In this article, I embark on a fragrant journey to explore the top ten best-selling perfumes in the world. These scents have achieved iconic status, their fragrant compositions transcending borders and cultures to become beloved staples in the fragrance industry. From classic and timeless creations that have stood the test of time, to modern and innovative concoctions that have captured the hearts of a new generation, I present a comprehensive list that showcases the pinnacle of perfumery today.
Table of Contents
10. Giorgio Armani Si
Whenever I wear Giorgio Armani Si I always get compliments. This feminine patchouli fragrance is great for lasting and can be worn any time of the year, day or night. I’m not suprised to see this in the top 10 best selling perfumes, though I had expected it to perhaps be in the top 5! In 2021, a new Giorgio Armani Si Intense was launched. Si Intense quickly became my one of my favourite fragrances. It has the patchouli of the original but with an added cassis note (blackcurrant) which is right up my alley! I personally think this is verger than the original Si Eau de Parfum and definitely recommend checking it out.
9. Dior J’adore
8. Tom Ford Black Orchid
Tom Ford took the perfume market by storm with the launch of Black Orchid. There was a period of time when everyone seemed to be wearing it, and those that weren’t wanted it. In a way it became what YSL’s Opium was to the 80s. Black Orchid is a deep, spicy and sexy fragrance, as the black bottle and banding would suggest. The unusual perfume note of truffle mixes well with a chocolate note to make a slightly sweet but very rich base. Not one for the faint-hearted, lovers of spicy perfumes should try this fragrance.
7. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
If you aren’t familiar with the scent of Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb, you probably will have smelt it on someone without realising. Loved by millennials, and in classic millennial pink, this is the ultimate patchouli fragrance of the 2010s. This is one of the best designer fragrances for lasting power – along with the patchouli there is a good dose of jasmine, rose and a pretty orchid note which make the fragrance super feminine, but also a bit of a power fragrance. Often you can find Flowerbomb discounted as it’s been out for a while, so it can be a great value for money purchase if you’re looking for something which lasts all day.
6. Carolina Herrera Good Girl
One of the newer releases to make it on the top 10 Best Seller’s list, Good Girl’s iconic bottle has made it an instantly recognisable feature of any perfume counter. The original Good Girl Eau de Parfum is a sexy night time fragrance, ideal for date nights or going ‘out-out’. A sweet vanilla, almond and tonic bean help the base of the fragrance last, and the tuberose and jasmine in the heart make this an undeniably feminine perfume.
Check out my article explaining the difference between the different perfumes in the Good Girl range.
5. Miss Dior
One of my personal favourite fragrance ranges, the Miss Dior perfumes come in five different floral scents. The original Miss Dior has been reformulated and completely changed a number of times so it can be hard to keep up with today’s versions. I have an article explaining the difference between them all so check that out for more information.
The now discontinued Miss Dior Cherie was the inspiration for my first perfume Empress.
4. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium
With a similar feel to Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl, YSL’s Black Opium is another popular millennial fragrance that I often smell in bars and clubs on Friday nights. The scent combines coffee, vanilla and white floral notes to create a sexy, and long lasting perfume which can be relied upon for compliments!
3. Lancome La Vie Est Belle
One of the best perfumes on the market at the moment, La Vie Est Belle is the top seller in many countries. With a diverse range (explained in this article), there is something for everyone. The vanilla in the original, the orange blossom in La Vie Est Belle L’eclat or the coconut in the new La Vie Est Belle Soleil Cristal, demonstrates Lancôme’s flexibility and ability to develop perfumes which have wide appeal.
2. Chanel No. 5
I wasn’t surprised to see Chanel at the top of the best selling perfumes list, but I was surprised that Chanel No 5 was in the number two spot. I think it’s probably the most well known fragrance in the world, but at the same time, I don’t know anyone who wears it. I’ve reviewed the range here and even though the new Chanel No 5 L’eau is a bit more modern than the original, I personally find the fragrance notes in all of the range quite old fashioned. Aldehyde being the main note is not something we see in modern perfumes and as a result I wouldn’t recommend Chanel No 5 as a blind buy.
1. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle has been a huge hit for Chanel. One of the best selling perfumes in pretty much every country on the planet, it’s the perfect formula for a hit fragrance. I used to wear this as a teenager and my mum always wears this now. I do smell this on people everywhere – though it isn’t a very strong fragrance, it does linger around for a good few hours.
It’s a classic chore perfume – meaning it has a citrus top note which is a warm orange, a rose floral heart, and then a patchouli base. It’s feminine, classy and sophisticated and definitely a safe blind buy.
