Designer perfumes are one of life’s great gifts—but only if you’ve already found the right one. Up until you’re united with the right fragrance, it can be quite the journey to find your perfect scent.
Why? Well, there’s a lot to consider. From perfume profiles and brand reputation to application processes and ingredients, choosing the right scent can be hard.
To get you started on your search, we’ve put together this list of the best designer perfumes out there.
Before we dive into the beautiful bottles, we’ll offer criteria for selecting your perfect scent. Then, we’ll answer some FAQs so you can rest assured that you made the right choice.
Finding the Best Designer Perfume
Maybe you already have a cabinet full of perfume and simply want a new scent. Or, perhaps you’re new to the world of designer perfume. Either way, you’ve got a difficult choice to make.
To make that decision easier, we’ve got some questions you should ask yourself, starting with the price point you’re comfortable with. Luxury scents can vary in price quite dramatically, so set a budget and stick to it.
Next, think about fragrance profiles. Do you want to smell more musky, like vanilla, or more flowery, like roses? Would you prefer something bright and feminine, deep and musky, or casual and unisex? Perfumes mingle with your natural aroma, so we always recommend trying out a scent before purchasing it.
Finally, think about brand names. The names featured in this list of the best designer perfumes have excellent reputations, so there’s no wrong choice here.
15 Best Designer Perfumes
We have to admit, there are thousands of perfumes out there. But, they’re not all good, and they’re not all designer. It’s important to know what designers are good at crafting fragrances, and what ones are doing their best but missing the mark.
With names like Chanel, Gucci, and Dior making fragrances, you’ll be sure to know that they know their stuff, if only because they’ve been doing it a long time.
Keeping the above criteria in mind, browse our list of the best designer perfumes and see if any fragrances immediately stand out to you.
#1: Byredo Night Veils Reine De Nuit Perfume Extract, 50 mL
Perfume extract spray. Featuring top notes of blackcurrant and saffron. Heart notes of incense and rose. Base notes of ambrette seeds and patchouli. Part of the Night Veils collection. Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Limonene, Geraniol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Citronellol, Linalool, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citral, Cinnamal, Bht, Eugenol, Ci 19140 (Yellow 5), Ci 60730 (Ext. Violet 2), Benzyl Benzoate, Ci 14700 (Red 4), Benzyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol. Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. To confirm that a Byredo product is suitable for your personal use, please consult the list of ingredients that is included on the product packaging.
Eau de parfum spray. Top notes of bergamot and apple. Heart notes of ceylon black tea. Base notes of oakmoss, musk, and black amber. Alcohol Denat, Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Limonene, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool.
Eau de parfum spray. Top notes of bergamot and anise. Heart notes of vetiver. Base notes of tobacco, leather, and oakmoss. Alcohol Denat, Fragrance, Aqua (Water), Limonene, Linalool, Citral.
What it is: A limited-edition set featuring the timeless scent of Rolling in Love, in a refillable spray and travel spray with atomizer. Fragrance story: Rolling in Love is a musc de peau, capturing the sensation of feeling so high on love that it seems to almost get under the skin. Working with perfumer Pascal Gaurin, Kilian Hennessy took an entirely new direction. Rolling in Love is more direct and less faceted than his previous
What it is: A warm and spicy perfume that captures the celestial romance of the moon. Fragrance story: The moon plays a leading role in conducting the rhythm of life in the Middle East, with her ethereal appearance hailing the beginning and end of all festivity. Yet in Arabic, invoking the moon is also an allusion to romance. Exuding a warm, opulent quality, rose, oud and frankincense meet a surprising abundance of ripe red berries. In subtle
What it is: A refillable floral scent in a bottle with distinctive white lacquer, engraved on each side with a representation of the Achilles shield. Fragrance story: The notes conjure, in scent, the delicate gold leafing and play between light and shadow, for which the painting of the same name is celebrated. Perfumer Calice Becker was inspired by the fascinating contrast between Gustav Klimt's painting's facets, which she describes as
What it is: A woody and aromatic scent created by perfumer Mathieu Nardin, presented in an elegant and refillable weighted glass bottle. Fragrance story: L'Heure Verte is named after the traditional French equivalent of happy hour and opens on notes of absinthe essence, with an instant head twist into a nostalgic heart of violet leaf and licorice root absolute. Its dry-down articulates a unique and precisely chosen facet of patchouli that
What it is: A fragrance with the warmth and density of wood combined with the softness of benzoin and the sparkle of shiso. Fragrance story: Terre d'Hermes narrates the relationship between man and earth, his humble and harmonious dialogue with the elements and nature. Terre d'Hermes is the perfume that connects man to his origins, to the source of his creative power.
