Floral perfumes always have and always will be a firm favourite with women across the globe. The reason for this is that they are so versatile. They can be sweet, fruity, or even spiced. The best floral perfumes will often have jasmine and rose at their heart, layered with many other notes to create pleasing aromas that are all different to each other.
Whether you want to buy a bottle for yourself or you're looking for a gift for someone special, perfume is always a nice treat. We've whittled down the hundreds of perfumes on the market to our top 16 best floral perfumes to help you pick one.
Which floral perfumes are the best?
We know that when it comes to picking the best floral perfumes, it is all down to personal opinion. What one person likes, another could hate. Some people like a really sweet scent, whereas others prefer a muskier option. Scents can smell different from person to person too. We could describe a scent as being strong, despite you finding it more subtle. Choosing a fragrance is very subjective, so we've pulled together a wide variety of floral perfumes so you can choose the right one for you.
Discover your new favourite with our roundup of the best floral perfumes below.
Modern floral perfume
www.thefragranceshop.co.uk
This modern fragrance has a delightful blend of contrasting scents, with tangy rhubarb, sunny daffodil, and creamy almond milk. Topped with a quirky lid of eccentric charms, Marc Jacobs Perfect will certainly stand out on your dressing table.
Top notes: Rhubarb, Daffodil
Heart notes: Almond Milk
Base notes: Cashmeran
Pros: Unconventional yet harmonious
Cons: Some customers may want the scent to have a more powerful floral note
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd, Commercial Content Writer: "A very fresh and lightweight fragrance. I think it's perfect for wearing day-to-day. I really like the shape of the bottle too."
Floral and sweet perfume
www.thefragranceshop.co.uk
Drawing influence from ancient Greece for both its name and its bottle. Olympéa, with its traditional olive wreath-inspired design, sees a fusion between vanilla and jasmine to create a powerful fragrance for a modern-day Goddess.
Top notes: Salted Vanilla & Water Jasmine
Heart notes: Ginger Blossom & Green Mandarin
Base notes: Ambergris & Cashmere Wood
Pros: Bottle features pretty rose gold accents
Cons: May be too overwhelming for some people
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd, Commercial Content Writer: "The perfect balance of floral and sweet. It's the kind of scent that lingers and I've found that I can still smell it on my clothes even after they've sat in my washing basket for a couple of days."
Recommended floral perfume
www.feelunique.com
First launched in 1921, Chanel N°5 is an iconic fragrance that has been loved by generations of women for over 100 years. It captures the very essence of feminity with a powdery yet full-bodied scent that is composed around May Rose and Jasmine with citrus top notes.
Top notes: Aldehydes, Ylang-Ylang, Neroli, Bergamot, Lemon
Heart notes: Iris, Jasmine, Rose, Orris Root, Lily-of-the-Valley
Base notes: Civet, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Moss, Vetiver, Vanilla, Patchouli
Pros: Legendary fragrance admired by millions worldwide
Cons: At a high price point for the amount of product
Review: "I treated myself to a beautiful bottle of Chanel 5 - a lovely indulgence. So worth it. it's a truly iconic perfume. Every woman deserves such a luxurious perfume. If it was good enough for the beautiful Marilyn Monroe - enough said."
Cheapest floral perfume
www.boots.com
Encased in an alluring bottle that reflects energetic colours, Aoura Pretty Woman will help to align your inner and outer energy. It blends bergamot and pear with rose petals and rose water to create a beautifully refreshing scent.
Top notes: Bergamot, Pear, Rose
Base notes: Vanilla, Musk, Patchouli
Pros: Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons: Bottle feels fairly heavy compared to other perfumes
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd, Commercial Content Writer: "I don't like to put on my more expensive perfumes when I'm not up to anything exciting, so I've been on the hunt for a perfume I can wear day to day. This one is perfect! I can still smell it on my skin even after being in the office all day."
Soft floral perfume
avant-skincare.com
Seeing the pale pink colour and smelling the top notes of juicy peaches and dainty white flowers of Avant Caress will conjure up fond memories of picnics in a floral field on a warm summer's day in your mind. There are hints of vanilla and earthy cedar wood and white musk too.
