Elixir
Men
Yves Saint Laurent
Aromatic
EDP
Men
Genie
Genie Sauvage Elixir EDP
EDP
Unisex
d’Annam
d’Annam Monsoon Tea Perfume
EDT
Unisex
Giorgio Armani Privé
Giorgio Armani Privé Thé Yulong Perfume
EDP
Unisex
Le Labo
Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Perfume: 2015 Unisex Eau de Parfum
EDP
Unisex
Vilhelm Parfumerie
Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly
Parfum
Unisex
Nishane
Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum
EDT
Unisex
Bvlgari
Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume
EDT
Women
Elizabeth Arden
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume
EDP
Unisex
Tom Ford
Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum
EDP
Unisex
Lattafa
Lattafa Pride Vintage Radio
About Aromatic perfumes
Aromatic perfumes are herbal and clean, featuring lavender, sage, rosemary, mint and basil, often with a citrus lift. Many of them smell like a freshly groomed barbershop. Perfume World lists 11 fragrances in this collection. You will find notes, hands on longevity scores and retailer links on every perfume page.
The notes that come up most often are bergamot, amber, musk and vetiver. Expect to pay from $5 to $1,200, with the final price set by bottle size and the seller. The houses you will see most often are Bvlgari, d’Annam and Elizabeth Arden. The overall rating here sits at 8.3 out of 10 on average, based on hands on testing. Releases range from 1992 to 2024.
They are dependable for work, errands and warm days, and they rarely feel too much in a shared space. Many also layer well under heavier evening scents. Aromatic perfumes are an easy first purchase because they are crowd friendly and forgiving on most skin.
- Perfumes
- 11
- Average rating
- 8.3/10
- Price range
- From $5 to $1,200
- Average longevity
- 6.6/10
- Top house
- Bvlgari
- Released
- 1992 to 2024
Top rated aromatic perfumes
How to choose aromatic perfumes
If you are unsure where to begin, Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum is the highest rated of our aromatic perfumes, which makes it a sensible first sample.
Pick two or three aromatic perfumes that sound right, then compare them side by side. The Compare tool lines up notes and scores so the differences are easy to see.
How aromatic perfumes perform
In our wear tests, aromatic perfumes score 6.6 out of 10 for longevity on average, which means solid staying power that comfortably covers a work day.
Sillage, the trail a perfume leaves behind you, averages 5.7 out of 10, which points to moderate projection that stays fairly close.
In hot and humid conditions, the same perfumes average 5.8 out of 10 for longevity. Heat speeds up evaporation, so expect scents to feel stronger at first and fade sooner than in cool, dry air.
If staying power is your priority, start with Genie Sauvage Elixir EDP (9/10), Yves Saint Laurent Y L’Elixir (8.8/10) and Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum (8/10).
Our shortlist of aromatic perfumes
Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume gets noticed the most, with a compliments score of 8.9 out of 10. Lattafa Pride Vintage Radio is the one to try for value, with a value score of 9 out of 10. The newest release here is Yves Saint Laurent Y L’Elixir, from 2024. On a tight budget, d’Annam Monsoon Tea Perfume is the most affordable, starting around $5. Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum has the best overall rating here at 8.8 out of 10, and it comes as EDP. For staying power, look at Genie Sauvage Elixir EDP, which scores 9 out of 10 for longevity. At the top end, Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Perfume: 2015 Unisex Eau de Parfum is the priciest, reaching about $1,200.
Buying tips for aromatic perfumes
Moisturise before you spray. Perfume holds far better on hydrated skin, and an unscented lotion can add hours to a scent that otherwise fades quickly.
Set a budget before you browse. Aromatic perfumes here run from $5 to $1,200, so decide your ceiling early and compare the value score as well as the price tag.
Check the concentration. Most of the perfumes here are EDP, EDT and Elixir. Eau de parfum and parfum usually last longer and cost more than eau de toilette, and each perfume page lists the exact concentration.
Frequently asked questions
What do aromatic perfumes smell like?
Aromatic perfumes are herbal and clean, featuring lavender, sage, rosemary, mint and basil, often with a citrus lift. Many of them smell like a freshly groomed barbershop.
Which notes are common in aromatic perfumes?
The notes we see most in aromatic perfumes are bergamot, amber, musk, vetiver and green tea. Open a perfume page for the full opening, heart and base.
When should I wear aromatic perfumes?
They are dependable for work, errands and warm days, and they rarely feel too much in a shared space. Many also layer well under heavier evening scents.
Are aromatic perfumes a good choice for beginners?
Aromatic perfumes are an easy first purchase because they are crowd friendly and forgiving on most skin.
Which aromatic perfumes have the best staying power?
Based on our longevity scores, the longest lasting are Genie Sauvage Elixir EDP (9/10), Yves Saint Laurent Y L’Elixir (8.8/10) and Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum (8/10). Longevity also depends on skin type, weather and how you apply, so use these as a guide.
Are aromatic perfumes good for hot and humid weather?
It depends on the perfume, but on average aromatic perfumes score 5.8 out of 10 for longevity in hot and humid conditions. Check the hot and humid score on each page, and use a lighter hand with sweet or heavy styles.
How do I narrow down aromatic perfumes?
Open two or three perfume pages and read the verdict, the good fit and maybe skip lists. They are written to help you rule things out quickly, and the Compare tool puts the numbers side by side.
Which brands make the best aromatic perfumes?
The houses with the most aromatic perfumes here are Bvlgari, d’Annam, Elizabeth Arden and Genie. Browse each one to compare styles and prices.
How much do aromatic perfumes cost?
Prices for aromatic perfumes on our list run from $5 to $1,200. The final price depends on bottle size, concentration and the retailer, so compare the sellers listed on each perfume page.
Which aromatic perfumes should I try first?
Going by our overall ratings, the top aromatic perfumes are Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum (8.8/10), Yves Saint Laurent Y L’Elixir (8.7/10) and Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum (8.7/10). Ratings come from hands on wear tests, so they reflect real performance and not just marketing.
Not sure which one fits you? Answer a few questions and get matched, or browse our buying guides.