Scent is a remarkable vessel for transporting you back to an era of time, and as we get older, revisiting a former favourite fragrance can feel very nostalgic. But our tastes also evolve, and there are new aroma families, striking notes and innovative concoctions that feel right for the moment, making it worth experimenting with different formulas and concentrations.
The good news? There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wearing perfume. No fragrance is off-limits at any age, and there is always room for creativity and discovery. Whether you love soft florals, fresh citrus notes, warm and woody accords or something rich and opulent, the best perfume is the one you want to catch whiffs of throughout the day, and that makes you feel confident in your own skin.
To help inspire your journey of scent discovery, we’ve handpicked 12 addictive aromas worth exploring, from intense, long-lasting extraits de parfum to light and fresh fragrance mists (that are surprisingly good!). There are addictive notes of vanilla or sensual accords of tobacco, so whether you’re searching for a new signature scent or are looking to try something different, there are elixirs for every taste, mood and occasion.
Vogue’s best perfumes for mature women at a glance:
Best perfume for evenings out: Merit New Wave
Merit
New Wave
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A modern take on a classic amber fragrance, this sexy, enveloping l’extrait de parfum has all the resinous warmth of a traditional amber perfume but feels grown-up and modern with the inclusion of pink pepper, orange flower and a honey floral accord. It also boasts staying power and an elegant scent trail as the extrait de parfum will last and last without dissipating.
- Notes: Pink pepper, angelica, orange flower, ylang-ylang, honey floral accord, incense, benzoin, labdanum, patchouli, tobacco, vanilla, woods
- Need to know: The thumb indent in the bottle is a gorgeous, tactile touch for such a sensual scent.
Best for a fun fragrance find: Joonbyrd Confidence Mood Jelly
Joonbyrd
Confidence Mood Jelly
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: No matter your age, you should be able to have fun with your beauty routine. Case in point: these delectable fragrance jellies that look good enough to eat and even better in your handbag. As well as making you smell good (notes of peach, oak moss and saffron), the jellies are supported by neuroscience to help increase serotonin and, in turn, emotional balance. This one helps boost confidence and vitality.
- Notes: Peach, oak moss, saffron, ambroxan
- Need to know: Also available in Bliss and Peace iterations, this is a serotonin-boosting scent stash to collect.
Best perfume for lavender fans: 27 87 2020 Lavender Archive Edition
27 87
2020 Lavender Archive Edition
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you love lavender but don’t love its old-fashioned reputation, let this lavender scent do the talking for you. Unlike traditional lavender fragrances that have an underlying powdery pull, this iteration showcases the crisp aromatic facets of the signature note, a bright and radiant floral that also has depth, warmth and softness.
- Notes: Lavender, clary sage, pomarose, petalia, lavender, muguet, tonka bean, ambrette seed
- Need to know: The fragrance forms part of a wider collection of seven previously unreleased fragrances created between 2017–2025. Each one eschews the idea of fragrance as nostalgic, positioning them as scents perfect for the present instead.
Best perfume for autumn days: Liberty LBTY Zephirine Eau de Parfum
Liberty
Zephirine
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you like your fragrances to match the seasons outside, this EDP is the perfect choice for these in-between days. Combining the last glimmers of sunshine and warmth in the form of luscious figs with the smoky aromatic appeal of wintery incense, this fragrance is velvety and elegant and perfect for now.
- Notes: Fig Nature Print, cypress, clove, rose centifolia, patchouli, benzoin, suede, vetiver, cedarwood
- Need to know: The standout cap is dressed in Liberty’s archival Eden’s Awakening print, making it as collectable as it is covetable.
Best perfume for a mood boost: Sol de Janeiro Intense Perfume Mist in Cheirosa 59
Sol de Janeiro
Intense Perfume Mist in Cheirosa 59
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Inspired by the brand’s Brazilian roots (think sunshine, warmth, and joy), these new iterations are a more grown-up take on the bestselling fragrance mists. Combining the signature mists with a richer concentration and more lasting power, this is a soft gourmand that combines white orchid and creamy sandalwood, along with a solar amber base accord.
- Notes: White orchid, sandalwood, solar amber accord
- Need to know: If you own any of the brand’s existing fragrance mists, try layering with the new intense mists for a custom blend concoction that sinks seamlessly into the skin.