Top notes: Peach, White Flowers
Heart notes: Orchids, Vanilla
Base notes: Cedar Wood, White Musk
Pros: Soft and delicate
Cons: On the higher end of the price scale
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd, Commercial Content Writer: "I'm a huge fan of sweet fragrances and Avent Caress smells absolutely delicious to me. The mellow hints of vanilla really come through."
Botanical floral perfume
You'll be transported to a wild garden from the moment you get a whiff of this perfume. It's enchantingly romantic with its delicate mix of botanical florals accented by sweet fruit and musk for a fragrance that is youthful and feminine.
Top notes: Bulgarian Rose, Ylang Ylang, Green Apple, Pink Tulips
Heart notes: Lily of the Valley, Iris Pallida, Vanilla Orchid, Lilac
Base notes: Cedarwood, Musk, Amber
Pros: Refreshing and delicate
Cons: Might be too light to be an evening fragrance
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd, Commercial Content Writer: "The bottle of Tocca Giulietta looks just as beautiful as it smells. I have a shelf in my dressing room dedicated to perfumes and this one really stands out. The lid is stunning - it's antiquey in style with intricate leaf and wildlife engravings."
Recommended floral perfume
Discover a floral explosion from Viktor&Rolf's iconic Flowerbomb perfume. The bottle is shaped like a diamond grenade and inside is a sweet smell eruption, including floral notes of freesia, jasmine and orchid.
Top notes: Tea, Bergamot, Freesia
Heart notes: Sambac Jasmine, Cattleya Orchid, Centifolia Rose
Base notes: Amber, Cashmeran, Patchouli
Pros: Fruity and floral
Cons: Some customers may not like the design of the bottle
Review: "I love this scent as it’s a perfect balance of florals without being overly sweet. It’s feminine and reminds me of a beautiful spring day!"
Recommended floral perfume
Delicately fresh scent that is presented in a pink, frosted glass bottle. It is characterised by Jasmine, Tuberose and Rangoon Creeper, with a hint of sweetness from the Neroli accord.
Top notes: Neroli Accord, Lemon Sfumatrice Essence, Mandarin Essence, Bergamot Essence
Heart notes: Bloom Accord (Jasmine Buds), Tuberose, Rangoon Creeper, Orange Blossom
Base notes: Sandalwood Accord, Musk
Pros: Floral without being too overpowering
Cons: Doesn't last as long compared to other perfumes
Review: "Smells lush, lush, lush! The bottle is so beautifully made and sturdy. It's quite a sweet smell but not overpowering and it lasts for such a long time. The only problem I have is that now I want to use this all the time!"
Comforting floral perfume
Forever is nicely presented in a bottle with a rosy pink metal ribbon on the sides that loops around the cap at the top to reproduce the infinity symbol. To get the full impact of the scent, focus on your pulse points and don't rub in as that will weaken the scent.
Top notes: Bergamot, Rose Berries, Apple, Pear Accord
Heart notes: Rose, Lily of the Valley, Violet, Pralines, Tuberose
Base notes: Vanilla, Musk, Blackcurrant, Tonka Bean, Benzoin
Pros: Pretty bottle
Cons: Perhaps not for those who don't like sweeter smells
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd, Commercial Content Writer: "Forever smells comforting and surprisingly quite familiar, even when I was smelling it for the first time. I feel like you can really smell the fruity notes in this perfume."
"Like a springtime bouquet with a hint of elegant and light woody notes" is how former in-house perfumer at Dior, François Demachy, describes Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet. It has fruity top notes with a tender floral heart to make this perfume romantic and irresistibly seductive.
Top notes: Mandarin
Heart notes: Peony
Base notes: White Musk
Pros: Bow detail is cute on the bottle
Cons: Described as a springtime fragrance, you may not find it suitable for wearing in the autumn/winter months
Review: "This is light, floral and totally addictive. I wear it every day, 24/7. Suitable for every occasion and it's very seductive. ❤️"
Strong floral perfume
The perfect spring-summer fragrance to wear while the sun is shining. It has a whirlwind of mandarin, ginger and ylang-ylang mingled with the floral scents of ginger lily, wild hyacinth and tuberose.
