I love a bold, heady fragrance more than anyone, but in my day-to-day life, I know it’s unrealistic to wear a showstopping fragrance everywhere. Everyone at the grocery store would hate me.
For this reason, I normally opt for fragrances on the softer side on a typical day. The thing I’ve learned about softer scents is that they don’t have to be boring. In fact, many lighter fragrances are actually more interesting since it requires a certain amount of measured restraint to make a soft scent. Below, check out some of my favorite soft perfumes to add to your everyday life.
1. Atelier Cologne Lemon Island Cologne Absolue
Key notes: jasmine, lemon, vanilla
This is my favorite perfume to wear when I'm not really doing anything and I want to smell good but not like I'm trying. Consider it a Sunday-brunch perfume—it won't overpower, but everyone at the table will tell you you smell good.
Customer review: "I really loved this parfum, from the light lemony front notes to the soft floral vanilla finish it really made me feel pretty! A perfect everyday scent!"
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Key notes: osmanthus, lemon, cedar
Customer review: "I got this bottle about a week ago and obsessed doesn't even capture how I feel about it. It's simply everything!"
2. Boy Smells Rose Load Genderful Fine Fragrance
Key notes: rhubarb, cardamom, pink peppercorn, rose, raspberry, papyrus, agarwood, sandalwood
If you like the smell of fresh-cut roses but tend to shy away from rose-scented perfumes, this is the scent for you. Unlike many rose perfumes, which tend to lean powdery or cloying, this one smells like catching a whiff of the flower from a bouquet at the farmers market.
Customer review: "This is a very sophisticated scent and I was very pleasantly surprised by the different layers of this scent. It isn't overly floral or too rosy. The dry down is subtle seductive and warming. It has great longevity and lasts well throughout the day. Simply wonderful!"
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Key notes: pear, pink peppercorn, nectarine, cinnamon, rose centifolia, jasmine, magnolia, ambrox, musk, cedar
Customer review: "Super yummy, jasmine and amber forward on me. Wears beautifully and can still be subtle, depending on how heavy you wear it. My new go to scent! I like mixing it with Violet End to make it a little muskier"
3. Ellis Brooklyn Super Amber Eau de Parfum
Key notes: amber, cedar, vanilla
Misting on this perfume feels like being wrapped in a plaid blanket in front of a fire pit. It's light and airy but still feels cozy. Plus, every time I've worn it, I've consistently been complimented on how I smell.
Customer review: "Such a pretty scent. I love sweet smells but i feel like a lot of them are a bit childish. This is super sweet and flirty but more sophisticated than the candy type of scent I'm used to. very warm and cozy with the perfect touch of spice"
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Key notes: vetiver, ambergis, cedar
Customer review: "The ultimate genderless scent. Very mild, yet has some serious staying power. I'd describe the scent as sophisticated and confident. 10/10, will purchase again after this bottle runs out."
4. Clean Classic Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum
Key notes: mandarin, cotton, amber
There’s no better crisp, fresh smell than cotton. With a spritz of this fragrance, you can smell like freshly washed clothes, all the time. It's subdued but refreshing.
Customer review: "Smells like fresh, clean laundry which is my all time favorite smell. I searched high and low for a perfume that smells like laundry and I finally found it. 100% recommend if you want to smell clean and fresh!"
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Key notes: lotus, petals, vanilla
Customer review: "This has a soft vanilla scent that isn't overpowering or too sweet. It is cozy and warm, but not in a cold weather only way, just in 'vaguely reminds you of a cozy good memory' way. It lingers close to you, so it's a very personal and intimate scent."
5. Parfums de Marly Oriana Eau de Parfum
Key notes: mandarin, bergamot, grapefruit, orange blossom, blackcurrant, raspberry, marshmallow, ambrette, chantilly cream, musk
The iconic perfume house describes this scent as "a delicate and airy fragrance like a muslin dress,” and we couldn’t agree more. It smells like something you might imagine a royal family member wearing—elegant, soft, and entrancing.
Customer review: "This scent is a divine kind of smell that is totally different from any of other floral sweat perfumes. It’s very unique, elegant and classic. It lasts more than 24 hours! You gotta try it yourself to feel it."
