18 Best Perfumes of 2024 That Put a Spin on the Classics
Armani and Aerin both gave their best sellers a citrus twist.
Picking a perfume always has been, and always will be, highly personal. Maybe you love fragrance for its ability to trigger a memory or evoke a season. Maybe you’ve been wearing the same signature scent for well over a decade. Or maybe you firmly believe that knowing how to layer perfume is the key to smelling good. Whatever the case, the best perfumes of 2024 will add a welcome new scent profile to your collection.
This year's best new fragrances releases cover every scent family, with Future Society dropping gorgeous florals, Hermès creating a modern spin on a classic oud, and By Kilian launching a smoky, tobacco-hinted blend appropriately called Born to Be Unforgettable. There are the best citrus perfumes and the best light perfumes for summer, too. Still, the notes getting the most attention are those falling into the citrus category. Everyone from Aerin and Armani to Perfums de Marly put a nuanced spin on mandarin, lemon, and grapefruit. These are slightly warmer than the citrus blends that preceded them, ensuring that they side-swipe the unwanted chemical-tinged undertone.
Marie Claire editors have tested every new fragrance launch since the start of 2024. To help you decide which new scent deserves a spot in your collection, our editors share their favorite 2024 perfume launches ahead.
The Best 2024 Perfumes
- The Best Perfume of 2024 Overall: Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Tiare Eau De Parfum
- The Best Spicy Perfume of 2024: Escentric Molecules Eau De Toilette Spray Unisex Molecule 03
- The Best Oud Perfume of 2024: Hermes Oud Alezan Eau de Parfum
- The Best Vanilla Perfume of 2024: Killian Born to Be Unforgettable Eau De Parfum
- The Best Fruity Scent of 2024: Parfums de Marly Perseus Eau de Parfum
The Best Citrus Perfume of 2024
If you’ve long been a fan of Aerin’s Mediterranean Honeysuckle, which originally launched in 2015, I strongly encourage you to try the brand’s new twist on the classic scent: Mediterranean Honeysuckle Tiare. Like the original, you’ll find citrus notes like grapefruit, a hint of floral with gardenia, and a bit of sweetness via honeysuckle. But Tiare, which translates to mean “a strong fragrance,” includes an extra tingly sensation of citrus and an added bit of warmth, courtesy of the Tiare flower.
Notes: Lemon, gardenia, and tiare flower
Customer Review: “I liked this fresh scent. It's light but lasts a long time, the pleasant citrus of lemon is refreshing, it's just the perfect perfume for the warm season. It’s refreshing like water with lemon on a hot day.” — Nordstrom
The Best Spicy Perfume of 2024
For the uninitiated, Escentric Molecules specializes in finding unique single notes and bottling them up into a sophisticated fragrance. They’re highly selective, with only three molecules to their name. Their latest features a spicy-meets-earth blend courtesy of Vetiveryl Acetate, a hybrid ingredient that highlights the fresh grassiness of vetiver by softening the traditionally warmer note with a hint of ascetic acid. It gives me a little connection to nature on days when I’m cooped up in an office thanks to its warm, woodsy composition.
Notes: Vetiver
Customer Review: “It's heaven for those that love a citrus twist with a spicy hit. It melts into the skin and gets musky and skin scented, and you won't want to stop smelling it. Warm, not sickly, and gets woody after a while.” — Mecca
The Best Oud Perfume of 2024
The epitome of juxtaposition, the latest addition to the Hermessence family contrasts the heaviness and deepness of oud with the airy sweetness of rose. “This is not a perfume for somebody who doesn’t like to assert themselves,” Hermès perfumer Christine Nagel previously told Marie Claire. This heady fragrance is strong and demanding, almost entering a room before you do. That all being said, it’s not the abrasive oud that’s somewhat synonymous with the note—it adopts a more mystical, softer tone after sitting on the skin.
Notes: Oud and rose
Customer Review: “On the test strips the rose is strong and dominant while on the skin (mine at least), it kinda steps back and the oud kicks in. It is not the kind of oud most people don't like. It's opulent, it's sexy, and definitely unlike other rose oud accords.” — Fragrantica
The Best Vanilla Scent of 2024
One of the most interesting scent profiles I’ve tried this year, Killian’s Born to be Unforgettable straddles the citrus, gourmand, and spicy fragrance families. It’s constantly evolving on my skin. Sometimes I get a hint of warm cinnamon, occasionally a whiff of lime, and, when it fully settles, a grounding base of cedarwood. It was designed to smell like a bubbling Coca Cola, and I can confidently say it achieves its goal. My main takeaway? I will get stopped on the street when I wear it.
