The 2024 Fragrance Awards

It took months of spritzing, spraying, and smelling. There were days of debates over notes of vanilla and endless testing over how long those long-lasting hints of jasmine and sandalwood actually were. We showed up to meetings and dates and sat shoulder–to–shoulder on trains, and took notice: Was the musk too overpowering? Did the gardenia garner glances? Did the layers of wild berries disappear in an instant? But it was worth it to bring you Marie Claire ’s first annual Fragrance Awards.

The winners represent our choice for best of the best; a selection of timeless classics and exciting newcomers. And so whether you subscribe to the signature scent ethos and are just browsing or like to mix up your fragrance based on your mood you’ll find these picks have one thing in common: They all smell really, really good.

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Best New Fragrance

Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle

Sweetness from flowers, peach, and vanilla is warmed by creamy sandalwood and white musk.

Best Parfum

Bvlgari Allegra Chill & Sole eau de parfum

This fragrance was designed to embody the emotion of optimism and the smell of a perfect day.

Best Overall Women’s Fragrance

Cartier La Panthère eau de parfum

Sensual and delicate are the most accurate descriptor for a blend of gardenia and musk.

Best Eau de Toilette

Oscar de la Renta Alibi Pop Eau So Charming

Described a floral amber rose blend, wild berries add a fizzy sparkle.

Best Men’s Fragrance of All Time

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme eau de toilette

Transport yourself to the Mediterranean Sea with spritz of this sun-drenched aquatic scent.

Best Fragrance Packaging

Costa Brazil Aroma eau de parfum

This custom-designed box is made from sustainably sourced white ash with a red oak finish.

Best Fragrance Gift Set

Diptyque Paris Set of 5 eaux de toilette

Holiday season is upon us, and a set of five olfactory blends is always an appreciated gift.

Best Unisex Fragrance

Kilian Paris Angels’ Share eau de parfum

An art deco bottle from The Liquors Collection is the perfect case for a fragrance featuring cognac oil as a top note.

Best Women’s Fragrance of All Time

YSL Beauty Black Opium eau de parfum

Noses will tingle with notes of vanilla and coffee for hours on end.

Best Overall Men’s Fragrance

Hugo Boss BOSS Bottled eau de toilette

Confident and contemporary, you'll be met with a light scent epitomizing a successful, driven man.

Most Innovative Fragrance

Nette Pear Jam eau de parfum

An unexpected, jammy blend of pear, vanilla, and peach are scientifically proven to boost joy.

Best Fragrance Collection

Donna Karan Cashmere Collection

Whether Wild Fig, Palo Santo, Tiare Flower, or Tunisian Neroli is on tap, a comforting sensation can be expected.

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Best Floral

Sisley Paris Izia eau de parfum

Smells like the perfect bouquet of fragrant red roses, balanced with notes of wood and musk.

Best Woody

Aesop Eidesis eau de parfum

A unisex fragrance that combines warm notes of wood, spice, and amber.

Best Aquatic

Lake & Skye 11 11 Azure Eau de Parfum

This take—using musk made from organic sugar–cane alcohol—is a twist on the brand’s classic fragrance.

Best Oud

Fragrance Du Bois Oud Jaune Intense

With exotic monoi, ylang ylang, and pineapple notes, this perfume not only smells delicious, its scent also lasts.

Best Earthy

Roan Fragrances Porcelain Pulse eau de parfum

An afternoon in an English tea parlor was the inspiration behind this blend.

Best Fresh

Jennifer Meyer eau de parfum

A spray on your wrist conjures up days spent on the beach, enveloped in clean, salty, ocean air.

Best Fruity

D.S. & Durga Debaser eau de parfum

This small–batch, unisex fragrance of ripe fig, iris, and coconut milk, is an upgrade on the plummy scents of your youth.

Best Spicy

Ledda 18 Vanilla Nera eau de parfum

When you want to make a statement, reach for this sweet–spicy blend of pink pepper and cardamom.

Best Musk

Aerin Beauty Amber Musk

Hints of coconut water and rose are subtle, but make a big impression.

Best Citrus

Parfums de Marly Perseus

Spritely notes of grapefruit leave you smelling sweet while invigorating your mind.

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Best Designer Overall

Burberry Goddess eau de parfum

A classic fragrance that consists of not just one note of vanilla, but three.

Best Designer Unisex

Tom Ford Beauty Ombre Leather eau de parfum

The smells of patchouli, vetiver, and jasmine will make you feel like you’re spraying the wild winds of the desert on your skin.

Best Men’s Designer

Chanel Bleu De Chanel Eau de Parfum

Citrus and cedar are at the heart of this fan–favorite.

Best Women's Designer

Christian Dior Miss Dior eau de parfum

In a pretty bottle sealed with a bow, the scent of this fragrance can best be summed up as: happy.

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Best Women’s Niche Fragrance

Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly eau de parfum

Warm and inviting, with scents of black tea.

Best Unisex Niche Fragrance

Aman Essentials Alta Fine Fragrance

A sweet celebration of caraway, cardamom, saffron, and orris.

Best Men’s Niche Fragrance

Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman

Tap into spiritual energy with the light freshness of ginger and ambery notes.

Best Overall Niche Fragrance

Arquiste A Grove by the Sea eau de parfum

Notes of pine needles, wild rosemary, and thyme conjure soothing feelings of being in a forest.

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Best Diffuser

Nest New York Bamboo Reed Diffuser

Flip the reeds weekly for a sparkling citrus scent that lasts for months.

Best Room Fragrance

Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Room Spray

This plant–based spray brings the earthy, sweet smells of a summer garden into your home.

Best Home Cleaning Fragrance

Homecourt Cece Surface Cleaner

Your counters will be clean and smell like sweet cardamom and cinnamon after using founder Courteney Cox’s signature scent.

Best Fabric Care Fragrance

The Laundress Signature Detergent Isle

This jasmine scented all–purpose detergent is formulated with bio–based ingredients.

Best Candle

Voluspa Goji Tarocco Orange

Tangy citrus may be the primary note of this natural wicked candle, but Goji berry and mango are close seconds.

Best Essential Oil

Aroma Tech Love Story Essential Oil

Dry vanilla and orchid come together to create an exotic atmosphere.

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Best Scented Body Spray

Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair and Body Mist

This mix of sandalwood, pink pepper, and jasmine works wonderfully as an all–over spray.

Best Scented Deodorant

Evolvetogether Deodorant Havana

The plant–powered formula goes on clear and smells of softly scented violet.

Best Scented Body Oil

Tocca Olio Sublime Florence Dry Body Oil

Hydrate your skin with argan, jojoba, and vitamin E, while citrus and gardenia leave a delicately sweet scent.

Best Hair Fragrance

Crown Affair The Signature Scent

A spritz of this non-drying hair formula–a blend of bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass–provides an instant pick–me–up.

Photographs: Evan D'Arpino

This story appears in the 2024 Changemakers Issue of Marie Claire.

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The September 2024 Changemakers Issue