Like my clothes, I can sort my perfumes into groups. I have sexy amber perfumes for going out at night, sweet and cozy vanillas that I wear at home, and light, fresh scents that go with everything, like blue jeans and a button-down shirt.
Soapy florals, light musks, and sheer woods are the kinds of fresh-smelling scents I like best. These feel like a second skin; they’re so light and not offensive that you can’t really smell them unless someone is right next to you. If you don’t like flowers as much as I do, you might like a light citrus scent, a calm aquatic scent, or a fresh and fruity scent that makes you smell like you just got out of a shower.
I love clean scents, so I put together a list of my eight all-time favorites below. They include a musk that is coded for Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and a citrus eau de toilette that reminds me of summers on the coast.
01 of 08
Henry Rose London 1983 perfume
A bottle of 1983 Henry Rose London Eau de Parfum
The newest scent from Michelle Pfeiffer’s perfume line is a sheer musk with a fig note that smells effortlessly sexy and cool. A fresh, watery fig note opens up on the skin, then dries down to a soft, slightly woody jasmine.
02 of 08
Lake & Skye 11 11 Eau de Parfum
A bottle of Lake Skye 11 11 Eau de Parfum on a white background
This Lake & Skye best-seller smells like sheets that have just been washed and turned into a perfume. You could wear it on a plane or during a long commute without bothering the people next to you because it is so mild. However, it has a freshness that lasts for hours after you spritz it. The scent of white amber and musk wraps you in a warm, close bubble.
03 of 08
Nemat Egyptian Musk Fragrance Oil
A bottle of Egyptian Musk fragrance oil with a fancy gold cap
Thanks to the Brands / InStyle, you can get this soapy-clean fragrance oil for $21 at Ulta. It smells a lot like the Abdul Kareem Egyptian Musk Oil that Carolyn Bessette Kennedy used to wear. It smells great on its own or layered under any of the scents on this list to make them last longer. It has notes of fresh linen, lily-of-the-valley, and a warm, powdery musk.
04 of 08
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette
A bottle of Dolce Gabbana Light Blue perfume
I’ve smelled more than 1,000 perfumes for work, but few make me feel as happy and carefree as Light Blue. The nostalgic mix is full of lemon, apple, and cedarwood, which makes you think of warm, breezy summer days on the beach. It’s clean, uplifting, and not too strong for people with sensitive noses.
05 out of 08
No Makeup, No Fragrance, No Makeup
A bottle of perfume with the NFF brand logo on it
Perfume is beautiful because it changes depending on the chemistry of your skin. This kind of light, sheer scent is especially likely to change from person to person. Some people will smell the sweet and citrusy pomelo notes the most, while others will smell the creamy sandalwood, delicate jasmine, or faintly powdery orris.
06 of 08
DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum
A DKNY Be Delicious perfume bottle that looks like an apple with a shiny and see-through green finish.
This Y2K perfume smells like green apple shampoo and a shower of magnolia buds. I get compliments on how clean I smell almost every time I spray this on. It’s bright, sparkly, and refreshing. It’s also cheap; I’ve had the $100 bottle for two years and still have a lot left.
07 of 08
Santa Maria Novella L’Iris perfume
A bottle of Santa Maria Novella LIris perfume
People often say that iris smells like soap, powder, and even a little bit like lipstick. The note is the most beautiful and nostalgic thing I’ve ever seen, even though it’s not for everyone. L’Iris is a beautiful version that brings out the soft green freshness of iris along with the feminine neroli and jasmine petals.
08 of 08
Eau de Parfum Clean Reserve Skin
A bottle of Clean Reserve Skin Eau de Parfum with a wooden cap and a label on the front
Clean Reserve Skin is like a cashmere sweater in perfume form. It wraps you up in warm musk, creamy vanilla, and a salty praline that feels like a second skin. There’s also a hint of copaiba oil, which adds a calming woodsy note that makes me think of relaxing in a steam room at a spa.
