As a self-confessed Chanel addict, I barely acknowledge any brand of fragrance other than the iconic French fashion house when it comes to seductive scents. But from secret recipes to retro throwbacks, the sexiest perfume come from far and wide, making the perfect fragrances for Valentine’s Day and all year round.
Avoid girly perfumes which tend to contain floral ingredients, or light and zesty citrus notes. Instead, the sexiest perfume are often described as oriental, and feature more alluring notes of vanilla, tonka beans, amber, or patchouli.
Apply your signature scent to the wrists or inside of elbows (not both) and the back of your neck or behind your ear lobes (again, pick one!) and behind your knees. Don’t be tempted to overdo it – less is definitely more when it comes to the sexiest perfumes!
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Intense
A modern-day classic from the Chanel stable, this woody oriental features amber and vanilla, both famed for their alluring properties. With a recently increased dose of patchouli added to the fragrance, Coco’s little sister has finally grown up.
Kiehl’s Musk
An up to date version of Kiehl’s signature scent, inspired by the discovery of their hidden Love Oil recipe in the 1960s, this unisex fragrance is still a hit with perfume lovers everywhere. Expect a tonka bean, patchouli and musk base, with top notes of orange blossom and bergamot, and florals squeezed in between.
Chanel No.5
Commissioned by Gabrielle Chanel herself in 1921, this iconic perfume was reportedly all that Marilyn Monroe wore to bed at night and has remained a timeless top shelf scent to this day.
Prada Amber
The clue’s in the name with this 2004 oriental fragrance from the famous Milanese designer. As well as amber, expect Italian bergamot oil, Sicilian mandarin, and a sultry mix of patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla and sandalwood. For added glamour, get your hands on the deluxe edition with atomiser bulb, perfect for any boudoir dressing table.
Obsession by Calvin Klein
One of the sexiest perfume of the 1980s but an often overlooked classic, Calvin Klein’s Obsession brand was revamped in the early 90s with Kate Moss as she shot to supermodel fame. Topless and fresh faced, the iconic black and white photographs which were shot by her then boyfriend Mario Sorrenti marked a new era in sex appeal. This is a pleasantly long-lasting oriental fragrance with mandarin and spices over base notes of musk, vanilla, amber and incense. It’s underrated, reasonably cheap nowadays, and still a really sexy fragrance.
Coco by Chanel
The very essence of a seductive scent, Coco ticks all the boxes. The undisputed queen of all spicy Orientals, it’s an unmistakable blend of rich ingredients including rose, mimosa, orange blossom and cloves on top of those all-important base notes of vanilla, amber, and tonka beans, together with exotic myrrh, sandalwood and civet. If you can afford to, always opt for the Parfum in its iconic beveled bottle rather than EDP or EDT for a more intense, longer lasting fragrance. Whichever option you choose, Coco is a perfume which has enduring appeal from teenage years right through to old age, making it an ideal signature scent for anyone. And I should know, I’ve had a bottle every year since my 16th birthday, and if that’s not testimony to the sexiest perfume of all time then I don’t know what is.
Check out next ‘designer perfume dupes’ that smell as good as the designer.
Bella’s not like other mums – she’s a cool mum. If by ‘cool’ you mean addicted to carbs and dirty stories, with a special talent for doing the school run with yesterday’s knickers hanging out of the leg of her leopard print leggings. Writing about everything from taping your tits up with pot noodle lids, gag reflexes and how many people have stuck fingers up her bum (purely for professional reasons) she also has a cultured side: get on her for history, entertainment and social issues.
