After a memorable night, you might not remember the faces you encountered exactly, and you may not recall the sounds and voices you heard, but one whiff of a familiar scent is enough to bring back old emotions and memories to the point. So it is only natural that perfumes are such popular gifts; your loved ones will always think of you when they smell this fragrance you got them.
But like with all thoughtful gifts, understanding what exactly it is that you want to look for can be confusing. It’s not easy to choose between the various scents and fragrances out there. Also, perfumes can be a bit pricey, so you would have to compare many features to make sure you are getting your money’s worth. We have tried to make this process easier for you with a list of some of the best perfumes for women available.
How we chose our top picks
To select some of the best perfumes for women, we compared 80 products from 20 leading brands. Our editorial team looked at the different benefits and features mentioned on productreview.com.au, amazon.com.au and other leading retailers. To come to an unbiased conclusion, we looked at cost, scent and suitability of these perfumes for women.
Learn more about our methodology
Top 8 women’s perfume to buy in Australia
Fragrances for day
With a fresh and light scent, Eau de Toilette is considered better to be worn at nighttime:
Fragrances for night
With a more sensual and concentrated scent, Eau de Parfum is considered better to be worn at night:
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue — Best for summer
Pros
- Freshening
- Various sizes available
Cons
- Dull design
Price (RRP): $147.00
The delicate mixture of fruity and floral scent in Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue makes it one of the best women’s perfumes to wear during summertime. With the help of a fresh apple smell balanced with bamboo fragrance, the heated, sweaty, and heavy summer days can feel a bit lighter.
Specs
- Size: 100 ml
- Scent: citron wood, amber, Sicilian cedar, apple, bamboo
Customer Reviews
Reviewers enjoyed the clean odour of this perfume. Long-time users believe this is one of the best perfumes for women regarding the fragrance longevity on the skin.
Vera Wang Princess — Best value for money
Pros
- Unique design
- Reasonable pricing
Cons
- Takes up a wide area on the dresser
Price (RRP): $45.00
Vera Wang Princess offers the very spirit of a modern princess, but you don’t have to be as rich to afford it. The subtle fruity vanilla scent brings about a sense of unexpectedness that goes well with free-spirited personalities. It’s not easy to look for a valentine present on a tight budget. For only $45, you can purchase this fragrance in 100 ml bottle sizes.
Specs
- Size: 100 ml
- Scent: Vanilla, water lily, Tahitian Tiare flower, amber
Customer Reviews
Customers have enjoyed the long-lasting scent of this perfume. The bottle’s beautiful heart-shaped design also seems to have attracted those looking for a low cost, high-quality gift for a loved one.
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea — Best for casual wear
Pros
- Very cheap pricing
- Suitable for day and night time
- Freshening
Cons
- Not very long-lasting
Price (RRP): $14.99
Wear the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea perfume and feel fresh all day long. The energetic fragrance goes perfectly with your everyday activities. It can easily become your signature scent. With a mixture of soft green tea and jasmine balanced with rose and moss notes, this Eau de Toilette is great for casual use.
Specs
- Size: 100 ml
- Scent: green tea, jasmine, rose, moss
Customer Reviews
Customers seemed happy to report that this perfume’s fresh and sweet scent blends in with the office atmosphere, casual parties, and anywhere you might go during day or night.
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre — Most professional scents
Pros
- Various sizes available
- Well-known brand
- Various notes
Cons
- Expensive
Price (RRP): $249.00
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre comes with a top note of quince and grapefruit which gradually dissolves into middle notes of rose and jasmine and eventually dries out smoothly to a base note of white musk. Only a few other perfumes will offer this wide range of fragrances.
Specs
- Size: 100 ml
- Scent: quince, grapefruit, rose, jasmine, white musk
Customer Reviews
Customers happily reported that they got their money’s worth with this one-of-a-kind fragrance.
Narciso Rodriguez for Her — Best for carry-on
Pros
- Pocket design
- Various sizes available
Cons
- Dull design
Price (RRP): $65.00
The sensual, addictive scent of Narciso Rodriguez for Her could easily become your signature scent as it can be worn for various occasions. The 20 ml bottle has a compact size that can be carried around in your bag. You can have this fresh, floral fragrance with you anywhere you go: the office, while travelling, at parties, etc.
Specs
- Size: 20 ml
- Scent: rose, peach, musk, amber, sandalwood, patchouli
Customer Reviews
The customer reviews show that even a dab of this perfume can go a long way, so the 20 ml bottle can last for a long time. A few customers have complained about the high price and believe the 100 ml bottle is a better value for money.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb — Great looking design
Pros
- Classy design
- Various sizes available
Cons
- Strong odour
Price (RRP): $165.00
Sephora
As its name suggests, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is a blend of natural fragrances including orange blossom, patchouli, cattleya, jasmine, and rose pedals. The garden party aroma comes in a delicately designed bottle that can make for an eye-catching scenery on your dressing table.
Specs
- Size: 100 ml
- Scent: jasmine, orange blossom, patchouli
Customer Reviews
Reviewers have described this perfume’s fragrance as “heavenly” and “a reminder of springtime”. However, there were a few complaints about the patchouli scent being a little too strong.
The Body Shop White Musk Perfume Oil — Best for gift-giving
Pros
- Various sizes available
- Cheap but classy
Cons
- Cannot be used on clothes
Price (RRP): $35.00
The Body Shop White Musk Perfume Oil is the most concentrated fragrance of the White Musk perfume series. The iconic floral scent is not too sweet, but freshening comes with a timeless packaging design, making it the perfect gift for your loved one. You can purchase this perfume oil in different sizes from the brand’s online perfume store.
