Fragrance is a highly personal choice that ends up telling the world a lot about you in just one whiff. Scent meant something to me early on. Whenever my mema (now 87) would visit my house growing up, I’d know the second I walked through the door as I was struck with her signature scent, which, by the way, is Bill Blass Nude that we’d have to go to the local bazaar to find because it’s been discontinued for years. We were curious which scents tend to stick out to women over 45, whether it’s the fragrance they’ve worn their whole lives or a new launch that impressed them, so we asked.
Women over 45 share their favorite fragrances
2 / 10
"I wear Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana. When I wear it to school [as a teacher], I always get compliments. It's just enough to get me going at 6 a.m.!” — Lauryl"Funny enough, my stepmom, who also works in a school, dubs Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue her favorite as well." — Allie Hogan, senior beauty editor
BUY ON AMAZON - $135
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $135
4 / 10
“I don’t use any heavy fragrance, but I do use several spritzes of Philosophy every day. I especially love the Apricots & Cream scent.” — Cathy
BUY NOW - $36
7 / 10
“I wear Egyptian musk oil. It has a light, clean aroma. I have been told the scent is very nice. People always ask, ‘What are you wearing?’” — Sue
BUY NOW - $21
9 / 10
“My mom used to wear Jovan Vanilla Musk, which is a) fairly elderly smelling and b) I think it was like a $10 perfume." — Hayley Mason, VP of strategy and growth
BUY NOW - $14
