The 13 Best Luxury Perfumes of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Why We Love It: Fine, as chronic over-sharers, we’ll admit we want to appear a little more mysterious now and then—and Frédéric Malle’s Portrait of a Lady lets you live freely in your enigmatic daydream. Encapsulated in a seemingly inconspicuous minimalist bottle, the fragrance initially fooled our tester with its rosy top notes (there are no less than 400 Turkish roses per bottle!). The assumption was that it would remain that way until fruity waves of rich raspberry and blackcurrant unfolded into a mature scent, grounded with the depth of patchouli and sandalwood. It’s well-suited for days when an extra boost of confidence is needed. Additionally, since it doesn’t lean too warm or have one attention-hogging and genre-defining note, our tester believes you can have fun playing with the perfume any time of year. 

Who It’s For: Although very prominent and intriguing, this non-overpowering scent is perfect for the busiest of bees, as it has endless potential to wear to the office or time spent off the clock (mist yourself twice for extra evening allure). 

Worth Noting: It’s an extremely aromatic fragrance. A little goes a long way.

Fragrance Family: Woody | Key Notes: Rose, blackcurrant, patchouli, sandalwood | Size: 1.7 oz

Sunita, tester: “I’m doing my best here to describe the scent—it smells like a mix of sweet and floral with musky undertones. The sweetness and musk stand out the most to me without it having a strong alcohol smell.”

Why We Love It: Layering on Byredo Mojave Ghost is the final step in our tester’s routine, shortly before she hears the clinking sound of ice sliding around in a cocktail shaker. Its enticing combination of musky ambrette and slightly sweet naseberry calls to mind dark-liquor drinks in crystal highball glasses or steeply brewed tea poured from a vintage kettle. Magnolia and violet swept in to uplift the scent, although this floral arrangement of scents didn’t last long before she noticed the grounding base notes of sandalwood and cedar. The bottle is a minimalist’s dream, and she appreciated the audible snap of the magnetic cap closure—a thoughtful feature that will keep the perfume safe while traveling.

Who It’s For: Our tester has never come across anything quite like this combination of soft florals and woody notes, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants a totally unique calling card. Two spritzes were enough to leave her smelling simply irresistible, from the first drinks to the final curtain call.

Worth Noting: Although the perfect woody scent for women, this fragrance is totally unisex.

Fragrance Family: Woody | Key Notes: Ambrette, magnolia, sandalwood, cedarwood | Size: 1.7 oz

Olivia, tester: “The notes blend very well together, and it takes a few sniffs to process all of them. At first sniff, it reminded me of a cocktail, which makes sense, as ambrette is said to smell a bit like cognac or brandy.”

Why We Love It: How much introduction does the TikTok-viral, celebrity-adored, and editor-lauded Baccarat Rouge 540 really need? Apparently, quite a lot because we still have plenty to say about this long-lasting perfume. Namely, it’s worth the price alone based on its sheer staying power and heavenly gemstone-shaped bottle. Like any great work of art, Baccarat Rouge 540 has inspired others, but none have come close to the sweet, resinous, and woody notes that seamlessly melt together. Saffron, in particular, stuck out immediately and remained on our tester’s skin hours later. Fir resin added a spicy complexity and depth, while a hint of light florals, pine tree, and cedarwood stood out strongest on linen threads.

Who It’s For: This perfume is for those who like versatility. If you want to embrace its syrupy notes fully, you could layer its breezy, unfussy scent with a gourmand fragrance or capitalize on its woodier aroma to create a more unisex scent.

Worth Noting: It’s one of those fragrances you’ll want to smell before purchasing a full bottle to make sure the scent is up your alley.

Fragrance Family: Woody amber | Key Notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambergris | Size: 1.2 oz

Nikki, tester: “Baccarat Rouge 540 is a sweet, resinous, woody floral. It is so well-blended that it is difficult to distinguish between notes, but I smell saffron, cedar, and amber. There is also a musky quality to this fragrance as it dries down.”