Specs
- Size: 20 ml
- Scent: rose, jasmine, amber, wood
Customer Reviews
Buyers were happy with the subtle floral fragrance of White Musk Perfume Oil. However, it seems like if you are a fan of strong odours, this perfume is not for you.
Christian Dior J’adore — Best for mature women
Pros
- Well-known brand
- Various notes
- Sophisticated design
Cons
- Expensive
Price (RRP): $205.75
Christian Dior J’adore comes with a top note of sweet fruity fragrances that change into feminine floral scents throughout the day. The tasteful design of the bottle reflects the delicate odours. This women’s perfume goes perfectly with the elegant and mature personality of your lady.
Specs
- Size: 100 ml
- Scent: magnolia, melon, peach, pear, bergamot, rose, bamboo, jasmine, amber, musk, cedar
Customer Reviews
Many reviewers have enjoyed the sweet fragrances of Dior J’adore. Although a few customers have reported that the smell is not as long-lasting as they expected it to be.
What to consider before buying a perfume?
- Scent: The different scents of perfumes are essentially what sets them apart from each other. Compare clear, fresh, and light fragrances with sweet, floral, and fruity scents.
- Price: Perfumes can cost a fortune, especially if popular brands produce them. Always check your budget and look around to see if you can find cheaper sellers if you need to.
- Longevity on the skin: Different types of perfume (oil or alcohol-based) can stay on your skin for different periods. Think about where you want to wear your perfume and how many times you can reapply before deciding on your purchase.
- Size: Fragrance bottles come in various sizes, from 15 ml to 100 ml and more. Don’t forget that perfumes can also expire so consider how many times you’ll apply in a year.
Compare the best women’s perfumes to buy in Australia
| Model | Price (RRP) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue | $147.00 |
|
| Vera Wang Princess | $45.00 |
|
| Elizabeth Arden Green Tea | $14.99 |
|
| Chanel Chance Eau Tendre | $249.00 |
|
| Narciso Rodriguez for Her | $65.00 |
|
| Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb | $165.00 |
|
| The Body Shop White Musk Perfume Oil | $35.00 |
|
| Christian Dior J’adore | $205.75 |
|
Source: Amazon, Chemist Warehouse, Sephora, Adore Beauty, Body Shop, Myer, Catch, February 2021
Our methodology
20 brands examined
80 products compared
8 products chosen
- Our team researched the many fragrance brands available in Australia that produce the best women’s perfumes.
- We poured over hundreds of online reviews (as of February 2021) to see which products gave customers the best results.
- Our editorial team selects the products on this list based on their benefits and features. Items are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Brands Compared
To choose the best women’s perfumes, we considered the following brands:
- Abercrombie & Fitch (1)
- Annick Goutal (1)
- Bottega Veneta (2)
- Burberry (1)
- Bvlgari (4)
- Calvin Klein (1)
- Cartier (1)
- Chanel (5)
- Christian Dior (9)
- Clarins (1)
- Clinique (1)
- Dolce & Gabbana (2)
- Elizabeth Arden (3)
- Estée Lauder (10)
- Giorgio Armani (2)
- Gucci (2)
- Hugo Boss (3)
- Lancome (4)
- Marc Jacobs (3)
- Yves Saint Laurent (2)
We then carefully read hundreds of online reviews given by customers who have bought and tried these products. We looked at the features of each wireless women’s fragrances to see how they performed.
We then chose the top 8 perfumes for women in terms of scent, longevity on the skin, and price based on our research.
Conclusion
Considering features such as scent, price, and design is essential when deciding to buy a women’s perfume. If you are on a budget and looking for a quality fragrance that goes with many personalities, looks good, and doesn’t cost much, Vera Wang Princess is the best deal for you. If you prefer a classic, simpler design, The Body Shop White Musk Perfume Oil makes an excellent choice.
But if you want to spoil your partner, you can never go wrong with fragrances from well-known brands such as Christian Dior J’adore and Chanel Chance Eau Tendre. If you are a fan of more subtle, fresh fragrances, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue and Elizabeth Arden Green Tea are your best options.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Which is the best online store for perfume?
You can usually find your favourite fragrances online on Amazon. However, most brands nowadays have their online perfume stores and you can buy from them directly. As a last resort, simply search for the name of your favourite perfume and see what comes up on the page.Where can I find cheap perfume?
Many online stores hold sales around holidays or towards the end of seasons. Some websites, such as perfumery.com.au and sephora.com, offer a collection of perfumes with reasonable pricing. Plus, you can always go for smaller bottles like most rollerball perfumes, sprays for travel, or 20 ml fragrance bottles as a cheaper choice.How long does 2 ml perfume last?
Two-millilitre perfume samples can last for more than 3 applications. Depending on whether the bottle functions as a perfume rollerball or spray, or uses a reed diffuser, your sample can last for up to 10 applications.Do perfumes expire?
Yes, they do. However, perfumes may not exactly evaporate, but oxidize. The aromatic molecules do not get along well with oxygen. So after a period of one to three years, your perfume bottle will contain only an odour-less liquid.Does perfume oil last longer than atomized perfume?
Yes, to a degree. The alcoholic base in perfumes prevents aromatic molecules from mixing with oxygen and helps spread them in the air. That is why when you wear a perfume, even people from across the room might get a whiff of your scent. Perfume oils, on the other hand, stick to your skin and are normally more concentrated.
