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Nothing affects our mood and memories as viscerally as scent; get to know these unforgettable perfumes and tailor your collection accordingly.
and Kara Jillian Brown
While some of us are loyal to our signature scent, others have a vanity tray that runneth over. Either way, what you spritz on at the beginning of the day or ahead of a night out sets a certain tone. Perhaps you want to keep things demure with a powdery rose or say come-hither with a smokey amber fragrance. No matter what, we’ve got you.
Ahead, the 10 best fragrances of 2024.
Best Floral Gourmand:
Jean Paul Gaultier Divine Eau de Parfum, $160.00 Shop Now
Sitting at a gorgeous intersection of floral and gourmand, Gaultier Divine is a truly captivating mix of sweet lily, creamy meringue, and crisp salt that sings—and lasts—on the skin. The gilded bottle cast in what else but the iconic Gaultier cone bra corset also makes it my favorite new dresser accessory. —Lauren Valenti, beauty director
Best Floral Amber:
Valentino Born in Roma Donna Green Stravaganza Eau de Parfum, $165.00 Shop Now
The Valentino Born in Roma scents never miss—and Donna Green Stravaganza is no exception. Inspired by the green gardens of Ancient Rome, its evocative inspiration comes to life with smoky herbaceous Lapsang Souchong tea accord, rich floral jasmine absolute, and creamy, woody vanilla extract. It’s a unique scent profile that feels both fresh and captivating, especially as I move through the warmer months. —L.V.
Best Woody:
The Maker Lover, $175.00 Shop Now
If you, too, like to cocoon yourself in a warm, woody scent akin to being swathed in a fuzzy Merino wool sweater, you’re going to want The Maker’s Lover in rotation. A lovely fusion of warm woods with jasmine sambac, narcissus, and touch of oud, it’s both comforting and compliment-eliciting. —L.V.
Best Fresh:
Maison Margiela Fragrances Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette, $165.00 Shop Now
This is one of my favorites from the Maison Margiela replica collection. The scent is hard to pin down—it’s one of those perfumes that truly smells different on (and to) everyone—but for me, it’s fresh, soapy, and just a little sweet. It’s got that clean smell of a white sheet straight out of the dryer with a powdery iris note that brings back memories of stealing ’90s Clinique from my mom’s sunlit bathroom. There’s something about the combination I find intoxicating, and I get compliments almost every time I wear it. —Madeline Hirsch, fashion features director
Best Powdery Floral:
Arquiste L’or De Louis Fire Blossom, $245.00 Shop Now
One of the many things I love about Arquiste’s L'or De Louis is that it supplies a history lesson. Did you know that in the 17th century, the Palace of Versailles contained more than 1,000 Mediterranean trees in its gardens? Neither did I. But the first time I smelled L'or De Louis, a golden masterpiece featuring orange blossom absolute, honey, pomegranate, and firewood smoke, it painted a dreamy picture—and had me completely hooked. —L.V.
Best Fruity:
Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden, The Heart of Leo, $384.00 Shop Now
From the apothecary-like bottles to the truly enrapturing scent profiles, I love the 360-degree journey scents from Gucci’s The Alchemist's Garden collection take me on. The Heart of Leo is another delicious trip wherein juicy blackcurrant, smoky-sweet olibanum, and licorice-like myrrh combine for a fruity and amber bouquet that makes me feel dark and mysterious whenever I wear it. —L.V.
Best Smokey:
Guerlain Tobacco Honey, $395.00 Shop Now
Applying this sexy and mysterious scent instantly makes me feel like a cooler, more powerful version of myself. It blends notes of vanilla, patchouli, amber, and honey for a fragrance that’s equal parts sweet and smokey. It’s so delicious, I would drink it if I could. —Kara Jillian Brown, beauty editor
Best Skin-Like:
Glossier Glossier You Eau de Parfum, $78.00 Shop Now
No matter where I go, if I’m wearing Glossier You, someone notices. Whether it’s at a wedding or in an Uber, this scent grabs the attention of anyone in my orbit, which is exactly why it’s been my go-to since the moment it launched back in 2017. The entire spirit of the fragrance is that it smells slightly different based on who’s wearing it. —Samantha Brash, director of content strategy
Best Herbaceous:
Hermès H24 Herbes Vives Eau de Parfum, $165.00 Shop Now
Drawing from my own experience, you’ll want to gift this to a partner only so you can steal it back. This equal parts cool and fresh scent succeeds at conjuring “urban nature rediscovered after a rain shower,” opening up with fresh herbs with a heart of juicy pear and base of minty Physcool that’s elegant and entirely wearable. —L.V.
Best Citrus:
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum, $295.00 Shop Now
One of my favorite transportative, vacation-in-a-bottle scents, Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino is an ode to the Italian Riviera that artfully and delectably marries bright citrus notes (like Tunisian neroli, Sicilian lemon, and Italian bergamot) with lavender and smooth amber. Let it hack your Mediterranean getaway, too. —L.V.