Top notes: Mangerin, Ginger, Ylang Ylang
Heart notes: Ginger Lily, Wild Hyacinth, Tuberose
Base notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Musk, Blackcurrant
Pros: Unique smell and colour
Cons: Scent may be too strong for some
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd, Commercial Content Writer: "The first thing I noticed about this perfume is its vibrant green colour, followed by the four-leaf clover design for the stopper on top of the bottle. I think this mature scent would be perfect for wearing on a lunch date with friends or a partner."
Jimmy Choo Floral is a feminine symphony of floral, fruity and musky notes. The essence of walking through a busy park in the sunshine with all its surroundings in full bloom is captured inside this bottle.
Top notes: Bergamot Oil, Nectarine, Mandarin Oil
Heart notes: Magnolia Flower Oil, Sweet Pea, Apricot Flower
Base notes: Ambroxan, Musk, Blond Wood
Pros: Smells very fresh
Cons: Some people may not like the more musky undertones to this scent
Review: "Have been looking for a reasonably priced easy to wear floral perfume. Many are too sweet for me and this is not a sweet scent just lovely and flowery. Bought for my sons girlfriend too and she also loved it! If you want something for every day wear at a reasonable price you won’t be disappointed with this."
Recommended floral perfume
Rrp: £42.09
This floral perfume is enhanced by the addition of ripe, freshly-squeezed fruits. Sweet lychee and guava intermingle ideally with passionflower and sexy musks.
Top notes: Lychee, Guava, Pomegranate Flower
Heart notes: Pink Peony, Passion Flower, Numphea
Base notes: Sexy Musks, Rose Wood, Raspberry Cashmere
Pros: A light scent that lasts well without lingering
Cons: Some customers would prefer the scent to be stronger
Review: "My partner bought this for me and I love it. Such a nice scent and I get a number of comments asking what it is and how much people like the smell of it. Will continue to buy this going forward 😃."
Recommended floral perfume
Radiant and elegant with a profusion of roses and white flowers, warmed by enveloping incense and sandalwood. Lacoste Pour Femme Timeless is contained in a sleek but simple bottle with a gold metal lid.
Top notes: Mandarin, Rose Infusion, Bulgarian Rose Essence
Heart notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac, Gardenia
Base notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Encens
Pros: Combines floral, fruity and woody notes
Cons: More of a daytime fragrance than an evening fragrance
Review: "Lovely smell."
Best floral perfumes FAQs
What's the difference between an Eau de Parfum and an Eau de Toilette?
The biggest thing you should consider when picking out a new perfume is the scent, but have you thought about what type of perfume you would like? Many fragrances are available in both an Eau de Parfum and an Eau de Toilette. You may have noticed there is a slight variance in price between the two but what actually makes Eau de Parfums and Eau de Toilettes different from each other?
It is actually quite a simple answer, and it's all to be with the concentration of perfume oil. The Fragrance Shop states that an Eau de Toilette typically contains between eight and 12 per cent perfume oil. The concentration is higher when it comes to an Eau de Parfum, usually having 12 to 18 per cent in its formulation. The higher the concentration of perfume oil, the more intense and longer-lasting a scent will be. Although the concentration of perfume oil varies between brands, the Eau de Parfum version will always be the one that is more concentrated.
Why does fragrance smell different on everyone?
Have you ever loved the smell of a friend, colleague or family member's fragrance, bought it for yourself and then disliked the smell? Don't worry, it's a very common, albeit annoying, phenomenon with a perfectly logical explanation. Biology.
Everyone's skin is different, so it will react to fragrances in different ways. Skin type is determined by genetics as well as many other natural and environmental factors. How your skin takes to a fragrance is based on its pH balance, so basically, how acidic your skin is will change how a perfume smells.