The best date night perfumes are the final step in getting ready for a night out with a special someone (yourself or a partner). Consider it the finishing touch of a fantastic outfit, an invisible accessory. When you put it on, it boosts your confidence. Sexy and flirtatious scents are always up for interpretation, with the key factor being you—attraction is entirely subjective.
From florals to smoky, tobacco-infused notes, sensual spices, and mysterious animalistic musk variations, shop the best date night perfumes, according to Vogue editors and experts.
Vogue’s Favorite Date Night Perfumes
In This Story
Best with Patchouli: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Intense
- Why We Love It: For the elegant Charlotte York type willing to spice things up a bit, look no further than Coco Mademoiselle. Fresh yet bold, Coco Mademoiselle is the younger, cool little sister of Chanel No. 5—and ideal for someone who likes a hyper-feminine fragrance with a bit of a mischievous twist. The initial note from the first spritz is a vibrant orange, followed by a blossoming burst of florals and a balanced, unexpected edge of patchouli and vetiver.
- Key Notes: Orange, bergamot, rose, jasmine, iris, ylang-ylang, patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla, white musk, amber, cedarwood
Best Modern Vanilla: Henry Rose Dave
- Why We Love It: Michelle Pfeiffer’s clean fragrance brand, Henry Rose, recently launched an utterly delicious scent. Dave (endearingly named after Pfeiffer’s husband) is a seductive vanilla layered with delicate neroli notes wrapped with cocoa shells and tonka bean. The rich, grown-up gourmand has a bold entrance that warms down to something more intimate and decadent—an essential fragrance if you want to smell absolutely delicious. In fact, I recently spritzed myself at the office with this perfume, only to be showered with near immediate compliments from everyone nearby asking: “Someone smells amazing. Is it you?”
- Key Notes: Tangerine heart, neroli, pink pepper, lavandin, orange flower, almond blossom, vanilla bean chantilly, cocoa shell, tonka bean
Best Citrus: Vilhelm Parfumerie Room Service Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Vilhelm Parfumerie never fails to have the most creative inspirations for their fragrances—and this one just happens to be Greta Garbo’s rose bath at the Carlyle Hotel. Evoking the ambiance of a luxurious night in a candlelit bathroom jacuzzi with bright citrus and florals colliding with warm water. So, who needs a date with someone else, when you can lavishly treat yourself?
- Key Notes: Mandarin nectar, blackberry, pink orchid, sandalwood, bamboo, violet, black amber, musk
Best Boozy Scent: Perfumehead La La Love
- Why We Love It: La La Love is a seductive gourmand that’s an ode to wild nights out in Los Angeles, blending animalistic notes of musk with woody scents and comforting vanilla absolute. Topping off the fragrance, boozy cognac and amber create a mysterious, moody lingering trail—like lipstick from a Kate Moss-esque femme fatale on a cigarette bummed from a Hedi Slimane-type fashion boy.
- Key Notes: Cognac, saffron, davana, nutmeg, vanilla absolute, sandalwood, black tea, incense, peru balsam, tonka bean, smoked amber, musk
Best Splurge: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: This luxuriously intoxicating scent is iconic for a reason—it’s the ultimate prestige fragrance. The bold scent blends jasmine, ambergris, and cedar mesh so well that the scent trail lingers for hours after the initial spritz, thanks to its highly condensed formulation. Considered universally flattering for all, ambroxan offers balanced, woody facets accentuated by saffron.
- Key Notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambergris
Best White Floral: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: If Sofia Coppola’s perfectly pink archive book was a perfume, it would absolutely be Delina. This fragrance evokes opulence with notes of Turkish rose swirling together with rhubarb, nutmeg, and musk for a scent that’s as flirtatious as it is feminine. Known for it’s impeccable staying power, a trail of fragrance will be left behind no matter where you saunter. Best of all, the rococo inspired bottle makes the perfect decoration on any vanity, with ornate tassels wrapping around the cap.
- Key Notes: Rhubarb, lychee, bergamot essence, Turkish rose
Best Cherry: YSL Beauty Black Opium Eau de Parfum Over Red
- Why We Love It: If you’ve been avoiding cherry-based fragrances due to lingering memories of syrupy, cough medicine-like scents, YSL Beauty’s new interpretation of Black Opium will completely change your perspective. Unlike the overly sweet, medicinal cherry notes that might have turned you off in the past, this scent features a sophisticated, juicy cherry accord that is balanced by rich coffee and warm vanilla. It’s the ideal fragrance for those who want a cherry scent that’s elevated, refined, and entirely wearable.
- Key Notes: Coffee accord, cherry accord, white flowers, vanilla infusion
Best Musk: Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur
- Why We Love It: Frédéric Malle’s Musc Ravageur is an undeniably sexy unisex fragrance that blends animalistic notes with resinous amber and cinnamon. Nothing smells quite like this fragrance, which evokes Tom Ford-era Gucci in the ’90s: super sensual and utterly cool. “Musc Ravageur by Frédéric Malle was created by master perfumer Maurice Roucel. It deservedly was the Hall of Fame winner at The Fragrance Foundation Awards during the pandemic and it became a favorite date perfume since. I wear it as often as possible,” Fragrance Foundation President Linda G. Levy tells Vogue.
