Best selling female perfumes to inspire your new signature scent

Worn by: Niall Horan and Jodie Comer

Instantly recognisable, it comes as no surprise that Le Labo’s Santal 33 is a hit among the celebrity set, namely One Direction and Killing Eve alum. The heady scent is addictive, and one whiff is never enough as notes of cardamom, iris, violet and ambrox evolve into the sensual leather and musk aroma that leaves an elegant scent trail that lasts all day.

Featuring notes of tuberose, orange blossom and jasmine, you may think that Do Son would be a scent that smells great initially, but won’t linger for very long. However, the blend also contains amber wood for more potent notes that ensure the wearer can still smell the fragrance on their skin throughout the day.

Yves Coueslant, one of Diptyque’s founders, spent his summers in Do Son in Halong Bay, which inspired this heady and spicy scent reminiscent of tuberoses and a sea breeze.

The scent is so fresh and light, which although containing floral notes, is not too sweet. It’s a warm and potent scent that can work all year round due to the unique concoction.

Sol de Janeiro has bottled the aromas from its bodycare collections into fragrance mist form, allowing its loyal fan base to spritz the scents throughout the day in a way that is delicate and refreshing yet still heady and likely to garner compliments.

The selection of mists is expansive and ever-growing but the most popular are the Cheirosa 68 which has reached TikTok viral status as an affordable dupe for the cult Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 (that retails for £235!) and the brand’s signature Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist.

This sophisticated, luxury perfume was initially dreamt up in celebration of the 250^th anniversary of the French luxury manufacturer of fine crystal, Baccarat. Since then, it has become a favourite amongst perfume enthusiasts across the globe, and continues to sell in troves on the daily. We think this amber floral, jasmine, saffron and cedarwood scent would make a fantastic gift for your Valentine, not to mention the romantic gold and red casing.

Does it get any better than a Tom Ford fragrance? The perfect blend of masculine and feminine, anyone who leaves clouds of Black Orchid in their wake exudes a certain understated sophistication that’s sure to turn heads.

Fusing floral notes of jasmine and gardenia with the strength of sandalwood and vetiver for distinctly blurred gender lines, it’s crafted using a high concentration of perfume oils so a little most certainly goes a long way.

Natalie Portman approved and therefore in our basket, Miss Dior is a light and floral note that is universally adored. The blossoming bouquet is overflowing with freshness from the notes of Lily-of-the-Valley, peony, iris and rose. At the base, however, it becomes creamy and comforting from the elements of musk, vanilla, benzoin, tonka bean and sandalwood. Cue the compliments.

Blending the freshness of citrus with the comforting base of white musk, YSL’s Black Opium is a great addition to any fragrance mantle. The enduring aroma is the most popular in the Opium line that was begun in 1977 by Yves Saint Laurent. Zoe Kravitz fronts the campaign for the seductive scent that includes notes of black coffee and vanilla. This is just one of the juxtaposing combinations. There are also white flowers and orange blossoms and the aforementioned white musk and patchouli that demonstrate its alluring mix of light and dark.

The mesmerising purple bottle of Mugler’s Alien gives a clue as to the fragrance within. Much like the flacon, the aroma is bold and vibrant with a mix of wood and floral notes. It opens with mandarin and has Moroccan jasmine at its heart - so far, so zesty and light. But at the base is white amber and cashmeran wood, making this a deeper, more perplexing combination that brings the versatile scent from day to night.

Chanel’s N°5 is oft dubbed “the very essence of femininity”. The iconic aroma is defined by its powdery floral bouquet aroma that has stood the test of time. Not your typical vanilla aroma, it centres around May Rose and jasmine with a zesty citrus opening. But once it settles on the skin, what remains is a deep, smooth and sensual vanilla trail that lasts. The flacon is almost as instantly recognisable as the aroma itself with its minimal, square glass exterior.

The luxury fashion house has redefined the traditional method of fragrance creation by switching out the traditional alcohol stalwart and replacing it with water. “A concentration of water and flowers” explains the brand, detailing the minimal ingredients used to create the fresh, perennially spring scent.

The application process feels like a gentle, subtle treat to the senses as a lightweight mist, before reaching the skin and revealing the bouquet of neroli, jasmine sambac and Chinese magnolia. The combination of white flowers is presented in an opalescent white bottle adorned with gold detailing as is the brand’s signature.

This is another fragrance that has stood the test of time for many years and has endless re-buy potential. It is so fresh, feminine and instantly recognisable.

The aroma is derived from a bouquet of florals that includes orange blossom, jasmine and iris. To add an element of fruitiness, there’s blackcurrant and pear, and it’s rounded off with patchouli, vanilla and praline that provide a sensual edge and allow you to wear from day to after dark.

This addictive aroma from Armani sits in the chypre scent family. It has a top of blackcurrant liqueur, a heart of rose de mai absolute and freesia and a base of patchouli and oakmoss. The heady aroma is one that stops passersby in their tracks to ask you what you’re wearing. It was formulated back in 2013 but remains as popular today as ever.

This fruity floral aroma has become a cult scent over the years. It’s sweet with notes of lady apples, water lily, apricot and mandarin meringue yet juicy with pink guava and a warmer vanilla and amber base. The bottle is instantly recognisable with its heart design and crown topper.

Flowerbomb is one of the bestselling scents on the market and plays a fine but winning balance of floral with deeper woody overtones that would suit all fragrance preferences.

This also means it’s versatile so you can spritz it in the morning and layer it up come evening for a deeper, sensual touch. The top note is of tea, bergamot and freesia, while the heart is sambac jasmine, cattleya orchid and centifolia rose. It is finished with an amber and patchouli base.

A stand-out on your dressing table, the fragrance is housed in a pink, grenade-style bottle.

The sweet, floral and woody Jimmy Choo fragrance comes in a blush pink bottle. It is adorned with the luxury label’s logo in gold and has a matching stopper, a look that will sit pride of place on any dresser. I Want Choo is made for lovers of saccharine, oriental fragrances, playful yet glamorous all at once.

Topping the music and fragrance charts simultaneously, there’s nothing Ariana can’t do.

Released in 2019, Cloud is inspired by a euphoric world that smells of juicy pear, whipped coconut cream and praline for the most mouth-watering mix. You’ve also got nuances of lavender blossom and musk to add a touch of mystery.

Possibly the most eye-catching perfume a dressing table could ask for, the bottle slots into the cloud creating a piece of art.

Jean Paul Gaultier says that Scandal embodies the brand’s femininity, and love of sexy Paris. With notes of gardenia from the first spray, this perfume is light and fresh, with sweet heart and base notes of honey and patchouli, that are seductive yet light.

Creamy vanilla tones and blood orange linger on the skin for quite some time, making this perfume perfect for all-day wear.

It is no surprise that Mugler’s Angel scent has remained as popular today as it was in 1992 when it launched. The aroma is truly distinctive and unique with endless repurchase appeal – to the delight of its legion of fans.

For some, it’s irresistible and an immediate signature, while others turn away from the strong scent. It’s certainly heady, which makes it ideal for the winter season and it creates a scent trail that lasts and lasts. The award-winning aroma opens with bright notes of peony and mandarin before drying down with gourmand praline and woody patchouli.