Thank Me Later—I Just Found the Most Popular Floral Fragrances on the Internet
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@maggie_mccormackOut of all the different kinds of fragrances—fruity, earthy, woody, and so on—floral fragrances are perhaps the most popular. That's because they're some of the most classic and universal scents; it doesn't matter what season, occasion, or setting you find yourself in; a floral fragrance will be fitting. Heading to the office? Yep. Catching up over Sunday brunch? Sure. Going on a date? Definitely.
That's not to say that all floral fragrances are the same or that they're boring or basic. In fact, floral is a category that's as vague as it is vast, and no floral fragrance is the same. Some are classically sweet and soft. Others are slightly smoky or spicy. Clearly, we have options… a lot of options. To narrow things down, we searched the internet for the most popular ones—the scents that are best-selling, top-rated, or even just consistently talked about. Ahead, see 17 floral fragrances that are worthy of becoming your new signature scent.
Key Notes: bergamot, nutmeg, Turkish rose, vetiver, vanilla, and musk
A truly beautiful floral fragrance, this one earned the top spot out of 67 perfumes we tested. That's because it's so soft, warm, and feminine with notes of bergamot, Turkish rose, vanilla, and musk. These notes coalesce into something that might seem subtle and unassuming but is actually alluring and intoxicating.
Customer Review: "This masterpiece fragrance has depth, longevity, and enticement. It is akin to putting on your favorite gown or robe; whatever makes you feel most comfortable and beautiful. Absolutely holy grail status."
Key Notes: orange blossom, Osmanthus, tuberose, jasmine, and narcissus
While the brand's Love, Don't Be Shy gets more hype, this fragrance is just as good and just as intoxicating. It's all thanks to a floral mix of orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, and narcissus. At first spritz, it feels soft and innocent. But true to the name, it dries down into something sultrier and more evocative. It's this duality that makes it unique.
Customer Review: "If a book was based on a scent- it’d be the 50 Shades of Gray for this one! It’s honestly such an innocent, classy, and sexy smell! It’s worth the price as it lasts all day."
Key Notes: lavender essence, orange blossom, and musk accord
This "reinvention" of a floral perfume is anything but boring or powdery. Instead, notes of lavender essence, orange blossom, and musk accord intermingle to create a scent that's both sophisticated and modern. It has all the markings of a soon-to-be classic, and there's more than one Who What Wear beauty editor who goes wild for it.
Customer Review: "I was at a wedding and someone smelled AMAZING! I asked what she was wearing and she showed me this perfume. I instantly bought and every time I wear it I have strangers telling me I smell great. It lasts and it’s a combination of fresh and seductive."
Key Notes: jasmine and vanilla bourbon
Another nontraditional floral fragrance, this one combines three kinds of jasmine with vanilla bourbon, which is one of the most expensive perfume extracts in the world. It's sweet without being sugary, and it's warm without being heady. To us, it's a perfect daily perfume that's sure to garner compliments.
Customer Review: "This is the ONE! I love almost all of the Valentino line but this one is a stunter! I fell in love as soon as I sprayed it on myself [...] I sprayed some on myself before leaving the store and was complimented as soon as I hugged my friend. He said you smell really good! If a man compliments me on my fragrance I’m buying it no questions asked! Don’t hesitate ladies add this to your perfume portfolio. It’s a winner!"
Key Notes: tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, and amberwood
It's hard to think of a Diptyque scent that we don't like. In fact, we don't think that scent exists. Like all other fragrances from the French perfume house, this one is complex and sophisticated with notes of tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, and amberwood. It's sultry and invokes warm summer nights.
Customer Review: "I have never received more compliments about how lovely, gorgeous, intoxicating, bewitching I smell than while wearing Do Son, from men and women, young and old."
Key Notes: tuberose petals, golden gardenia, and honeysuckle
Another tuberose-heavy perfume, this one is inexplicably modern. Maybe it's the soft gardenia or the creamy honeysuckle, but it doesn't read as intense or cloying. Instead, it's light and sheer and, to us, smells like a fresh spring day.
Customer Review: "I grew up around honeysuckle and I was intrigued to try this Ellis Brooklyn scent. They captured the scent perfectly with the Florist perfume. It's fresh and floral with a hint of sweetness from the honeysuckle that I feel gives the perfect blend to this."
Key Notes: pear, white gardenia, and brown sugar
This top-rated perfume from Gucci is best described as a fruity floral thanks to top notes of pear and white gardenia. A third note of brown sugar lends a subtle sweetness and has a grounding and warming effect. If you like sweeter florals, this one is for you.
Customer Review: "Smells so amazing! Luxurious, heavy packaging, perfect for your purse, and the smell is so, so good!"
