Marie Claire Editors Describe Their Favorite Fragrances of All Time

This is one of my everyday perfumes―a light, youthful scent that combines bitter orange, refreshing cactus flower, gardenia, and Joshua Tree. This combination evokes playfulness through its florals without being too sweet or headache inducing. Meanwhile, it has a warm base of ambroxan and soft woods. These elements add a depth and complexity to the fragrance that set it apart from other floral options and make it work year round. Plus, the scent lasts all day, and I never need to make more than two to three spritzes.

Pros: long-lasting; editor-approved; more affordable than most fragrances; a little goes a long way

Cons: some found the scent too strong

Customer Review: "You have to make sure to only use about 2 squirts though or you'll be putting to much on. It lasts all day long, and through to the next if you spritz it into your hair. So the scent lasts. I'm not a bug perfume wearer, but this one is one I wear now regularly." -Walmart

"There is truly no better smell than Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de parfum—and I will die on that hill. Cedarwood, saffron, and jasmine are the primary notes, but the end scent is so complex it simply gives off a warm, intoxicating smell. I get stopped time and again every time I spritz this perfume. Plus, it lasts all day long; a few sprays is all you need." -Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor

Pros: editor-approved; long-lasting; a little goes a long way

Cons: some users felt it didn't last long enough

Customer Review: "This fragrance is truly a gem, with its complex and multi-faceted aroma. It perfectly blends the warm and sweet notes of saffron and amberwood, along with fresh and floral hints of jasmine and lily-of-the-valley. The result is a sophisticated and alluring fragrance that is suitable for special occasions or a night out." -Saks Fifth Avenue

"I’m not one to experiment much with fragrances, but ever since I got my hands (wrists, neck, etc.) on Ellis Brooklyn’s West perfume, I’ve been hooked. The light-and-bright scent blends several citrusy fragrances (think blood orange, lemon, basil) with more sweet and smoky notes, creating a tangy-yet-balanced smell that’s distinct but not overpowering. The perfume is described as being summery, but I find myself spritzing it on all year long." -Lucia Tonelli, Social Media Editor

Pros: editor-approved; works for any season; not too strong; layerable scent

Cons: some users felt it had a chemical scent

Customer Review: " It’s very fresh smelling and just lifts your mood. Cool and warm all at once. Citrusy and sweet but not cloying. Totally wearable all the time." -Ellis Brooklyn

If, like me, you love to read, then consider this Byredo fragrance, which allows you to wear your favorite hobby on your sleeve. Byredo’s Bibliothèque is formulated to recall the scent of libraries and old, treasured books. With heart notes of leather accord and violent and base notes of birch woods, patchouli, and vanilla, it brings on visions of leather bound volumes lined perfectly along floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves. Meanwhile, its top notes of plum and cinnamon balance out the fragrance, bringing a feminine edge to the otherwise musky scent.

Pros: editor-approved; long-lasting; nostalgic

Cons: too musky too for some

Customer Review: "Fortunately on my skin, it smells amazing. Not like a library, but more like a book. Grandma had an old notebook, covered in skin with papers turned brown inside, that sort of book. It gives the scent an old fashioned vibe, fortified by the fact that the peach note here reminds me of that in the original Yvresse. To me this one is evocative, comforting, casually classy without being dressy." -Fragrantica

"I've long been a fan of PHLUR's range of scents, but the brand's newest drop is one of my favorites—if not my favorite. With notes of lemon, vanilla, sandalwood, and musk, it's at once bright and warm. The sweetness of the vanilla is cut with spicy musk and bright lemon, leaving you with a last-all-day type of scent that works for day or night." - Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Writer

Pros: editor-approved; balanced scent; versatile; long-lasting

Cons: some users found that the base notes lasted longer than the top notes

Customer Review: "This is a beautiful mix of vanilla, sandalwood and amber. When i wear this i get an insane amount of compliments. lasts a good 5-6 hours on skin and all day and night on clothes." -Sephora

"When it comes to fragrance, I'm all about warm and cozy scents. I love the Vanilla Woods perfume by The 7 Virtues for its soothing vanilla and amber notes. You don't need much for a long-lasting scent, so I especially love using the rollerball version so I can control how much perfume I apply. Plus, it's great to throw in your purse for on the go." -Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow

Pros: editor-approved; sweet; layerable fragrance

Cons: some users said it had a chemical scent

Customer Review: "I absolutely love this scent, especially for fall and winter! It is wonderfully warm and delicious smelling and makes me feel particularly cozy this time of year. The first time I wore it around my boyfriend he immediately commented on how much he loved it and couldn't stop mentioning it all night! Definitely recommend if you like warm, yummy, vanilla scents." -Sephora

"Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino Acqua is like a vacation to the Italian Riviera in a bottle, so if you’ve got no trips to Portofino in the near future, this Tom Ford fragrance is for you. It’s fresh, citrusy, and subtly reminiscent of sunscreen, with some floral and amber notes that make it perfect for the transition into fall. It's the first time a free sample bottle of perfume has compelled me to buy the full-sized version." -LT

Pros: unisex; editor-approved; balanced

Cons: some users say it doesn't last long

Customer Review: "It has a light, citrus, non overpowering scent perfect for warmer climates!" -Neiman Marcus

"I've always dreamed of having a signature scent—a perfume that, with one whiff, makes you think, 'Oh, without a doubt, that's Emma!' And after many months of sniffing and searching, I've found it: Le Labo's Bergamote 22. It's undoubtedly pricy, but Beragmote 22 has become my daily, must-spritz luxury. It smells fresh and floral but is balanced with deeper, almost smoky undertones of amber, musk, and vetiver. Plus, the fragrance offers enormous lasting power, too: two pumps are all you need for it to last all day." -Emma Childs, Fashion Features Editor

Pros: editor-approved; balanced; works for all seasons

Cons: some users find it too grassy

Customer Review: "Bergamot is a compelling, mysterious scent. Anywhere I go wearing this scent, people wonder what it is. It’s my new signature scent for summer, and I’ve bought many a bottle for my friends." -Nordstrom

"Since Dioriviera launched a few months ago, it's been my go-to, can't-live-without fragrance. It's light and fresh thanks to the inclusion of fig, but oxidizes on my skin in a way that transcends seasons. I'm pretty generous with the amount of product I spray—always one on my wrists, neck, hair, and clothing—yet it never feels overwhelming or too intense. I'm continuously stopped on the street; it's that good." -SH

Pros: editor-approved; versatile; light; long-lasting; subtle

Cons: expensive

Customer Review: "I love this scent. It’s packaged beautifully. It smells like a luxurious vacation. I purchased a bag at the Dior pop up in Capri and they sprayed this all over my purchase and for the past 3 months I have been hunting it down. I am so glad I did. I get so many compliments when I wear this scent." -Dior

"Let it be known that I have never been someone who likes vanilla-scented perfumes. They're normally too sweet and remind me of something I might have worn as a teen rather than as an adult. Enter: Byredo's Vanille Antique: a heady, warm scent that lingers all day. I wore it as one of my favorite summer scents in 2022, but I can't wait to wear it during the colder months. It's sweet and just a touch spicy, a true office-friendly vanilla-forward scent that won't leave me with a headache." -JM

Pros: versatile; balanced; editor-approved

Cons: small bottle

Customer Review: "The juicy plum, sweet vanilla and warm amber give the impression of a warm plum crumble made with brown sugar and vanilla ice cream. This is a classy Autumn/Winter perfume leaning gourmand. Delicious!" -Frangrantica

I promise that I don't just like this fragrance because it shares my name. This floral fragrance incorporates bright, uplifting elements like orange blossom as well as deeper, muskier florals like jasmine and grasse tuberose. Wearing it always makes me feel confident and sophisticated―perfect for date night or for dinner and a show. Marie Claire Beauty Director Deena Campbell also loves this scent, writing in our roundup of the best Chanel perfumes that it’s “the perfect description of how a woman should smell—powerful, sophisticated and more and more lovely as she ages.”

Pros: luxury; sophisticated; heritage brand; balanced; editor-approved

Cons: some users find it too strong and musky

Customer Review: "Gabrielle has a delicate floral scent but is long lasting. I feel it would appeal to all ages and I highly recommend if you haven’t tried it yet!" -Chanel

I absolutely love this scent, which is mean to evoke "technicolor visions of rich woods and sensual florals." Indeed, this scent is woodsy and spicy, with black pepper and cardamom top notes, a suede middle note, and sandalwood and cedarwood base notes. However, it’s balanced out by the fresh scent of fig leaves, the refreshing scent of coconut water, and floral notes like jasmine petals and lily of the valley. Because it incorporates both masculine and feminine elements, it’s perfect for wear by all genders.

Pros: balanced; unisex; editor-approved

Cons: some users find it too musky

Customer Review: "In love with this for fall. It is our first moody, chilly, overcast day in LA today, it's almost October, and I am so ready to retire my spring/summer juicy florals for something more serious and autumnal. I sprayed this on my cardigan before going to work and it smells perfect. I was worried that with the name Woodphoria, it would be too heavy or smoky, but it's just the perfect amount of smoky woodiness without smelling like you were sitting in front of a BBQ all night." -Sephora