There's a time and place for a heavy perfume like Valentino's Donna Born in Roma or Tom Ford's Fucking Fabulous. They make a statement the second I enter a room and ooze overwhelming power and confidence. But I prefer to wear one of the best light perfumes for the day-to-day, island getaways, or cozy days spent at home.
Light perfumes are generally fresh or watery and may include seasonal notes like coconut or rose; occasionally, there's citrus, orange blossom, and white musk in the mix, too, says perfume expert, historian, and author of The Story of Perfume Élisabeth de Feydeau.
Mostly, I try to avoid opulent and dense elements such as tuberose, spicy rose, oud, sandalwood, and animal notes. But there's always an exception to the rule. Some of the best light fragrances, like Phlur's Missing Person and Diptyque's L'Eau Papier, know how to use these “heavy” ingredients to their advantage.
There's something for everyone in the light perfume world. While fragrance is incredibly personal, I've taken the liberty of rounding up my favorite lightest, brightest perfumes on the market.
Best Light Perfumes
- Best Light Perfume Overall: Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM
- Best Wood Light Perfume: Vilhelm Parfumerie Sparkling Jo
- Best Gourmand Light Perfume: Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar
- Best Fresh Light Perfume: Chanel Chance Eau Tendre
- Best Citrus Light Perfume: Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Infusion
A relaunch of sorts, this is a combination of the beloved men and women’s 2009 APOM fragrances. It mixes notes of orange blossom, lavender, and amber for a powdery floral with a warm base for a light scent that will stick with you—both physically and emotionally—the longer you wear it.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Orange Blossom, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Vanilla, Amber
Size: 2.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s a very pretty powdery floral that lasts for hours
What We Don’t: Some might find it too sweet.
Review for MC: “APOM smells like the first sleep on newly laundered sheets. It’s sweet, powdery, and clean, making it a familiar scent that just feels like home. It’s comfort in a bottle and a quick favorite of mine this year. ” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best light fragrance overall.
Inspired by legendary flapper Josephine Baker, Sparkling Jo is an ode to 1920s Parisian nightlife. It opens up with bright notes of champagne and pear before evolving into a warm spicy oak and cedar. It’s crisp and bubbly, making me want to party like it’s the roaring ‘20s.
Fragrance Family: Woody Spicy
Key Notes: Champagne, William Pear, Oak, Cedar
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s bright and sparkling.
What We Don’t: You lose the bright notes the longer you wear the scent.
Review for MC: “This is what I imagine Gatsby’s parties smelling like every night. It’s bright and fizzy, like a glass of Veuve that you wouldn’t mind spilling when dancing on a table. Aptly named, this scent just sparkles when you wear it.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best wood light perfume.
As far as gourmands go, this is brighter and more energizing than most, just like the city it’s named after. It has notes of pink pineapple, coconut water, and amber to give you that tropical feel.
Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy
Key Notes: Pink Pineapple, Coconut Water, Sweet Amber
Size: 1.7 oz.
What We Love: It’s a light gourmand that lasts long.
What We Don’t: It might be too sweet for some.
Review for MC: “Sweet, fresh, and super fun—this makes me remember all the things I love about Miami. I'm greeted with bright notes of pineapple and coconut before getting a whiff of the warm, creamy amber; it really is a vacation in a bottle. It takes me back to lounging at the beach all day, with my pina colada, sunscreen, and chicken tenders at my side, just thriving. ” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best gourmand light perfume.
This is for you if you ever want to capture how you smell right after you shower. It has notes of grapefruit, hyacinth, and musk for a fresh citrus that smells clean and delightful.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Citron, Jasmine, Teakwood
Size: 1.7 oz.
What We Love: It’s a lovely fresh citrus.
What We Don’t: It doesn’t last as long as we’d like.
Review for MC: “This takes me back to all the decadent hotel stays I’ve had where the bathrooms had my dream rainfall shower situation. It's an aquatic scent with a refreshing citrus and musky undertone. If I could shower in this, I would.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best fresh light perfume.
A blend of Italian and Asian cultures, this scent is the brainchild of perfumer Alex Lee, who wanted to incorporate Chinese tea with known Italian fragrance notes for a multi-faceted olfactory experience. Lee uses black tea leaves, mandarin, and bergamot to grab your attention with earthy, zesty notes before revealing a creamy cedarwood.
Fragrance Family: Fresh Citrus
Key Notes: Italian Mandarin, Black Tea, Cedarwood
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s a bright citrus scent that’s not overwhelming.
What We Don’t: The tea overpowers the citrus, which might turn off some.
Review for MC: “Tea scents are hard to pull off, but this harmoniously blends black tea with mandarin and cedarwood for a fresh citrus scent. It’s just lovely all-around.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best citrus light fragrance.
Other Light Fragrances I Love
I appreciate brands that offer refillable products to minimize waste, which is why I love this fragrance from Essential Parfums. Its elevated scent profile also comes expert-approved, with de Freydeau testifying that it is "a modern, elegant, and distinguished citrus accord; a sunny sparkle of the most beautiful Calabrian bergamot, which leaves in its wake an impression of floral and soft light."
