I'll Be Honest: I'm Shocked by How Great These Perfumes Smell

I am the first to admit that I can (sometimes) be a bit of a snob. I like to imagine that, as a beauty journalist, I remain totally impartial every time I try a new product. But if I said that, I'd be lying to both you and myself. In reality, I'm just as much put off by certain product characteristics as the next person—and this is truer than ever when it comes to perfume.

As a general rule, I like my perfumes to be sleek, chic, and expensive-smelling. This doesn't necessarily mean that the fragrances should be expensive—they just have to smell that way. Having said that, I'm also one of the most shallow perfume lovers I know. Truthfully, I should know better than to judge a beauty product by its packaging. However, unless a perfume bottle looks understated and chic, I immediately write it off as something I'm going to dislike. This has been particularly hard to overcome with Carolina Herrera perfumes.

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR)

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've actively avoided Carolina Herrera perfumes for most of my professional life. The gaudy bottles and über-glam branding is so far from my usual taste that I've turned my nose up at the notion of wearing the brand's fragrances. But not too long ago, I caught a whiff of someone wearing a perfume that piqued my interest. I asked after it and was informed it was Carolina Herrera. I thought it must be fragrance from the brand's luxury line, no doubt. Alas, it was none other than the brand's iconic (and more affordable) CH perfume. I was intrigued.

Since then, I've felt more inclined to give some of the brand's other fragrances the benefit of the doubt. In a bid to get over my perfume snobbery, I decided to try every Carolina Herrera fragrance out there. And shockingly, I found a whole bunch that I liked more than I thought I would. Keep scrolling to discover my 10 favourite Carolina Herrera perfumes.

10. Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl Eau de Parfum

9. Carolina Herrera CH Hot! Hot! Hot! Eau de Parfum

8. Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum

7. Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Eau de Parfum

6. Carolina Herrera True Oud Eau de Parfum

5. Carolina Herrera Herrera Tuberose Eau de Parfum

4. Carolina Herrera CH Women Eau de Toilette

3. Carolina Herrera Amethyst Haze Eau de Parfum

2. Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Rosé Eau de Parfum

1. Caroline Herrera Gold Myrrh Absolute Eau de Parfum

Shop Carolina Herrera Makeup

Next up, trust me—these 15 perfumes do the most come autumn.

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing ’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, includingBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.