Why We Love It: Creed Aventus pretty much guarantees a good morning—or at least a promising start to the day. Its uplifting citrus medley of crisp green apple and fresh bergamot evoked visions of summer’s blue-skied afternoons and lounging in grassy parks. Although zesty and bright, don’t mistake this scent as a strictly spring or summer fragrance—it dries down into the deeper heart notes of amber, sandalwood, and patchouli to mellow its initial sharpness. Although the box it came in lacked presentation, the bottle itself certainly didn’t disappoint. Its curvaceous edges, ornate cap, and golden hue nod to the heritage brand’s centuries-old royal roots when Queen Victoria appointed the perfumery as the official supplier to the Royal Household.

Who It’s For: Bright and effervescent, this perfume leans feminine but not girlish or immature, making it perfect for the equally effervescent women in your life (and maybe even yourself!).

Worth Noting: A tad more vanilla might’ve further cut the terpenic notes.

Fragrance Family: Citrus | Key Notes: Egyptian green apple, Indian sandalwood, musk | Size: 1 oz

Kimberly, tester: “The fragrance definitely seems long-lasting and held up remarkably well on the skin, hair, and fabric after settling in for twenty minutes or so.”

Why We Love It: Like most things Aerin Lauder touches, her Hibiscus Palm perfume has all the elements of a sunny summer day without any sunscreen-like notes you usually find. Inevitably, when temperatures creep above 70 degrees, tropical fragrances hit us like tidal waves at every turn. Though a delightful phenomenon for some, we sought a summertime fragrance with that same sunny disposition, albeit less predictable. Don’t get us wrong, the Hibiscus Palm perfume still contains our favorite tropical-adjacent notes, such as hibiscus and ylang-ylang, giving it an airy, familiar essence, but it’s the creamy coconut, sweet vanilla, and earthy musk that balance any excess sweetness to add a degree of elegance.

Who It’s For: This perfume is for when you want to recall your favorite summer memories, with the sun on your face and tropical scents tickling your nose. Its profile feels familiar but grown up, as if you’re comparing the beach trip you booked after a big promotion with the one your parents took you on when you were 13.

Worth Noting: For such a light scent, it’s surprisingly long-lasting and retains its breezy feel. 

Fragrance Family: Floral | Key Notes: Hibiscus palm, ylang, coconut milk, vanilla | Size: 1.7 oz

Isabel, tester: “The Aerin Hibiscus Palm smells primarily floral, with a nice, subtle hint of sweeter notes tied in. The Ylang and Hibiscus were most identifiable but blended together well—not overpowering. The scent smells a bit muskier on my skin than on the samples, but it still holds an ‘airy’ feel to it.”

Why We Love It: This isn’t your grandmother’s Chanel. No, actually. The brand first released Coco Mademoiselle as a more youthful alternative to the classic Chanel No°5, meant to embody Coco’s young spirit. Our tester immediately felt its brighter, more playful energy through the crisp and citrusy orange notes, reinvigorating her like a shot of espresso. Eventually, this perky vibe faded as the perfume dried down into a smooth, creamy vanilla aroma. It lingered longest in her hair and didn’t last more than a few hours on her wrist. 

Who It’s For: Notes of jasmine, rose, and bold amber aromas make this an unmistakable feminine fragrance. She’s for the highly spirited younger crowd with the go-getter attitude, much like Coco Chanel herself.

Worth Noting: Avoid overspraying this formula. Two to three spritzes are enough to smell sophisticated and expensive all day long.

Fragrance Family: Floral | Key Notes: Turkish rose, orange, patchouli | Size: 1.7 oz

Michelle, tester: “A very feminine and vibrant scent best for an elegant evening out or for a day brunching with friends. It was lightly sweet with strong notes of amber and patchouli. There was also a very strong citrusy scent with light hints of rose and vanilla. The scent blended beautifully with my natural scent and was intense without being overwhelming.”

