Patchouli can be very overpowering in perfumes, but when it's done right, it can make a scent feel earthy, warm, and deep. And that's the exact vibe of Patchouli 24 from Le Labo. To me, this smells quintessentially like a campfire. Perfumes fall into two categories: eau de parfum (EDP) or eau de toilette (EDT). An EDP contains more fragrance oil than an EDT, meaning the EDP will last longer on the skin. This makes sense why the oilier your skin, the more intense a scent will be, and the less you will need. If you want something less fragrant, opt for a body mist. A body mist is the lightest form of fragrance and is typically cheaper. Start small

Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan perfume - a fragrance for women 2015

I'm all about a full-on aromatherapy moment with my perfume. Like, lemme spritz on some zen, okay?! Lavande 31 is a scent I'll definitely be keeping by my bedside to wear to sleep because it just smells like a chic, expensive spa. This perfume has a cult-like following for good reason. The smoky and woodsy blend of oud, sandalwood, and vetiver smell straight-up sexy and mysterious. It’s the perfect perfume for date night or going out. Well done, Tom Ford. Just because you like patchouli doesn’t mean you always want to smell like you’ve got straight patchouli oil on all day long. That’s where La Vie Est Belle comes in— it’s a sweet floral scent (hi to the iris, vanilla, and warm sugar) with just a whisper of patchouli. It’s basically the La Croix of patchouli perfumes.You can't round up the best perfumes without a mention of Le Labo's most famous fragrance, Santal 33. At this point, it's the quintessential woodsy scent that's been duped time and time again, but the original will forever be one of my favourites. Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from cystic acne treatments to best magnetic eyelashes to fragrance and perfume stories. She’s an authority in all beauty categories, but an expert when it comes to the newest scents to test, thanks to a lifetime of figuring out her own favorite fragrance notes. Hate florals? Hate musk? Hate anything other than the sweet, cozy scent of vanilla? Hi, same. As someone whose signature body-lotion scent has been vanilla anything since middle school, I absolutely love this ~grown-up~ version from Kayali. If you're even remotely into fragrance, then you've probably heard of Le Labo or smelled one of their trendy perfumes on someone before. The first time I ever smelled a Le Labo perfume (hi, the famous woodsy scent called Santal 33 that's on every " best perfumes" list), it was love at first sniff. But let me tell you: Santal 33 is only one of many phenomenal perfumes on Le Labo's roster. The brand has a tonne of unique scents, including gourmand vanilla perfumes, earthy fragrances, and floral scents that all are all worth trying, IMO. It's a bit too heady for my tastes when worn on its own, so I prefer punching up the sweet notes by pairing it with a strong vanilla perfume like Kayali Vanilla 28 (this is actually a v common layering perfume with Lys 41, FYI!) to make it a bit more grounded and smooth. But I won't deny, she's a beast—of all the Le Labo perfumes I've tried, this is definitely the most long-lasting.

10 best Le Labo perfumes (tested and reviewed for 2023 UK)

This should be obvious, but as someone who has always been lowkey embarrassed by their love of cutesy, teenage-y, sweet and fruity scents (i.e., ~gourmands~), I’ve forced myself to wear “grown-up” musks even when I really disliked them. So regardless of your tastes, own them and channel them into your fragrance. Some might find Santal 33 "basic" or over-worn. And yes, sure, I probably smell at least one person wearing this every single day in the city. But (!) there's a reason people are obsessed with the scent: Because it smells damn good.

Although patchouli is often found in musky, woody, and spicy fragrances, my favorite is when it’s paired with florals to give the whole scent a bright yet grounded finish. This cult-favorite perfume is heavy on the jasmine when you first spray it, but slowly mellows into a spicy finish after a few hours on your skin, making it perfect for a night out. Some like it sweet, some like floral, some like it warm, and some like it fresh. The first steps to choosing the best cheap perfume for you are to identify your personal taste and know what notes work on your body chemistry. Think about a scent's intensity The notes (see: pear, jasmine, ambrette) aren't necessarily distinguishable; they just blend together and evoke a very clean and simple yet warm and musky scent. It actually has iso e super, which is what gives it that salty, almost-sweaty, skin-like quality that makes it so subtle. Listen, perfumes can be confusing, but as soon as you’ve got the facts, you’ll be able to easily navigate them online. In general, fragrances fall into one of two categories: eau de parfum (EDP) or eau de toilette (EDT). EDPs, aka parfums, are made with a higher concentration of perfume oils, and EDTs, aka toilettes, are made with less. I absolutely love everything about this perfume. It’s inspired by Eden-Roc, an ultra luxe resort in the South of France, and smells like a literal dream. The best way to sum up the vibe? Sunny day on a super yacht drinking Sancerre in between dips in the Mediterranean. You know—everyone’s normal summer, right?

Cosmopolitan 30 Best Summer Scents and Fragrances for 2022 - Cosmopolitan

If you’re already itching for summer (um, hi, same), try spritzing on this fruity floral perfume from Dolce & Gabbana. The juicy blend of mango and jasmine will have you yearning for warm, sunny days at the beach or in the park. If you like a strong, heavy floral that smells like it's practically blooming as you wear it, sniff Lys 41. It's filled with classic floral notes (jasmine, tuberose, and lily), but is grounded by musk and vanilla so it has a very mature, elegant vibe. This perfume makes me feel like the best-smelling person on earth. It's truly the Sofia Richie Grainge or " quiet luxury" of perfumes because it smells rich but isn't dripping with gold or throwing logos in your face.If you’re looking for low-key scent, lemme present to you this Jimmy Choo fragrance, which is basically the white T-shirt of perfumes. Pear, orchid, and patchouli keep the scent completely balanced: It’s a lil floral, a lil fruity, and a lil woodsy, so it never smells too loud or intense when you walk into a room—or when you leave it. It’s simple and timeless, the way a chill patchouli perfume should be. In a world where vanilla perfumes, rose fragrances, and the likes of Santal 33 reign supreme, patchouli perfumes are severely slept on, if you ask me. And I’ll be honest: they weren’t really my thing either (I pretty much always want to smell sweet and edible), until I realized that patchouli, which generally smells earthy and musky, doesn’t have to exist on its own as a one-note scent. Once I realized that some of the best perfumes contain patchouli, I learned that patchouli perfumes aren’t just woodsy and heavy—they can also be sweet, floral, and fresh, too. Now, I’ll wax poetic about the versatile powers of patchouli until the end of time. Every time my roommate tells me I smell good, I'm wearing this cheap perfume from Cosmo's Eau de Juice line. Yes, it actually smells really effing good, and I’m not just saying that bc I work for Cosmo. (This baby is actually a lighter version of our Extra Concentrated Eau de Perfume.) The champagne accords, fruity (apple), and warm (golden amber) notes leave behind a scent that could easily be mistaken for an expensive fragrance. If you love roses and fresh-cut flowers, go for a rose perfume and make yourself happy. Love the smell of grass and live for hikes and camping? Look for a scent that’s labeled “earthy.” If your dream is to roll around a field of daisies, then the floral fragrance family is for you. Whether you think you like citrus fragrances, fruity perfumes, or warm vanilla scents, don’t worry about being too obvious—just get one and try it. Decide how intense you want it

Cosmopolitan Eau de Parfum Spray For Her, 100 ml (Pack of 1)

Fruity, citrusy, and all-around yummy, this bright fragrance from Ellis Brooklyn feels like a shot of happy energy each time you spritz it. At first, you’ll smell a sweet, light mix of pear, fig, and coconut, which will slowly mellow into a rich musk throughout the day. Truly one of my favorites for year-round wear. Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom was the signature scent of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding at Westminster Abbey, so you know it’s a good one. Clementine flower, white lilac, and vetiver come together to create a fresh floral perfume that’s truly one of a kind. One spritz of this fresh-smelling perfume is all you need—your skin will be left with the perfect combination of pear, green tea, and floral s (think: freesia, peony, and orange blossom). Plus, it's got a subtle hint of musk and sandalwood to finish it all off.

The notes of coffee beans, centifolia rose, and pink peony smell absolutely delightful, and the fancy schmancy travel case is spill-proof and TSA-approved too. This cheap fragrance is a whole fresh-smelling mood. The citrus notes of mandarin, lemon, and grapefruit combined with soft rose and magnolia will leave you feeling (and smelling) zesty, vibrant, and ready to take on the world (or, um, just the workday). I mean, this cheap perfume is a classic for a reason. The mix of bright fruity notes, like blood grapefruit and Indian mandarin, will give you a high-energy boost that will legit cheer you up from the moment you spritz.