20 Best Winter Fragrances For Women in 2024

Winter is the time of the year when we are all looking for a cozy, pleasant, and welcoming scent that will warm us up on these chilly days. 

Taking into consideration all the new masterpieces but not forgetting the iconic, older monsters, I created a list of top 20 winter fragrances for women that will make you feel sexy and desirable while warming you up. 

Important note: I’ve personally smelled and reviewed over 100 winter fragrances for women, and I compiled this list of the top 20 best winter fragrances for women based on multiple factors like performance in general, uniqueness, and the “story” behind every fragrance. All fragrances in this post are tested for a couple of days on multiple occasions, and the results were subjectively presented here.

Keep in mind, the fragrances mentioned below are not in a particular order – getting any of these incredible perfumes will definitely be the right choice for snowy winter days!

Before we review the best winter fragrances for women — interested to know what are the best winter fragrances for men in 2023? Check out the top 20 list here!

Starting this list with:

Yves Saint Laurent Libre Intense EDP

For those of you that love vanilla-boozy fragrances for cold, winter days and a scent that will warm you up during the chilly nights-out, then this is the fragrance you have been searching for. 

Libre Intense EDP is a new scent from Yves Saint Laurent that came out in 2020, and unlike the original Libre, they created the Intense version more vanilla-based and less lavender oriented which makes this fragrance perfect for colder seasons.

The opening will provide you a strong burst of lavender but within only a few minutes the vanilla will start kicking in and the scent will become sweeter, warmer, richer, and cozy. The tonka bean and vetiver in the base notes replaced heavy-musk from the original Libre and transformed Intense into a dense, unique, and creamy scent. 

I would recommend this scent for every woman that loves vanilla-based fragrances but it may be a little more suitable for more mature women, which doesn’t mean that the younger population cannot wear it. It’s a perfect night fragrance that has amazing longevity and very strong performance.

Not that this list is in a particular order but Libre Intense EDP definitely deserves to be somewhere on top of the list of best winter fragrances for women!

Libre Intense EDP Yves Saint Laurent short summary:

• Sweet and warm, vanilla-based scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8+ hours
• Projection longevity: 2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 4 feet
• Sillage: strong.
• Price: fair!

Viktor & Rolf Bonbon EDP

As the name suggests, Bonbon is like a fluid caramel candy that represents a beautiful scent for relaxation and enjoyment.

With strong longevity and moderate sillage, this scent has a unique composure of sweet-woody aroma that I couldn’t miss on today’s 20 top list. 

Bonbon Viktor & Rolf has a fruity opening that comes from the top notes of peach, mandarin orange, and orange, but as it dries down, the scent becomes more woodsy, softer, and sweeter. The initial citrus fades away and you get a caramel-sweet and woody oriented liquid that smells amazing. 

You can easily wear this scent for any winter-fall occasion, no matter the day or night, but because of its candy sweetness, I slightly lean more towards the daytime events.

Interested to know more about this fragrance? Read our full Viktor & Rolf Bonbon Review.

Bonbon Viktor & Rolf short summary:

• Vanilla-woody scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 7 hours
• Projection longevity: 1-2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 3 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: fair!

Marc Jacobs Decadence EDP

This fantastic and strong scent is made for confident, assertive, and boss ladies and has the power of attracting any man’s attention right from the start – a real masterpiece.

The reason why I find Decadence by Marc Jacobs so unique and beautiful is because of the masculine notes that are so magically crafted with other notes and make this scent purely feminine and gorgeously sexy. 

The opening has a burst of plum that is rarely seen in the fragrance composition but when it is used, it is usually done beautifully. Besides the plum, this fragrance is heavy woody-oriented with a fruity and earthy sphere.

I can easily say that this fragrance is an attention-grabber, sophisticated, seductive, and alluring scent that will take people off their seats. 

It is made for night occasions and has a perfect clubbing scent when you are dressed up and looking your best. It literally has everything that best winter fragrances for women should have!

Decadence Marc Jacobs short summary:

• Woody- fruity scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 9+ hours
• Projection longevity: 2-3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 3-4 feet
• Sillage: strong
• Price: fair!

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle EDP

The most popular women’s fragrance on the market is no other than La Vie Est Belle (Life is beautiful) EDP and I can name hundreds of reasons why it has that title — but I will keep it short.