Notes: cola, cinnamon, and cedarwood
Customer Review: “This scent is very different. It’s very bold and masculine. You can smell the vanilla. Has some sweetness but not overwhelming. Not something I would wear everyday but definitely for special occasions.” — Sephora
The Best Fruity Scent of 2024
“I’m not typically fond of citrusy scents, even in the summer. Their sweetness always strikes me as saccharine and even nausea-inducing, and they never feel as balanced as their more flora, woody, or musky counterparts," says Gabrielle Ulubay, Beauty Writer. One of this year's best new scents changed her mind. "This launch from Parfums de Marly, however, strikes the perfect balance. Its top notes do, indeed, consist of grapefruit, blackcurrant, and bergamot, but the fruity elements are balanced out by the woodiness and warmth of dry woods, cashmere wood, balsam fir, and tonka bean. The combination is anything but sickly-sweet, and is perfect for this time of year, when the sun is setting later and spring is nearly here.”
Notes: bergamot, grapefruit, blackcurrent bud, chasmere wood, and tonka bean
Also Recommended
The Best Summer Fragrance of 2024
I’ll be honest: I originally picked up this fragrance because the bottle was simply stunning. The turquoise casing and gold plating added a bit of elegance to my vanity. Still, it was the scent inside that led me to spray this citrus and fruity fragrance every day of summer. The initial spritz is tingly, leaving my nose perked up to the poignant notes of neroli, bergamot, and lemon. The sparkly excitement settles in around 15 minutes, settling into a strong but fresh scent. (Check out the best Tom Ford perfumes of all time, too!)
Notes: Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, and Sicilian lemon
Customer Review: “This stuff smells like an exotic summer vacation. I've only ever had samples and haven't splurged yet on a bottle. It lasts awhile on me & I've only had to touch up after hours throughout the day into the night. It's expensive which is unfortunate, but I do love the smell on me!” — Sephora
The Best Mood-Boosting Fragrance of 2024
Charlotte Tilbury appears to be out for beauty domination. Her skincare line and makeup range are some of my personal favorites, and now, her six, newly launched fragrances are making waves. Not sure which emotion to grab? Beauty and Fashion Senior News Editor Halie LeSavage recommends Joyphoria, a fragrance thought to channel a happy state of mind. “Joyphoria's warm florals are my shortcut to (temporary) happiness when I had stacked days of doctor's appointments and budgeting chats with my husband—that is, places where I expected to be put in a less-than-sunny mood,” she shares.
Notes: Neroli oil, ylang-ylang, and solar vanilla
Customer Review: “This new fragrance from Charlotte Tilbury is absolutely stunning! It smells like a tropic vacation! I tested it out for a wear time and I could still smell it on me by the end of the day!” — Sephora
The Best Perfume Primer of 2024
I am deeply fascinated by Future Society, a truly innovative company that brings scent profiles back from the dead. Specifically, they use biotechnology to recreate the aura of extinct flowers through DNA sequencing. Their latest release isn’t actually a fragrance at all, but rather a primer. The hydrating, slightly tacky product is powered by a biotech ingredient called aeonome. It creates the ideal pH on the skin, so the fragrance of your choosing lasts hours longer than usual.
Notes: None
Customer Review: “I cannot express enough how much I adore this fragrance primer! It has completely transformed my perfume game. The primer not only prolongs the scent of my favorite perfumes but also enhances their notes, creating a captivating aroma that lasts all day long. It's like magic in a bottle!” — Future Society
The Best Cherry Scent of 2024
If you love Tom Ford’s Cherry Smoke, I promise you will be equally in love with this warm cherry and vanilla combination. It’s seductive and sexy, but has a flirty, not-too-serious edge thanks to the inclusion of jasmine. While you absolutely can wear this alone, I’ve had success layering it with other fragrances. Typically, I’ll reach for a floral-first blend to lighten up the end result for summer.
Notes: Dark cherry, jasmin sambac absolute, and tonka bean
Customer Review: “This has to be by far the best scent I’ve ever tried, now I know it says cherry in the notes section, but I get more of a sweet scent than cherry and it blends so nicely to the other scents that I’m not a tad bit upset. If you really love floats and want to try something that boards flowers and sweet this is a must-try.” — Sephora
If there’s one standout fragrance note for summer, it’s fig. The fruit has popped up in dozens of perfumes this year—but in my humble opinion, Diptyque's summer fragrance collection has one of the best blends. With a sunny and bright aura reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast, this fragrance merges the sweetness of fig with the freshness of jasmine and bergamot. It is a limited edition, though, so make sure you buy it while you can.
