If this time last year, you’d have asked me to sum up my perfume preferences in three words, I probably would have said something along the lines of "woody", "musky" and "unisex".
I have always liked my scents to enter a room before I do, so I lean towards those heavy notes that linger on clothes until the next morning. And whilst these preferences might not be to everyone’s tastes, I quite liked it when my fragrance divided a room. As long as some people found it distasteful, at least I knew I wasn’t smelling the same as everyone else, who were no doubt doused in a delicate, totally inoffensive, crowd-pleasing floral.
But then the pandemic hit, and I no longer had anyone to fluff up my fragrance feathers in front of. Instead, I was confined to the same four walls with nothing but the intoxicating scents of the best perfumes to remind me of the excess and freedom of a previous life. At a time when I needed fragrance more than ever before to lift my spirits, the aromas of my trusty favourites couldn’t serve me anymore. And on top of my love for deep, attention-grabbing scents, it’s also worth noting that I was (and still am) painfully fussy. Finding a perfume to fit my mood on any given day is no mean feat. But luckily, despite all of this, my perfume collection is shockingly vast.
I have shelves and shelves full of perfumes that I just can’t let go of. From oud perfumes and musks to citrus perfumes and gourmands, I own a scent for every occasion. And whilst I spent the best part of that year trying to make my strong scents work in my new way of living, it was always niggling away in the back of my brain that there were a bunch of wildly unloved but beautiful perfumes collecting dust in my cabinets. And so, a few weeks ago, I finally accepted that my beloved woody scents had served their purpose, and it was time for the lighter, floral perfumes to take centre stage.
But that’s not to say I've totally changed my tune. Sure, I’m ready to embrace the uplifting, lightweight freshness of florals, but my perfumes of choice still need to possess a certain je ne sais quoi. They need to smell unlike anything else, ooze expensive (even if it's actually an affordable fragrance) and leave you wanting to go back for just one more sniff. So, after many hours of going through every last bottle in my collection, these are the floral perfumes I’m ready to embrace for a change, and they’re seriously special.
Best Floral Perfumes
- Best luxury floral perfume: Chanel Comète Eau de Parfum
- Best affordable floral perfume: Zara Nude Bouquet Eau de Parfum
- Best sweet floral perfume: Parfums De Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
- Best fresh floral perfume: Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Eau de Parfum
- Best summer floral perfume: Diptyque Do Son Eau de Toilette
1. Chanel Comète Eau de Parfum
Notes: Cherry blossom, aldehydes, iris, heliotrope, musk
Whenever I dream about what my wedding day might be like, this is what I smell. It’s delicate and powdery, like an English iris garden in the summer, but it has a beautiful creaminess to it that makes it stand out from the rest. It's one of the best Chanel perfumes I've ever spritzed.
2. Zara Nude Bouquet Eau de Parfum
Notes: Cherry, peony, vanilla
Zara perfumes are brilliant, head-turning fragrances without making your bank account cry. I must admit, this perfume has been a favourite since I first bought it last year. It's a cosy, fresh floral scent with a sweet, powdery dry down. If you're looking for a "clean girl" fragrance to wear throughout summer, you should definitely give this one a try.
3. Byredo Bal D'Afrique Eau de Parfum
Notes: African marigold, bergamot, buchu, cyclamen, violet, Moroccan cedarwood, vetiver
If there’s one brand that can win me over with any scent, it’s Byredo. Not only are the bottles perfect for minimalists like me, but the floral juices that they hold are equally as special. Intricately unique and alluringly powerful, they’re totally captivating whilst maintaining a level of freshness. Right now, I can’t get enough of Bal D'Afrique. It’s escapism in a bottle.
4. Diptyque Do Son Eau de Toilette
Notes: African orange flower, iris, rose, tuberose, pink pepper, musk, benzoin
Inspired by one of the founders' holidays in Vietnam, this spicy, floral scent is sure to turn heads. This is definitely a fragrance for those looking for a more sophisticated twist on a classic floral perfume. It's one of our favourite Diptyque perfumes.
5. Glossier You Fleur Eau de Parfum
Notes: Mineral salt accord, osmanthus, ylang ylang, apricot skin, cashmeran, ambrox
This is not your typical floral scent. If you like Glossier's original You fragrance, you will love this. It still has that subtle, soft, comforting aroma that Glossier fans know and love, but with hints of powdery florals that give a fresh take. If you want a perfume to nuzzle your nose into this spring, this is the one for you.
6. Creed Eladaria Eau de Parfum
Notes: Rose, mandarin, bergamot, pink pepper, vanilla
New from Creed, this fragrance is a sparkling, citrusy take on a classic floral scent. Yes, it has notes of powdery rose at the heart, but mandarin and bergamot add this zesty, green edge that makes it perfect for spring.
7. Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum
Notes: Rose de Mai, Bulgarian rose, Sichuan pepper, patchouli
This is such a popular floral scent, and for good reason. Inspired by Tom Ford's private rose garden, one spritz of this is like nuzzling your nose into an expensive bouquet of roses that have just shown up at your door. Of course, like all Tom Ford scents, it has surprising depth, and hints of patchouli add a woody, somewhat spicy edge.
8. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Tiger Lily Eau de Parfum
Notes: Coconut milk, tiger lily, mango, benzoin
Let me first say that I am no fan of Viktor & Rolf's iconic Flowerbomb. Whilst I appreciate its unique beauty, it’s strong and a little too floral for my liking. However, this tiger lily update is warmer, sweeter and a whole lot more wearable. It’s totally won me over.
9. Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose Eau de Parfum
Notes: Calabrian bergamot, California orange, Bulgarian rose, Grasse rose, violet, magnolia, musk, cedar
Hear me out: I know that rose perfumes might appear super basic at first glance, but the iconic note has had a refresh, and I’m here for it. The two varieties of rose in this come together to create a gorgeous blend of honey and fruity notes, resulting in a flirty, feminine fragrance that will no doubt have people asking what you’re wearing.
10. Parfums De Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
Notes: Turkish rose, peony, musk, petalia, vanilla, incense, cedar, Haitian vetiver
You might have spotted this iconic bottle all over your TikTok or Instagram feed lately, and I'm here to tell you that it's very much worth the hype. We all know that perfumes smell different depending on the person, but I truly believe that this unique floral fragrance will smell good on everyone.
11. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense Eau de Parfum
Notes: Strawberry, pear, bergamot, honey, jasmine, rose, vanilla, musk, benzoin, moss
Marc Jacobs Daisy was one of my go-to perfumes in my uni years. It reminds me of summer breaks and all of the youthful joy they brought. This newer addition to the line is a little bit darker and a whole lot more intense, perfectly in line with my evolving tastes.
12. Kilian Love Don't Be Shy Eau de Parfum
Notes: Neroli, bergamot, pink pepper, coriander, orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, iris, rose, sugar, vanilla, caramel, musk, civet, labdanum
Another TikTok favourite that I've recently rediscovered, Love Don't Be Shy is one hell of a floral. It champions that unique, creamy note of honeysuckle and blends it with pink pepper and coriander to take the edge off. It’s the only spicy yet sweet floral perfume I’ve ever come across that I would describe as totally wearable. And not only is it wearable, but it’s also become one of my favourite perfumes ever.
13. Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
Notes: Lily-of-the-valley, peony accord, centifolia rose, musk, vanilla, benzoin, tonka bean, sandalwood
We can't talk about the best floral perfumes without discussing Miss Dior, which is indisputably one of the most iconic florals in the world and appeals to all generations of floral perfume lovers. With a vibrant bouquet of lily-of-the-valley, peony and rose, it has the smoothness of burying your nose into velvety petals that are both uplifting and sparkling. It has a fruitiness from the peony that comes across like peach skin before drying down into a sensual vanilla and tonka bean base that's sweet, warming and comforting. It never disappoints.
14. Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Eau de Parfum
Notes: Aldehydes, violet, rose, peach, vanilla, sandalwood, white musks
Again, at first you’ll struggle to get any hint of florals through the fresh scent of aldehydes and white musk, but soon enough, the delicate freshness of roses and violet will come shining through. If you hate the headiness of sweet scents but appreciate their warmth, this fresh but comforting scent can’t be beaten. It’s unbelievably expensive, but it truly is one of a kind.
15. Parfums De Marly Valaya Eau de Parfum
Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, nympheal, vetiver, akigalawood, ambrofix, musk
Valaya has become one of the most sought-after floral perfumes of late, and I've not met anyone who doesn't love it. It's an airy floral scent, combined with the clean scent of crisp bed linen and musk. "Whenever I wear this fragrance, I always have people asking what I'm wearing. It's an ethereal scent that I can only imagine a goddess might smell like," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. "Floral perfumes aren't known for their longevity, but I can still notice this fragrance on my skin hours later, and it creates a halo of scent around you," she adds.
16. Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Extrait de Parfum
Notes: Lychee, bergamot, peach, peony, osmanthus, orange blossom, jasmine, musk, moss
If you don’t like powerful scents that take over a room, this one isn’t for you. When I first saw the bottle, I was expecting something extremely woody and generally nauseating. What you get, however, is a balanced mix between the floral and earthy notes with subtle fruity undertones. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it will definitely make you stand out from the crowd.
17. Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves
Notes: Lemon peel, honey, cedarwood, rose, geranium
The idea of white rose is usually enough to make me want to run for the hills, but there’s something undeniably comforting and irresistibly likeable about this perfume. The zest of lemon intertwines with a blend of delicate floral notes to create the most wearable everyday perfume.
What Makes a Perfume Floral?
It may sound obvious, but a floral perfume will often contain notes from some of your favourite flowers. However, this can range greatly from scent to scent. Whilst one floral fragrance may centre around hints of rose, another may feature notes of peony, making it smell totally different. Not only that, but these florals may be accompanied by woody, citrusy or sweet notes, giving them all a unique edge.
What Should I Look for in a Floral Perfume?
To find the right fragrance for you, it's important to think about the kind of perfumes you tend to gravitate towards. If you like holiday scents, look for floral notes such as tiger lily, gardenia or tiare flower. Those of you who like sweet scents may want to look out for jasmine or peony. However, if you want something more powdery, I recommend notes of rose or lily-of-the-valley.
How We Tested
As beauty editors, we test hundreds of perfumes every year. We've tried all the best floral perfumes, from the traditional classics to niche floral perfumes to help you find your favourite. We tested across different budgets, noting the fragrance composition, how well it lasted throughout the day and the perfumes that got us noticed the most.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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