Do you change your perfume with the season? While a heavier scent can be cloying in the summer sunshine, you can wear fragrances that are muskier, woodier, and spicier when the mercury dips. Below you will find our pick of the best winter perfumes for women for any event this winter.
With party season in full force, you’ll want to make sure your perfume makes an impact. You may just find your new signature scent or the perfect gift for a loved one among these….
Choosing the best smelling perfume for you
Just as you are drawn to certain styles of clothing and accessories, you are likely to be attracted to particular styles of perfume.
You may prefer fragrances which are musky, floral or citrusy, for example. While you probably already have a favorite fragrance, it’s always fun to experiment with new styles, just as with the rest of your outfits.
What is a good winter perfume?
Below, you will find some of the best and most popular perfumes to try from big name brands and lesser known options.
Winter perfumes
Take a look and see if your new winter perfume is among the choices below. We’ve included a mix of classics and newer options. We would also love to hear what your all-time favorite perfume is to wear for winter. You can let us know in the comments section at the bottom.
Best Chanel perfume
Chanel is always a popular choice when it comes to perfume. When choosing a CHANEL perfume, the truly timeless option would be CHANEL N°5.
However, if you want to try a different Chanel option, then PARIS-PARIS could be the perfect one to try. It’s a lovely mix of citrus, rose, and peppercorn, with patchouli to give it some weight. Reviewers say they always get lots of compliments when they wear it.
Chanel PARIS-PARIS LES EAUX DE CHANEL Eau de Toilette
Best Gucci perfume
Gucci has introduced a series of perfumes called The Alchemist’s Garden, which come in seriously pretty bottles. We love Where My Heart Beats for winter. If you love fresh, green florals, this is for you.
Gucci Where My Heart Beats Eau de Parfum
Best Tom Ford perfume
If you really want to make an impact with your perfume, then a Tom Ford fragrance could be the way to go. There’s a boldness to all Tom Ford fragrances, so they definitely aren’t for shrinking violets. They’re also unusual, in a good way. The designer is unafraid to play around with different combinations.
But, which Tom Ford scent is the best? Well, like anything in life, that’s subjective. Soleil Neige is inspired by sunshine on snow, so it’s perfect for the cooler months.
TOM FORD Private Blend Soleil Neige Eau de Parfum
Best Dior perfume
For those of you with a glamorous style personality among you, you really can’t go wrong with a DIOR perfume. Miss Dior looks great on your dressing table thanks to the romantic bow styling. It is a peony and rose scent with added muskiness. It smells clean, light, and floral.
DIOR Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Eau de Toilette
Best Burberry perfume
Burberry’s Goddess perfume is ideal if you love a glamorous look for your dressing table. This is a lovely one if you love vanilla scents, and there’s an unexpected hint of lavender. It’s warm and spicy so perfect to evoke a cozy feeling on colder days.
Burberry Goddess Refillable Eau de Parfum
Mugler perfume
If you like a non-traditional perfume with a strong scent, then Mugler perfumes are a good choice. You may have already tried Alien or Angel. But, how about trying one of the new Alien blends?
Alien Goddess features jasmine, bergamot and vanilla. Coconut adds a slight beachy vibe but it has enough warmth to make sure it holds its own in winter and fall.
MUGLER Alien Goddess by Mugler Eau de Parfum
Best Jo Malone perfume
Are you a Jo Malone fan? While Jo Malone fragrances are pricier than some options on the list, they last a long time and they do smell fabulous. Plus, the beauty of Jo Malone perfumes is that you can wear them on their own or you can blend them to create a unique fragrance.
One of our favorites is this Peony & Blush cologne (below) which manages ot be both fresh and sensual at the same time. It’s perfect for the party season.
Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne
Best Lancôme perfume
There are plenty of Lancôme perfumes you could choose from, but one of the most well-reviewed is Oui La vie est belle, which is fresh, clean and soapy, making it a good everyday option year-round.
Lancôme La vie est belle Eau de Parfum
best marc jacobs perfume
Marc Jacobs’ bottles certainly make a statement on the dressing table, making them a good, playful, gift. Perfect is different from so many fragrances because it combines rhubarb and daffodils, making it ideal for winter through into spring.
Marc Jacobs Perfect Eau de Parfum
best victoria’s secret perfume
If you want a relatively inexpensive option, you could look at Victoria’s Secret fragrances. The bottle of Bombshell Sundrenched is perfect for festive parties. Reviewers say it is intense and seductive but also has a fresh scent, making it ideal year round. Ideal to bring a bit of sunshine into your world even when it’s cold outside.
Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Sundrenched Eau De Parfum
lily of the valley perfume
Softly floral and slightly sweet, lily of the valley is frequently used in fragrances, and it also happens to be Kate Middleton’s favorite flower. Acqua di Parma’s Lily of the Valley features a classy sweet smell with classic white flowers.
Acqua di Parma Signatures of the Sun Lily of the Valley Eau de Parfum
Best vanilla perfume
Do you like a vanilla scent? We know some of you will love vanilla while others may find it too sweet. However, vanilla doesn’t have to be cloying. If you are looking for a grown-up, sophisticated vanilla fragrance, then try the Skylar Vanilla Sky perfume which is spicy, sweet, warm and wearable.
Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum
Best floral perfume
If you prefer a floral scent, one of the best-reviewed is Parfums de Marly Delina perfume which is a complex bouquet in a bottle. Plus, it features the prettiest pink packaging, which should definitely appeal to the romantics among you.
Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
Best long-lasting perfume
Perfumes react differently on different people. You may find that something that smells fantastic on a friend doesn’t suit your body chemistry at all and smells completely different.
