The best perfumes are those that not only smell incredible, but also have the power to evoke fond memories, transporting your mind to a different place and time. These scents go beyond what is ‘trending’ and will connect with your senses on a far deeper level.
It is this personal aspect of perfume that makes judging this category especially challenging, but there are a handful of expertly crafted blends that capture the attention of all (our judges included).
From one of the most iconic skin scents to a grown-up vanilla that is not at all cloying, the GLAMOUR Beauty & Wellness Power List Awards 2024 brings you the most coveted scents in six different fragrance categories.
To make sure that they really are top of the class, the line-up includes nominations from fragrance expert Alice du Parcq. Scroll down to see which fragrances were voted winners…
We asked, our panel nominated, you voted and now we’ve awarded. Check out the rest of the GLAMOUR Beauty & Wellness Power List Award Winners.
Best floral scent
The latest iteration of the bestselling J’Adore scent comes courtesy of Dior’s in-house perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian. Retaining the same floral DNA as the original (jasmine and rose centifolia absolute), J’Adore L’Or has a softer, smoother dry down that smells warm and sensual on the skin. We’re hooked.
Shortlist:
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush Elixir EDP
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Solar Violet EDT Intense
Jo Malone Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense
Best fresh scent
It sounds clichéd, but this fragrance really is sunshine in a bottle. Guaranteed to lift your mood, Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver EDP teams fresh, zesty fruits (think clementine and lime) with an earthy, smoky base that conjures up rolling fields of bitter citrus trees bathed in sunshine. Divine.
Shortlist:
Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill EDP
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte EDP
Best skin scent
One of the most iconic skin scents, Glossier You EDP has hooked in the masses with its soft, powdery scent that pairs pink pepper with iris and ambrette. Creamy, spicy and a little bit salty, this upbeat fragrance is utterly unique, and, thanks to your skin’s own chemistry, it smells different on everyone.
Shortlist:
Chanel Comète Les Exclusifs de Chanel EDP
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Nude EDP
Best powerhouse scent
Never have we ever met a fragrance that is so universally loved. Subtly decadent and seriously sophisticated, Baccarat Rouge 540 is a show-stopping scent that is instantly recognisable with its distinct blend of jasmine, ambergris, saffron and cedarwood. Powerful but not overpowering, this sweet-yet-woodsy number has signature scent written all over it.
Shortlist:
Maison Crivelli Hibiscus Mahajád Extrait de Parfum
Charlotte Tilbury More Sex EDP
Initio Parfums Privés Oud For Greatness EDP
Best vanilla scent
Tom Ford’s latest eau de parfum demands to be noticed with an intoxicating blend that is not for the faint-hearted. Sweet but not cloying, this grown-up gourmand fragrance muddles four different vanilla varieties with deep, ambery sandalwood to delicious effect. Sultry and sensual, we recommend saving this spritz for late-night soirées.
Shortlist:
Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar 42 EDP
Byredo Vanille Antique Extrait de Parfum
Best new fragrance
The latest addition to Chanel’s Les Exclusifs range, Comète is an elevated skin scent that pays homage to Chanel’s first high jewellery collection (specifically, the iconic Comète necklace). Powdery and luminous in equal measure, this sparkling scent – laced with heliotrope, cherry blossom accord and musk – just gets better as the day wears on.
Shortlist:
