Finding a scent that speaks to your distinctive personality is no small feat. Many of us feel frazzled by the endless possibilities and subtle differences. So we default to the most popular perfumes out of fear of getting it wrong. And whilst there’s nothing wrong with smelling like everyone else, if you’d rather discover your signature scent, understanding the four fragrance families and concentration strengths will certainly make the process a lot less overwhelming. Four main fragrance families Finally, orientals: the family that has dominated the fragrance market in the 21st century. Pure orientals are also known as Amber fragrances and are usually warm with desert undertones such as chocolate, honey, and praline. Soft orientals are sensual by nature and commonly consist of myrrh or incense paired with cinnamon and cloves. Floral orientals marry zesty citrus notes with spicy vanillas. And woody orientals fuse dry woods with rich masculine spices. Types of perfumes and concentration strengths Shaped like a diamond grenade, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is a glittering explosion of fresh and sweet sensations and an endlessly sought-after scent. Designed by the talented trio, Olivier Poleg, Carlos Benaim, and Domitille Berthier, this best-smelling perfume for women is like wandering through your own secret flower garden—but after dark. Second-best: Eau de Parfum (EDP) has 15-20% perfume oils and should last between four to five hours, making it popular for evening fragrances.

So, read on and discover the best luxury perfumes for women in our ultimate guide. From the best-smelling perfume of all time to iconic fragrances that have stood the test of time to more recent classics and cult favorites, we’re about to embark on a scent-sual journey. Follow our lead: Here are our favorite transportive perfumes for women that will teleport you to another land, era, or simply to your Happy Place. Find your new signature fragrance (or the perfect gift for her) ahead! The 38 best perfumes for women # Women’s perfume is the ultimate finishing touch for any outfit, mood, and occasion. Some feel naked without it, while others adore a spritz (or three) on a special occasion. Thanks to the masterful work of perfumers across the world, we’re not short of glorious scents to choose from; from playful florals to sensual musks to deep and spicy fragrances, somewhere out there is the best women’s perfume that speaks your language. The fresh family is a failsafe crowd pleaser as it lends itself to both feminine and masculine fragrances, as well as all seasons and occasions. Fresh perfumes typically combine fruity, green and water scents—all of which work well with all other fragrance families. Woody fragrances

Bond No. 9 NoMad

Discover fresh freesia, heady rose, osmanthus, and Sambac jasmine, set on a sweet-and-spicy stage of patchouli and vanilla. Yes, Flowerbomb is luxuriously feminine and playful while winking to something a little more Dionysiac—daring and decisive, and oh-so-addictive.

With millions of fragrances on the market, discovering the best perfumes for women is a process of elimination, and the line between good and great is worth considering. Extraordinary perfumes tell a story through their notes, the craftsmanship that goes into them, and the emotions they evoke. The right smell can give you a boost of confidence, cause you to reminisce, or make you smile. Perfumes for Women: Most of us refer to our daily spritz as “perfume” but very few are actually categorized as such. Perfume (or Parfum) has the highest concentration of perfume oils (between 20-40%.) Naturally, it is the most expensive and lasts the longest on the skin—six to eight hours. Woody fragrances are most common amongst unisex and men’s perfumes and are usually composed of warm, rich and decadent compositions. Reminiscent of dewy forest walks, woody fragrances marry fresh and resinous notes. And when paired with more feminine fragrances, they work well to add an air of modernism and independence to women’s perfumes. Oriental fragrances Fragrances are typically classified into four main fragrance families: floral, fresh, woody, and oriental. And made from the same notes and accords, it’s not uncommon that you find yourself partial towards perfumes with similar scent profiles. If you’re looking to spice up your perfume to something less prevalent without changing your fragrance altogether, working with these fragrance families can be incredibly helpful. Floral fragrances Unsurprisingly floral fragrances are the most popular for women’s perfumes. It is also the broadest fragrance family, with scents ranging from a single flower’s scent to bouquets. Popular floral notes include rose, jasmine, and peonies. And softer musky florals such as lavender and violet pair well with orientals like vanilla, petitgrain or neroli. Fresh fragrances

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum

Having one of the best perfumes for women by your side is practically a necessity. But that's easier said than done, considering there's no such thing as “one scent fits all”. There are classic florals, fruity fragrances and spicy, woody blends – among many, many others.