National Fragrance Day is March 21, and for beauty lovers, it’s as exciting as a birthday. Choosing a perfume or cologne is deeply personal—it can hold memories, transport you to a specific time and place and even set the mood. Of course, there’s no shortage of options, whether you gravitate toward a trending gourmand, a classic fresh floral, an ambery musk or one of the many other scent profiles. But what’s especially exciting about fragrance right now is the innovation in the space, from non-drying, alcohol-free formulas to milky scents and new interpretations of food-inspired notes.
With so many new launches and even more fragrances to choose from, some people stick to a signature scent, while others prefer to keep a rotation—it can be hard to pick just one. So rather than choose, we asked NewBeauty editors to share their all-time favorites, from recent releases to tried-and-true classics. Whether you’re shopping for your first fragrance, adding something new to your lineup or simply curious what we reach for, read on for a wide-ranging mix of our editors’ 13 favorite perfumes. And with several picks under $100, there’s no need to overspend.
1 / 13
“I am forever loyal to Ambre Blends, particularly the roll-ons. I have gotten countless compliments on them—so much so that I sometimes give out samples!” —Liz Ritter, Editorial Director
BUY NOW - $57
2 / 13
“I’ve been loving Miss Dior Essence lately. It opens with this juicy, almost jammy burst of blackberry and elderflower that instantly lifts my mood, then softens into a delicate jasmine that feels feminine and light without being too much. As it wears, it settles into a warm, slightly woody oak base that lingers on my skin for hours. It’s one of those fragrances that feels sweet, soft and put-together, and I get compliments every single time I wear it; it just makes me feel happy.” —Tatiana Bido, Director of Aesthetic Content
BUY ON ULTA - $198
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $198
4 / 13
“Since launching late last year, it's become my daily driver. It's a modern, sexier take on vanilla—think amber, musk and woody notes, too—that's soft, warm and wearable throughout the year.” —Danielle Fontana Dooley, Director of Digital Content
BUY ON NOYZ - $85
BUY ON ULTA - $85
5 / 13
“Byredo Mojave Ghost has been my everyday scent for years. It’s the perfect blend of musky, woodsy and fresh so you can wear it anywhere, whether to work or on date nights.” —Leiana Foye, Managing Editor
BUY NOW - $235
6 / 13
“Bvlgari’s Baciami fragrance is addicting, sultry, sexy and oh-so irresistible. I normally gravitate towards a fresh or fruity floral scent, but this amber floral stole my heart immediately. It’s creamy and seductive thanks to notes of gardenia accord, vanilla essence and amber. It takes just a couple spritzes for it to linger all day—no reapplication needed.” —Catharine Malzahn, Contributor
BUY ON NEIMAN MARCUS - $304
BUY ON BLOOMINGDALE'S - $304
7 / 13
“I test new products for a living, so I’m not usually loyal to just one, but CLEAN RESERVE Skin Eau de Parfum is my signature scent. It sits close to the skin, soft, warm and clean without ever feeling like too much. I spray it on after I shower, before bed, before drinks, dinner—whatever the occasion or season, it makes me feel like myself, just a little more pulled together with its clean, musky warmth and touch of vanilla.” —Marisa Petrarca, Features Editor
BUY NOW - $118
8 / 13
“The very first time I wore this fragrance when it launched, I fell in love with it. It’s now been one of my go-tos for more than three years. I love that it’s an alcohol-free formula and has a milky finish to it. The fresh solar scent manages to last all day but not feel overpowering or headache-y. With notes of jasmine, magnolia and fresh neroli, it envelops me in a warm spring feeling, but I wear it all year long.” —Catharine Malzahn, Contributor
BUY ON ULTA - $180
BUY ON MACY'S - $180
9 / 13
“On all those in-between days, and just whenever I want to feel cozy and comforted, my go-to is Lake & Skye's 11:11, which I've loved for nearly a decade now. It's like that perfect white T-shirt that never lets you down. The rollerball oil version is always in my purse.” —Britt Fallon, Beauty Director
BUY ON ULTA - $105
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $105
11 / 13
“This newer perfume in the Chanel Chance collection is a recent favorite of mine. Yes, the lavender color and bottle design are gorgeous, but what really sticks with me is that it’s a fruity floral that feels both fresh and refreshing. Notes of raspberry accord, rose geranium and cedar-white musk accord make it feel so elegant. Captivating!” —Catharine Malzahn, Contributor
BUY ON SEPHORA - $185
BUY ON CHANEL - $185
12 / 13
“Another favorite—and the one that still holds the top spot in my summer fragrance rotation—is Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk, a title it’s held since at least 2020. It smells like peak summer, with notes of bergamot, coconut milk and ylang-ylang—basically coconut sunscreen, warm skin and a little hit of fresh citrus. It captures all of that in a way that still feels refined and sits close to the skin, so it’s subtle but still gets noticed. I gifted travel-size versions to all of my bridesmaids for my summer wedding; that’s how much I love it.” —Marisa Petrarca, Features Editor
BUY ON MAISON MARGIELA - $170
BUY ON SEPHORA - $170
13 / 13
“I’ve worn this scent since before I even worked in the beauty industry. It’s one of my original favorites and a perfume I’ve bought for myself multiple times (I currently have two travel-sized sprays with me). It’s an amazing fruity floral with notes of rose de grasse, Himalayan jasmine, pear and raspberry that somehow manages to be so versatile that I can wear it any time of year.” —Catharine Malzahn, Contributor
BUY NOW - $98
