The Most Expensive-Smelling Perfumes Have This Unexpected Note in Common (2024)

What to Look for in a Jasmine Perfume

Our Top Picks

Fragrance Family: Warm, woody | Notes: Saffron, jasmine, amberwood, fir resin, cedar | Size: 1.2, 2.4, 6.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Baccarat Rouge 540 is undoubtedly one of the most buzzy fragrances on the market right now, and it’s easy to see (or, in this case, smell) why. The recognizable scent opens up with a bright boost of saffron and jasmine before taking on a more ambery and woody character as it dries down. This is a complex fragrance, but in the best way: It’s full of depth, warmth, and a bit of unexpected spice, but it also has a soft sweetness to it. As if the perfume wasn’t luxurious enough, it comes encased in an opulent gold and crystal vessel that looks elegant perched wherever you put it.(If you're on a budget but still want in, check out our list of more affordable comparable fragrances!)

Who It’s For

Between the sexy scent, the impressive longevity, and the gorgeous bottle, we believe this is a great perfume for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life and doesn’t mind splurging on beautiful things. It’s feminine and sweet yet not particularly seasonal, so you can wear this whenever you want, no matter the situation.

Fragrance Family: Floral | Notes: Jasmine, Sicilian lemon, lingonberry, rose petals, amber | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Byredo’s Flowerhead is a bold blend of jasmine, Sicilian lemon, and lingonberry that feels unique but still carries mass olfactive appeal. It opens up with notes of lemon and lingonberry before rose and jasmine round it out after a few hours. Once it fully dries down, you’ll notice a hint of fresh amber and suede. We love that it’s flowery and sweet, but (thanks to the addition of citrus) it has a zingy twist. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love it (us included).

Who It’s For

According to the brand, the fragrance was inspired by the abundance of brightly-colored florals at a traditional Indian wedding. With this in mind, we find this perfume incredibly uplifting and bright, perfect for those who want a pep in their step during their everyday lives.

Fragrance Family: Floral, fruity | Notes: Tuberose, jasmine sambac, Egypt infusion jasmine, honeysuckle, sandalwood | Size: 0.27, 1.7, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Aerin’s Jasmine-centered redolence actually features two different forms of the flower: jasmine sambac and jasmine Egypt infusion. The two strong white perfumes are enhanced by the inclusion of tuberose and honeysuckle, making for a fragrance that’s sophisticated and rich but somewhat understated. It’s lighter and airier than we originally expected, yet it doesn’t lack the depth we crave from a luxury fragrance. The addition of a subtle sandalwood base note offers warmth and earthiness, which makes the fragrance suitable for both daytime and evening wear.

Who It’s For

As we mentioned, this fragrance is light and airy, ideal for daytime situations like brunch, work, and lunch dates. Thanks to several warm notes that add depth, this fragrance exudes confidence.

Fragrance Family: Fresh floral, musky | Notes: Ambrette seeds, jasmine, orris root, tiger orchid, white musk, white cedarwood | Size: 0.25, 0.33, 1.7, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro often found herself packed tightly in subway cars while commuting to work, she felt overwhelmed by the mass of humanity right in her face. She wanted to make a fragrance that would allow her to reclaim her space and give herself a moment of privacy, which, in New York City, is kind of like an urban myth. And so, with that in mind, Myth—a clean, fresh-out-of-the-shower scent—was born. The sophisticated perfume is part of the floral musky family, so it leans heavily on notes like ambrette seeds, jasmine, orchid, musk, and cedarwood. Given how light and fresh it is, we didn’t expect it to have much longevity, but wow, does this one impress us with its lasting power? Commerce writer and author of this story Caitlyn Martyn says she adores this fragrance and finds that it lingers on her clothes days after she sprays it. Plus, we also love that it has the really unique capability of enhancing your skin’s natural scent, too, so it will likely smell different on everyone.

Who It’s For

This is a great choice for anyone seeking a light, fresh everyday scent that will smell like you just jumped out of the shower. You can wear it alone or paired with another fragrance for a combo that’s uniquely yours.

Fragrance Family: White floral | Notes: Orange flower water, neroli blanc, jasmine, tuberose, vetiver, cedarwood, amber, musk | Size: 0.27, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A brand dedicated to building transparency in the fragrance world, Henry Rose is actress Michelle Pfeiffer’s brainchild. The brand shares complete ingredient lists and functions for each of its fine fragrances so shoppers can feel content in their purchases. Flora Carnivora, in particular, is a really enticing fragrance that smells light and refreshing, thanks to notes of orange flower water and jasmine; however, it has a musky twist to it that gives it depth and sexiness. It works for any time of day, but if you plan on wearing it from day to night, you might have to carry it with you to refresh midday—it doesn’t last as long as we wish it would.

Who It’s For

Due to its clean, crisp profile, this fragrance is great for warm weather—specifically, those hot, sticky days when you need a little boost of freshness.

Fragrance Family: Floral | Notes: Bitter orange, neroli, jasmine, orange blossom, amber, musk, sandalwood, vanilla | Size: 1.7, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Designed as a contemporary counterpart for traditional white floral scents, Le Labo’s Jasmin 17 is equal parts light and sensual. It’s a short, memorable mix of jasmine, musk, sandalwood, and vanilla, giving it a rich, skin-like finish as it wears. This is a scent that will linger on your sweater, for sure.

Who It’s For

Although this fragrance leans slightly feminine, it features musky undertones that appeal to all. It has a minimalist profile, so if you’re someone looking for a clean, elegant scent that isn’t overly sweet, you’ll like this one.

Fragrance Family: White floral | Notes: Neroli, sambac jasmine, tuberose, orris root, honeysuckle, sun-drenched woody notes | Size: 1.0, 1.6, 3.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Designed to transport its wearer into a wild, dream-like garden setting, Gucci Bloom features notes of jasmine, tuberose, and honeysuckle. This tried-and-true floral is a classic that never veers into grandma territory, blending the notes in a way that isn’t overly powdery. The fragrance is strong (so it can be overwhelming if you use too much) and slowly dries down over time.

Who It’s For

This is a great year-round scent for any fancy event. The notes are light and fresh, so it works just as well for work and errands as it does for co*cktail parties and fancy dinners.

Fragrance Family: Floral | Notes: Passionflower, bergamot, jasmine, clove, vetiver | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you want your fragrance to stand apart from the crowd, look no further than this offering from D.S. & Durga. Jazmin Yucatan is juicy and fresh, made up of niche scents like water, passionflower, snake plant, jasmine, and clove. While you may not be able to get off the grid right now, this fragrance will surely take you there.

Who It’s For

This is our recommendation for anyone who wants to wear something no one else will have in their repertoire. It’s bold, intriguing, and, no doubt, different from the mainstream.

FAQ

• What does jasmine smell like in a fragrance?

  According to Kamila Lelakova, a perfumer at CPL Aromas, jasmine’s scent will vary, but it generally has an intensely floral, warm, rich, and highly diffusive quality. “It has honeylike sweetness, a deep-herbaceous tea-like undertone, and an indolic sharpness,” she explains. “Jasmine is one of the most complex and multi-faceted flowers in perfumer’s palette.”

• What’s the difference between an eau de parfum and an eau de cologne?

  The main difference between a perfume and a cologne is the concentration of fragrance oils in the formula. As Dsm-Firmenich perfumer Alexandra Monet previously told Byrdie, “Given the fact that a fragrance is a combination of fragrance oil, alcohol, and water, the intensity varies based on the concentration of a fragrance oil.”