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Few beauty decisions are more personal than selecting a fragrance. In much the same way that makeup is the mask that helps us face the day, perfume can send a message about who we are, what we like, and for those closest to us, the type of mood we’re in.
With the distinct ability to smell differently on everyone, perfumes interact with our skin’s natural pH to create a scent that’s individual to us. Yes, some fragrances hold their own better than others, but even the most well-meaning perfume recommendation from a trusted friend can lead you in a direction you never wanted to take (it’s why we take all perfume suggestions with a grain of salt).
To be sure you select a scent that suits you and your vibe, we suggest getting up to speed on the notes and types of fragrances you prefer.
Perhaps you’re a gourmand-lover who favours vanilla and sugar notes, or you’re a spring person through and through (we’d suggest florals in this case — groundbreaking). But for those who’re looking for an androgynous or gender-neutral fragrance, or a skin scent that smells like you but better, we have the answers.
Ahead, we share 10 fragrances that fit 10 distinct vibes, along with the specific notes that make them so special.
The Best Perfumes To Shop In 2025
01
Merit Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum 30ml
$147 at Merit Beauty
Best: New fragrance
Merit’s debut fragrance mixes old with new, combining old-world perfumery techniques with vintage notes such as pear and orris. Retrospect opens with a clean, softness, which gives way to more floral notes as it dries down. It then settles into a warm and spicy scent.
Customers praise this fragrance for its enduring staying power, which is thanks to the highly concentrated formula, which is 30% fragrance oil (this is double many other perfumes on the market) and promises over 12 hours of wear with a single spritz.
Key Notes: Bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet, orris, vanilla, musk, moss
Customer Review: “This fragrance feels like soft sunlight on warm skin. The amber adds a cosy, golden warmth, while the floral notes bloom gently. A hint of bergamot brightens it, giving a subtle, refreshing touch—just enough to keep things lively without overpowering the warmth. It’s elegant yet easygoing.”
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02
Who Is Elijah HIS|HER EDP 50ml
$135 at Adore Beauty
Best: Gender-neutral fragrance
If your fragrance tastes don’t swing to the hyper-feminine or hyper-masculine ends of the spectrum, you may enjoy this Who Is Elijah fragrance. It satisfyingly hits somewhere in the middle, and customers describe this scent as fresh and sweet, but also spicy. This makes sense when you look at the key notes. It opens with clean bergamot, violet leaf, and cardamom, but you’ll also notice the fresh green florals and fir, grounded by woody sandalwood, oud and amber.
Key Notes: bergamot, violet leaf, cardamom, floral, fir needle, sandalwood, cashmere musk, amber, oud
Customer Review: “Unique scent, interesting notes that pair well together, I found it very long-lasting on my skin. It wasn’t love at first sniff but this one definitely grows on you.”
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03
Hermetica Paris Source1 Eau de Parfum 50ml
$229 at Libertine Perfumerie
Best: For layering
Layering multiple fragrances over one another is a beautiful way to add a hit of individuality to your fragrance of the day. Source1 is considered the perfect layering fragrance, thanks to its fresh and simple notes of bergamot, wood musk, and amber. Opting for a scent with only a few notes is a good base to layer over because you don’t risk mixing innumerable conflicting scents that result in a muddy smell.
Key Notes: Bergamot, wood musk, amber
Customer Review: “The opening is clearly citrusy but not sweet, the wood is there in the background and gives a bitter aftertaste which to me makes it special since I particularly love citrus, lemon, orange and the sorts. After a while, the woody notes gain more presence but are subdued by the sweetness of the amber. To be fair, this is a very simple fragrance, targeting someone who may prefer layering or inoffensive scents. I think it could be great for a headache-y day as well.” (Review via Fragrantica)
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04
Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum 50ml
$210 at Myer
Best: Enduring classic floral
For fans of a classic, powdery and wood-floral fragrance, Chanel N°5 will always be at the top of the list. Created in 1921 for Gabrielle Chanel when she requested “a woman’s perfume with a woman’s scent” from nose Ernest Beaux, the fragrance is considered a timeless, sensual floral.
The floral notes in question are courtesy of May rose and jasmine, plus iris and Lily-of-the-Valley, with aldehydes providing the clean and powdery notes most people associate with the perfume. Meanwhile, the base notes, which include musk, moss, amber, and vanilla, provide some much-needed warmth.
Key Notes: Aldehydes, ylang-ylang, neroli, bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, orris root, Lily-of-the-Valley, civet, musk, sandalwood, amber, moss, vanilla, vetiver, patchouli
Customer Review: “The oakmoss, iris, and musk are dialled way up! It is definitely vintage-smelling but in the best way possible — like ‘they don’t make ‘em like this anymore’. Reminds me a bit of my vintage Tabac Blond. I will cherish this one for sure.” (Review via Fragrantica.)
