If this time last year, you’d have asked me to sum up my taste in perfume in three words, I probably would have said something along the lines of woody, musky and unisex. I have always liked my scents to enter a room before I do. I lean towards those heavy notes that linger on clothes until the next morning. And while these preferences might not be to everyone’s tastes, I quite like it when my perfumes divide a room. As long as some people found my fragrance distasteful, at least I knew I wasn’t smelling the same as everyone else in the room, who were no doubt doused in the latest, totally inoffensive, crowd-pleasing floral.
But then the pandemic hit, and I had no longer had anyone to fluff up my fragrance feathers in front of. Instead, I was confined to the same four walls with nothing but the intoxicating scents of the best perfumes to remind me of the excess and freedom of a previous life. In a time when I needed fragrance more than ever before to lift my spirits, the aromas of my trusty favourites couldn’t serve me anymore. And on top of my love for deep, attention-grabbing scents, it’s also worth noting that I was (and still am) painfully fussy. Finding a perfume to fit my mood on any given day is no mean feat. But luckily, despite all of the above, my perfume collection is shockingly vast.
I have shelves and shelves full of perfumes that I just can’t let go of. From oud perfumes and musks to citrus perfumes and florals, I own a scent for every occasion. And while I spent the best part of the past year trying to make my strong scents work in my new way of living, it was always niggling away in the back of my brain that there were a bunch of wildly unloved, but beautiful, perfumes collecting dust in my cabinets. And so, a few weeks ago, I finally accepted that my beloved woody scents had served their purpose, and it was time for the lighter, floral perfumes to take centre stage.
But that’s not to say I have totally changed my tune. Sure, I’m ready to embrace the uplifting, lightweight freshness of florals, but my perfumes of choice still need to possess a certain je ne sais quoi. They need to smell unlike anything else, ooze expense (even if they are an affordable fragrance) and leave you wanting to go back for just one more sniff. So, after many hours of going through every last bottle in my collection, these are the floral perfumes I’m ready to embrace for the spring and summer—and they’re seriously special.
Shop the Best Floral Perfumes for Spring and Summer 2025:
- Best luxury floral perfume: Chanel Comète Eau De Parfum
- Best affordable floral perfume: Zara Nude Bouquet Eau De Parfum
- Best sweet floral perfume: Parfums De Marly Delina Eau De Parfum
- Best fresh floral perfume: Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Eau De Parfum
- Best summer floral perfume: Diptyque Do Son Eau De Toilette
1. Chanel Comète Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cherry blossom, aldehydes, iris, heliotrope, musk.
Best for: Warm summer nights
Whenever I dream about what my wedding day might be like, this is what I smell. It’s delicate and powdery, like an English iris garden in the summer, but it has a beautiful creaminess to it that makes it stand out from the rest.
For
- Chic packaging
- A special scent that is bound to turn heads
Against
- More expensive
2. Zara Nude Bouquet Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cherry, peony, vanilla.
Best for: Everyday wear
I must admit, this perfume has been a favourite since I first bought it last year. It's a cosy, fresh floral scent with a sweet, powdery dry down. If you're looking for a 'clean girl' fragrance to wear throughout summer, you should definitely give this one a try.
For
- Affordable
- Great for everyday wear
Against
- Doesn't last super long on the skin
3. Byredo Bal D'Afrique Eau De Parfum
Notes: African marigold, bergamot, buchu, cyclamen, violet, Moroccan cedarwood, vetiver.
Best for: A holiday escape
If there’s one brand that can win me over with any scent, it’s Byredo. Not only are the bottles perfect for minimalists like myself, but the floral juices that they hold are equally as special. Intricately unique and alluringly powerful, they’re totally captivating while maintaining a level of freshness. Right now, I can’t get enough of Bal D'Afrique. It’s escapism in a bottle.
For
- Chic bottle
- Perfect for the warmer months
Against
- May need to top up throughout the day
4. Diptyque Do Son Eau De Toilette
Notes: African orange flower, iris, rose, tuberose, pink pepper, musk, benzoin.
Best for: A tropical trip
Inspired by one of the founder's holiday in Vietnam, this spicy, floral scent is one that's sure to turn heads. This is definitely a fragrance for those looking for a more sophisticated twist on a classic floral perfume.
