Top perfumes for women this winter: The most glamorous scents for your Christmas parties

Do you change your perfume with the season? While a heavier scent can be cloying in the summer sunshine, you can wear fragrances which are muskier, woodier and spicier when the mercury dips. Below you will find my 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.

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. I’ve included a mix of classics and newer options. I’d also love to hear what your all-time favorite perfume is to wear for winter. You can let me 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 No.5.

However, if you want to try a different Chanel option, then N°19 could be the perfect one to try. Reviewers say they always get lots of compliments when they wear it.

CHANEL N°19 Eau de Toilette Spray

Best Gucci perfume

Gucci has introduced a series of perfumes called The Alchemist’s Garden, which come in seriously pretty bottles. Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden A Midnight Stroll is woody and aromatic. The perfect bottle for romantics.

Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden A Midnight Stroll 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 unusual combinations.

But, which Tom Ford scent is the best? Well, like anything in life, that’s subjective. You could try this collection, which, would be an ideal gift.

Tom Ford Private Blend Fragrance Collection $110 Value

Best Dior perfume

For those of you with a glamorous style personality among you, you really can’t go wrong with a DIOR perfume. Hypnotic Poison looks great on your dressing table as a result of the beautiful bottle that definitely has retro appeal.

Plus, what is inside the bottle is just as lovely. Sophisticated, spicy and musky, Hypnotic Poison is a seductive fragrance that is perfect for date night.

DIOR Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette

Best Burberry perfume

Burberry’s Her perfume is ideal if you like a more minimalist look on your dressing table. It has dark berry notes and jasmine with musky undertones.

Burberry Her Eau de Parfum

New Alien 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, bergamont 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 my favorites is this intense cologne (below) which reminds me of the festive season.

Jo Malone London Scarlet Poppy Cologne Intense

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 Oui 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. The theme was inspired by Marc Jacobs‘ mantra that he is perfect just the way he is. It features a unique blend of rhubarb, daffodil and almond milk.

Marc Jacobs The Daisy Ever So Fresh Perfume

best victoria’s secret perfume

If you want a relatively inexpensive option, you could look at Victoria’s Secret fragrances. The bottle of Very Sexy Sea is perfect for festive parties. Reviewers say it is intense and seductive but also has a fresh scent, making it ideal year round.

Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Sea Eau de Parfum (Amazon)

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? I know some of you will love vanilla while others may find it too sweet. However, vanilla really doesn’t have to be cloying. If you are looking for a grown-up, sophisticated vanilla fragrance, then try the BON PARFUMEUR perfume below which is spicy, sweet, warm and wearable.

BON PARFUMEUR 402 Vanilla, Toffee & Sandalwood Eau de Parfum

Best floral perfume

If you prefer a floral scent, one of the best-reviewed is Fleurs La Collection Privée Quelques Fleurs Jardin Secret fragrance which is a complex bouquet in a bottle. It is made up of a wide range of complimentary floral and citrus scents, including vanilla beans, blossom and cassis. Bamboo and sandlewood make sure it is not too sweet.

Fleurs La Collection Privée Quelques Fleurs Jardin Secret Fragrance

Best long-lasting perfume

Perfumes react different on different people. You may find that something that smells fantastic on a friend really 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, ARMANI Beauty Giorgio Armani Sì Passion has plenty of reviews commenting on long it stays on the skin for.

ARMANI Beauty Giorgio Armani Sì Passione Eau de Parfum Fragrance

Best rose perfume

Rose fragrances sometimes have a reputation of being old-fashioned. However, that’s far from the case with the Tory Burch Essence of Dreams Sublime Rose Eau de Parfum.

It pairs rose and blackcurrant, and a warm wood undertone.

Tory Burch Essence of Dreams Sublime Rose Eau de Parfum

Best fruity perfume

Do you prefer fruity rather than oriental or floral? Some fruity perfumes can feel a little too girly, but the Fresh Hesperides grapefruit perfume is the epitome of grown-up, fruit-filled sophistication.

Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit 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 Estée Lauder AERIN Beauty Ikat Jasmine perfume. As well as jasmine, it features warming spices including safe and pepper.

Estée Lauder AERIN Beauty Ikat Jasmine Eau de Parfum Spray

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.

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Fragrance Spray is one of the best reviewed on Nordstrom, with women saying it smells beautiful, powdery, and comfortable.

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Fragrance Spray

Best sweet perfume

If you like a sweet perfume, what could be better than a perfume bottle named after a sweet. Prada Candy incorporates musk and caramel, and works particularly well in colder weather.

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum Spray

clean smelling perfume

If you prefer a nice, fresh, clean smelling scent, Maison Margiela perfume (below) is a unisex fragrance that is ideal for day-to-day. If you aren’t enjoying winter weather, Replica’s When the Rain Stops is designed to evoke the feeling of the sun coming out after the rain.

Maison Margiela When Rain Stops Eau de Toilette

Best citrus perfume

A citrusy scent can be ideal for both summer and for winter perfumes. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Orange Soleia is inspired by the sunny orchards of Sicily, but has pink peppercorn, mint and a woody base note that means it works for the festive season too. The attractive bottle means it would make a good gift.

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Orange Soleia Eau de Toilette

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. In fact, maybe it’s best during cooler months when people aren’t expecting it. Pacifica’s Indian Coconut Nectar is well reviewed and if coconut is not your favorite scent, you could opt for guava, rose or orange.

Pacifica Beauty Indian Coconut Nectar Perfume

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.

Gucci

Gucci Flora Gardenia Fragrance Set $136 Value

Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold Eau de Parfum Set

Tory Burch

Tory Burch Essence of Dreams Electric Sky Gift Set $175 Value

For more gift inspiration take a look at the best gifts for women over 40.

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 winter perfumes above here:

What are your favorite winter perfumes for women? Will you be trying something different this winter?

Continue reading:

1. The Best Gift Ideas For Women Over 40
2. How Important Is Perfume For Your Style?
3. How To Wear Perfume The Right Way

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