Fragrance Family: Citrus
Key Notes: Bergamot, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Cedar, Tonka Bean
Size: 100 ml
What We Love: Refillable and made with ethically sourced tonka bean and sustainable ylang ylang.
What We Don’t: It fades quickly.
Customer Review: “A fresh citrus scent with floral undertones. Dries down to a clean, fresh scent. This is great for hot Summer days, but there's minimal projection.” — LuckyScent
Phlur founder Chriselle Lim said she created Missing Person as an ode to intimacy and human touch. I've thought about this since, especially when I'm applying the scent in its fragrance, lotion, or body oil form (I have all three). It's a warm, comforting, yet sensual scent that always puts me in a good mood.
Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy Musk
Key Notes: Skin Musk, Bergamot Nectar, Blonde Wood
Size: 1.7 oz.
What We Love: It’s a warm and comforting scent that feels clean.
What We Don’t: It fades too quickly and comes in a small bottle for the price.
Customer Review: “This is one of those perfumes I must spray on my skin to truly experience it. When it’s sprayed on a tester stick, it smells like alcohol and almost nothing. I did not get the hype at all. But when I sprayed it on my skin, it really does smell like a warm hug. It’s so hard to explain.” — Sephora
This Marie Claire Fragrance Award-winning perfume smells exactly the way I imagine the inside of a cloud would. Its mix of musk and amber is fluffy and inviting, yet its aquatic finish makes it light enough for wear all year round. For the spiritual among us, seeing angel number 11 11 is the perfect way to start your day.
Fragrance Family: Woody Aromatic
Key Notes: Ozonic Accord, Amberwood, White Musk
Size: 1.7 oz.
What We Love: It’s a complex, yet comforting scent that you can still layer with other fragrances.
What We Don’t: It doesn’t last as long as we’d like it to.
Customer Review: “Love at first sniff. Perfect for traveling and getting your fix! I went from never wearing perfume to using this as my signature scent.” — Bluemercury
Even the most floral-averse will fall in love with Prada Infusion D’Iris. It’s a lovely mix of iris, neroli, and mandarin to balance floral and powdery scents, while simultaneously staying on the skin all day long. De Freydeau also gives it her stamp of approval, calling it "a beautiful, powdery, delicate, and gender-neutral note."
Fragrance Family: Florals
Key Notes: Iris, Neroli, and Mandarin
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s a lovely fresh floral with a powdery feel that lasts a long time.
What We Don’t: It can feel too mature of a scent for some.
Customer Review: “I love this perfume! I use it everyday! It smells so good! It smells like spring, flowers and baby powder. It makes me personally feel good! It also leaves an oily feeling on the skin so it lasts longer.” — Sephora
Musks don’t always have to be heavy. For example, take L’Eau Papier. It combines white must with rice steam for a lightweight paper-like scent (stay with me) that takes a bookworm like me to that euphoric feeling of opening a vintage book and diving into a new adventure. Romantic and whimsical, this just makes me happy.
Fragrance Family: Musk
Key Notes: White Musk, Steamed Rice Accord, Mimosa
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s a complex that fills us with nostalgia and great for layering.
What We Don’t: It could be stronger.
Customer Review: “While the siliage of this fragrance isn’t much, the true power of it lies much closer to the body. It’s both warm and clean yet alluring. A go-to for those who don’t need to leave a trail everywhere they go, but are still known amongst those close to them as smelling terrific.” — Nordstrom
Miss being near the beach? Spritz this. It mixes bergamot and coconut milk notes for that airy sea breeze-like scent that’s tinged with salt and instantly calming. So if you can’t drive yourself immediately oceanside after a hard day, this is the next best thing.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Bergamot, Heliotrope, Coconut Milk
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s a light sweet scent that isn’t overpowering.
What We Don’t: It doesn’t last as long as we’d like.
Customer Review: “I absolutely love this perfume! It really does remind me of the beach, in the best way possible. I don’t like overly strong scents because they give me a headache, so I always look for something light and long lasting. For me, this perfume does exactly that! I’ll probably wear this scent alone for the foreseeable future.” — Sephora
"L'Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior was created in 1966 by Edmond Roudnitska with the idea of fresh water that stays on the skin," says Freydeau. "The accord is a beautiful, fresh, and distinguished chypre which is also characterized by hedione, a synthetic molecule that is a derivative of jasmine and which gives the perfume a very airy note." If you love how fresh your skin smells after a quick dip in the pool, this is for you.
Fragrance Family: Citrus
Key Notes: Lemon, Rosemary, Petit Grain, Basil, Water Jasmine, Vetiver
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s a fresh citrus scent that lasts for hours.
What We Don’t: Though unisex, some might not like how masculine it smells.
Customer Review: “I have worn this cologne for 40 years and will wear nothing else! It's light and not offensive at all. I definitely go for it for the citrus notes.” — Sephora
Whether you believe that pheromones can actually attract your soulmate or not, there’s no debate that this pheromone-activating scent is divine. Although it's light, it's an oil, which makes it last longer than a spray. It's beautiful on its own or layered with heavier options like musk and sandalwood, and it comes in a convenient rollerball form that allows me to take it on the go. And if it leads me to Mr. Right, that’s just an added bonus.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Amber, Musk
Size: 8 ml
What We Love: It adapts to your body’s chemistry to give each person a unique scent and it’s long-lasting.