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05
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Body & Hair Fragrance Mist 100ml
$49 at Sephora
Best: Hair fragrance
Adding a hair fragrance to your beauty routine may sound extra, but that’s exactly how we like it. We find ourselves constantly reaching for the Rare Beauty Find Comfort Body and Hair Fragrance Mist, thanks to its light and fresh citrusy smell that dries down to a slightly creamy and woody scent. Our favourite way to use this is to spray on our hair and body before dressing and applying our perfume for the day.
Key Notes: Lemon zest, rhubarb, pomelo, jasmine petals, violet, black tea extract, vetiver, tonka beans, cashmere wood
Customer Review: “I love this product. It has a very light scent and I use this as a finishing spray on my hair, as well as a body spray after my shower.”
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06
Dior Miss Dior Eau De Parfum 30ml
$130 at Sephora
Best: Simple floral
You would be hard pressed to find a woman who didn’t, at one point in their life, have a bottle of Miss Dior taking pride of place on their vanity. With a classically fresh and floral scent, Miss Dior’s top note of Calabrian bergamot is supported by Grasse rose, Damascus rose, rosewood, and a touch of spicy pink pepper.
Key Notes: Calabrian bergamot, Grasse rose, Damascus rose, rosewood, pink pepper
Customer Review: “I am in loveeeee with this perfume. It smells amazing. I first got the smaller size for Christmas and when I ran out of that I bought another then one for my mum. It smells amazing and I get so many compliments whenever I wear it.”
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07
Glossier You Eau de Parfum 50ml
$128 at MECCA
Best: Everyday fragrance
Glossier You is universally considered a scent for everyone, though if pepper is a fragrance note that you know won’t work for you, then you may be one of the rare few who should skip it.
This fragrance has been formulated with base notes only, with the goal of placing you centre stage as the top note. As such, it will smell slightly different on everyone. Generally speaking, it is a a skin scent with the warmth of ambrox and pink pepper, and the musky animalic scent of ambrette seeds, plus woody iris. In short: it’s a delight.
Key Notes: Pink pepper, iris, ambrette seeds, ambrox.
Customer Review: “This is the kind of perfume that I want to wear to sleep it smells so good. The description is perfectly accurate, it smells a bit different on everyone’s skin, but no matter what it is warm, fresh, and slightly spicy. The balance of warm and fresh notes makes this my signature scent for all seasons. I am complimented almost daily on how good this perfume smells…”
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08
Kayali Vanilla | 28 Eau de Parfum 50ml
$165 at Sephora
Best: Warm vanilla
When the temperature dips below 25 degrees, we immediately reach for fragrances that provide warmth — much like a comforting hug. Vanilla | 28 is a particularly beloved vanilla fragrance, thanks to its complex combination of vanilla accords, creamy tonka bean and jasmine, plus woody notes and musk for warmth. If you are searching for sweetness, there is also a touch of brown sugar, which many have described as a sugar cookie smell.
Key Notes: Vanilla orchid, creamy jasmine, vanilla infusion, vanilla surabsolute, tonka bean accord, tonka absolute, amber woods, musk, brown sugar
Customer Review: “If you are looking for a mature, musky vanilla scent, this is the one! It is definitely not sugary or sweet. Rather, once you spray it, it melts into this warm tonka bean vanilla that is just divine.”
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09
Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace EDT 30ml
$125 at MECCA
Best: Winter fragrance
If we took a poll around the ELLE Australia office and asked for everyone’s favourite smokey, winter fragrance, many would say this one. Replica fragrances are described as being memories in a fragrance. So, perhaps it’s the nostalgia of a crackling fire evoked by the androgynous notes of spicy pepper, sweet chestnut, vanilla, and smokey gaïac wood oil that keep us coming back for more. It’s the perfect fragrance for winter, date nights, or day-long compliments any day of the week.
Key Notes: Pink pepper, orange flower petals, clove oil, chestnut accord, gaïac wood oil, cade oil, vanilla accord, Peru balsam and cashmeran
Customer Review: “If you love the smell of a campfire you’ll be sure to love this scent. It’s addictive, mysterious yet warm. I always get compliments and the words that are used is oddly addictive.”
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10
D.S. & Durga Rockaway Beach EDP 50ml
$287 at MECCA
Best: Beach day scent
Whether you’re in the mood for a fresh and salty fragrance to get you in the mood for the beach or want to mimic the freshness of a dip in the ocean, this summer scent will transport you there. D.S. & Durga describes this fragrance as the perfume equivalent of escaping the “dirty dungeon of humid summer in New York” for a dip in the ocean, and with notes of ocean, sunscreen, salt, skin musk, and hedges, we’re inclined to agree.
Key Notes: Ocean air, sun-tan lotion, salt, flowering privet, skin musk and hedges
Customer Review: “This fragrance is bizarre in a way that D.S. & Durga are excellent at. If you’re after something like Beach Walk by Maison Margiela or Neroli 36 by Le Labo, this is not it. The notes are very literal; it smells like salt and air. It kind of smells similar to the brand’s Concrete After Lightning candle. It doesn’t have mass appeal but I think that makes it all the more interesting.”
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The post Still Looking For Your Signature Scent? These 10 Fragrances Should Be On Your Radar appeared first on ELLE.