For
- Smells like a holiday in a bottle
- Sits beautifully on the skin
Against
- Bottle is a little big for taking on trips
5. Glossier You Fleur Eau de Parfum
Notes: Mineral salt accord, osmanthus, ylang ylang, apricot skin, cashmeran, ambrox.
Best for: Everyday wear
This is not your typical floral scent. If you like Glossier's original You fragrance, then you will love this. It still has that subtle, soft, comforting aroma that Glossier fans know and love, but it has hints of powdery florals that give a fresh take. If you want a perfume to nuzzle your nose into this spring, this is the one for you.
For
- Comforting floral scent
- Cute packaging
Against
- May be too subtle for some
6. Creed Eladaria Eau de Parfum
Notes: Rose, mandarin, bergamot, pink pepper, vanilla.
Best for: The spring season
New from Creed, this fragrance is a sparkling, citrusy take on a classic floral scent. Yes, it has notes of powdery rose at the heart, but notes of mandarin and bergamot add this zesty, green edge that makes it perfect for spring.
For
- Fresh take on a floral scent
- Uplifting aroma
Against
- More expensive
7. Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum
Notes: Rose de Mai, Bulgarian rose, sichuan pepper, patchouli.
Best for: Date night
This is such a popular floral scent, and for good reason. Inspired by Tom Ford's private rose garden, one spritz of this is like nuzzling your nose into an expensive bouquet of roses that have just shown up at your door. Of course, like all Tom Ford scents, this fragrance has surprising depth, and hints of patchouli add a woody, somewhat spicy edge.
For
- Expensive-smelling scent
- Lasts all day
Against
- Very expensive
- If you don't like rose scents this might not be for you
8. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Tiger Lily Eau De Parfum
Notes: Coconut milk, tiger lily, mango, benzoin.
Best for: A summer holiday
Let me first say that I am no fan of Viktor & Rolf's iconic Flowerbomb. While I appreciate its unique beauty, it’s strong and a little too floral for my liking. However, this tiger lily update is warmer, sweeter and a whole lot more wearable. It’s totally won me over.
For
- Super wearable floral scent
- Warm aroma that is perfect for summer
Against
- May be too sweet for some
9. Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose Eau de Parfum
Notes: Calabrian bergamot, California orange, Bulgarian rose, Grasse rose, violet, magnolia, musk, cedar.
Best for: Special occasions
Hear me out: I know that rose scents might appear super basic at first glance, but the iconic note has had a refresh and I’m here for it. The two varieties of rose come together to create a gorgeous blend of honey and fruity notes, creating a flirty, feminine fragrance that will no doubt have people asking what it is you’re wearing.
For
- Modern rose scent
- Chic packaging
Against
- If you don't like notes of rose this might not be for you
10. Parfums De Marly Delina Eau De Parfum
Notes: Turkish rose, peony, musk, petalia, vanilla, incense, cedar, Haitian vetiver.
Best for: All year round
You might have spotted this iconic bottle all over your TikTok or Instagram feed lately, and I'm here to tell you that it's very much worth the hype. We all know that perfumes smell different depending on the person but I truly believe that this unique floral fragrance will smell good on everyone.
For
- Compliment-inducing scent
- Lasts all day
- Pretty packaging
Against
- Might be too sweet for some
11. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense Eau De Parfum
Notes: Strawberry, pear, bergamot, honey, jasmine, rose, vanilla, musk, benzoin, moss.
Best for: Spring evenings
Marc Jacobs Daisy was one of my go-to perfumes in my uni years. It reminds me of summer breaks and all of the youthful joy they brought with them. This newer addition to the line is a little bit darker and a whole lot more intense, perfectly in line with my evolving tastes.
For
- More intense than the original scent
Against
- Bottle can be hard to travel with
12. Kilian Love Don't Be Shy Eau De Parfum
Notes: Neroli, bergamot, pink pepper, coriander, orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, iris, rose, sugar, vanilla, caramel, musk, civet, labdanum.
