Best Perfumes With Jasmine Notes
Perfume is one of humanity's most beloved accessories. Its first use dates back to Mesopotamia over 3,200 years ago, and perfume has only maintained or increased its popularity over time. As Coco Chanel once said, "No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable accessory of fashion that heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure."
The first known chemist and perfumer, Tapputi, used flowers and oil to create her initial scents. Perfumers continue to use floral attars, or concentrated oils, as the base for many perfumes. The fragrant white flower of the common jasmine plant is one of the most popular flowers used in modern perfumery. The jasmine note is irresistible for perfume fans because of its sweet, pleasant smell. Jasmine blossoms release their signature fragrance after sunset and grow with intensity through the night, peaking just before dawn. The jasmine scent also creates relaxation, and it has a special relationship with the moon, growing stronger as the moon waxes toward full.
This mystical relationship between moonlight and the intoxicatingly sweet-scented flower makes for the perfect mix of for romance and femininity. While you can find any number of perfumes fragranced with jasmine, the following fragrances are our favorites — they're perfect for insipring you to feel sensual on date nights, powerful in board rooms, or relaxed and balanced for everyday wear.
No. 5 by Chanel
No. 5 by Chanel has captivated fragrance fans since 1921. It is said that Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel turned down the first four scents before the fifth attempt won her favor and thus became known as No. 5.
Chanel describes this fragrance as the "world's first abstract perfume." No. 5 leads with bright citrus top notes that hit the nose first. The jasmine note of the perfume shares the primary composition with May roses. Making up the fragrance's unique scent is also a generous use of proprietary aldehydes, or organic compounds that give scents their pleasantness and can contribute to soapy, green, metallic, or citrusy smells to perfumes.
Chanel No. 5 is a powerful scent that is traditionally a woman's fragrance but has a universal appeal and can be worn by anyone, which contributes even more to its popularity. According to 2022 Google search results and social media data analyzed by HeyDiscount, No. 5 ranked No.3 in the list of most popular perfumes. Not bad for a perfume that is over 100 years old!
Alien by Mugler
When you need to harness the power and confidence to shine, Alien by Mugler is the winner. Alien is one of the boldest jasmine scents and combines the flower with notes of wood and amber. The perfume is described as woody and solar, and Mugler urges wearers to greatness with "a universal call to be extraordinary."
Danielle Fleming, founder of Note Fragrances, told Elle that she recommends bolder, extroverted personalities wear Alien by Mugler to give a boost to their personality and mood. "When you put on a fragrance that you connect to positively, it can instantly make you feel confident," she explained. And why not get that boost every day? As one reviewer noted, "It's a perfect everyday scent ... and it's a very sexy scent that is also great for wearing on dates." Other reviewers revealed that they are recipients of compliments whenever they wear Alien.
Soleil Vibrant Lalique by Lalique
Modern beauty product aficionados have a conscience when it comes to choosing brands that offer sustainably sourced ingredients. Some perfume ingredients, like essential oils, have a controversial sourcing history. In the early 2000s, illegal trading and exploitation of the sandalwood tree eventually led to the conservation of sandalwood and relocation of sourcing from India to Australia.
Beauty companies are taking note and adjusting to the desires of the consumer and the needs of the planet. If you prefer to purchase a jasmine perfume with ethically sourced ingredients, consider trying Soleil Vibrant Lalique by Lalique, a spicy citrus fragrance with a warm base. The creators used upcycled jasmine sambac and saffron to give a fresh warmth to the heart note of the fragrance.
For the aesthetic bottle-loving girlies, Soleil Vibrant Lalique is also a top choice. The sunburst-inspired container begs to be the diva on display in your sunniest bathroom spot. Bonus: the charm that comes with the bottle can actually be worn as a bracelet or anklet!
Jasmine Sambac & Marigold by Jo Malone
Perfume lovers looking for a unisex fragrance will love Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Intense by Jo Malone. The price is on the lower end of the splurge category at $160 for 50 mL, and wearers of this fragrance agree that the scent has lasting power and grows in intensity over the course of the day. This particular fragrance is a heavier, more masculine scent than you'd typically find in a women's perfume, thanks to the combination of floral and warm notes.
The top note is marigold, which delivers a fresh, green scent at the start. The middle note, or the heart note, is the warm, soft fragrance of jasmine sambac, which gives the perfume its name. Jasmine sambac is a variety of jasmine found on the Asian continent and is a revered scent in Indian and Chinese culture. The scent and flavor of sambac are so strong that it is used to flavor Chinese jasmine tea, according to The Sill.
Jo Malone describes the heart note of jasmine as "heady and sophisticated" — and we'd have to agree. Finally, the base note of the perfume is benzoin resin, which, when combined with the other notes, creates a rich scent that has a subtle warmth that can be appreciated day or night. As one reviewer suggested, the perfume performs best in warm weather as the scent intensifies and lingers on summer days.
A la Nuit by Serge Lutens
True jasmine lovers have searched high and low for the perfume that delivers the most prominent jasmine note. Described by the brand as a "fresh, sensual and oriental perfume," A la Nuit by Serge Lutens has become a fan favorite thanks to its singular jasmine scent. A la Nuit was created in 2000 by perfumer Christopher Sheldrake, who said the scent was inspired by Egyptian, Indian, and Moroccan jasmine.
Priced at $305 for 75 mL, the perfume is part of a collection that is only sold in select, prestigious stores, according to Lutens. "The fragrance climbs high into the night until it reaches the very top and explodes in a constellation of fireworks," the brand says. "It feels positively electric on the skin."
The perfumery site Fragrantica categorizes the scent as a predominantly white floral scent with additional subtle notes of honey, sweetness, and green. Where other perfumes have presented the jasmine note in the middle of the composition, A la Nuit starts with jasmine as the top note and uses the sweetness of benzoin to anchor the jasmine scent to the base of the perfume. Wearers of the perfume rank it as a spring or summer scent that can be worn day or night.
Jasmin au Soleil by Versace
Perfumers often feature jasmine and other florals in the middle note, or heart note, of the perfume. The middle note tends to be the fresh, dominant note of the fragrance. But Jasmin au Soleil by Versace has a pleasant twist in the notes of composition.
The creator of the scent, perfumer Nathalie Lorson, uses jasmine morning absolute and jasmine tea as distinct top notes, which causes the fragrance to be perceived primarily as jasmine. The base notes of beeswax and Alaskan cedarwood bring a masculine earthiness to the back end of the perfume that has many fans designating it as a unisex fragrance.
The price of Jasmin au Soleil is a splurge at $330 for 100 mL, but it's part of the decadent Atelier Versace fragrance line. And as one reviewer wrote, "It smells very expensive and very measured, whoever wears this scent and steps into the room will take all the breath away in a good way!"
Jasmin Rouge by Tom Ford
Perfume lovers who prefer a touch of spice will adore the cinnamon and peppercorn compliments in Jasmin Rouge by Tom Ford. This bold scent is a mood of its own, serving as a statement piece in any ensemble and reserved for wearers who don't mind standing out in a crowd. When launching the perfume back in 2011, Ford described the scent as voluptuous and "as audacious as red, lacquered lips."
Senior perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux, who has created over 150 fragrances, designed Jasmin Rouge. Jasmine rests at the heart of this fragrance with additional key notes of amber, clary, and sage. Scents of bergamot, mandarin, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and black and white pepper are also present, according to Fragrantica, which give the fragrance its signature floral spice on the front end, while Mexican vanilla, wood, and amber bring the base down to earth.
It is costly to make a statement with this scent at $400 for 100 mL, but lovers of Jasmin Rouge say a little spritz goes a long way. One Sephora reviewer described the perfume as a walk through a field full of jasmine flowers, adding, "This scent lasts about 10-12 hours on me, no joke. Expensive, but you're paying for longevity and quality."
Flowerhead by Byredo
Flowerhead by Byredo is a delicate floral scent that evokes images of jaimala garlands often used in Indian weddings, where its inspiration lies. Flowerheads are strung together, exchanged, and worn by the couple.
Byredo wanted to capture that explosion of floral fragrances in a bottle. Byredo founder Ben Gorho said upon the fragrance launch, "The idea of marrying someone you don't know was very interesting. There's anxiety and excitement, and I described this person as a 'flowerhead,' because the bride is completely covered in floral hair arrangements."
Tuberose and rose are blended with wild jasmine sambac at the heart of the perfume. It's no surprise that this scent is categorized as a spring and summer favorite, thanks to the strong floral overtones. According to The Scented Hound, the jasmine note takes about 10 minutes to appear and is accompanied by a peppery note. Byredo considers this a genderless fragrance, and reviewers agree. As one Nordstrom reviewer wrote, "I give it as a gift to all the men and women in my life, and they go crazy."
Jasmin Kusamono by Giorgio Armani
Perfume lovers who are following the current trend of transparent fragrances will appreciate Jasmin Kusamono by Giorgio Armani. The soft Arabian jasmine is paired with the clean green smells associated with the delicate art of kusamono – the slow, methodical curation of grasses and wildflowers in beautiful pots, somewhat similar to bonsai. Jasmin Kusamono smells predominantly fresh and floral, and its fans love this fragrance for its transparent, watery vibes.
The top notes of Nashi pear and pink pepper along with the middle notes of Lily of the Valley, jasmine sambac, and orange blossom keep the fragrance smelling fresh even as the scent settles on the skin. The fragrance creator, Dominique Ropion, used cedar and sandalwood as the base notes, which leaves a woody, musky trail that lingers underneath the sharply clean floral and fruit notes.
Fragrance reviewer Mark Behnke raved, "I have been looking for perfumes which are part of the popular transparency trend that I can embrace. Jasmin Kusamono is one which I can happily hug to me."
Jasmin des Anges by Christian Dior
If you're looking for a work-friendly scent, Jasmine des Anges by Christian Dior is a top contender. Lovers of this fragrance appreciate that it settles lightly on the skin and lasts all day, which is a perfect combination for a perfume that can only be applied once in the morning but cannot be overpowering in a shared office setting. (That said, you should check your workplace's fragrance policy before spritzing on any perfume, even a lightly scented one.)
Jasmin des Anges delivers a sweet and syrupy jasmine scent, which is a unique offering among the other floral and powdery jasmine combinations on the market. Perfumer Francois Demachy opted for apricot and peach notes to give the fragrance a fruity base. Of his inspiration for the scent, Demachy explained, "I particularly enjoy visiting the Grasse flower fields in early autumn, when they fill the air with their fruity scent. This is when the last jasmine flowers are harvested and they release a delectable perfume similar to a floral liqueur."
Ikat Jasmine by Aerin
The scent of jasmine alone is enough to carry the romance of a date night, which makes most jasmine perfumes a great choice when it's time to get in the mood. Aerin's Ikat Jasmine is one of the best choices for a date night.
Aerin Lauder, the daughter of Estée Lauder, launched Ikat Jasmine in 2013 as part of her fledgling lifestyle brand. A total of five scents were released as part of the 2013 launch, and the scents were designed to coordinate with different times of the year but can also be layered for a more complex fragrance. Ikat Jasmine is meant to be worn in the warmer months, and fans agree. As one reviewer put it, "I could imagine a woman in white linen going to a beach party wearing this perfume. It's so easy and breezy!"
The top and middle notes of jasmine sambac and Egyptian jasmine infuse with honeysuckle and tuberose to create a delicate floral blend. However, the addition of sandalwood as a base note is really what helps this fragrance step into the woody category that is associated with rich masculinity. Ikat Jasmine's scent will last about five hours, which is perfectly timed to endure a night out with that special someone.
Flora Gorgeous Jasmine by Gucci
True fragrance lovers don't leave home without wearing at least once scent, so it's great to have an everyday perfume on hand. Flora Gorgeous Jasmine by Gucci is a floral fan favorite for an everyday fragrance. Fans of the scent appreciate its light, subtle scent that has excellent staying power. The perfume also should not overpower you in daily activities, like a quick fitness class, a business lunch, or volunteer duty at the elementary school.
The Gucci Flora line was created in 2022 and has already won legions of fans as a favorite daytime wear fragrance. The primary note of this beloved scent is jasmine grandiflorum, or Spanish jasmine, which takes a few minutes to present in the nose. Mandarin, pepper, and magnolia scents add a lightness to the perfume, while notes of sandalwood and benzoin add a rich softness as a lasting base. Overall, this perfume boast a fresh and clean scent.
One reviewer on Fragrantica advised that the scent is office-friendly and a great first-time choice for someone who is new to jasmine perfumes. Gucci describes the scent as radiant and serene — "a potion which takes you to your comforting happy place." Who doesn't want that feeling every day?