New year, new fragrance. Amirite? Buying a perfume for the first time can feel like a fresh start and whether you’ve been loyal to the same one for years and want a change or regularly switch up your scent, there’s an endless amount of choice.
They are also the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, whether you’re buying a treat for yourself or someone special.
So without further ado, we’ve rounded up the perfumes worth buying this year – from the new launches to the timeless classics.Jo Malone
London Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense 100ml, John Lewis, £122While vanilla might conjure up memories of overdoing it with Charlie body spray while you were at school, this year Jo Malone is reclaiming the scent. The latest addition to its Cologne Intense range is an inviting blend of Madagascan vetiver and vanilla, along with cardamon and grapefruit tea. It’s the perfect way to introduce a fresher scent into your fragrance collection for Spring, while still keeping a hint of warming vanilla for the wintery months.
Buy it now. Tom Ford Beau de Jour 100ml, Look Fantastic, £117Tom Ford knows fragrance. Its newest offering is sweeter and softer than you might expect with lavender, rosemary, geranium, mint and patchouli making a refreshing mix, with the added sharpness of basil. Buy it now. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum 70ml, Liberty London, £200An oldie but goodie, Baccarat Rouge 540 is a timeless scent that’ll see you through all seasons. Intense but not overpowering, you’ll find jasmine, amber, cedar wood and saffron that’ll have you coming back for more. I make a beeline for a bottle of this every-time I’m in Liberty and douse a card in it to keep by my bedside. No word of a lie, three weeks later the scent is still there. Buy it now. Le Labo Eau de Parfum Baie 19, Net-A-Porter, £184While Le Labo’s Santal 33 has earned them legions of fans, dip your toes (or pulse points) into something new with Baie 19. The infusion of patchouli, juniper berries, cade and musk is inspired by the smell of rain after a hot, dry spell, but to be honest, we love it also because it just looks so cool. And smells great, obvs.
Buy it now. Goutal Eau de Charlotte Eau de Toilette 100 ml, Fenwick, £110This is an ode to the step-daughter of perfumer Annick Goutal, who loved blackcurrant jam, so spritz liberally and soak up the scent. Or better yet, you’ve just discovered the perfect present for anyone in your life called Charlotte. You can thank us later.
Buy it now. Byredo Unnamed Eau de Parfum, Harrods, £165A perfume by any other name still smells just as sweet. In this case: violet, moss and pink pepper. Delicious. The perfume comes with a set of letters (in black, fluorescent blue, green and pink) so you can get creative yourself – or name it for the lucky recipient.
Buy it now. Atelier Cologne Pacific Lime Cologne Absolue 100ml, Selfridges, £95Atelier Cologne is known for its gorgeous perfumes and fabulous candles, and pacific lime feels like the closest you’re going to get to a summer holiday without actually booking one. Plus, the 30ml bottles come with beautiful leather pouches that can be embossed with your initials for a personalised touch. Forget buying this for someone else, I’m keeping this one for myself.
Buy it now.Clean Reserve White Fig & Bourbon Eau de Parfum 100ml, Space NK, £129If you’re looking to be sustainable in your perfume choices, look no further than Clean Reserve, whose ethical credentials will make things simple for you, with responsibly-sourced ingredients and eco-conscious packaging. Expect aromatic spices and warming bourbon vetiver. Full-bodied and rich.
Buy it now. Jo Loves Rose Petal 25 Eau De Toilette 100ml, Space NK, £115Rose Petal 25 is a celebratory fragrance to commemorate Jo Malone’s 25 years in the industry. Subtle and sweet, it’s one of our favourites from the Jo Loves collection – not forgetting the classic Pomelo. Rose Petal 25 also comes in a gel fragrance paintbrush (£40) that is perfect for travel and on-the-go top ups.
Buy it now. Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur Eau de Parfum 100ml, Boots, £92Remember Harry Styles frolicking around a camp
fire in Gucci’s fragrance ad? Well, we do. And this is the fragrance he was coercing us into buying. Take our money. The gender-neutral fragrance is the brainchild of Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele, centred around the Roman chamomile flower. If nothing else, buy it for how beautiful the bottle is. Or for Harry.
Buy it now. Bvlgari Le Gemme Coralia Eau de Parfum, Harrods, £239Last but by no means least is this showstopper by Bvlgari, which has taken inspiration from its diamonds and jewels. While what’s inside is important, this particular one is a blend of leather, musk accord and pink pepper, what’s on the outside is a head-tuner and conversation starter at any dinner party. If you wore this every day for a year, it would work out to cost you 65p a day, which is exactly how we’re justifying the price tag.
Buy it now. MORE FROM HUFFPOST FINDS... Best Flower Delivery Services For Valentine's Day What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes And How Do You Get Rid Of Them? These Are The Vegan Make Up And Beauty Products You Need We all work hard to earn our money – so it shouldn’t feel like hard work to spend it well. At HuffPost Finds we’ll help you find the best stuff that deserves your cash, from the ultimate lipstick to a durable iron to replace the one that broke (RIP). All our choices are completely independent but we may earn a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase.