Best perfumes for women

best perfumes for women
(Image credit: Photo by Angélica Echeverry on Unsplash)

Finding the best perfumes for women online may seem an impossible task but it's not. This collection has a range of fragrances to suit a variety of styles, so there really is something for everyone. 

When shopping for perfume, it's important to understand that most affordable options are eau de parfum, rather than actual perfume. The difference is the concentration of the scent, which affects how long the smell will stay on you. Make sure you don't end up with eau de toilette or eau de cologne or the scent will wear off too quickly. 

Best feminine floral perfume

Calvin Klein Eternity perfumes for women

(Image credit: Calvin Klein)

Calvin Klein eternity moment eau du parfum

Smells of flowers, fruit and musk

Eternity Moment by Calvin Klein is one of the best perfumes for women because its soft, fragrant scent is subtle enough that most people tend to like it. It's a very safe bet. 

This classic, floral perfume is topped off with the smell of lychees and Chinese peony and gets its depth from a musky base note. And the bottle is pretty enough that it'll look great on any dressing table. 

Best vintage scent

Estee Lauder Beautiful Eau De Parfum

(Image credit: Estee Lauder)

Estee lauder beautiful eau de parfum

A classic since 1985

One of the best perfumes for women who like a vintage scent is Beautiful, by Estee Lauder. It was launched back in 1985 and has been popular ever since.

The sandalwood gives it a more traditional smell that is balanced by the citrus scent of mandarin and orange flower and the floral fragrance of rose, marigold, jasmine, lily, and ylang-ylang.

But if you're buying for a younger woman who prefers a lighter perfume, this wouldn't be the right choice.

Best invigorating scent

Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue Eau de Parfum

(Image credit: Elizabeth Arden)

Elizabeth Arden my 5th avenue eau de parfum

An American classic

Elizabeth Arden's My Fifth Avenue is one of the best perfumes for women who like a scent to match that is as confident as they are. 

It combines the fragrance of musk and sandalwood with bergamot, jasmine, and tuberose and the lighter notes of lilac, magnolia, and mandarin. The result is a classic scent that's light enough to suit a younger nose.

Best seductive scent

Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau de Parfum Spray

(Image credit: Paco Rabanne)

Paco rabanne lady million eau de parfum

Fresh, floral, and woody

One of the best perfumes for women who like their scents to be seductive and sensual is Lady Million by Paco Rabanne.

It smells like fresh flowers, thanks to the heart notes of orange flower and jasmine, and the base notes of patchouli and honey. The scent of bitter orange, neroli, and raspberry rounds off this perfume to produce a signature scent that lingers.

Best playful scent

Katy Perry Killer Queen Eau de Parfum for Women

(Image credit: Katy Perry)

Katy perry killer queen

Intoxicating and exotic

Katy Perry's Killer Queen is one of the best perfume for young women who want a playful, sophisticated and powerful scent. 

The red ruby-shaped bottle contains a burst of fruity berries, plum and bergamot that's balanced out by the scent of patchouli and cashmeran. 

Best contemporary scent

Chloe perfumes for women

(Image credit: Chloe)

Chloe eau de parfum

Intense floral and romantic aroma

Chloe is one of the best perfumes for women who lean towards a more contemporary yet classic scent.

It pairs the fragrance of amber and cedar with floral notes to create a feminine perfume that smells as chic as the bottle looks.

It's popular with women who like the smell of peony, freesia, rose and magnolia, which is enriched by lychee and Muguet notes.

Sniff out the best perfumes for women

This selection of the best perfumes for women covers classic scents, modern, bold fragrances, and everything in between. If you're not sure what to pick and want something that most women will love, Calvin Klein's Eternity Moment is the best choice. 

If you're shopping for a young woman, Katy Perry's Killer Queen scent is bold enough to wow, as is Lady Million by Paco Rabanne.

The more subtle and sophisticated fragrance of Elizabeth Arden's My Fifth Avenue or the Chloe would more likely appeal to someone in their 30s and above. 

And if you're shopping for someone who has a more classic, vintage nose, the iconic Beautiful by Estee Lauder would be perfect.