The same is often the case for how long a perfume lasts. However, if you are trying to find a perfume that is likely to last all day, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood perfume has plenty of reviews commenting on how long it stays on the skin for. Reviewers describe it as addictive and intense.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum
Best rose perfume
Rose fragrances sometimes have a reputation for being old-fashioned. However, that’s far from the case with the Le Labo Rose 31 Eau de Parfum
It pairs rose with spices and woody notes.
Best fruity perfume
Do you prefer fruity rather than oriental or floral? Some fruity perfumes can feel a little too girly, but the Ellis Brooklyn SUN FRUIT perfume is the epitome of grown-up, fruit-filled sophistication. You don’t have to keep your sunny fragrances just for summer.
Ellis Brooklyn SUN FRUIT Eau de Parfum
Best jasmine perfume
Jasmine is often featured in perfume for its sweet scent. If you’re a fan of jasmine a sophisticated choice is the Carolina Herrera Good Girl perfume. As well as jasmine, it features warming spices including safe and pepper.
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum
Top rated perfume
When looking to try a new perfume, choosing one with lots of good reviews can be the best way to choose a fragrance that you haven’t tried before.
CHANEL N°5 is an absolute classic that you have to try at least once.
CHANEL N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray
clean smelling perfume
If you prefer a nice, fresh, clean smelling scent, the Narciso Rodriguez perfume (below) is perfect for you. It’s clean and floral with a little bit of musk. Reviewers say it is grown up and sexy.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Pure Musc Eau de Parfum
Best citrus perfume
A citrusy scent can be ideal for both summer and for winter perfumes. CHRIS COLLINS Citrus Grandis is sharp and citrusy with pomelo notes, but it also features earthy, woody notes to add balance. It feels bright, radiant and sophisticated.
CHRIS COLLINS Citrus Grandis Eau de Parfum
best coconut perfume
Coconut is usually associated with summer days, but you can definitely wear it for winter too, so don’t discount it when considering winter perfumes. Maybe it’s best during cooler months when people aren’t expecting it.
The Laura Mercier Almond Coconut perfume is well reviewed and we love the warm addition of almond.
Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Eau de Parfum
Best sweet perfume
If you like a sweet perfume, Brown Girl Jane Casablanca incorporates musk and caramel and works particularly well in colder weather. It smells both sweet and sensual.
Brown Girl Jane Casablanca Eau de Parfum
Winter perfumes as gifts
As well as treating yourself to a new fragrance ready for the festive party season, perfume can also make a great gift.
Thinking about the sort of style a loved one is drawn to in their outfit choices, it will help you to narrow down the kind of perfume they are likely to love.
Chanel
Chanel is an absolute classic choice that is sure to be appreciated. The Coco Mademoiselle set (below) features both fragrance and body oil. Wear both and it will make your fragrance last longer.
CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE Coffret Set
DIOR
Another classic choice for you. Dior’s perfume set below features a selection of Dior’s favorite fragrances, as well as timeless red lipstick. Perfect for party season.
DIOR Le Mini 30 Montaigne Discovery Set
Yves Saint Laurent
Dramatic and glamorous, Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium set features body cream, perfume and a travel size fragrance so you can top up your fragrance on the go.
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Fragrance Set
Parfums de Marly
If you want to try something different, the perfume set (below) isn’t one of the bigger name brands so you’re less likely to find anyone else wearing the same fragrance as you. It’s a great way to sample the perfumes before deciding which one to buy in full size.
Parfums de Marly Feminine Fragrance Discovery Collection
Jo Malone
Jo Malone’s Christmas collection set would definitely be welcome under the Christmas tree. The ginger biscuit fragrance smells fabulous and the set also features Jo Malone favorites.
Jo Malone Christmas Cologne Collection Set
For more gift inspiration take a look at the best gifts for women over 40.
What fragrance is best for cold weather?
You’re sure to have been tempted by one of our perfume picks above. For fragrances that match the winter season, look for notes of vanilla, spice, orange, amber and wood. Or choose clean fresh scents that emulate winter snow. But, don’t limit yourself. If you want to bring the smell of sunshine to the cooler months, choose coconut or florals.
How do you wear perfume in the winter?
To give your perfume longevity in winter, apply in several different spots, including your wrist and the nape of your neck. Layer your fragrance with a body lotion or body oil and then add your perfume.
Maybe you could start your own Christmas or New Year’s Eve tradition of wearing the same scent each year.
If you’re in sunnier climes this festive season, you may wish to check out our article on the best fragrances for summer.
shop the best winter perfumes here:
What are your favorite winter perfumes for women? Will you be trying something different this winter?
Continue reading:
- The Best Gift Ideas For Women Over 40
- How Important Is Perfume For Your Style?
- How To Wear Perfume The Right Way
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Feature image by Gucci
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Many years ago, I worked at the perfume counter of a major department store. I have a lot of allergies and couldn’t imagine what a bad match the job was going to be for me. Little did I know that I could have been a professional perfumer! I could tell you what scent each note is! When I came into work, I could use literally any oil, perfume, or cologne that I chose. I always went back to Shi Eau De Parfum by Albert Sung for a nice, light fragrance. If I planned on having a date night, I always chose J’Adore Eau de Parfum by Dior. It’s a more complex perfume. I still wear them to this day.
Allure is my favourite one. It starts out sharp and woody on me but settles into a nice, very classy clean and feminine scent after about 10 minutes. I cannot identify a specific white flower but there is definitely a slightly sweet, deliciously waxy floral scent to Allure
I LOVE Coco Chanel Mademoiselle! To me it has a clean, peppery scent that I adore and I believe it will be another Merry Christmas gift to me!!
And, I bought Marc Jacobs during the summer…spray lightly because it is potent!