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Key notes: red currant, bulgarian rose, white flowers, plum accord, mimosa absolute, plumeria, petalia, sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla
Customer review: "Gorgeous fruity fragrance. The plum note is very prominent and yet mixes well with the mimosa to give off a 'peach-like' scent. Very yummy. So if you’re looking for a sophisticated well blended fragrance for the Spring, Cassili is the one."
6. Maison Margiela Replica Springtime in a Park Fragrance
Key notes: pear, lily of the valley, musk
If the month of April were to be liquified and put in a bottle, it would be Springtime in a Park. This fragrance is an intoxicating but soft mix of florals and fruits that are reminiscent of, well, walking through a park in the spring. Wear it whenever you want a dash of optimism.
Customer review: "Very bright, clean, sweet, and soft. It’s a scent that is delicate and pretty as flower petals. I’m not a big floral scent person, but this is a 5 star from me!"
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Key notes: bergamot, pink pepper, lemon, neroli, ylang-ylang, transluzone, heliotrope, coconut milk, musk, cedarwood, benzoin
Customer review: "This is a must have summer scent. I've searched high and low for the best beachy scent and this is it! I am so happy I discovered this and will be going back for more!"
7. Diptyque Do Son Eau de Toilette
Key notes: tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, marine accord
Fresh and slightly zingy, this floral fragrance is bursting with tuberose. Even if you’re one for softer scents, it’s the kind of perfume that you want to spritz all over, so that a trail of airy white florals follows you around.
Customer review: "I am not someone that does well with fragrance but this one was lovely. Most scents I can not handle but this has such a soft one and I get compliments every time I wear it. I am very pleased with my choice and I would do it again"
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Key notes: wisteria, honeysuckle, jasmine, narcissus
Customer review: "I bought this recently as I wanted a spring fragrance and I came across this while looking at some Diptyque perfumes I wasn’t familiar with. I can only say it is the perfect spring flowers fragrance. It is very floral, fresh and light, not at all sickly sweet."
8. Hermès Un Jardin sur le Toit Eau de Toilette
Key notes: apple, pear magnolia
One spray of this light, sparkling fragrance will transport you to a peak-bloom secret garden.
Customer review: "This is a very unique fresh scent. I do not tend to like overly fruity scents and this scent is the perfect balance of fruits without making it too sweet—balanced by woodsy. I really like the pear note in this scent!"
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Key notes: ginger, tuberose, sandalwood
Customer review: "This perfume smells amazing! It’s a spicy and warm scent and the ginger is very prominent initially, but turns into a warm sweet scent as time goes on."
9. Skylar Pink Canyon Eau de Parfum
Key notes: lemon, grapefruit, sage, magnolia, lily of the valley, tiare petals, amber, salt, cedar, musk
Citrusy, salty, floral, and woodsy, this fragrance is basically a dreamscape for driving through Laurel Canyon at sunset in a top-down, cherry-red convertible, hair whipping in the wind while the sky turns shades of peach.
Customer review: "This is one of my ideal every day scents. It's sweet with peppery notes and I absolutely love it. This scent convinced me to try other Skylar scents and I've been pleased with them all!"
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Key notes: bergamot, sea salt, seaweed, cotton blossom, water lily, cyclamen, driftwood, vanilla, musk
Customer review: "I love the fresh, crisp fragrance of Salt Air. It gives my spirits a lift for sure! Wearing this scent is an experience in itself. I feel transported to a beautiful ocean beach on a sunny spring morning."
10. Ralph Lauren Romance Parfum
Key notes: blackcurrant, rose Damascena, patchouli
Consider this a love potion in a bottle. Perfect for first dates, anniversaries, or just a cozy night in, this fragrance is made to encapsulate modern romance. Warm floral notes are captivating enough to make your cheeks flush.
Customer review: "I am so in love with this fragrance. I get compliments all the time on my smell. This is my third bottle. I went with the biggest one this time."
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Key notes: raspberry coulis, mandarin, bergamot, rose, jasmine, lily of the valley, vanilla, cashmeran, white musk
Customer review: "I love this perfume! It smells so good, nice and fruity. It honestly smells like raspberries with a hint of cotton candy. 100% recommend if you like fruity and floral perfumes!"
