The best perfumes for women of all time, whether you’re into sweet, spicy, or floral scents

When it comes to finding the best perfume for women, there’s no such thing as “one scent fits all.” You’ve got your classic floral scents, the sweeter fruity fragrances, the spicier woody blends and so many other complex combinations – all of which are unique in their own way.

It’s no secret that the world of perfumery has come a long way. Dating back centuries, it has brought us our trusty staples that we religiously restock every year, as well as new, unconventional and trending fragrances. At this point, the very purpose of perfume has turned into so much more than just a way to smell nicer. After all, smell is believed to be of the most powerful senses for a reason. Some scents can have a therapeutic effect that can trigger nostalgia, calm our nerves and even heighten our serotonin levels.

For some of us, spritzing ourselves with our go-to scent has become a non-negotiable beauty ritual that boosts our confidence and generally sets the mood for the rest of the day. For others, perfume is an invisible yet necessary fashion accessory that can tie any look together. Not to mention, some bottles make the chicest decorations to our dressing tables (cough-cough, Delina Parfums De Marly, anyone?).

Best perfume for women at a glance – our top picks

1. Best premium perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, £215, Harvey Nichols
2. Best elegant perfume: Giorgio Armani Si, WAS £83 NOW £62.25, LookFantastic
3. Best trending perfume: Prada Paradoxe, WAS £83 NOW £73, LookFantastic
4. Best classic perfume: Chanel N°5, WAS £126 NOW £113.40, Sephora
5. Best sexy perfume: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, WAS £83 NOW £62.25, LookFantastic

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau De Parfum

Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau De Parfum

Giorgio Armani Si Eau de Parfum

But with the abundance of brands and price points, narrowing down your picks is not the easiest of tasks. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that women’s perfumes can be the toughest category to shop for. There’s so many factors to consider: your personal style, willingness to experiment, budget and the kind of vibe you want to channel. Are you after something that exudes confidence? Consider hints of oud and patchouli. Or are you looking for a seasonal fragrance? Summer is great for fresh, citrusy scents, while winter is all about warm and toasty perfumes.

Whether you want to switch up your signature scent or if you’re shopping for a loved one – we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve put together a full edit of the best perfumes of all time, including all-time classics (hello, Chanel N^oo^5), cult-favourites such as the iconic Prada Candy and the latest trending releases like the Prada Paradoxe. You’ll find everything from the long-lasting options and those that are great for layering, as well as premium fragrances and the more affordable alternatives.

And if you’re looking for a fail-proof Christmas gift, even better. Quite a few of our favourite picks happen to be discounted in the run up to the holidays. So what are you waiting for? Scroll away…

Want more gifting content? Don’t get stuck with gift cards – here are the best gifts for her, the best gifts for men. We’ve also got the best skincare gift sets and a full list of the best beauty gift sets.

For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.

This story originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.

Check out our full edit of all the best perfumes for women below…