La Vie Est Belle is the most powerful compliment getter that any woman can wear – it is sexy, it is a seductive and highly enjoyable scent that can be your go-to signature fragrance for any kind of winter occasion. 

This seductiveness in a bottle opens with a fruity, orange blossom aroma but the base of vanilla and patchouli adds to the sweetness and the fragrance becomes monstrously sexy and unique. 

What may be a huge deal-breaker for many people is the fact that La Vie Est Belle is a unique scent but since it has been on a market for a long time and as I mentioned, is one of the most sold women scents, it has lost the initial uniqueness it has. 

But, because of its monstrous longevity and mega-great performance this fragrance will forever be a safe choice for any woman that wants to feel confident and gain many, but many compliments.

La Vie Est Belle Lancome short summary:

• Fruity-vanilla scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 10+ hours
• Projection longevity: 3-4 hours
• Projection in distance: around 4-5 feet
• Sillage: amazing.
• Price: fair!

Tom Ford Velvet Orchid

Velvet Orchid is a powerful and dominant women’s scent with great quality and I believe it will be on the list of best winter fragrances for women forever. It’s a scent that will make you feel empowered and luxurious, a complex but divine mixture that keeps on surprising you. 

It opens with a completely floral composition but once it goes into a drydown, rum and honey push floral notes aside and the scent becomes darker, warmer, and sweeter and it smells outstanding. 

The heart of the fragrance is purely floral but the orchid, heliotrope, and rose make it smell softer and powdery. The final dry down will welcome you with a woody and ambery smell that fits perfectly well with the floral heart.  

It can be your night-out type of fragrance, but you can also wear it during the day as well but make sure you don’t over-apply it since it has a strong concentration.

Velvet Orchid Tom Ford short summary:

• Floral-sweet and powdery scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8 hours
• Projection longevity: 2-3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 3 feet
• Sillage: great.
• Price: fair!

Interested to know more about this fragrance? Read our full Tom Ford Velvet Orchid review!

Jessica Simpson Fancy

This sweet, gourmand, and ultra-feminine scent reached our list of best winter fragrances for women not only because of its delightful smell but also because of its price — for a great value you will get a long-lasting scent with moderate but good silage and you will smell beautiful. 

Any list of best winter fragrances for women MUST have sweet and gourmandy scents — it’s just how it goes!

This is one of the daytime winter scents when it is snowing and you are getting ready for work, the weather is chilly and you need something to warm you up and make you feel ready for upcoming business. 

The opening of Fancy by Jessica Simpson is fruity-oriented and that fruitiness will follow you throughout the whole lifetime of the fragrance but become slightly lighter and softer. The caramel and vanilla take the wheel in the dry down and makes the composition sweeter, powdery, and more caramel-oriented. All in all, very charming and welcoming.

Fancy Jessica Simpson short summary:

• Floral-sweet and caramel scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 7+ hours
• Projection longevity: 2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2-3 feet
• Sillage: moderate.
• Price: great!

Dior Hypnotic Poison EDT

An iconic and eternal scent that came out in 1998 by Dior house keeps being adored by both men and women – even after almost 20 years, it deserves a safe spot on today’s list.

This is one of the best fragrances you can buy for yourself (if you’re a female, if not then to your girlfriend) – it is very likable, it has an outstanding quality, it is unique and a great compliment-getter and also has a great value. 

Hypnotic Poison opens with a little bit of plum and coconut but it quickly dries down to Lily-of-the-Valley and Brazilian Rosewood which makes it a little bit sweeter and woody. The base of this scent is what I like the most and it comes out as a vanilla-oriented, sweet, almond scent with a powdery effect. 

I like to say that wearing this scent makes you feel like you are giving warm, sexy hugs on snowy winter evenings and it is truly magical. Personally, I compliment this scent whenever I smell it on a woman so if you are looking for attention – go and buy Hypnotic Poison.

Hypnotic Poison Dior short summary:

• Floral-sweet and caramel scent
• Concentration: eau de toilette (EDT)
• Longevity in average: 10+ hours
• Projection longevity: 2-3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 4-5 feet
• Sillage: strong.
• Price: great!

Maison Martin Margiela REPLICA By The Fireplace EDP

The whole idea of Replica is to demonstrate a certain environment and this one is supposed to picture a family in the 1970s huddled around a fireplace – a real, winter, comforting, and warm fragrance. 