Best hair perfume: Cécred Temple Oud Hair Perfume
CÉCRED
Temple Oud Hair Perfume
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Spritzing your hair can be a nice alternative to your skin if you find that scent doesn’t last. Newly launched from Beyoncé’s haircare range, this gently spiced oud fragrance is given an earthiness thanks to sandalwood and Haitian vetiver. Blowsy jasmine adds a creamy edge, which makes this feel even more feminine.
- Notes: Bergamot, jasmine, oud, sandalwood, Haitian vetiver
- Need to know: Although this will elevate your everyday fragrance game, it’s also perfect for those days when you don’t want to wash your hair, but it’s smelling less than fresh.
Best floral perfume: L’Entropiste Jodhpur 6am
L'Entropiste
Jodhpur 6am
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Although tuberose is the standout star in this fragrance, it’s so much more than a creamy white floral. Alongside the headiness of tuberose, there are also the spicy tang of ginger, the delicate aromatics of black tea and the gentle warmth of cardamom. To be expected when the fragrance’s namesake is the vibrant blue city in India’s north, perhaps, but no less arresting.
- Notes: Tuberose, ginger, cardamom, black tea, milk accord
- Need to know: Although it’s inspired by the scent of morning chai, its natural warmth and spiciness make for a great evening option too.
Best unisex perfume: Gabar 02 Ground Eau De Parfum
Gabar
02 Ground
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Inspired by Bagan, the ancient capital of Myanmar, this is a captivating perfume that blends deep, earthy woods with bright accents of pink pepper and vetiver, as well as suede-like musk. It’s a potent, punchy concoction on paper, but in person, it’s truly special, dynamic and intriguing at first before mellowing into the skin like a warm hug.
- Notes: Oud, sandalwood, cedarwood, saffron, pink pepper, vetiver, fig, musk
- Need to know: With its rich woody undertones, this makes a great unisex option.
Best perfume for on the go: Touchland Power Essence Hydrating Body & Hair Fragrance Mist in Vanilla Velvet
Touchland
Power Essence Hydrating Body & Hair Fragrance Mist Vanilla Velvet
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’ve dismissed body mists as a strictly teenage obsession, let this elevated range of hair and body mists be the ones that change your mind. Formulated like a fragrance with top, middle and base notes, this creamy coconutty scent has that comforting skin-like scent of a scarf that’s been pressed against skin all day. It also comes with added hydrating skincare ingredients like panthenol and niacinamide, so it won’t dry out your skin or hair either.
- Notes: Coconut flakes, vanilla vapour, whipped cream, muguet, almond, sandalwood
- Need to know: The slimline, capless design is perfect for stashing in your handbag and refreshing on the go.
Best daytime perfume: Penhaligon’s The Manoeuvres of The Baroness
Penhaligon’s
The Manoeuvres of The Baroness
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: The perfect perfume for those who can’t quite make up their mind between olfactive families. This striking fragrance combines the best of floral, think geranium and orange blossom, with the prettiest elements of gourmand like Chantilly cream and vanilla. A bright, sparkling yet soft and sophisticated day time scent.
- Notes: Orange blossom, Chantilly cream, sandalwood, vanilla, geranium
- Need to know: The collectable hand-finished metal animal-head stoppers are exclusive to the Portraits Collection, a fragrance line inspired by a fictional Victorian and Edwardian British aristocratic family.
Best classic perfume: Dior Dioriginals Diorissimo
Dior
Diorissimo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: An icon in the fragrance world, this pretty, feminine floral is about as good as it gets if you’re looking for a classic, everyday perfume with a touch of elegance and romance. Originally created in 1956, it captures the scent of lily of the valley through a host of soft floral accords, including jasmine and lilac.
- Notes: Jasmine absolute, ylang-ylang, lilac, sandalwood, civet
- Need to know: The result of master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian restoring 13 iconic fragrances, the Dioriginals collection is a real collector’s item.
Best gourmand perfume: Byredo Havana Tonka
BYREDO
Havana Tonka
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Gourmand fragrances are definitely having their moment, but this creamy, smoky concoction is a more elevated take on the trend, one that feels more seductive than saccharine. To add depth and texture to tonka bean, crème brûlée and white suede accords, there are tobacco leaves and rum, while brighter notes of bergamot and pink peppercorn add a freshness that stops it from being too heavy.
- Notes: Tonka bean, bergamot, rum, pink peppercorn, crème brûlée, tobacco leaves, violet, cashmere woods, white suede, patchouli resinoid, skin musk
- Need to know: Inspired by Havana after dark, this extrait de parfum is a highly concentrated perfume which offers more staying power and intensity than a traditional eau de parfum.