Notes: Barbary fig, bergamot, jasmine, and iris
Customer Review: “ The light citrus notes are not too over-powering or sweet and the bergamot really gives that classic Mediterranean summer scent that isn't too heavy on the skin. I can't finish this review without mentioning the classic Dyptique packaging. I love to collect their products for the vibrant, colorful packaging and this one screams summer vibes!” — Nordstrom
The Best Celebrity Scent of 2024
Bella Hadid’s Orebella fragrance debut into the fragrance world did not disappoint. While there are three options (more to come!) Window2Soul was LeSavage’s favorite. “The rose-jasmine-lemon combination felt just right for the transition from spring to summer; it smells like a sunny afternoon in a courtyard garden,” she shares.
Notes: Rose, jasmine, lemon, and tonka bean
Customer Review: “I can't get over how incredible this perfume is. Not only am I obsessed with the smell, but I also continue to get compliments about it. The smell is light and unique. It's a floral scent like nothing you've smelt. Must try! Perfect for summer or anytime you want to smell incredible.” — Ultra
The Best Floral Perfume of 2024
There haven’t been too many new floral fragrances in 2024, but Armani's latest version of My Way is the exception. Unlike the original fragrance, which launched in 2019 and is classified as an intense vanilla floral, this rendition is a lighter, fruitier option. Still, it keeps its sophisticated, mature aura. It strikes a balance between the crisp, freshness of pear with the brightness of tuberose. If floral is your go-to, you can’t go wrong with this gorgeous bottle.
Notes: Pear, tuberose, and vanilla
Customer Review: “I was pleasantly surprised by this perfume. I tend to find perfume overpowering and go for a light body spray. This is great for in between. I don't feel like it's heavy or for just day or night.” — Sephora
The Best Woodsy Perfume of 2024
If a unique scent is what you're after, consider this Guerlain perfume. I’ve never smelled anything quite like it—the scent is particularly intense and spicy, fitting for a fragrance inspired by Morocco. Neroli makes up the base, but it’s the blend of spices, ranging from cinnamon to tumeric, that give the end result a kick.
Notes: Angelica flower, vanilla, cedar, and pink pepper
Customer Review: “An initial, spicy blend of ginger and turmeric evolves after about 20 minutes into a sophisticated composition of spicy Neroli and orange blossom, finally transforming into a spicy, slightly soapy sandalwood. It is ideal for the spring season .The vibrant opening of ginger creates a zesty entry, awakening the senses.” — Guerlain
The Best Fresh Perfume of 2024
I’ve always loved a fresh, warm scent that's reminiscent of a summer vacation. That being said, it’s difficult to find a perfume in that category that smells elevated and sophisticated, instead of synthetic. Enter: Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb Tiger Lily. The scent combines the sweetness of coconut milk with the freshness of mango and tiger lily to create a perfume that’s warm and inviting without being artificially sweet. Plus, it’s a staple in Emily Ratajkowski’s beauty routine—and that counts for something.
Notes: Coconut milk, tiger lily, and mango
Customer Review: “Love love love this scent! I'm typically not a coconut girl, but the coconut with the floral mix gives it a very bold yet flirty and sexy feel which I love. This is a perfect every day scent for someone with a bold personality and can be taken from day to evening and across seasons.” — Sephora
The Best Soothing Perfume of 2024
"If you bottled up the best scents of nature," Associate E-Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenberger says, "you would get this fragrance. Aptly called 'In This World,' this perfume is equal parts floral, woody, and herbal, and it all combines into a subtly sophisticated scent. Upon application, you’re first hit with fruity notes of blood orange and fig, but once it dries down, you’re left with earthy notes of lavender, sage, and Tonka wood. It's a surprisingly calming scent, too, and would make an especially good fragrance for spring when you want something more fresh and light."
Notes: Blood orange, eucalyptus, fig, violet, lavender, tonka wood, and sage
The Best Gourmand Perfume of 2024
Brooke Knappenberger, Associate E-Commerce Editor, considers herself a vanilla fragrance girl through and through, with 7 Virtues' Vanilla Woods as one of her all-time favorite scents. "When I found out the brand came out with another new vanilla fragrance, I obviously had to try it," she says. "Amber Vanilla combines warm amber, sweet vanilla, and a hint of carnation to create a natural, second-skin finish. While some vanilla perfumes can read overpowering and sugary sweet, this one is more subtle and warm, making it an ideal everyday fragrance, which is perfect for layering." Sounds like a new favorite.