This is a woody, smokey, and warm-spicy fragrance with a vanilla backbone and ambery effect. It has a balsamic and powdery feel to it but it is a very well-blended and balanced composition with wood orientation. 

This unisex fragrance can be worn by both genders and I wouldn’t say that it leans toward any population. Because of the woodiness, I find this scent perfect for private, warm, cozy evenings with your partner, when you want to feel sexy, inviting and alluring.

If you can imagine this scent literally by the fireplace, then you’ll know exactly why it’s on our list of top winter fragrances for women.

By The Fireplace Maison Martin Margiela short summary:

• Woody-vanilla scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8+ hours
• Projection longevity: 1-2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2-3 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: great!

Giorgio Armani Sì Intense EDP

When I talk about Si Intense, I imagine a bold, brave, and dominant woman with a black leather jacket – that is the vibe Si Intense has. 

It is dark and sexy but at the same time, it is classy and elegant – a perfectly balanced composition that works great for cold, winter nights. 

This scent brightens you with citrusy notes of bergamot and mandarin orange but because of the black currant and cassis, the scent gains a deeper and slightly boozy vibe. As it dries down, the scent becomes woody, dark, and bold, while the fruity notes can still be detected. 

Even though it doesn’t have a monstrous performance, because of its uniqueness and balanced factors, I would recommend this scent for any strong and bold lady — definitely one of the best winter fragrances for women!

Si Intense Dior short summary:

• Woody-vanilla scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 7+ hours
• Projection longevity: 1-2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2-3 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: fair!

Killian Angels’ Share

Angels’ Share is a part of Killian’s liquors collection and each perfume from that collection is based on a different liquor, this one is cognac-oriented.

The scent behind Angels’ Share opens as boozy, sweet, warm, creamy, and spicy. The opening notes are masterfully blended with the oak from the middle that starts kicking in and the scent gains a spiced-woodiness effect. In the final dry down, tonka bean along with the vanilla note becomes more prominent while the scent leaves you with a warm-spicy and sweet feeling. 

Angels’ Share is one of the hyped-up fragrances and I totally understand why. It is a unisex fragrance made for colder, chilly nights-out, an ideal choice for both women and men. 

On top of that, it is a great attention grabber, compliment getter, and a true likable scent with good quality and amazing projection (which makes it a good choice for clubbing as well). 

Personally, if you ask me, to me this is one of the best winter fragrances for women, if not the best.

Angels’ Share short summary:

• Woody-spicy scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8+ hours
• Projection longevity: 3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 4-5 feet
• Sillage: strong
• Price: pricey

Chanel N°5 EDP

This may come as a surprise to you since many people would call Chanel N°5 an outdated or rustic perfume that is just not worth it in 2023 – which I disagree with. 

The reason why I chose this scent for today’s top list is that this fragrance can be a beautiful choice for more mature ladies and gentlewomen. It is classy, elegant, and rich.

Chanel N°5 will greet you with aldehydes and bergamot notes which leaves a pretty fresh, clean type of vibe with a slight touch of citrusy but that citrus quickly fades away and the scent becomes sweeter and aldehydic as it dries down. The base of vanilla, oakmoss, patchouli, and vetiver transform this scent into a woody and slightly earthy scent that follows you through the lifetime of the perfume. 

I understand why people tend to call it outdated since this fragrance came out in the ’80s and has that “rustic” feel to it but I still find it a beautiful, rich and powerful type of smell that will serve great for a winter night-out when you want to feel elegant and classy.

Chanel N°5 short summary:

• Woody-aldehydic scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8+ hours
• Projection longevity: 2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2-3 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: fair to pricey

Guerlain Mon Guerlain EDP Intense

If you were wondering whether to buy Mon Guerlain or Mon Guerlain Intense then here is the main reason why I would always choose an Intense version – much better projection. 

It is really hard to tell which one smells better since it all depends on what notes you like and what effect you want to achieve. The quality is what really sets them apart and personally, I like fragrance to project well so if you are like me – go with the Intense version. 

In the opening, I got a citrusy-lavender mix, which did not really set to my nose but the dry down is a heaven on the earth. Mon Guerlain Intense is a vanilla-oriented fragrance with prominent notes of woods and white musk. The scent is vanilla-sweet, woody, slightly lavender and powdery, very well blended, and comes out delightful. 

