The 9 best places to start your search for a signature scent

One of the leading Italian perfume brands, there has been more than 50 fragrances since the first Versace fragrance, Gianni Versace for Women, launched in 1981. Provocative and passionate, their perfumes are for women who want to get noticed.

Our top pick: Versace Bright Crystal 

A flirty floral musk perfume for women, this delicate scent features magnolia and lotus flower top notes that dry down to a more sensual base.

If you want opulence, try Bulgari. It’s one of the best designer perfume brands to really capture the essence of its counterpart fashion designs. Inspired by the glamour of the Mediterranean, their fragrances are alluring, sophisticated and intoxicating.

Our top pick: Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline

A Bulgari cult classic, this perfume is a delicate everyday floral fragrance that highlights your femininity.

Classic yet modern, every Giorgio Armani fragrance is sophistication bottled. Always feminine, their fragrances smell like you, only better. Besides being one of our favourite women's perfume brands, it’s also a leader among men's perfume brands, too.

Our top pick: Giorgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum

Intense yet soft at the same time, Sì exudes elegance. There’s something so graceful and independent about this aromatic rose fragrance.

When we think of beautiful scents, our mind wanders to floral gardens in full bloom. Dior fragrances capture this fond memory with every one of their perfumes. Christian Dior loved flowers and many of the designer’s fragrances are inspired by his stunning childhood garden. He launched his first fragrance, Miss Dior, in 1947. Dior fragrances are dainty, effortless and classic.

Our top pick: Dior Joy

The latest addition to the Dior fragrance family, Dior Joy has all the makings of a modern signature scent. We can’t quite put our finger on it, but there’s just something about it that makes you smile.

It’s hard not to find a favourite among Marc Jacobs’ bright and playful fragrances. The most iconic, Daisy –and all its variants – are young at heart, yet appeal to every age. And those flowerhead Daisy bottles? The perfect accessory on your vanity. For something more seductive, look to the Decadence range, starring Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima.

Our top pick: Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette

This fruity floral with warm sensuality will appeal to your sweeter side, without overpowering or feeling sickly. It’s the natural perfume choice for anyone wanting something fresh, modern and fun.

If feminine florals that have a youthful vibrancy are your thing, Chloé is for you. A balance of sophisticated and modern, if we could use just one word to sum up Chloé fragrances, it would be ‘pretty’.

Our top pick: Chloé Eau de Parfum

The perfume at the heart of the entire Chloé scent line-up, this romantic floral fragrance is just as hotly coveted now as it was back when it first launched.

Simple but intriguing, Jo Malone fragrances are what signature scents are made of. The English perfume brand’s cologne collection is extensive but still feels exclusive. Their uncomplicated concoctions hero little more than a few notes, allowing you to really hone in on highlighting your individuality.

Our top pick: Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia

We’ve never met anyone who didn’t like this fragrance. It has sweet hints that make it wearable for everyday, and notes of freesia, amber and woods for a warm, heady statement.

One of the top luxury perfume brands, Tom Ford is known for pushing the boundaries, and yet somehow he manages to find that sweet spot that appeals to so many. Tom Ford fragrances are unapologetically intense and complex, giving their spritzer a beautiful confidence. And his bottles: next level luxury.

Our top pick: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino

It’s summery, but not sweet. Think sparkling waters of the Italian Riviera that never get old. Tom Ford is one of the more expensive perfume brands, but it’s worth every cent.

What’s a ‘best of’ fragrance list without CHANEL. Coco Chanel practically pioneered the fragrance industry for women and remains one of the most iconic French perfume brands of all time. It all began with CHANEL No. 5 in 1921, a perfume that Coco once described as "A perfume like nothing else. A woman's perfume, with the scent of a woman". CHANEL fragrances are refined, feminine and timeless.

Our top pick: CHANEL Coco Chanel Mademoiselle Eau de Toilette

We won’t argue that CHANEL No. 5 is CHANEL’s all-time classic, but Coco Mademoiselle is sexy and spirited, like the icon herself.

Ready to hone your fragrance search down to just a few? These are the perfumes our beauty editors adore. 

What's your go-to fragrance brand that never lets you down?

Main image credit: @poppydelevingne