The 24 Best Perfumes and Fragrances For Women In 2022

Fragrance is very personal, and finding a signature scent can be a journey. But if you like to sample perfumes, body mists, and colognes to see what aromas can transport you back to different times and places, it can be a blast, too. In general, fragrances tend to fall roughly into five categories, and they all pretty much smell like what they sound like they would: woody, earthy/spicy, floral, fresh/citrusy, and sweet/gourmand.

That said, fragrances can contain ingredients that straddle these classifications. Beyond that, your unique skin chemistry mixes with the top, middle/heart, and base notes of every scent, meaning that the perfume you love smelling on your best friend or sister might not wear the same way on you. Here’s the thing though: There’s a fragrance out there for everyone, and the best of the best are formulated to work on most people. It all comes down, then, to personal preference. Do you want to smell like a day at the beach or an evening spent in front of a fire? Are you a fruity or a floral person—or both?

You could spend hours at a perfume counter to hone in on your perfect match, or you can sample smarter with this list that’s composed of a mix of beloved best-sellers and newer, soon-to-be classics. Read on for scent profiles so you can pick a few perfumes to try before you buy, or go all in on a big, splurge-worthy bottle for your vanity. The only catch? Be prepared to repeatedly answer the question: “What perfume are you wearing?”