9 of the most complimented fragrances for women and men to inspire your next perfume

Whether it's hugging a close friend or a complete stranger wafting past you in the street, when somebody smells good you always notice. Using the most complimented fragrances as a starting point for your next purchase is, therefore, a pretty failsafe strategy.

Of course, conducting a wide-scale scientific experiment to find the most complimented fragrance of all time, officially, would be extremely difficult (see also: very subjective, kind of impractical). But Team My Imperfect Life has worn hundreds of fragrances between them over the years, from the best perfumes for women to the best long-lasting perfumes—so we know which scents are true crowd pleasers. 

Whether you’re after something fresh and floral or a strong and spicy number, our experts have compiled a winning selection of scents that'll have people saying "Ooooh, you smell good". 

The most complimented fragrances, according to our experts

Four of the most complimented fragrances for women

What does Marc Jacobs Daisy smell like?

Many women have always loved the best floral perfumes that also feature notes of vanilla and musk. Daisy promises to take this up a gear by also adding a light woody note along with violet leaf, strawberry, grapefruit, gardenia, and a little jasmine. It’s no wonder it’s so many young people's first signature perfume, and to that end it's super nostalgic for more than one of us at My Imperfect Life. It's perhaps not a scent that's to all tastes, particularly those who are looking for something more sophisticated or with a bit more depth. But it's delightfully playful and both fresh and feminine, sure to get people's attention when you breeze past them in the street. As a bonus, the bottle also looks awesome on a dresser or vanity. 

What does Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir smell like?

A great fragrance that particularly suits the fall-winter season, but that is loved all-year-round, Jo Malone London's Pomegranate Noir cologne is instantly recognizable for its rich, fruity, sweet, and slightly spicy notes. It works for just about any occasion, with its warming notes also featuring in one of the best scented candles on the market. If you don't take our word that it's a super flattering scent that's loved by a great many people, know that it's also the brand's best-selling cologne—and there are a lot of excellent options when it comes to the best Jo Malone perfumes! Recommendations don't get much more stellar than that. 

What does Miu Miu L'Eau Rosée smell like?

This very popular women's fragrance has a base of sandalwood and vanilla, which is then combined with white musk, and has a "classic" feminine feel—ideal if you seek one of the best office perfumes to wear on a daily basis. As though that isn't appealing enough, there are also notes of blackcurrant, citrus, peach, pear, lily of the valley, rose, and peony, all of which combine for a scent that is fresh and sweet. In short, it’s an unforgettable combination that'll get people's attention as you work a room or breeze past them in a restaurant.

What does Chanel Coco Mademoiselle smell like?

Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle has long been a favorite for women (over two decades, to be more precise), but it’s also one that can draw attention from everyone nearby because it’s so elegant and iconic. It’s complex and slightly sweet with Tonka bean, white musk, patchouli, vanilla, and floral notes of ylang-ylang, orange, rose, jasmine, and mimosa. When you are going out with friends or on a first date, this perfume will ensure that you are remembered by all who have the pleasure of being near you.

What does Glossier You smell like?

The first thing to know about Glossier You is that it smells different person to person—that's what makes it smell like "You". It smells musky and creamy with a little floral hit from the iris, and makes a great everyday wearer. It also works well when layered with other fragrances, should you want to dial it up a little for a special occasion. But as it's a fragrance whose tagline is, quite literally, "You smell good", you know you can rely on it for regular compliments. 

Four of the most complimented perfumes for men

What does Creed Aventus smell like?

Creed Aventus is an appealing cologne that opens with a little pineapple, bergamot, blackcurrant, and apple. From there, it takes your senses on a journey through a forest of scents that include birch, rose, oakmoss, vanilla, ambergris, patchouli, and Moroccan jasmine. A fragrance house with a historic reputation, Aventus originally launched in honor of Creed's 250th birthday and is described by the brand as  "the deal scent for a sophisticated modern man who savors a life well lived". It absolutely hits that brief and tantalizes the senses, so the scent combination will definitely get you positive attention. The downside is its considerable price tag, but if you have the means its a worthy investment. 

What does Chanel Bleu de Chanel smell like?

Some colognes were designed to survive the test of time—classics, if you will. It may only just be approaching its teenage years, but since its launch, Bleu De Chanel has cemented itself as a favorite for people everywhere. In a word, it smells... sexy on the skin and really is a fragrance that draws people in. Its refreshing initial hit has the top perfume notes of spicy mint with grapefruit, pink pepper, and lemon, wearing down to ginger, jasmine, nutmeg, incense, cedar, sandalwood, white musk, and more. Truly one of the most complimented masculine fragrances you can buy. 

What does Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme smell like?

You'd be forgiven for thinking that the best vanilla perfumes would all be feminine concoctions, but this is an excellent note found in many spicy masculine scents, too. If you like the rich and complex appeal of spicy fragrances, then Spicebomb Extreme could be the ideal cologne for you (it's literally in the name, after all). It has an appealing introduction of grape, black pepper, and pimento that is supported by cinnamon, cumin, saffron, tobacco, amber, and black vanilla. All this makes for a very masculine spicy scent that will make you a magnet for any potential suitors in your life.

4. Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau De Toilette

What does Terre d'Hermès smell like?

Citrus is the primary fragrance family that we first pick up on when smelling luxury buy Terre d'Hermès. It smells clean and refreshing, with orange and grapefruit, but avoids being reminiscent of that "hand wash" smell by tossing in a little pepper, pelargonium, vetiver, cedar, patchouli, and benzoin to round off this classic fragrance. It's ideal for work or play, date nights, or simply hanging out at home and smelling great.

Trust team My Imperfect Life that by wearing one of these most complimented fragrances for men and women, you’ll get all the attention you want. Happy spritzing!