I Have More than 100 Perfumes (Oops), but These 26 Have My Heart (2024)

The entire Le Monde Gourmand perfume line is impressive, as it is. But factoring in that it's the cheapest perfume on this list that I've tested and just so happened to fall in love with, I'm floored. All of the scents are hella sweet (gourmand is in the name, after all), so expect delectable, edible notes in them all. My current fave is Pistachio Brûlée, which mixed milky notes with nutty pistachio to make this creamy, yummy scent.

• Key notes: Milk mousse, pistachio, vanilla
• Size: 1 oz

Glowing customer review: "This perfume smells so good and is not overpowering. Just two sprays and I'm good to go. I say it lasts about 5 to 6 hours before I could use another spray if I wanted to. It has a nice light vanilla smell with a hit of sweet pistachio. It's one of my favorites."

Sol de Janeiro's famed Cheirosa '62 "perfectly encapsulates the essence of joyful, summer days," says beauty writer Mary Honkus. "It smells warm, nostalgic, and familiar, and though it features just three key sweet notes—pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla—it manages to leave a big impact on the skin without veering into headache-causing territory."

We're both actually biggest fans of this mist, because it's light and airy for summer, but lasts shockingly long. "I can still catch a faint whiff of this hours after I spritz it on," says Honkus. If you're a perfume purist though, of course, you can pick up the Chierosa '62 perfume.

• Key notes: Almond, pistachio, jasmine, caramel, vanilla, salt
• Size: 3 oz

Glowing customer review: "If you're searching for a body spray that embodies the essence of a Brazilian beach getaway, look no further than Sol de Janeiro '62 Body Spray! The fragrance is a perfect fusion of pistachio, almond, vanilla, and salted caramel, creating a sweet and indulgent aroma that's impossible to resist. It's like summer in a bottle, lifting my spirits and transporting me to a state of pure bliss with just a few spritzes."

"If you’re looking to splurge on a signature scent and don’t know where to start, do yourself a favor and try spritzing yourself in this vibrant and long-lasting scent from Byredo," says assistant shopping editor Jasmine Hyman, who is constantly raving about this perfume (and smells damn good, I might add). The sandalwood and cedar notes smell woodsy, sure, but nothing like a campfire. They're balanced with lush magnolia and violet and musky ambrette that give it a light, airy quality.

"The fragrance is the perf combo of woody and floral—making it ideal for any occasion," Hyman adds. "Whether it’s date night or a day in the office, I promise this perfume will bring in alllll the compliments."

• Key notes: Ambrette, magnolia, sandalwood, cedar
• Size: 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: "A store associate walked past me with this scent on while I was in the handbag section making a purchase. I stopped her in her tracks and asked her what fragrance she was wearing. She walked me over to the fragrance counter and I immediately purchased it. Please treat yourself—you will not regret it."

This has been my go-to office perfume for years. Why? It's the lightest, freshest, most pleasant perfume in my collection. Truly, no one smells this and finds it too heavy or intense; it even has an ice note, which just makes this perfume smell like it's been chilled to me. But the magic is in the mix of lotus, musk, and yuzu that completely turn a traditional fruity floral into an aquatic, watery fresh scent.

FYI: The peony note gives this perfume a soapy quality, which some people don't love, but (!) because the rest of the scent is so well-rounded with warm amber and tart pomegranate, it smells way more bougie and chic than a bar soap, IMO. Instead, this just gives it a clean, inviting profile.

• Key notes: Ice, pomegranate, peony, lotus, musk, amber
• Size: 0.34, 1, 1.7, 3, 6.7 oz

Glowing customer review: "This one will always be my all time signature scent. This one tops most perfumes out there and is underrated. Smells super unique and the scent will stay on for the day."

If the idea of smelling like a literal cupcake sounds good to you, try Goddess. But it's not just any cupcake—this is a spensy, French-bakery cupcake worthy of a line out the door. This vanilla perfume is loaded with a variety of vanilla notes (like plain ole' vanilla, vanilla caviar, and vanilla absolute), but it leans toward sophisticated, chic territory with a mix of lavender, cacao, and ginger. Together, it creates a grown-up gourmand that smells truly decadent and delicious.