In terms of occasions, I would say that Mon Guerlain Intense is great for day and night events, there is not much thinking when it comes to this scent since it is pretty versatile but it is definitely a cold-season liquid.

Mon Guerlain Intense Guerlain short summary:

• Vanilla-woody scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8 hours
• Projection longevity: 1-2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2-3 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: fair!

Paco Rabanne Olympea Intense

A “contradictory” scent of sweet-salty composition; not too salty or metallic, nothing that will set people off, just the opposite, an interesting, amber fragrance ideal for snowy nights-out when you want to feel confident and be spotted as well — simply couldn’t not to place it among best winter fragrances for women!

Olympea Intense has a very simple note breakdown that covers amber, vanilla, and salt – and basically, this is what you get. 

The scent has a strong presence of vanilla but it is not overly sugary or too gourmandy because of the usage of the salt accord. The salt makes the scent softer while the amber is heavily conspicuous and it gives a warm, cozy, resinous, and sweet feel to the whole composition.

While the original Olympea is more of a day-time, coffee-break fragrance, the Intense version is perfect for formal events, date diner, or clubbing; it is a night-mode scent that grabs attention wherever you go.

Olympea Intense Paco Rabanne short summary:

• Amber-woody scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8+ hours
• Projection longevity: 2-3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 4 feet
• Sillage: strong
• Price: fair!

Elie Saab Girl of Now

One of the best winter fragrances for women that is just perfect for intimate nights-out, winter romantic dates, or a night in a cozy cabin — Girl of Now is a sexy, alluring scent that every man will adore. 

The opening of Girl of Now comes as a tasty blast of pistachios and as it dries down the almond from the heart and almond milk from the base start kicking in and take the fragrance orientation to itself. The scent is almond, sweet, nutty, patchouli, while the cashmeran gives a woody feel to this magical composition. 

This thick, syrupy, gourmand liquid will make you feel sexier and desirable, it is a long-lasting scent with good projection and great value. 

Girl of Now Elie Saab short summary:

• Almond-sweet scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8+ hours
• Projection longevity: 2-3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 3-4 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: great value

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir

If you would ask me about rich, luxurious, rawish types of winter fragrances for women, Grand Soir MFK would surely be on my recommendation list. 

I find this unisex fragrance seductive, glory, and attractive and because of its perfectly blended structure and outstanding quality, I can picture both women and men wearing it (I also like wearing Grand Soir MKF as well).

The Grand Soir smell is all about amber and vanilla — it is sweet, warm, a little nutty, and earthy as well. As it dries down, it gets better and better; you still get that rich, sweet-spicy, and warm effect, and let me tell you — it smells gorgeous. 

What I also adore about Grand Soir is its eternal longevity and strong projection; it will last 10+ hours and project great in the first couple of hours. I like to wear it during night occasions but you will not go wrong if you choose it for day events as well.

Grand Soir Maison Francis Kurkdjian short summary:

• Amber-vanilla scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 10+ hours
• Projection longevity: 3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 3-4 feet
• Sillage: enormous
• Price: pricey

Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense

Even if you still haven’t heard about the house of Jo Malone London, this is your opportunity to learn more about one of their greatest, winter, unisex fragrances and maybe give it a shot. 

The reason why I chose Myrrh & Tonka over other amazing Jo Malone scents is the interesting lavender opening and the prominent smell of tonka bean. The base notes are tonka bean, vanilla, and almond and basically, as it dries down this is what you get – vanilla-sweet, ambery and aromatic feeling. 

This is one of the fragrances that have a mysterious, dark kind of vibe and if that is the effect you want to radiate then I recommend Myrrh & Tonka over other Jo Malone scents.

Just to mention, it has greater longevity than other Jo Malone scents and slightly moderate sillage; day or night, it doesn’t really matter, this warm and cozy liquid will do its job for any winter occasion.

Myrrh & Tonka Jo Malone short summary:

• Amber-vanilla scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 10 hours
• Projection longevity: 2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: pricey!

Gucci Guilty Intense Pour Femme

This iconic perfume that came out as a flanker in 2011 is a strictly floral-based scent so if you don’t like these kinds of fragrances, feel free to skip this one. 

It’s a pleasant, enjoyable, and warm scent from Gucci and I would like to say that it is not for everyone – it’s not a universal scent that will steal everyone’s heart but if you are a type of fragrance lover that likes to smell differently, then this is for you!