Why We Love It: Philosykos, Greek for “friend of the fig,” is an aptly coined name for this unisex fragrance, given how the trio of fig notes—fig leaves, sap, and wood—embroiders the overall scent with subtle earthy tanginess (as opposed to dominating it). Its grassy notes leaned more toward the greenhouse than a rose garden, and instead, spicy black pepper lent it a complex kick. The longer our tester wore the perfume, the more she enjoyed where its fragrance journey led her, eventually ending in a musky scent that felt very grown up (think: cool aunt energy, not grandma’s vanity). Interestingly, one exception was on her hair, which smelled lighter and fresher than on her skin. 

Who It’s For: This green, earthy scent is perfect for nature lovers who also appreciate a touch of luxury. Holding the heavy, smooth, flat glass bottle is somehow comforting, like discovering the perfect skipping stone.

Worth Noting: Since it leans fresh and clean, we’d say it’s best for everyday wear.

Fragrance Family: Woody | Key Notes: Fig leaves, black pepper, cedar, coconut | Size: 3.4 oz

Mia, tester: “As soon as I smelled the perfume, my first reaction was ‘Oh! This smells great’. It has a really unique scent that is naturalistic, almost plant-like, and a bit fruity.”

Why We Love It: Santal 33 is that girl—confident, stylish, and everyone knows her. It’s the brand’s best-selling perfume, a signature sandalwood interwoven with citrus, iris, and violet to create a gorgeous, soothing profile. Interestingly, woody palo santo and cedar notes and a secondary spicy, peppery note jumped out most to our tester the longer she wore it. This combination gives it a versatility practically anyone could appreciate, as evidenced by the variety of celebrities who also adore it, from Justin Bieber to Sophie Turner. The bottle itself is worth admiring, too, notably for how it displays where and when the brand formulated the fragrance. 

Who It’s For: This is a scent for confident people. It totally exudes “I’m out of your tax bracket” in the best way possible. Patchouli and incense lend intensity to this fragrance, similar to a masculine-smelling cologne.

Worth Noting: The thick mist each spritz creates could be overpowering for some.

Fragrance Family: Woody | Key Notes: Violet accord, iris, ambrox, cedarwood, sandalwood | Size: 1.7 oz

Mollie, tester: “Santal had a woody, musky scent with very light floral and citrus undertones. This combination seemed to bloom the longer it sat on my skin. I can smell heavy notes of palo santo and cedar too, it’s almost incense-like.”

Why We Love It: YSL Libre replicates the same feeling of having someone clasp a cold, gold necklace around your neck: It’s a satisfying, bright scent that made our tester feel put together, renewed, and armed with a carpe diem attitude. She was very impressed with how the jasmine and peony remained present throughout her wear, and although the fragrance dried down a little sweeter on her skin, it never spurred a headache (and she’s very sensitive to these types of scents). As artful as the bottle’s appearance was, the nozzle sprayed the perfume at a wide angle rather than in one even stream, which took some getting used to. 

Who It’s For: Out of all the options our tester has tried, our tester feels most comfortable recommending this as someone’s signature scent. Its clean and unassuming fragrance could blend into any season, and although light, it never fully faded from her pulse points. 

Worth Noting: It’s such a popular choice that you may end up sharing a signature scent with people you know.

Fragrance Family: Warm Floral | Key Notes: Freesia, rose, jasmine, peony | Size: 1.6 oz

Jane, tester: “The perfume has fresh, delicate floral notes that aren’t overpowering. Since it’s very light, it can be a versatile perfume used for numerous occasions, whether it’s a casual workday or going out with friends. It has underlying fruity notes that complement the floral notes, so it overall smells like you just stepped out of a fresh shower (in the best way).”

