I've Tested Hundreds of Perfumes—These Are My Go-To Date-Night Fragrances

Key notes: Oud, bergamot and rose.

If you want a truly captivating scent, then look no further than Halfeti by Penhaligon's. It's spicy, it's floral and it's incredibly sexy. Although it has hints of fresh bergamot, the oud and rose are the key notes here, giving it that rich, mysterious edge that so many people know and love.

Key notes: Mexican black vanilla, sandalwood and liquorice. 

The name of this perfume might have you thinking that it's a sweet, innocent, vanilla-like scent; but think again, as this is vanilla, but not as you know it. Although it has that warm, sugary appeal, hints of liquorice give it a spicy, sensual edge that makes this perfume ideal for a winter date night.

Key notes: Jasmine, saffron, ambergris and cedar.

I'm sure you've all heard of this now-iconic fragrance, and for good reason. The smooth, chocolatey scent practically oozes sex appeal, thanks to musky notes of amber and cedar. Rich saffron and sensual jasmine give this perfume a perfectly balanced finish, and every time I smell it I fall in love with it all over again.

Key notes: Pink pepper, orange blossom, jasmine, coffee, vanilla and cedarwood.

This perfume has remained in my collection for years because it's simply such an addictive fragrance. When I first heard that it featured notes of orange blossom and vanilla, I expected a really sweet scent, but roasted coffee and cedarwood give this perfume impressive depth. The last time I wore this on a date, the waitress even complimented me on how good I smelt.

Key notes: Rose, ylang ylang, jasmine, coffee and fresh cream.

Speaking of coffee, if you're yet to try this scent from Floral Street, then I highly recommend giving it a go. The mix of sweet and earthy notes give this perfume an incredibly seductive finish, and hints of fresh cream make it smell almost good enough to eat.

Key notes: Saffron, rose, oud and patchouli.

I normally shy away from rose scents, but after smelling this, I was totally captivated. Notes of saffron give it a spicy opening, whilst patchouli and rose add a warm, musky element. It lasts on the skin all night long, and it's definitely one of the most unique perfumes I own.

Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, amber, cedarwood and patchouli.

I'm sure you've started to see a pattern emerge by now when it comes to which notes are included in more sensual perfumes, and this fragrance from Jo Loves includes some of my favourites. Sweet bergamot and fresh mandarin blend harmoniously with warm amber and rich patchouli for a scent that will leave a lasting impact. 

Key notes: Black truffle, bergamot, black orchid, plum and patchouli.

Yes, this fragrance is as sexy as it looks. Think dark, rich notes of plum and truffle that are met with citrusy bergamot and patchouli. A little bit of this goes a long way, so just a couple of sprays will have you feeling ready to take on the night.

Key notes: Vanilla, fresh violet and patchouli.

As the name suggests, this perfume perfectly encapsulates that feeling of your first dance with someone you like. Sweet, innocent notes of vanilla blend with fresh violet before woody patchouli adds a more mysterious finish. 

Key notes: Neroli, orange blossom and marshmallow.

Another fragrance inspired by those feelings of young romance is Love Don't Be Shy by Kilian. Sweet notes of marshmallow will have you totally intoxicated, whilst neroli and orange blossom give the scent a fresh, clean finish. In my opinion, it's the perfect option for a first date.

Key notes: Tonka beans, cedarwood, juniper berries and jasmine.

If you didn't know, Orphéon is actually the name of a bar where the founders of Diptyque would go together, and you can almost smell those memories in this perfume. When I spritz it, I'm reminded of nights spent having a candlelit glass of wine with the smell of tobacco smoke filling the air.

Key notes: Pink berry, mimosa, bergamot, orange blossom, lavender, leather and musk.

The newest fragrance from Grace De Monaco is perfect for your next date night. As you can probably tell by the key notes above, this fragrance is totally captivating thanks to sensual bergamot, musk and orange blossom, while hints of leather give it luxurious depth.

Key notes: Vanilla, cherry, pink pepper, cognac and tobacco.

This scent is mesmerising. Sweet notes of vanilla and cherry are taken up a notch thanks to spicy pink pepper and smoky tobacco. One spritz of this and you will be hooked.

Key notes: Bergamot and jasmine sambac.

Say hello to Jasmine XXX by Altra. This unique scent smells as exquisite as it looks, with citrusy bergamot and rich jasmine sambac at the heart. Woody undertones make it perfect for the evening and trust me when I say that it lingers beautifully on the skin.

Key notes: Tangerine, red pepper, ginger, ylang-ylang, rock rose, raspberry, caramel, leather, amber

If you're looking for a fragrance that will give you an instant confidence boost ahead of date night then look no further than this lively scent from 27 87. It's a complex fragrance that starts with a burst of fruitiness from juicy tangerine and an unexpected kick of spicy red pepper, but once it settles down more traditional date night notes like rose, leather and amber come to the surface. A real head-turner.

Key notes: Buttercream, plum butter, toasted almond, iris, sandalwood, ambrox, ambrette

Glossier launched not one but two new fragrances this year, reimagining their beloved You perfume and taking it beyond a classic skin scent. I'd describe Rêve as the original's grown-up older sister. It still has some of those warm, musky, amber notes that you have to get up close and personal to smell, but there's a tart sweetness here too. To me, it has an almost sour cherry note, but I believe that's coming from the mix of plum and the earthier sandalwood note. It's deep and sensual, but without feeling like you're wearing a heavy power perfume.

Key notes: Black amber plum, Japanese violet, pink peppercorn, patchouli

Floral perfumes don't tend to be top of mine for a sexy, date scent, but this one from Nest New York turns that idea upside down, proving that a floral fragrance can be rich and opulent too. This one centres around a heady bouquet of jasmine, patchouli and violet, with a sticky sweetness coming via black cherries and dark plums. A sprinkle of pink peppercorn brings a little spice to proceedings for an exuberant fragrance that will make you feel incredible.

Key notes: Lavender, Omumbiri myrrh, tonka bean

This is an intoxicating fragrance that feels like an adventure in a bottle—perfect for the unknown of a first date. Inspired by the beautiful sand dunes of the Nambi desert, it captures the essence of the myrrh trees that are local to the area, but blends that almost resinous, earthy essence with warmth from almond and vanilla and a gourmand tonka note. It smells so expensive, yet there's a warm comfort to it as well.