Gucci Guilty Intense Pour Femme opens as a soft-spicy mix of pink pepper and mandarin orange but as it dries down you get a lot of floral notes – heliotrope, lilac, and violet. The floral heart stays present throughout the whole existence of the fragrance but in the final dry down, it becomes softer, powdery, and ambery as the base of patchouli and amber starts kicking in. 

The longevity is also great and it will serve you for at least 8 hours while silage may come as slightly moderate.

Gucci Guilty Intense Gucci short summary:

• Floral-spicy scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8 hours
• Projection longevity: 1-2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: fair!

Hermès Elixir des Merveilles

This is one of those fragrances that are not for everybody but if you end up loving it, it will be your signature scent. 

Particularly, I love the heavenly combination of orange peel, caramel, and several woodsy notes; it really sticks to my nose and it’s a scent that reminds you of warm, creamy liquid – perfect for chilly weather and sharp wind. 

The opening bursts with a strong, sharp, and bright orange scent but after only one minute, the caramel and siam resin (balsamic) start appearing and the fragrance turns into a warm, thick, soft feeling of melting caramel – it is magical. As it dries down, the woodiness and ambery accords start taking the turn and you get a woody, balsamic and cozy effect. 

One more reason why this distinctive smell is on today’s top list is because of the eternal longevity and super-good silage. If you have an opportunity, go and test this scent on your skin before deciding to buy it immediately.

Elixir des Merveilles Hermes short summary:

• Amber-woody scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 11+ hours
• Projection longevity: 3 hours
• Projection in distance: around 4-5 feet
• Sillage: strong
• Price: fair!

Givenchy L’Interdit EDP Intense

I had a chance to smell one of the latest masterpieces of Givenchy, it came out in 2020 and already stole many fragrance lovers’ hearts. 

L’Interdit Intense promises to take you “deeper into the forbidden by channeling the inner thrill of your cravings and impulses” and this simple yet engrossing composition really has a specifically different note from what I tasted before.

With the first spray, you get an orange blossom effect from the heart but L’Interdit quickly becomes a sweet, sophisticated, white floral scent with delicious vanilla and sesame seeds. 

I experienced this scent as an inviting and comforting aroma touch of patchouli and warm spiciness; it can be your go-to fragrance for any night, winter occasion and even if you wear it during the day, you will not go wrong. 

In terms of performance, it has amazing longevity but average silage, which I didn’t really expect from the Intense version but it isn’t such a deal-breaker to me. 

L’Interdit Intense Givenchy Short summary:

• Floral-vanilla scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 8+ hours
• Projection longevity: 1-2 hours
• Projection in distance: around 2 feet
• Sillage: moderate
• Price: fair!

Lancôme La Nuit Tresor EDP

Last but most certainly not least on this list of best winter fragrances for women, it is safe to say that this fragrance is an overdose of sweet gourmand, meaning it contains a lot of different, but perfectly well-blended notes — it is a fragrance that will turn heads and make every man look in your direction.

La Nuit Tresor starts with a fruity opening which quickly and softly turns into a sweet, warm, and spicy aroma but the fruit accord combines delightfully good with woodsy, caramel, and vanilla base. 

It is a fruity, sweet, woody, chocolate type of smell – everything that makes a woman’s fragrance desirable, outstanding, and sensational.

I would recommend this alluring scent to any lady that wants to feel sexy, that wants to be spotted by thousands of other women, that wants her perfume to speak before she does.

On top of all, this La Nuit Tresor has eternal longevity, enormous projection, and is a real attention grabber. I would say it’s more of a night-event fragrance, especially for clubbing, since it has a strong concentration and will fight through the smoke and every other perfume as well.

La Nuit Tresor Lancome Short summary:

• Sweet-fruity scent
• Concentration: eau de parfum (EDP)
• Longevity in average: 12+ hours
• Projection longevity: 3-4 hours
• Projection in distance: around 5 feet
• Sillage: enormous
• Price: great!

Conclusion

2023 was the big year in the fragrance industry, and even though our list of best winter fragrances for women differs a little bit from others, I have to say that our approach is completely different. Testing all fragrances thoroughly is a key to our reviews, and if something is bad, we’ll say it’s bad straight away.

Knowing that I hope you get some of these fragrances and if you do, please let us know down in the comments how you liked it or if you’re buying for her, did she like it? What’s your favorite winter fragrance? Let’s talk!