Sweet and girly, decadent and exotic, or clean and green, hit the right notes with our pick of the best ladies’ fragrances.
You don’t have to have the olfactory detectors of a sniffer dog to know what fragrances you don’t like the whiff of, but it’s hard pinpointing the fragrance you want to splurge on when you’re so spoilt for choice. With every high-profile brand and celebrity churning out a new scent every other month we’re hard-pushed to pinpoint which ones really stand out, and which one just stink.
We’ve had our work cut out spritzing and sniffing our way through a load of female fragrances this year, but it’s our job to fall on that sword for you…
How to buy the best perfume
When you are on the hunt for the perfect scent, it’s hard to judge what will suit just by taking a sniff from the bottle.
A good fragrance should have a balance of complimentary scents, longevity and one that matches your personality. Essential oils deliver more than synthetics in terms of longevity and balance.
If you’re not sure what sort of scent you, or the intended recipient of the perfume, likes, scent types or “families” can provide some guidance. With men’s as well as women’s fragrances, the buzzwords to look out for are floral, fresh, fruity, citrus, oriental, woody and spicy.
Use these straightforward descriptors as a starting point, and find the notes (for example rose, jasmine, bergamot or vetiver) that appeal to you to narrow it down.
“Always try the fragrance on the skin to see how it develops and how it ultimately matches your personality. I wouldn’t recommend trying more than three or four different scents at one time.”
Whilst buying perfume for someone else is often a daunting task, we’ve rounded up the best 10 sure to win over anyone so, pick your poison…