If you asked Who What Wear’s beauty editors if there’s a better feeling than discovering a new signature perfume that’s so low-key people won’t stop asking you what you’re wearing, the answer would likely be a resounding no. We all want to have that real-life “Sex and the City intro” Carrie Bradshaw moment, where we walk down the street drawing adoring eyes in our direction. If you put on the right fragrance, you can possess an entirely new identity. Don’t believe us? Check out nine fragrances WWW beauty editors have decided to reveal as their secret go-tos. That’s right—there’s no gatekeeping here. Here’s to hoping you’ll be just as obsessed with these brilliant perfumes as we are (but not enough to make them disappear entirely from shelves!).
Fragrance family: fruity. Key notes: citrus, apricot, rose, magnolia, grapefruit, linden blossom, and musk. “The Melrose Place Eau de Parfum is perhaps the most popular of all Ouai fragrances, but this one is just as good (if not better). I definitely think it deserves more credit. I love that it smells so fresh thanks to notes of lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit. In my opinion, it’s the perfect perfume for wearing daily—no matter the season or occasion.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor
Fragrance family: warm & spicy. Key notes: freesia, muguet, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, musk, vanilla bean, and praline. “There’s something so classically feminine and comforting about this fragrance. Powdery fresh freesia, rose, and jasmine are enveloped by smooth vanilla bean and praline, making this the perfect scent for when I want something familiar. It’s also quite fresh, which is surprising for a fragrance crafted with so many cozy, warm notes.” — Maya Thomas, assistant beauty editor
Fragrance family: floral. Key notes: heirloom roses, eucalyptus, Ceylon black tea, white leather, papyrus, and sandalwood. “When you first smell this fragrance, it’s very rose-forward. When I opened the bottle, I got a face full of rose, which isn’t my typical vibe, so it sat on my vanity for far too long before I picked it up. When I finally used it, I was so mad at myself for letting it gather dust—it’s a much more complex fragrance than the first sniff might lead you to believe. Yes, it’s a rose scent, but it’s also earthy, smoky, and leathery. In fact, once it dries down on skin, rose becomes more of a supporting character than the main event.” — Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Fragrance family: gourmand. Key notes: peony, strawberry, black currant, honeysuckle, peppercorn, and cedarwood. “I thoroughly believe the key to a versatile gourmand fragrance relies almost entirely on the addition of lesser fruity and floral notes. In this case, it’s the peony, strawberry, and honeysuckle that stand out. Burberry’s Her Eau de Toilette is a must-have for anyone craving a gourmand fragrance with an energizing touch of blooming florals and fresh fruit.” — Thomas
Fragrance family: citrus. Key notes: tangerine, lemon, ginger, black pepper, apple, jasmine petal, amber, and moss. “Phlur never misses, but this fragrance is truly something special. It’s simple yet intoxicating with notes of tangerine, lemon, and amber. I think it’s the perfect summer scent (it literally smells like bottled sunshine), which is why I’ve been wearing it nonstop since the weather turned warmer.” — McLintock
Fragrance family: fresh. Key notes: bergamot, green mandarin, orange blossom, vetiver, and coconut water. “One word comes to mind whenever I wear Clean Reserve’s Solar Bloom: refreshing. In fact, if I could bottle up the bright and inspiring vibes of Lorde’s ‘Solar Power,’ this fragrance would be it. Orange blossom has always been one of my favorite underrated fragrance notes, so I was beyond excited to discover it played such a pivotal role in this perfume.” — Thomas
Fragrance family: floral. Key notes: Italian bergamot, honeysuckle, jasmine sambac, golden gardenia, and sandalwood. “Okay, this is a newer offering from Ellis Brooklyn, and let me tell you—I am hooked! Floral fragrances can be a bit tricky. Sometimes if you lean too hard into the flowery notes, it can lean ‘grandma,’ but not this perfume. The warm notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, tuberose, and gardenia are balanced so well by citrus notes like Italian bergamot. It really gives this scent something a little more unique than your traditional floral fragrance. I know we say this a lot, but I swear I do get several compliments every time I wear it.” — Shawna Hudson, associate beauty editor
Fragrance family: fresh. Key notes: cedrat essence, neroli, rose essence, mimosa absolute, and cedarwood. “According to numerous sources, this luxury French fragrance is categorized as belonging to the fresh fragrance family. As an everyday wearer of this perfume, I’m going to have to challenge it! While there are definitely fresh notes (especially after it dries down), the ones with the greatest impact are the blends of cedrat and cedarwood for a scent that’s undeniably warm and earthy. But don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing musky about it thanks to the timeless addition of bright florals.” — Thomas
Fragrance family: musky. Key notes: bergamot, white amber, and musk. “Many people are familiar with DedCool’s Milk, but Xtra Milk is more of a hidden gem. It’s somehow fresh, warm, and soft all at once. It’s one of those skin scents that adapts to your body chemistry, so it smells a bit different on everyone. Without a doubt, this is the fragrance I consistently get the most compliments on when I wear it.” — Berohn
Fragrance family: floral. Key notes: lemon orpur, mandarin, rose petals, green tea, sugar, and musk. “When selecting my daytime fragrance, I naturally gravitate to floral, fresh perfumes that not only make me feel clean and put-together but also add a touch of timeless femininity. I’m a longtime fan of Tocca’s line of fragrances, and this one is, by far, my favorite for everyday wear. If you’re looking for a brilliant blend of soft florals and bright citrus, you’ll want to give this one a try.” — Thomas
Fragrance family: fresh & fruity. Key notes: lemon blossom, lotus flower, freesia, essence of morning dew, and precious woods. “Speaking of fruits, this wouldn’t be one of my perfume roundups without a mention of a bright and energizing citrus-based perfume. Recently, one of my favorites has been Nest New York’s gorgeous Citrine Eau de Parfum featuring vibrant lemon blossom, refreshing morning dew essence, and cozy woods. It’s effortlessly sensual and youthful.” — Thomas
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