- Key Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, cinnamon, vanilla, tonka beans, sandalwood, amber, musk
Best Niche: The Maker Lover Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: When looking for an idyllic date night perfume, one called Lover seemingly hits the sweet spot—quite literally, as this fragrance slowly reveals itself to be a hypnotic blend of black pepper and fig balanced by animalistic and woody notes. “My coworker Conçetta tested this perfume at her desk, and I immediately had to try it myself, smelling it from a full desk row away,” says Vogue app community Manager Sam Ravin. “Later, when I got home after work, my boyfriend said I smelled amazing and loved whatever perfume I wore.” Do we need to explain further why you should add this fragrance to your cart?
- Key Notes: Madagascar black pepper, fig, gurjun balsam, vanilla, narcissus, suede, jasmine sambac, cedarwood, oud, vetiver, white sandalwood, musk
Best for Daytime Dates: Diptyque Orphéon
- Why We Love It: Diptyque’s bestselling fragrance is an ode to Paris in the ’60s. Named after a local jazz bar of the same name, the Orphéon was filled with interesting creatives and this is an olfactory portrait of the legendary location. The woody fragrance evokes feelings of being immersed in a dimly lit bar lined with burnished dark wooden tables and plush velvet seating. “This is my favorite scent for a daytime date, and my husband often wears it, as well,” Levy tells Vogue.
- Key Notes: Juniper berry, cedarwood, tonka bean, jasmine
Best Marshmallow: Killian Love, Don’t Be Shy
- Why We Love It: While it’s never been officially confirmed that Love, Don’t Be Shy is Rihanna’s signature scent, it’s been widly specifulated as such online for some time now—with supporting evidence from beauty influencer Jackie Aina who suspected as much after meeting the superstar, and recognizing the familiar, powedery scent. Opening with a burst of orange blossom, the scent dries down to a sophisticated mixture of sugary marshmallow, and warm neroli.
- Key Notes: Neroli, orange blossom, marshmallow sugar accord
Best Tobacco: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
- Why We Love It: Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille blends two opposites: smoky tobacco and the comforting warmth of vanilla. At the heart of the scent composition is tobacco—smoky, leathery, and animalistic with a subtle sweetness. The scent is a deeply sensual, spice-forward, unisex fragrance that’s both sophisticated and mysterious. Best of all, according to an older British Vogue article, this is allegedly Harry Style’s favorite fragrance. Say less!
- Key Notes: Tobacco leaf, vanilla, cacao, dried fruits, spice, cedar
Best Rose: Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir Rose For Her Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: “Musc Noir by Narciso Rodriguez is a fabulous sexy floral,” Levy tells Vogue. Musc Noir takes the essence of the original For Her fragrance by Rodriguez—yet this fragrance has a deeper, more intensely sensual edge. At its heart, the fragrance opens with the rich sweetness of plum, seamlessly blending into the softness of heliotrope and a sultry leather suede note.
- Key Notes: Plum, pink pepper, bergamot, musk, rose, tuberose, vanilla
Best Affordable Yet Flirty: Boy Smells Flor de la Virgen Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: For an affordable yet flirtatious, high-performing fragrance, look no further than Boy Smells. Flor de La Virgin is one of its most energetic scents, blending the delicate femininity of jasmine with heady musks. All in all, the scent exudes a resinous, mildly floral, citrus and spice scent, refreshing enough to wear from day to night without being adolescent.
- Key Notes: Pomelo, saffron, lemon rind, ivy leaves, jasmine petals, olibanum, musk, ambrox
What makes a date night perfume?
“A date night perfume is a fragrance that truly completes your look, your mood, makes you feel confident, and at your best,” explains Levy. “I am fortunate to enjoy wearing fragrances every day for every occasion for every mood, including for date nights at home or out with my fave date, my husband.” The ultimate expert when it comes to the wonderful world of fragrance, Levy helps to break down the most popular notes when picking the best date night perfume.
- Rose: A favorite, rose evokes a classic olfactory representation of romance
- Floral Variations: Florals appeal to a broad audience, ranging in personality. They can be worn be worn at all times of the day depending on its intensity.
- Vanilla: A popular note in many fragrances, vanilla adds a sweet and sultry hint (while making you smell delicious).
- Oud and Spice: Notes of oud, or spice-forward variations add a mysterious aura to a fragrance, and work well for evening dates.
How To Pick a Date Night Perfume
There are no formal rules or steps when picking a date night perfume. Since the concept of what’s sexy is entirely subjective, it’s all about discovering your own personal preferences and what makes you feel your best. “Date night fragrances can cover a wide range of scent ingredients. It all depends on how the fragrance makes you feel when you wear it. This is where a wardrobe of fragrances works best,” recommends Levy.
