzo World EDT, $83 – $142
The perfume’s top notes of pear and peony are soft, clean and fresh, making it a scent you can’t go wrong wearing.
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Jo Malone London English Oak & Redcurrant Cologne, $108 – $212
This unexpected perfume is a little masculine, composed of earthy English oak and fruity redcurrant with green mandarin, rose and musk.
Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning EDT, $145
A soft musky-floral that’s extremely wearable with patchouli, white musk, rose and iris. It evokes the scent of fresh laundry – calming and soothing.
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Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Venise EDT, $215
This sensual musky-Oriental scent with neroli, vanilla and tonka bean gives a burst of citrus at first spray, then dries down to a sweet woodiness.
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Joy by Dior EDP, $115 – $240
Dior’s first perfume in 19 years (since J’adore in 1999) blends bergamot with rose, jasmine, sandalwood and musks. It evolves from a fresh citrus-floral to something muskier and feminine.
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Jo Malone London Honeysuckle & Davana Cologne, $108 – $212
A beautiful, comforting scent with davana, honeysuckle and moss. It’s a musky, almost leathery perfume.
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Ralph Lauren Woman EDP, $159
A balmy, feminine scent, long-lasting even in the Singapore heat. It opens on a fresh, floral note, moves into tuberose, and dries down to woody notes.
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Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood EDP, $350
Rare oud wood is the star here, complemented by warm notes like vetiver, tonka bean and amber. It’s a wioody scent with a spicy kick to it.
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Jo Malone London English Oak & Hazelnut Cologne, $108-$212
Its first notes are green, leafy and astringent from the green hazelnut. Its heart notes are a woody, dry cedarwood. Its drydown is a roasted oak. The result is a delicious and surprising hint of nuttiness and florals – simple, woody and spicy.
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Maison Margiela Replica At The Barbers EDT, $145
Think a modern barber shop as you appreciate this masculine, spicy-woody scent with basil, lavender, tonka bean and white musk notes.
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