• Key notes: Vanilla, lavender, cacao, ginger, vanilla caviar
• Size: 0.34, 1, 1.6, 3.3 oz

Glowing customer review: "Delicious, adult vanilla. I usually go for clean scents but this one doesn’t give me a headache. This one feels flirty without being too sweet, perfect for date night."

If I'm going on a date, I'm spritzing my entire body in Forever In Love. It's as simple as that. This floral perfume is so fresh and lovely, making me feel like I'm walking down the aisle in a flowy dress to marry the person of my wildest dreams. But actually!! The main floral note in this is gardenia, which has a very creamy, almost milky quality that pairs well with the bright pear and woodsy cedarwood notes. I always spray it on my clothes, and I can smell it for days afterward too.

• Key notes: Green pear, cedarwood, gardenia, blackcurrant
• Size: 0.34, 2.5 oz

Glowing customer review: "The minute I smelled the scent I loved it! It’s fresh and clean with a bit of citrus! It reminds me of the smell of the Disney hotels—maybe that’s why I love it."

Francis Kurkdjian (who's behind the beloved Baccarat Rouge perfume, also on this list) is now the creative director for Dior's fragrances, where he's been reimagining and reworking their most iconic scents. My favorite atm? Miss Dior, which got a musky, spicy glow-up to bring this classic O.G. floral into 2024. It's got your usual suspects (floral notes, jasmine, mandarin orange, and peach), but it's rounded out with patchouli and amberwood to add a darkness to this otherwise bright, fresh perfume. And the lasting power is unmatched. I spritzed this on my skin in the morning and could still smell it the next day after taking a shower.

• Key notes: Jasmine, floral notes, mandarin orange, apricot, peach, amberwood, patchouli
• Size: 1.2, 1.7, 2.7 oz

Glowing customer review: "This Parfum is so addicting, Love the top notes, but the lingering scent is WOW! Lots of compliments on it already!! My new favorite!!"

You've probably seen this (very) expensive perfume on TikTok, as people are legit obsessed with sweet, jasmine perfume (ahem, we're talking millions of views). Prior to an onslaught of Baccarat Rouge 540 dupes, it smelled like nothing else on the market, with a mix of fresh jasmine, salty ambergris, warm cedarwood, and spicy saffron that forms a stunning yet light scent.

FWIW, even Kacey Musgraves told Cosmo she's a fan. "It’s rich and genderless and not too sweet, and it develops differently on everyone," she says. "Plus, the iconic bottle is gorgeous."

• Key notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambergris
• Size: 1.2, 2.4, 6.8 oz

Glowing customer review: "This is a very interesting perfume! There is an airy and crystalline quality to this and never feels heavy which many vanilla-based perfumes tend to do. It’s an ethereal vanilla with hints of citrus in the opening and florals that have just bloomed but it’s a cool spring day so they aren’t always apparent. One spritz to the wrist lasted until the next day."

I have a lot of perfumes (close to 150, to be exact), so it's rare that a bottle crosses my desk and makes me go, "Oooh." But this award-winning scent from MCM still catches my eye every time I look at it. Modeled after their iconic backpack, the bottle is unlike any others in my collection, featuring a leather finish and chic gold hardware. And the scent inside is just as chic, with a sweet mix of raspberry, apricot, peony, jasmine, and vanilla that make for a fruity floral that smells intoxicating on my skin.

• Key notes: Raspberry, apricot, peony, jasmine, vanilla
• Size: 1.7, 2.4 oz

Glowing customer review: "I saw this when reviewing gift ideas was really amazed by the bottle! Looks just like my MCM backback. And, the fragrance is really beautiful. This is a major success all around!"