Key Notes: neroli, amber, and musk
Neroli, an extract taken from the flowering blossoms of the bitter orange tree, is the top note in this fragrance. It's combined with grounding notes of amber and musk for a floral fragrance that's warmer and richer than most.
Customer Review: "I am truly a floral-scent girl. This has become a new fave. I think it’s perfect for every day."
Key Notes: Sicilian lemon, tuberose, rose petals, wild jasmine sambac, fresh amber, and suede
I know what you're thinking. Tuberose? It probably smells like the powdery scents of yesteryear. We're here to assure you that it smells like anything but that. Inspired by the flowers used in traditional Indian weddings, this fragrance is bright and vibrant—think fresh-picked and not-heady florals.
Customer Review: "If you like feminine floral perfumes you will love this! It stays on all day but isn’t overpowering. It’s like a floral shop in a bottle."
Key Notes: peony, red apple, and suede
The peony really stands out in this fragrance. Sure, it has a slightly powdery quality, but that's part of its charm. It's a classic floral fragrance that's light and fresh—think walking through an English garden in springtime.
Customer Review: "Peony & Blush Suede is the most beautiful, fresh, soft scent! It is the fragrance I wear anytime I want to feel beautiful, desirable & and confident."
Key Notes: lily of the valley, Centifolia rose, peony, iris, and soft musk
What can we say about this iconic perfume that hasn't already been said? Although it's slightly powdery, it's kind of the point. It's a traditional, sweet floral that masterfully combines a variety of notes to create something sweet and hyper-feminine. To put it succinctly, it's a classic for a reason.
Customer Review: "The scent reminds me of sitting in a cafe in Paris. It’s not too strong if you tend to get headaches but it does last, leaving you smelling really good. Highly recommend this perfume."
Key Notes: rose, red fruits, cinnamon, benzoin, incense, patchouli, sandalwood, and castoreum
There's not just one key note in this fragrance—there are two. In the first whiff, you'll get equal parts rose and patchouli. In the second or third, you'll detect the red fruits, the warming cinnamon, and the grounding sandalwood. It's a perfume that's just as spicy and sexy as it is floral. In other words, it's not the simple, sweet-smelling floral fragrance you might be used to; it's stronger and more complex.
Customer Review: "I have been wearing this fragrance for years now. It's such a beautiful and complex perfume. I receive compliments every time I wear it."
Key Notes: pink pepper, Turkish rose petals, raspberry blossom, papyrus, and white amber
If Byredo's Flowerhead Eau de Parfum is bright and vibrant with sharp peaks of floral scents, this one is softer, subtler, and rounder in comparison. Maybe it's the pink pepper or the papyrus, but it's a pared-down rose scent that's never overwhelming or heady—just perfect for date night.
Customer Review: "Normally, I would not wear a fragrance that smells of roses as it can often be too intense or cloying. Instead, this Byredo Eau de Parfum is beautifully subtle. I find it is my everyday go-to perfume because of this. I love it so much that I have given it as a gift."
Key Notes: sparkling pear, ambrette, rose, blond wood, and musk
Equal parts sweet and woody, this floral fragrance is somewhat of an oxymoron. At first, it smells sugary (think the saccharine scents of the early aughts), but then it mellows out into something softer and more elevated thanks to the wood and musk notes.
Customer Review: "Irresistible. It's really sparkling and beautifully soft. It's like an elevated velvet, fresh, marshmallow rose."
Key Notes: rose de mai, Bulgarian rose, Sichuan pepper
This isn't your grandmother's rose perfume. Instead of a classic powdery rose, it's sharp, fresh, and modern. It's all thanks to notes of fiery pepper and Indonesian patchouli, which add some intoxicating complexity to the otherwise classic scent combination.
Customer Review: "Every time I wear it I get so many compliments and I’ve had multiple people say that their room smells like me for days after I leave. Beat purchases on this earth."
Key Notes: jasmine absolute, cotton flower, and white musk
If you don't like perfume that, well, smells like perfume, we'd recommend trying this genderless, musky-floral scent scent. Equal parts soft, warm, and creamy, this scent is just as suitable for a date as it is for the office. It flies under the radar and is sure to earn you a compliment like, "You smell so good," rather than, "I love your perfume."
Customer Review: "This smells like a fluffy cloud [...] So beautiful and clean. Musk with a touch of jasmine (not much). It is the perfume you wear when you're not feeling like wearing heavy perfumes."
Key Notes: orange, patchouli, and Turkish rose
If fruity florals are your thing, this sparkling combination of orange, patchouli, and Turkish rose is sure to delight your senses. The rose makes it feel mature and elevated, yet the orange brings a zesty freshness that feels youthful.
Customer Review: "This is my signature perfume! It’s classy and sophisticated! Just for me!!! I always get lots of compliments when I wear this perfume!"