What it is: A woodsy, refillable scent in a bottle with distinctive black lacquer, engraved on each side with a representation of the Achilles shield. Fragrance story: Inexplicably addictive, Intoxicated curbs cravings like a cup of rich Turkish coffee laced with green cardamom oil and absolute. Warmth rises like a stream with a spicy cinnamon and hallucinogenic nutmeg. At its base like at the bottom of a delicate porcelain mug floats the
What it is: A woodsy, refillable scent in a bottle with distinctive black lacquer, engraved on each side with a representation of the Achilles shield. Fragrance story: Gold Knight contrasts the addictive dark sensuousness of patchouli with the effervescent brightness of bergamot and warm, golden shimmer of vanilla and anise. Created by Pascal Gaurin. Notes: Bergamot, honey, patchouli. 1.7 oz.
Memo Paris Eau Du Perfume Flam, 75mL A fragrance that brings to mind the magnetic energy of the northern lights alongside the protective warmth of a cozy wooden house. Lining the little port of Flax30A;m, the crimson cottages are flushed in the cheeks! Every day, they delight in the spectacle of their singular, Nordic environment, traced by the fjords. The red-hot name of this Norwegian village keeps them warm, this village tickled by contrasts, that embraces opposites, from bitter orang.
Estee Lauder Lollipop Heritage Perfume Compact What It Is: Indulge! A limited-edition, collectible compact perfect for holiday gifting. Filled with Pleasures solid perfume. What It Does: This whimsical solid perfume compact is the perfect edition for the holidays. Intricately designed, exquisitely crafted, the limited edition compact is filled with solid perfume to touch onto pulse points. A gift to delight, it arrives in an elegant presentation box. Includes a velvety pouch.
Trish McEvoy Gold No. 9 Pen Spray Perfume, 0.2 fl. oz. / 6 ml DetailsCreate the feeling of confident ease everywhere you go with the third chapter of Trish's iconic No. 9 fragrance story, Gold 9, now available in a portable pen spray. A dazzling, intoxicating and addictive scent, Gold 9, has the power to put you in a golden state of mind. The Scentsation: Italian bergamot, blackberry nectar, incense, rose centifolia, jasmine sambac, rich patchouli, Indian sandalwood, sensual leather, marshmal.
The Coral Sea collection inspires us on a journey without borders. The infinite beauty of the sea is poetically introduced into our living spaces. Precious coral structures frozen in crystal, and animal species in hypnotizing colors inhabiting the seas of the world, emerge from this underwater garden. Each piece in this collection is a unique sculpture, bursting with color in freely expressed shapes. Handcrafted perfume bottle is made of lead crystal. From the Coral Sea collection. Approx. 3".
Take a cue from Mary Katrantzou’s playbook: youthful, innovative and brimming with energy. Think a concoction of digital prints and a kaleidoscope of colour as showcased by this pink and black Opium Perfume Print Pencil Skirt featuring an elasticated waistband, a rear zip fastening, a graphic print and a fitted silhouette.
What Are the Most Popular Designer Perfumes for Women?
Every year, new perfumes make their way to the market. Some are innovative scents, while others remain true to their roots. The most popular designer perfumes for women are a combination of these types.
For example, Yves St Laurent has a popular perfume called Black Opium, which is a newer fragrance. Meanwhile, Mademoiselle by Coco Chanel has been around for a long time and remains one of the most popular designer perfumes for women.
Why Are Designer Perfumes So Expensive?
Although you can snag yourself a perfume or cologne at the dollar store, you’d be practically purchasing toxic chemicals.
Designer perfume is a more expensive option because sourcing the scents and fragrances used in their blends are not only more natural but rarer. This inherently increases the price of designer perfume.
Can Designer Perfumes Be Unisex or Gender-Neutral?
The short answer? Absolutely! Although a handful of designer perfumes are geared towards men or women, there are just as many that market themselves to both genders, and smell fantastic. It really depends on what your personal scent preference is.
Are Designer Perfumes Bad for You or Your Skin?
Designer perfumes are often made with natural ingredients and specialty fragrance elements that are rare and unique. While no brands create perfumes that are intentionally bad for you or your skin, some folks have more sensitive skin than others.
It’s always recommended that you try the perfume on a small patch of skin before purchasing it or using it regularly. By doing so, you’ll catch any possible reactions.
Are Designer Perfumes Worth It?
If you’re open to investing in designer perfume, we highly recommend going with your favorite scent. Sure, you can hit the bargain basement and pick up a thousand cheap perfumes instead of one expensive one, but you may find that people are suddenly averse to your smelly presence.
A bottle of designer perfume should last you a long time, and help define your style the same way a classic pair of staple earrings should. Eventually, it becomes a part of you.
How to Apply Designer Perfumes
The age-old trick to applying perfume is to always spritz it first on your pulse points, which are found on your wrists and neck. All you have to do is pump one spray onto your left or right wrist, and rub your arms together and on your neck.
Another great way to distribute your designer perfume is to spritz it in the air and then walk through the spray.
Searching for more designer scents? Check out these bestsellers:
Shauna Andrews
