Whether you’re on the hunt for a new signature scent, looking to switch up your everyday fragrance for summer or winter, or you’re in need of gifting inspiration, taking the most popular perfumes into consideration is a great place to start. After all, if a perfume has made it onto the bestseller lists, it must be for good reason, right?
Fragrances like Chanel No 5 and Dior J’Adore are amongst the most popular perfumes in the world, and have more recently been joined by modern classics like Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540 and Le Labo’s Santal 33. But what is it that makes these bestselling perfumes so popular? According to perfumer and founder of Jo Malone London and Jo Loves, Jo Malone CBE, people are most drawn to light, happy notes that inspire fond memories, which is why you’ll often find these feature in fragrance bestsellers. “Everybody loves a clean citrus or fruity scent,” she explains. “I think they are universally loved since they are timeless and bring happy and light moments to life.”
Malone adds that after Covid she noticed a renewed appetite for much more powerful and vibrant fragrances. “I think now people are looking for a unique fragrance,” she says. “People want to customise and be a part of the fragrance creation process as much as possible. That’s why I always create with a memory and place in mind. I want to inspire people and make them feel unique and special.” It’s true that in the past few years we’ve seen new and emerging brands begin to rank amongst the classic fragrance houses for the first time in decades, which is evidence of people’s desire to find something new and unique which they can connect with on a personal level.
From scents which have stood the test of time to future classics from brands like Jo Loves and Byredo, the following twelve fragrances are some of the most popular perfumes of 2023—and whether you prefer clean florals or warm musky scents, there’s something for everyone on this bestseller list.
Key notes: Aldehydes, ylang-ylang, neroli, iris, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, oakmoss, vetiver. Possibly the most popular perfume in the world, Chanel No 5 is a fragrance icon. It’s a really complex blend which melds together both floral and woody notes to create a truly unique scent.
Key notes: Juniper, lemon, bergamot, pepper, pine, incense, orris root, sandalwood, amber. There’s something really mysterious and alluring about this scent which you don’t get by just reading the notes alone… Sweet and woody, this it’s a really beautiful and addictive fragrance, so it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
Key notes: Red rose, pink pepper, raspberry, papyrus, amber.
Key notes: Pear, melon, magnolia, jasmine, orchid, violet, musk, blackberry, cedar. J’Adore is a really bold floral, drawing upon classic notes like jasmine and orchid. Although it was created over twenty years ago, it still smells modern—which explains how it’s maintained popularity.
Key notes: Pomelo, rose, vetiver, clove, patchouli, suede. Pomelo was the very first Jo Loves fragrance to launch, the result of Malone’s years of experience as a perfumer. Inspired by her time spent in Turks & Caicos, she describes it as a ‘clean citrus’.
Key notes: Mango, lime, black pepper, mint, freesia, vetiver, thyme.
Key notes: Saffron, jasmine, amberwood, ambergris, fir resin, cedar. Despite being less than a decade old, Baccarat Rouge 540 has become a cult bestseller in recent years, cementing its position as a modern classic. It’s sweet, decadent, and truly addictive.
Key notes: Lime, mandarin orange, bergamot, basil, thyme, iris, lilac, vetiver, patchouli. When you think of Jo Malone, this perfume is probably the first that springs to mind. The combination of citrus and herbal notes results in a really warm, bright fragrance, making it an especially popular choice for summer wear.
Key notes: African orange flower, iris, rose, tuberose, pink pepper, benzoin, musk. Diptyque has produced so many classics, but Do Son is one of the brand’s bestsellers. It’s a clean, white floral fragrance, ideal for those who love to wear soft, feminine scents.
Key notes: Cypress leaf, saffron, cardamom, grapefruit, nutmeg, rose, jasmine, oud, leather, cedar. If you’re new to Penhaligon’s perfumes, Halfeti is a great introduction and really sums up what the brand is about—which is telling stories through the medium of scent. Halfeti itself is inspired by the precious gods historically traded through Turkey, so it draws upon rich herbal, spicy, and floral notes.
Key notes: Sandalwood, leather, papyrus, cedar, cardamom, violet, iris, amber. Santal 33 is another modern classic which found fame in recent years. It’s one of those unique and intriguing scents which smells a little bit different on everyone, but also features people-pleasing notes like sandalwood and amber.
Key notes: Pear, citrus, apple, ambrette, moss, jasmine, Iso E Super.
Key notes: Orange blossom, jasmine, tuberose, citrus, neroli, hibiscus, cumin, musk. One of the things that Serge Lutens does so well is interpret classic fragrance notes in innovative, creative ways. A case in point, the brand’s bestselling fragrance, Fleurs d’Oranger, which combines sweet orange blossom with a musky, herby base.
Key notes: Truffle, gardenia, blackcurrant, orchid, jasmine, lotus, chocolate, patchouli, incense. There are hundreds of Tom Ford perfumes to choose from, but Black Orchid is by far the most popular option—and a great starting point for those new to the brand. Sensual, dark, and opulent, this scent is the perfect perfume for evening wear.
Key notes: Cloves, pink pepper, orange blossom, chestnut, guaiac wood, juniper, vanilla, Peru balsam, cashmeran. Maison Margiela’s Replica scents are all inspired by exact places and moments of time—they’re fun and nostalgic, and there’s something for everyone. However, By The Fireplace is the most popular perfume in the collection—who doesn’t want to be reminded of cosy autumn evenings sat in front of a blazing fire?
