When it comes to fragrance, it’s hard to strike the right balance between smelling expensive and spending too much money. There are lots of perfumes out there for over $200 that smell amazing, but the sticker shock can be unsettling. When I want to smell rich without actually breaking the bank, I reach for Versace fragrances.
Even though the Italian brand is super luxe, Versace fragrances actually have a lower price point than most designer fragrances. Each of them is blended together with hypnotic scent notes, many of which transport you to the Italian coast. You’ll find that a lot of these fragrances contain notes like lemon, bergamot, and neroli—bright citrus notes are this brand’s bread and butter. Below, I’ve rounded up my favorite Versace fragrances that are guaranteed to smell good on everyone.
Key notes: yuzu, iced accord, pomegranate, peony, magnolia, lotus flower, acajou, amber, musk. I’m biased because this is the scent my mom wears, and she smells really, really good. I’ve been stealing sprays from the bottle on her vanity for years. This fragrance is floral without being powdery and smells fresh with a slight hint of musk at the base.
Key notes: bergamot, grapefruit, orange, freesia, lily of the valley, lotus flower, pineapple, watermelon, grenadine, sandalwood, white musk
Key notes: citron, pear sorbet, neroli, bergamot, nymphaea, freesia, orange blossom, mimosa, amber, palo santo, musk. If you wish you could smell like bottled sunlight, this is the fragrance for you. Citrus, florals, and woodsy notes make this sparkly fragrance special.
Key notes: yuzu, iced accord, pomegranate, peony, magnolia, lotus flower, raspberry, acajou, amber, musk. This is basically an amped-up version of Bright Crystal. If you love bright florals but want to smell a bit more intense, this one is for you thanks to additional notes of raspberry that make the scent slightly fruitier and deeper.
Key notes: lily of the valley, centifolia rose, soft musk
Key notes: blackcurrant, granny smith apple, forget-me-not, rose, peach, jasmine, wood, musk, patchouli. This fragrance is light and airy, and the perfect perfume to make your everyday scent. It’s ultra versatile, so you can truly wear it for any occasion. Notes like blackcurrant and granny smith apple keep this fragrance interesting—it’s basically the perfect blend to become your new signature scent.
Key notes: apple, magnolia, sandalwood
Key notes: black current, black fig, violet, ruberose, frangipani, jasmine, sandalwood, cashmeran, vanilla, heliotropine. If your fragrance MO is deep and luxurious, you’ll want to add this to your collection. It smells exhilarating and seductive thanks to luxe notes like black fig and cashmeran.
Key notes: cardamom, black orchid, kyrara incense
Key notes: mint, lemon Italy Orpur, green apple, tonka bean, ambroxan, geranium, vanilla, vetiver, oakmoss accord, cedar. In Greek mythology, Eros is the god who makes people fall in love. This cologne is the perfect interpretation of the mischievous god—it’s fresh, woodsy, and intoxicating. This is technically a men’s scent, but I don’t think this fragrance should be subject to gender rules—it smells good on everyone.
Key notes: mandarin, lemon primofiore, pink pepper, blackcurrant, jasmine, freesia, guava, clearwood, vibrant woods, musk. Take a trip to the Italian coast with this bright, floral fragrance. Lemon, blackcurrant, guava, and woodsy notes make you feel like you’re on island time.
Key notes: jasmine, patchouli
Key notes: bergamot, neroli, citron, bitter orange leaves, geranium, clary sage, blue hyacinth, cedar, oud, amber, tonka beans, musk. This is another gender-fluid scent. It’s clean and fresh thanks to a burst of citrus at the top. It reminds me of fresh laundry on a clothesline by the coast.
Key notes: bigarade, bergamot, musk, rose absolute, ambrette, skin musks
Key notes: lemon, mandarin, raspberry sorbet, white currant, freesia, magnolia, jasmine, orange blossom, ambrox, woods, white patchouli, musk. When I want to smell like summer, I always reach for a lemon-scented perfume. Lemon scents feel airy and light, which makes me feel more at ease. This one is special—it’s lemony on the nose, with floral and woodsy notes to ground it out.
Key notes: citron, lemon, bluebell, green apple, jasmine, rose, bamboo, cedar wood, amber, musk
Key notes: chinotto, black pepper, rosemary, pepperwood, patchouli, vetiver. I’m guessing you can sense a theme—I truly don’t think fragrances should be limited to men or women. This scent is strong and spicy, so save it for an occasion when you really want to stand out.
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