Why We Love It: Rolling In Love is the kind of guest everyone hopes will be at their dinner party: an interesting and welcoming addition who contributes without bogarting every conversation. Not to mention, it arrives in a fabulous gold and red-accented outfit. Like a true musk, it wears close to the skin without overly projecting, instead relying on a prominent almond note to fill the senses with soft warmth. The fragrance never veered into cloying, overly sugary territory. Still, it is somewhat reminiscent of a dessert all the same (like, perhaps, an expertly toasted crème brûlée versus a rich brownie). 

Who It’s For: Warm and toasty like a roasted marshmallow, Rolling In Love undercuts any sugary themes with a sophisticated musk fitting for anyone looking for a signature wintertime scent. 

Worth Noting: The scent is soft and creamy rather than bold and head-turning.

Fragrance Family: Musk | Key Notes: Ambrette seeds, almond milk, iris, musk | Size: 1.7 oz

Gibreel, tester: “This scent settled into my skin very smoothly, but it did take a few minutes to dry up after multiple sprays. It doesn’t fade quickly, and it’s not overpowering.”

Why We Love It: Floral-forward, but not heavily so, Maison Margiela‘s buzzy perfume keeps you guessing what notes will reveal themselves next. What started as a stroll down a rose and iris garden quickly shifted into a headier territory—one our tester relished. Vanilla, musk, and patchouli oil added warmth and sensuality, instantly piquing her curiosity and awakening the desire for a cheeky flirt. To be completely fair, she gravitated towards the bottle’s white thread-wrapped packaging because it boasted an elevated energy you might see shelved in Gwyneth Paltrow’s favorite spa.

Who It’s For: This pick is perfect for those who want a touch of sophistication and sexiness. Note that the bottle has an old-school vintage charm, particularly the hand-printed label and round, dainty nozzle.

Worth Noting: While aesthetically pleasing, the nozzle is hard to press down.

Fragrance Family: Spicy musk | Key Notes: Pear accord, iris accord, white musk accord, Indonesian patchouli oil | Size: 1.5 oz

Dani, tester: “The scent first hits as floral, but then musk and subtle sweetness follow. Almost like rose, musk, and vanilla. It seems unisex, like it would make sense on anyone.”

Why We Love It: Windows Down provides a relaxing and exhilarating vision of cruising down a quiet road lined with blooming, aromatic flowers at dusk. Blink, and you might miss the quick breeze of white florals before a zestier green scent greets your senses. While clothing and hair hold on most to the florals, our tester wouldn’t have minded if they lasted longer on her skin before the musky scent took over. Conversely, the minimal alcohol scent accompanying the spritzes was a major win, never staining our precious fabrics.

Who It’s For: If you love the uplifting woody profile reminiscent of another brand favorite of ours, Queens and Monsters, you’ll similarly become entranced by this sweeter, perkier cousin.

Worth Noting: Smooth and edgeless, the bottle kept slipping in our hands.

Fragrance Family: Fresh | Key Notes: Neroli, orange flower, jasmine, moss | Size: 1.7 oz

Rebecca, tester: “The fragrance had a mostly floral scent, though the Earl Grey tea was very much present. There was a slight undertone of an alcohol smell when first smelling it, but it goes away immediately.”

Why We Love It: This woody fragrance’s herbaceous notes pull you in, making our tester want to head out for a dewy morning walk over soft, mossy ground. Although there’s a whisper of alcohol in its initial spritz, it quickly floats into an energizing grapefruit aroma.  

Who It’s For: The Jo Malone London Wood Sage and Sea Salt is a friend to all and an almost universal crowd-pleaser, making it perfect for the indecisive. Sophisticated as can be, Jo Malone London put the finishing touches on this fragrance by wrapping the bottle with a thick black ribbon, the kind we’d save to tie in our hair.

Worth Noting: The fragrance blended dreamily with our tester’s natural scent but awkwardly with wool and thick sweaters.

Fragrance Family: Fresh, green | Key Notes: Ambrette seeds, grapefruit, sea salt, sage | Size: 1 oz

Mandy, tester: “When I smelled this on the bottle, I found the scent refreshing and calming. There’s an underlying herbal woodsy scent.”