Notes: Amber, pink carnation, and vanilla
Customer Review: “Absolutely stunning warm vanilla scent. As a picky person with a sensitive scent palette I was skeptical but after a wear test the warm vanilla scent is perfect, inviting, and lasts for 24 hours. 100% purchase again.” — Sephora
The Best New Citrus Scent of 2024
Do you know the smell of a sunset beach walk? The salt in the air mixes with the scent of sand and one too many margaritas. That’s exactly the memory this fragrance elicits. Sea salt and Mexican green lime make up the top notes, while sage, cedarwood, and musk rise to the surface as you wear it. It’s become my go-to vacation fragrance for that very reason. I’ll even spritz a bit when I want to reminisce about the beach.
Notes: Mexican green lime, sea salt, bergamot, sage, pine, cedarwood, and musk
The Best New Zesty Fragrance of 2024
When I want to smell like a fancy, sophisticated, and well-traveled woman, there is only one fragrance for the job: Lindauer. Inspired by Lindau, a Bavarian island on Lake Constance near Austria and Switzerland, this luxury fragrance reminds me of the perfect summer day; one surrounded by greenery, flowers, and sunlight, but without the stifling heat and humidity. Inside the bottle, you’ll find a primarily citrus blend with hints of green tea, mandarin, and geranium.
Notes: Green tea, mandarin, and geranium
What to Look For
Single Notes
Darryl Do, of Delbia Do Fragrances and Flavors, says 2024 fragrance trends include an increase in single-note fragrance call-outs. “We’re seeing notes well-beyond the usual floral themes such as rose, jasmin, and lavender, with brands expanding to highlight notes like pistachio,” he notes. Perhaps one of the most thoughtful single-note innovations we’ve seen this year comes from Future Society, which has bio-engineered extinct floral notes.
Fragrance Family
There’s no “right” or “wrong” fragrance family to choose. But, if you’re looking for a little guidance, try an option that’s either gourmand (read: sweet) or citrusy. These two categories are poised to be the most popular this calendar year, according to Do. Vanilla perfumes are continuing to have a huge cut of fragrance's real estate, while refreshing, light combinations continue to gain popularity. The third group to watch out for: smoky, tobacco-tinged, spicy scents.
Meet the Expert
Darryl was born and raised in New York City and is a professional perfumer working for his family-owned business, Delbia Do Fragrances. Delbia Do was established in 1968 as a fragrance and flavor creator located in the Bronx. He specializes in creating fragrances for niche brands and manufactures perfumes for many global brands as well. He speaks globally on cosmetics regulatory and USDA Organic compliance. Darryl has taught martial arts, Kenpo karate in NYC and perfumery at FIT and Kent State. He is a member of the American Society of Perfumers, WFFC, Cosmetic IndustryBuyers & Suppliers, Fashion Group International.
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.
-
Jennifer Lopez Says Ben Affleck Split Did "Almost Take Me Out for Good" the Second Time
She doesn't regret any of the lessons she's learned.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
This Top-Rated Laser Hair Removal Device is on Mega Sale at Amazon Right Now
Shop it now for less than $200.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Why Queen Elizabeth Was Left "Sitting in the Dark" After a Staff Member's Blunder
Former royal footman Steven Kaye shared a hilarious palace "accident."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
No Party Smells Better Than the 'Marie Claire' Fragrance Awards
The industry's top players all gathered for a toast to perfume.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Diptyque's Newest Collection Redefines the Fantasy Fragrance Trend
They'll cast a spell on anyone who wears them.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
Scent Lab's First Perfumes Are Making the Body Mist Trend Personal
Introducing Scent Lab's first fragrances: six light mists to blend into your own "potion."
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Beauty Editors Review Charlotte Tilbury's Mood-Enhancing Perfumes—and Have Mixed Feelings
'Marie Claire' editors tried all six of Charlotte Tilbury's debut scents.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
How to Make Your Perfume Last Longer, According to Fragrance Experts
Smell you later.
By Sophia Vilensky Published
-
This Valentino Perfume Is the Best Fragrance of 2024, According to Beauty Experts
It's a layerable, floral fragrance.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Diptyque’s Summer Collection Turns a Dreamy Mediterranean Vacation Into a Fragrance
Diptyque's much-anticipated drop is available to shop now.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Fendi's First Fragrances Are Designed for Fashion Obsessives
It's finally available to shop.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated