Not to toot my own horn but over the years, I’ve developed a sort of knack when it comes to perfume-induced compliment quotients. It’s part of my job to test practically every new fragrance that lands on the market, and anyone close to me in life can attest that my office desk (RIP), bathroom vanity, and dresser are so completely congested with bottles and nozzles that you can’t even spot land. (Literally, you would need a compass and treasure map to find an open space.)
Of course, I have personal favorites and signatures I’m especially partial to, but most days, I’m experimenting with a completely new scent. And trust me. When you’re getting around that much in the scent circuit, you start to notice patterns and coincidences when you wear certain brands or scent families. For instance, when I wore a different perfume every single day for a month, the vanilla-spiked fragrances earned me the most admirable comments and exclamations like, “Oh my God, what are you wearing?!” I’ve also noticed that every single time I wear perfume from legendary Italian brand Gucci, I get compliments as well. (Compliments, of course, aren’t everything. If I love a perfume, I’ll wear it regardless of what anyone else thinks, but there is something special about smelling just damn enchanting, am I right?)
Since I’ve been getting lots of questions about my favorite Gucci perfumes lately, I put together a star-studded list featuring 10 of the brand’s standout perfumes. After rating my own favorites and taking into account the reviews and ratings at top retailers, I feel pretty confident saying these are the all-time best Gucci perfumes ever made. Keep scrolling and pick your poison.
Key notes: iris, sandalwood, angelica seed, musk. Although Gucci’s apothecary-modeled line of fragrances (aptly called The Alchemist’s Garden) isn’t as well known as more commercially familiar scents (think Gucci Guilty, Gucci Bloom, etc.), each bottle is absolutely precious in its inspiration and memorability. A feast for thirsty senses, Tears of Iris is stunning, capitalizing on its namesake delicate flower, which, the brand explains, is one of the most ancient ingredients in perfume history.
Key notes: frangipani flower, ylang-ylang, tiare flower, vanilla. Meet the latest haute installment within The Alchemist’s Garden family, A Chant for the Nymph. Delicate yet intricate, the earthy push and pull between flowers and vanilla creates a mystical finish modeled for, unsurprisingly, the story of a mythical nymph who appears in a long-forgotten summer night dream (Gucci’s words not mine). Essentially, this perfume is a fairytale, bottled.
Key notes: Bulgarian rose, sweet musk, woods. Spoiler: This isn’t your average rose perfume. It’s the most bewitching version of the classic floral you can imagine. The purest form of Bulgarian rose is juxtaposed with smooth, slightly sweet lingerings from musk and woods. Its earthiness is brilliant and sure to take any rose perfume lover’s breath away.
Key notes: Italian bergamot, mandarin essence, Casablanca lily, sandalwood, amber accord. Classic, elegant, and sophisticated, Bamboo is a timeless Gucci signature. We (and the masses) love how fresh and floral notes of bergamot and lily play against warm and cozy additions such as amber and sandalwood.
Key notes: bergamot, grapefruit, raspberry, patchouli accord, narcissus flower, violet, jasmine sambac, musks, amber. With its vintage inspiration and evolving scent (the notes truly unfold one by one with delicious complexity), it’s no surprise this is one of the best Gucci perfumes of all time. First, you’ll be hit with ripe green notes from fresh-picked bergamot, grapefruit, and a watery accord. Then, the perfume’s hero note, narcissus, is strategically enhanced with juicy tones of raspberry. To finish, you get classic hints of violet and jasmine sambac followed by musks, patchouli, and a mineral amber anchor.
Key notes: jasmine bud, Rangoon creeper, damask rose, tuberose, orris. Sorry, but I don’t know any other way to describe this best-selling Gucci perfume other than rich, velvety, decadent, and positively drippy with rare, beautiful florals. You will definitely recognize the OG Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum at its heart, but think of this bottle as a slightly deeper, X-rated version.
Key notes: Rangoon creeper, jasmine bud, tuberose. If you’re looking for something with a similar incantation as the above but want to take the richness down a notch, there’s no better option than this beloved fan favorite. Gucci Bloom is iconic, and it’s become one of my personal all-time favorite floral confections. It’s classic and perfect for any day or occasion.
Key notes: Roman chamomile, coral jasmine, vanilla, musk, sandalwood, cedarwood. Earthy, woody, and slightly herbaceous, it’s no wonder this delicious perfume has earned its name as one of Gucci’s all-time best scents (even though it’s still, relatively, one of the newest kids on the Gucci block). Between Roman chamomile, coral jasmine, vanilla, musk, sandalwood, and cedarwood, we’d venture to say it’s also one of the brand’s most unique debuts. Oh, and if you weren’t already sold, Harry Styles is the face of this universally loved perfume.
Key notes: geranium, pink pepper, lilac, peach, amber, patchouli. Gucci Guilty is one of those iconic scents people will adore and love (probably) forever. Sleek, shiny, and fantastically magnetic, it’s unlike anything you’ve smelled before—we promise. Unlike most perfumes in the market, Gucci Guilty revolves around the signature fougère accord of geranium, which is usually found in men’s cologne. So the unlikely additions of lilac and amber create a light, practically fizzy finish that’s inarguably floral but slightly electrified.
Key notes: red berries, pear, white gardenia. Gardenia is a notoriously “love it or hate it” scent when it comes to fragrance, so the fact that the controversial flower is at the heart of this best-of-the-best hit speaks volumes. Enigmatic and perfectly balanced between fruity and floral, this is a can’t-miss fragrance option for you or anyone you’re gifting it to. Each and every spritz feels like a psychological reset and/or a lush, dreamy escape to some faraway field in Italy.
Up next, I Wore a Different Perfume Every Day for a Month—These 10 Earned Me Compliments