Best for: Date night
Another TikTok favourite that I have recently rediscovered, Love Don't Be Shy is one hell of a floral. It champions that unique, creamy note of honeysuckle and blends it with pink pepper and coriander to take the edge off. It’s the only spicy yet sweet floral perfume I’ve ever come across that I would describe as totally wearable. And not only is it wearable, but it’s also become one of my favourite perfumes ever.
For
- Captivating scent
- Lasts all day
Against
- Might be too sweet for some
13. Sana Jardin Incense Water Eau De Parfum
Notes: Raspberry leaf, pimento seeds, bergamot, rose, rose oil, rose water, musk, patchouli, sandalwood.
Best for: Summer evenings
Upon the first sniff, this smells absolutely nothing like a floral perfume. In fact, it has been the perfect scent to ween myself off the deep, heady aromas of yesteryear. It’s dark and (believe it or not) incense-like, but it has strong notes of rose that make everything seem perfectly balanced. Trust me, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that smells quite like it.
For
- Unique scent
Against
- Not as floral as other options in this roundup
14. Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Eau De Parfum
Notes: Aldehydes, violet, rose, peach, vanilla, sandalwood, white musks.
Best for: Everyday wear
Again, at first you’ll struggle to get any hint of florals through the fresh scent of aldehydes and white musk, but soon enough, the delicate freshness of roses and violet will come shining through. If you hate the headiness of sweet scents but appreciate their warmth, this fresh but comforting spritz can’t be beaten. It’s unbelievably expensive, but it truly is one of a kind.
For
- Super fresh scent
- Lasts all day
- Chic packaging
Against
- Very expensive
15. Estée Lauder Beautiful Magnolia Eau De Parfum
Notes: Magnolia, lotus, gardenia, Turkish rose, musk, sandalwood, cedar.
Best for: Spring and summer mornings
Out of all of the floral perfumes I’ve been reaching for, this is by far the most inoffensive. It’s light, fresh and delicate—like a crisp, blue-skied spring morning.
For
- Perfect for everyday wear
- Works for spring and summer
Against
- If you like to make an impact with your fragrance, this might be too light
16. Jo Malone London Yellow Hibiscus Cologne
Notes: Hibiscus, rose, lime, white musk.
Best for: Hot summer days
This stuff is set to be my scent of the summer. It’s effervescent and fizzy thanks to notes of lime but is delicately floral at the same time. This is the sort of scent you want to trail behind you as you walk down the street.
For
- Perfect scent for summer
- A delicate floral option
Against
- May have to top up throughout the day
17. Ex Nihlo Fleur Narcotique Extrait De Parfum
Notes: Lychee, bergamot, peach, peony, osmanthus, orange blossom, jasmine, musk, moss.
Best for: Date nights
If you don’t like powerful scents that take over a room, this one isn’t for you. When I first saw the bottle, I was expecting something extremely woody and generally nauseating. What you get, however, is a balanced mix between the floral and earthy notes with subtle fruity undertones. It’s not for the faint-hearted but it will definitely make you stand out from the crowd.
For
- Powerful sillage
Against
- Very expensive
18. Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves
Notes: Lemon peel, honey, cedarwood, rose, geranium.
Best for: Everyday wear
The idea of white rose is usually enough to make me want to run for the hills, but there’s something undeniably comforting and irresistibly likeable about this perfume. The zest of lemon intertwines with a blend of delicate floral notes to create the most wearable everyday perfume.
For
- Delicate aroma
- Perfect for everyday
Against
- May be too zesty for some
What Makes a Perfume Floral?
It may sound obvious, but a floral perfume will often contain notes from some of your favourite flowers. However, this can range greatly from scent to scent. While one floral fragrance may centre around hints of rose, another perfume may feature notes of peony, making it smell totally different. Not only that, but these floral perfumes may be accompanied by woody, citrusy or sweet notes, giving them all a unique edge.
What Should I Look for in a Floral Perfume?
In order to find the right fragrance for you, it's important to think about what perfumes you tend to gravitate towards. If you like holiday scents, look for floral notes such as tiger lily, gardenia or tiare flower. Those of you who like sweet scents may want to look out for notes of jasmine or peony. However, if you want something more powdery, I recommend looking for notes of rose or lily-of-the-valley.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