What We Don’t: It’s a very small bottle and you get little product for the price you’re paying for.
Customer Review: “Such a light, fresh fragrance, I get so many compliments on this and love that I can layer with the body oil and spray lotion a little expensive but worth it!” — Amazon
I’m not one to imagine myself amongst a field of flowers, but Gucci Bloom has me frolicking amongst the tulips in five seconds flat. With its lovely mix of jasmine and tuberose, you get a breezy yet classic floral.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rangoon Creeper, Jasmine Bud, Tuberose
Size: 3.3 oz.
What We Love: It’s a buildable scent that you can pair with others for layering.
What We Don’t: It’s a classic floral, which might be too much for some.
Customer Review: “This is my favorite perfume ever- my go to for all seasons. I get so many compliments on the scent! Floral but not old lady smelling.” — Sephora
If a light fragrance could be an enigma, it would be this. Fresh at the opening notes but with a warm dry down, one spritz offers a lot of depth and emotional layers. De Freydeau also notes that this nostalgic scent channels "the new freshness of the '80s" and "has established itself as a classic." She describes it as "a contrasting, fresh, and dynamic accord between aromatic, floral, and woody notes—a perfume with a very sensual radiance."
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Mint, Lavender, Amber
Size: 6.7 oz.
What We Love: It’s a multifaceted scent that also plays on nostalgia.
What We Don’t: It doesn't last as long.
Customer Review: “This was second purchase after needing a replacement. Excellent fragrance without being overpowering. Will purchase again.” — Macy’s
Does the aroma of an herbaceous garden make you feel at peace? If you answered yes, try Maison Margiela's green and earthy blend. It specifically channels the smell of tomato vines, resulting in a nostalgic, springy, and dopamine-inducing fragrance.
Fragrance Family: Earthy & Woody
Key Notes: Tomato Leaf Accord, Green Mandarin Essence, Patchouli Heart
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: A long-lasting earthy scent.
What We Don’t: It may be too green smelling for some.
Review for MC: “I really didn’t think I would like this scent but I purchased it as soon as I tried it in the store. It’s so fresh and green and really reminds me of summer days when my vegetable garden is thriving.” — Sephora
"Starting off sweetly floral and slightly aquatic, Issey Miyake's L'Eau de Issey mellows out into a 'fallen petal' scent that reminds me of a longstanding neighborhood flower shop where the same staff has worked as long as you can remember," Contributing Beauty Writer Sophia Vilensky shares. Light and refreshing, there's still a little warmth here thanks to the ambrette, cedar, and sandalwood base.
Fragrance Family: Warm Floral
Key Notes: Cyclamen, Freesia, Rose Water, Peony, Amber, and Musk
Size: 2.5 oz.
What We Love: It’s a lovely lightweight floral packaged in a stunning bottle.
What We Don’t: It can be musky for some.
Customer Review: “I love this fragrance. I have been wearing it for years and I try and save it for special occasions, but it never happens. Its light, but long lasting. It makes you feel so sexy and fresh. I love the way my clothes smell after I've worn it. I always layer my fragrance, when I can, with body cream or lotion. They last longer that way. You'll absolutely love this fragrance.” — Nordstrom
How Long do Light Perfumes Last?
De Feydeau admits that light perfumes don't always linger as long as heavy options like musk and oud. "They are not made to last and persist," she says. "They have raw materials in their composition that are ethereal and airy, therefore volatile."
Therefore, if you're opting for a light fragrance, stow a travel-sized bottle in your bag to reapply throughout the day. You can also spray your hair and clothing, where the fragrance will linger longer than it might on your skin.
Why Trust Us
Marie Claire is a perfume authority, having tested over 500 fragrances for the Marie Claire 2024 Fragrance Awards. We have reviewed every fragrance family, reported on fragrance trends, and are constantly staying up to date on emerging notes and innovations.
Audrey Noble has more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry and has reported dozens of fragrance stories, including the best woody fragrances, the best vanilla fragrances, and the best citrus fragrances.
How We Tested
To compile this list of the best light fragrances, we scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. We also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks and asked independent and staff testers to try a mix of cult favorites and new launches.
For each light fragrance we tested, we assessed the fragrance's notes, how long it lasts, and its overall scent as the day went on.
Meet the Expert
Élisabeth de Feydeau is a French historian and writer who specializes in perfume. A recipient of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award, she is renowned in her field, having taught at the Versailles "School of Fragrances" and worked with the likes of Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Guerlain, and more. She has also written books about fragrance, the most recent of which is The Story of Perfume.
-
Prince Andrew's Business Advisor Accused of Being a "Spy" and Banned From the U.K."We found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor."
-
Kate Middleton Allegedly Rejected Idea to Seat Prince Andrew "Behind a Pillar" at Her Christmas Carol Concert"Although very much a family affair... there was no space for Uncle Andy."
-
32 Celebrities Who Got Their Start on Reality TVBelieve it or not.