Smelling salty might not sound as appealing as, say, having the aroma of vanilla or cherry. But when it's in this perfume from Ellis Brooklyn, it lends the vibe of sipping a crisp glass of wine seaside on a windy day. The perfume is grounded by ambergris, a salty, musky note (fair warning: don't google what it is because it will gross you out, but know it's vegan and synthetic in this formula). But it's also got tropical and bright tiare flower and violet, taking it to a fresh, beachy place that doesn't smell overly sweet or fruity.

• Key notes: Ylang ylang, Tahitian tiare flower, ambergris, musk
• Size: 0.34, 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: "I love this scent. Fresh, clean and lasts pretty well. It definitely smells beachy but not in a sunscreen way."

Walk in a room wearing Delina and someone is def going to smell ya, because the sillage (or the scent trail the perfume leaves behind) is strong AF. When I have a big event for work and want to make a good impression, I always spritz a lil bit of Delina on my wrists and behind my ears. The powdery, musky, scent—spiked with rose—makes me feel powerful and strong.

• Key notes: Peony, rhubarb, lychee, Turkish rose, musk, cashmeran, vetiver
• Size: 1, 2.5 oz

Glowing customer review: "I’m a flight attendant, and I get complimented on this perfume at least 3-4 times a day. It’s soft and clean. One of the nicest perfumes you can own."

Testers literally say this perfume smells like "home," or like hugging a loved one. Why? Well, because it smells like a human and not a perfume, IMO. It's very subtle and light, with notes like musk, sandalwood, and jasmine—all of which just blend together in a dreamy, skin-like way. I actually love wearing this perfume to sleep (along with the body lotion and hand cream) because the scent is so comforting.

• Key notes: Skin musk, sandalwood, jasmine, bergamot
• Size: 0.32, 1.7 oz

Cosmo review: "When I want something that smells *sexy* but not overly strong (especially during the day), I dab on Phlur Missing Person. I’m not typically a fan of musky scents, but there’s something about this one that’s so subtle and interesting. It settles nicely into your skin in an ‘I naturally smell this good’ sort of way, even on a hot, sweaty summer day. Hours after application, people will still be telling you that you smell amazing, and it lingers on whatever you wore for days." — Sarah Maberry, commerce writer

Smelling like firewood is chic as all hell, entirely thanks to Santal 33. It's Le Labo's most popular scent to date, featuring notes of sandalwood, leather, and cedarwood for a smokey, woodsy vibe. But in the dry-down, I get warm musk and powdery violet, making this scent a whole lot more complex than campfire, ya know?

• Key notes: Sandalwood, leather, cedar, iris, amber
• Size: 0.5, 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: "I buy a lot of fragrances and this is the best by far. I have received so many compliments since purchasing... and it's only been three days! I've had complete strangers stop me in the mall, the grocery store, and even the movie theatre to ask me what I was wearing. I can still smell it on me the next day too."

“I’d like to reframe the narrative that sweet perfumes aren’t sophisticated and sexy as hell, thank ya very much," says associate shopping editor Daisy Maldonado. "If you need proof, try out this fragrance from Kilian Paris that’s so deliciously rich while also making you feel like you walked straight out of the most luxe candy factory—Timothee Chalamet’s Willy Wonka factory, to be exact."

Love, Don't Be Shy by Kilian (famously worn by Rihanna before she created her own perfume, Fenty by Fenty Beauty) combines sugar, vanilla, and caramel in a way that smells like decadent, creamy marshmallows to me. But it's also layered with orange blossom for a hint of citrus and pink pepper for some spice. It's basically guaranteed to make you smell delectable. "It reminds me of carnival cotton-candy dreams mixed with a fruity twist while still feeling wealthy AF," Maldonado says.

• Key notes: Neroli, pink pepper, jasmine, sugar, vanilla, caramel
• Size: 0.24, 1.7 oz

Glowing customer review: "This is such a pleasant winter scent. If you wanna smell like marshmallows all day, this is the way to do it."

Mmmkay, so this Prada perfume has three things going for it: (1) It’s freakin’ Prada, (2) its bottle is incredibly cute and unique, and (3) its packaging is eco-friendly, including a refillable bottle and sustainable paper and cardboard out packaging. As for the scent itself, if you can imagine yourself snacking on a pear in a field of white flowers, you can envision what this perfume smells like: bliss. FWIW, Cosmo social media editor Maddie Hiatt wore this exact perfume on her frickin' wedding day, so that's how you know it's ~lovely~ AF.

• Key notes: Pear, tangerine, orange blossom, neroli, bourbon vanilla, amber, white musk
• Size: 0.33, 1, 1.6, 3, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “I am not a huge fan of most designer fragrances, but this just screams luxurious. The bottle has the signature Prada shape and feels great in your hand. The scent is a warm floral, with neroli bud, white amber, and white musk. The entire Paradoxe line consists of refillable bottles, which is an eco friendly movement I can get behind. Refills use 40% less material overall!”

Hate florals? Hate musk? Hate anything other than the sweet, cozy scent of vanilla? Hi, same. As someone whose signature body lotion scent has been vanilla anything since middle school, I absolutely love this ~grown-up~ version from Kayali (and so does Cosmo contributor Iman Balagam, who called it "perfect for those who crave a vanilla scent that has a lil more sophistication and depth"). The mix of woody notes paired with ultra-sweet vanilla and brown sugar is legit the perfect combo for a spicy, warm, cozy scent.

• Key notes: Vanilla orchid, tonka absolute, amber woods, musk, brown sugar
• Size: 0.33, 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “This is a decadent spiced vanilla dessert in a bottle,” one reviewer notes. “It’s perfect for winter wear when you’re craving something cozy, like being wrapped up in a warm, vanilla scented blanket while eating creme brûlée.”

This perfume smells like walking through Palermo, Italy when the lemon trees are in bloom—but, you know, way, way cheaper than the plane ticket. Inspired perfumer Violaine Collas's memories, the bright, sparkling citrus scent has notes of coriander, tea leaves, and white musk.

• Key notes: Lime, coriander, musk, green tea, cardamom
• Size: 1, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “Absolutely perfect lemon-woodsy scent,” one reviewer writers. “I feel like I’ve been searching for years for this fragrance—everything else has always been too sweet or too musky or not enough lemon, but this strikes a perfect balance for me.”

Warm and ~sexy~ meet fresh and floral in this best-selling perfume from Chanel. The notes of spicy patchouli, zesty orange, and rose smell delightfully fresh and modern without being too cutesy.

• Key notes: Orange, Turkish rose, patchouli
• Size: 1.2, 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “I received compliments all night,” one reviewer writes. “From the moment I got in the Uber to the restaurant and the bar afterwards. I took a shower and could still smell it on my skin. It smells delicate, elegant and amazing!”

This perfume has a cult-like following for good reason. The smoky and woodsy blend of oud, sandalwood, and vetiver smell straight-up sexy and mysterious. It’s the perfect perfume for date night or going out. Well done, Tom Ford.

• Key notes: Oud wood, sandalwood, vetiver
  
• Size: 0.3, 1, 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “This is oud done right. It is one of the best oud fragrances I’ve owned. Given that this private blend is unisex, I’ve tried it a few times, and it smells masculine on me, [but] I tried it on my brother, and he says it smells feminine to him. Nonetheless I cannot get over the opening of the oud to the dry down of the warm amber and tonka bean. Perfect for the colder, sweater seasons.”

Fresh, airy, and watery—a few spritzes of this iconic perfume from Giorgio Armani is honestly the closest thing to a dip in the ocean. I love wearing it as a summer fragrance, but TBH, it’s a winner year-round.

• Key notes: Jasmine, lemon, cedar
  
• Size: 1, 1.7, 3.4 oz

Glowing customer review: “This scent is truly a breath of fresh air. It’s feminine without being too sweet. It’s subtle yet long-lasting. It’s elegant and modern yet never overpowers. I notice people around me, breathing it in when I wear it. It’s a very peaceful, uplifting fragrance.”