The 16 best winter perfumes for every taste, from £30

The one to wear with your cosiest coat:


Penhaligon’s The Cut EDP, £175 for 100ml

Inspired by the wools, tweeds and heavier clothes we reach for in colder weather, this new addition from the classic fragrance house is absolutely stunning. It has the warmth and heft you’d expect but paired with fresh, crisp mint and basil, conjuring up a brisk morning walk through frosty gardens.

The one to boost confidence:

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Intense EDP, £105 for 50ml


The latest offering from the For Her franchise, this has elements of the original – there’s a gentle musky softness – but here it has been teamed with creamy vanilla and sparkling peach to give it a deeper hit. Definitely one for nights out or days whne you want to feel super confident.

The one that's not really a perfume:

DS & Durga I Don’t Know What Fragrance Enhancer EDP, £124

This cool New York fragrance brand create scents that are completely different to everything else. This is no exception – it’s a fragrance enhancer designed to be layered with your preferred perfume, amplifying its notes. It can also be worn on its own and has a unique, slightly metallic smell, so is not for everyone, but when paired with another perfume, something magical really does happen. Give it a go.

The one for a girls' night out:


Jimmy Choo I Want Choo With Love EDP, £60.80 for 60ml

This is a light, fun, sparkly perfume that’s filled with joy. It’s raspberries and red berries, with creamy Madagascan vanilla running underneath. It smells quite ‘pink’ but not in a childish way – there’s a real hint of sophistication here. Perfect for your girliest girl, whatever their age.

The intense one:

Jo Malone London Amber Labdanum Cologne Intense, £164 for 100ml

If you love musky, slightly smoky scents, then you’ll fall head over heels for this. Labdanum is a resin from a shrub found in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East, and adds a warmth and heat, while roasted oak leaves give it a very sexy, slightly burnt scent. Some may find it too heavy, but to me it is perfection.

The one that's a bit naughty:

Miller Harris Legato EDP, £144 for 100ml

Vanilla-centred scents can often feel young often because vanilla evokes memories of childhood. However here it has been given a grown-up edge and paired with the ingredient of the moment, cherry. This gives it a more substantial feel, also helped with the addition of rum notes. It’s inspired by the idea of a couple stealing moments of lust when they’re out walking around London at night and feels suitably sultry.

The cherry bomb:

Phlur Cherry Stem EDP, £99 for 50ml

More cherry! This time Phlur has combined it with notes of orange brandy, plum nectar, caramel and sugared jasmine to create a wearable cherry cocktail. It’s a little bit too sweet for me, but I can see its appeal, especially for a glam, night out on the town.

For dressing table glamour:

Versace Crystal Emerald EDP, £65.25 for 50ml

With a bottle that is everything you would hope for from a decadent brand like Versace, the scent is actually more subtle and nuanced than you might assume. It’s slightly fruity thanks to notes of peach, raspberry and citrus notes, but softened with jasmine and rose. A scent that’s full of surprises, in a good way.

The party pick:

Akro Glow Extrait de Parfum, £95 for 30ml

You know that feeling when you’re at a party and feel confident, happy and like you’re glowing? It’s that feeling that master perfumer Olivier Cresp (the nose behind fragrances such as Mugler Angel) and his daughter Anais have encapsulated in this golden bottle. Every Akro perfume is sensational, but this is next level. There is incense, but it’s not overwhelming, pink pepper to give it some zing and creamy vanilla. 

The updated classic:

Glossier You Doux EDP, £56 for 50ml

Fans of the original Glossier You will love this slightly muskier and warmer version (this is one of two new takes on the original scent). It has all the same skin-like notes of the original that blend into the wearer’s skin almost imperceptibly but there’s added frankincense and myrrh (no gold, unfortunately!), which give the scent a more sophisticated edge. 

The cool girl one:

Merit Retrospect EDP, £63.20

Every aspect of this fragrance from cool West Coast makeup brand Merit has been considered. From the ergonomic pebble-like bottle, which sits comfortably in the palm and has an indent to make the lid easy to remove, to the precision layering of notes, which means it lasts all day. The juice is fruity (there’s pear and bergamot in the mix) and sweet but not sickly, and it also smells fresh and clean.

The all-rounder:

Elie Saab Elixir Love EDP, £56 for 50ml

If a cherry-based fragrance is on your hit-list for this winter – it’s one of the hottest scent notes of the moment – then this is a great option. Here it’s paired with the light floral notes of jasmine and rose to lift it up. A lovely scent that works for day and night, and transcends all ages.

The smoky rose one:

Who is Elijah Rebel Rose EDP, £48 for 30ml

Relatively new to the UK is this stylish Australian perfume brand. There are currently 14 scents to choose from but this slightly smoky, woody rose one is really unique and unlike anything else you have smelt before.

The one that'll spice up your life:

Jo Loves Black Cashmeran & Tonka Fragrance, £105 for 100ml

Slightly spicy, a little bit woody and very sexy is how to sum up this creation from Jo Malone CBE. It combines aromatic ginger and cardamon, creamy tonka and black cashmeran, a sultry, musky note. It is unisex and unapologetically bold so wear it with confidence.

Floral but make it quirky:

Arkive Future Bloom EDP, £30

If you’ve ever smelt Arkive hair products then it’ll make complete sense to you that brand founder and hairdresser supremo Adam Reed has now released four fragrances. I suggest you reach for this floral number this winter. Alongside the jasmine and lily of the valley, there’s a gorgeous earthiness, thanks to the inclusion of rhubarb, that prevents it from smelling too twee. And it’s been designed to be sprayed on the hair as well as the skin.

The sexy one:

All Saints Shoreditch Leather EDP, £69 for 100ml

If you prefer your winter scent to pack more of a punch than your summer one, then this could be what you’re after. Heady notes of leather are teamed with amber, patchouli and vetiver, which means it’s quite heavy and obvious but all the more gorgeous for it. Unisex, it captures the vibe of All Saints fashion: cool, edgy and stylish.