18 Best Perfumes of 2024 That Put a Spin on the Classics

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

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 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

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  

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

"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

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 

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

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