Those who know, know: Not all perfumes are created equal. While there's nothing wrong with spritzing on that $10 body spray you grabbed on your last drugstore run, chances are, the scent won't linger like how a higher-end, long-lasting fragrance would. That's why the best luxury perfumes are often worth the investment. Sure, they may be more expensive, but you're pretty much guaranteed a noticeable scent with staying power. However, price isn't always the determining factor in what separates a luxury fragrance from the rest.
"One of the main factors influencing cost is the concentration of the scent," shares Alexandra Monet, perfumer at dsm-firmenich. "Body sprays and mists are often more affordable than eau de toilette or eau de parfum due to their lower concentration."
The ingredients used can also make a difference, says Juliette Karagueuzoglou, vice president perfumer at IFF. "We can use the finest raw materials and find the most exquisite qualities," she explains, which is one of the many reasons why luxury fragrances are great for perfume layering. "You're also paying for the bottle, packaging, and brand communication," adds Monet.
As a longtime beauty editor and expert, I know firsthand that you can never go wrong when it comes to investing in fragrances. Not only will you have them on hand for years to come, but everyone you encounter will remember your intoxicating scent. So, if you're looking to take your fragrance library to the next level, I've rounded up 21 of the best luxury perfumes for Marie Claire. Happy spritzing!
The Best Luxury Perfumes
- Best Luxury Perfume Overall: Hermès Barénia Eau de Parfum
- Best New Luxury Perfume: Valentino Sogno in rosso Parfum
- Best Daytime Luxury Perfume: Killian Rolling in Love Eau de Parfum
- Best Nighttime Luxury Perfume: Tom Ford Eau d'Ombre Leather Eau de Toilette
- Best Floral Luxury Perfume: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau de Parfum
As Hermès latest fragrance, Barénia is a true delight. Soft, yet captivating, it truly encompasses everything a luxury perfume should be. After only a few spritzes, I'm left with a glorious long-lasting scent that's a definite head-turner.
Notes: Miracle berry, butterfly lily, oak, patchouli
Fragrance Family: Floral
Size: 3.3 oz
What We Love: It's soft and light, but has staying power
What We Don’t: The round bottle can be difficult to grip while spraying it on; use both hands if this is the case for you
Created by Christine Nagel, this fragrance is sensual, distinct, and elegant.
I got an exclusive preview of Sogno in Rosso back in July when Valentino took a few editors to Paris to experience the new Anatomy of Dreams collection. It's safe to say I've been obsessed ever since. It's soft, creamy, and offers a hint of spice. Incomparable to anything I've smelled before, it melts beautifully into the skin and lasts until I wash it off. Bonus: it layers really well with a variety of other fragrances.
Notes: Black pepper, juniper berries essence, vanilla bourbon premium infusion
Fragrance Family: Amber
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: Complex scent profile that is exquisite on its own and blends well with other scents
What We Don’t: High price point. But that's to be expected—and it's worth it
Spicy pepper mixes with a milky base.
Delicate, warm, and floral are the best ways to describe this perfume, which makes it the perfect daytime scent. While I would definitely consider this fragrance ultra-feminine, anyone who enjoys these notes would fall in love with this classic from Kilian.
Notes: Almond milk, iris, musk
Fragrance Family: Warm florals
Size: 50 ml
What We Love: It's a soft, delicate scent that can work for new and experienced fragrance lovers
What We Don’t: Some may find the scent to be too light. In this case, spray on more
Killian Paris Rolling In Love falls into the soft florals family and is unisex by design.
Tom Ford's OG Ombré Leather has been a staple in my fragrance collection since its launch. Eau D'Ombre Leather adds a new spin by using fresh ginger, coriander, cardamom, and vanilla tincture. These notes add a spicy and slightly sweet twist to the classic. It's rich and complex.
Notes: Glowing leather accord, ambrofix, vanilla tincture
Fragrance Family: Woody
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: It's a unisex scent that can be used by anyone
What We Don’t: The complexity of the fragrance may not work for everyone. In this case, spritz on lightly and allow to dry down
The leather-accented packaging is a nice touch.
Floral and gourmand notes come together to create this unforgettable scent. While I'm typically not a huge fan of sweet scents, the marine note adds freshness that balances out the juice. Together, the notes create a beautiful, uplifting scent that will last all-day—or night.
Notes: Vanilla duo, vanilla orchid, marine ozonic accord
Fragrance Family: Florals and gourmand.
Size: 50 ml
What We Love: On top of the scent itself, the bottle is vibrant and gorgeous—something you'd want to display on your vanity
What We Don’t: The double vanilla notes may be too sweet for some. Try spritzing it on lightly
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau De Parfum falls into the floral category.
More Luxury Perfumes We Love
Ultra-floral and feminine, think of Amouage's Lilac Love as the perfect bouquet of florals. Cocoa and tonka beans add depth as the heart notes, while vanilla, patchouli, and sandalwood create a sweet, yet grounding base.
Notes: Lilac accord, orris, sandalwood
Fragrance Family: Floral
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: It is perfect for floral lovers
What We Don’t: It definitely makes a statement, so some may find it to be too strong; expensive
There are a handful of fragrances that go viral on social media from time-to-time, but Byredo's Mojave Ghost lives up to the hype. Primarily woody, this perfume also gives you hints of florals and sweetness, making it well-balanced, yet complex.
Notes: Amrette, Jamaican nesberry, sandalwood, crisp amber.
Fragrance Family: Woody
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: The scent is truly unique
What We Don’t: The round shape of the bottle may not make it the easiest fragrance to travel with
While L'Occitane may be best known for its almond-scented lotions and shower oils, the brand's commitment to honoring nature is apparent in its fragrances as well. An ode to the Provencal landscape, this scent is perfect for anyone who enjoys an earthy perfume.
Notes: Ambrette, white nettle flower accord, wild grass.
Fragrance Family: Mossy woods
Size: 1.6 oz
What We Love: The bottle speaks to the scent in a very obvious way
What We Don’t: The scent may be too earthy for some; not very long lasting
Inspired by the time Gabrielle Chanel won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award, CHANEL's 1957 remains as timeless as a classic suit from the luxury fashion house. Think of this scent as a blend of florals and woody notes, with just a touch of sweetness.
Notes: Bergamont, iris, cedar, honey
Fragrance Family: Soft floral
Size: 6.8 oz
What We Love: It's a classic scent that will never go out of style
What We Don’t: High price point, however it is worth the investment
If you love Colorado's landscape, this is the perfect fragrance for you. Inspired by the evergreen trees, this scent is an homage to the crisp air and distinct pine smell—perfect for those who love the outdoors.
Notes: Pink pepper, bitter orange, banana leaf, tobacco
Fragrance Family: Woody
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: It's woody and earthy, but adds other fresh notes to balance out the scent
What We Don’t: High price point, but worth it
Regardless of your own gender, sometimes you crave a dark, masculine scent. True to its name, Spicebomb Dark Leather is dark, powerful, and ultra-mysterious. Just look to the bottle, which serves a stark contrast to the pink-tinted glass of Flowerbomb.
Notes: Black pepper, incense, dark leather accord
Fragrance Family: Woody spice
Size: 3.04 oz
What We Love: It's masculine but can be worn by anyone
What We Don’t: May be too dark for some. Only do a light spritz if this is true for you
Although Diptyque may be best known for their luxury candles, don't sleep on the brand's fragrances. Lilyphéa is a new scent from the Les Essences de Diptyque collection, and it's something special. Light and fresh, this perfume is perfect for just about anyone.
Notes: Cardamom, violet leaves, vanilla.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: The light, fresh scent can work for anyone
What We Don’t: Some may not find the scent to be strong enough. If this is the case for you, try Corale Oscuro
Sexy and seductive is the only way to describe this particular fragrance. "Le Cuir embodies sensuality, connecting Christian Louboutin red soles with fragrances," says Karagueuzoglou, who is the perfumer of Le Cuir. "Its second skin feel boosts the sexiness. I used an IFF molecule called Saffiano, which has a suede-like scent, to enhance this effect."
Notes: Osmanthus, suede leather
Fragrance Family: Warm and spicy
Size: 2.7 oz
What We Love: It's an ultra-sexy unisex scent
What We Don’t: The stiletto shape of the bottle may make it difficult to travel with, so be sure to get a complimentary travel cap at check out.
Gourmand scents tend to be pretty polarizing, but Devotion has complex notes, which adds some nice spice, warmth, and depth.
Notes: Hazelnut, orange blossom, Madagascar vanilla.
Fragrance Family: Fruity
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: The bottle is beautiful and vibrant, perfect to have on display
What We Don’t: Despite the variation in notes, some may still find it to be too sweet. Solution: layer with a darker scent
Calling all vanilla lovers: This one is for you. If you're looking for a long-lasting version of the classic gourmand note, expect to fall in love with Deep Dark Vanilla. "One spray of this instantly calms my nervous system," says Beauty Editor Samantha Holender. "It's actually my go-to fragrance before crawling into bed."
Notes: Cabreuva, green vanilla leaves, vanilla absolute, dark patchouli.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: It's dedication to vanilla lovers
What We Don’t: If you don't love vanilla, this probably won't work for you. But you can always layer it with other scents; floral balances it nicely
This scent can be described as a sophisticated gourmand. The addition of florals and amber notes make it well-rounded and irresistibly juicy. It's a true ode to Rio de Janeiro that will have strangers turning their heads.
Notes: Lily, rose, amber, vanilla
Fragrance Family: Amber
Size: 2.54 oz
What We Love: Great to wear on its own, but blends very nicely with other scents
What We Don’t: May be too intense for some; not available at big retailers
The essence of Cult Gaia can be seen and smelled through Noor. The scent itself is a gorgeous blend of floral, earthy, and woody notes that reflect the warmth of the sun, while the bottle is crafted to look like one of their many unique fashion pieces. Three fragrances are in the breakout range, but Noor is my favorite.
Notes: Madagascar black pepper, fig, rose pepper
Fragrance Family: Floral
Size: 50 ml
What We Love: It's a bright and radiant scent that can be used by anyone
What We Don’t: While unique, the shape of the full-size bottle can make it difficult to carry on-the-go
If you're ready to elevate your home fragrance, then you need to get into Space. This one-of-a-kind interior scent blends fresh and earthy notes that complement each other so well that you'll never want to leave your house again.
Notes: Lime, black pepper, sweet amber
Fragrance Family: Woody
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: It will make your home smell ultra-luxe
What We Don’t: You can't spray it on yourself, unfortunately
From the bottle's color to the scent, Palatine screams majestic. It's the perfect blend of fruity, floral, and woody notes. "Though I’m partial to floral scents year-round, I just started using Parfums de Marly’s new Palatine Eau de Parfum and it smells like summer transitioning into fall," says Contributing Beauty Writer Taryn Brooke. "With notes of mandarin, bergamot, and pear, its floral scent also settles on a hint of musk, and it makes you feel pretty yet all warm and cozy inside."
Notes: Mandarin, violet petal, patchouli, vanilla
Fragrance Family: Fruity Floral
Size: 75 ml
What We Love: It is a very sophisticated scent, and also comes in a travel size for easy travel
What We Don’t: Some may find the opening notes to be too fruity. However, as it dries down, sandalwood and musk become more apparent to balance it out
Feminine, floral, and ultra-seductive are the perfect descriptions of this scent. Plus, it's vegan, cruelty-free, and Credo certified, so you can feel good any time you spritz it on.
Notes: Moroccan jasmine, musk, Italian lemon
Fragrance Family: Floral
Size: 50 ml
What We Love: It's light, floral, and sophisticated
What We Don’t: Doesn't last very long; consider priming your wrists
What to Look for in a Luxury Perfume
According to Karagueuzoglou, luxe fragrances should always include more raw ingredients. That said, luxury perfumers are typically less inspired by consumer trends and more focused on making a unique, high-quality scent. "Luxury fragrances often evoke specific olfactive associations," says Monet. While everyone has their own preconceived notions of what 'luxury' should smell like, we have studied luxury codes and identified certain patterns."
What is Considered a Luxury Perfume?
Pretty much anything that smells elevated and unlike anything else on the mass market is deemed luxury. "Overly sweet or fruity notes are not typically considered luxurious," Monet shares. "Sophisticated, elegant notes like precious flowers, woods, and amber characterize luxury fragrances. These scents offer richness and depth, distinguishing them from mass-market options."
Why are Luxury Perfumes More Expensive?
As previously mentioned, luxury perfumes tend to offer a higher concentration of fragrance, which results in a higher price point. But it also comes down to the uniqueness of the actual notes and how they're sourced. "There are no specific fragrance notes that define luxury scents," says Karagueuzoglou. "We usually find hyper-luxurious woods such as oud or rare flowers such as orris, for example."
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