Finding the right scent to gift her starts with the notes she loves most. This edit brings together creamy vanilla, warm amber, bright citrus, expressive florals and smoky woods, with options for women who prefer anything from a soft everyday scent to a fragrance that makes an entrance.
For her if she loves vanilla and gourmand notes
Burberry Goddess Amber Vanilla Eau de Parfum Intense
Lavender and maple syrup open this cosy gourmand, followed by caramelised, roasted vanilla and warm amber. The amber-gradient bottle makes it feel especially suited to Christmas gifting.
£154 for 100ml at Boots.
Max Mara Le Parfum
A soft, enveloping floral woody fragrance, Max Mara Le Parfum layers fresh Grasse tuberose and Guatemalan tuberose absolute with vanilla, cedarwood and sandalwood. The bottle draws inspiration from the house’s iconic coats, making it a particularly fitting gift for a Max Mara fan.
£104 for 50ml or £144 for 100ml from Max Mara
Matière Première Vanilla Powder Eau de Parfum
One of my personal favourites, Vanilla Powder pairs Madagascar vanilla absolute with coconut powder, palo santo and white musk. Its soft, powdery sweetness is balanced by a woody edge that keeps it from feeling too sugary.
£250 for 100ml from Matière Première
Frédéric Malle Northern Love Eau de Parfum
Creamy sandalwood sits at the heart of this warm, intimate fragrance, layered with spice and softened by vanilla. Cinnamon gives it a cosy, almost speculoos-like quality, making it a lovely gift for a woman who gravitates towards comforting scents.
From £62 for 10ml; 50ml is £205 and 100ml is £295 from Frédéric Malle
Prada Paradoxe Sweet Chemistry Eau de Parfum
A fruity floral built around blackcurrant syrup, radiant orange blossom and a creamy neroli milk accord. Sweet, bright and softly indulgent, it comes in Prada’s refillable triangular bottle.
From £70 for 30ml; 90ml is £140 from Prada
For her if she loves warm, statement scents
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
A striking woody, ambery floral with an unmistakable warm trail. Jasmine and saffron bring brightness, while ambergris accords, dry woods and a gourmand note create depth.
£265 for 70ml from Maison Francis Kurkdjian
TOM FORD Black Orchid Eau de Parfum
A personal favourite, Black Orchid is dark, rich and sensual. Black truffle and ylang-ylang meet black plum and rum, with patchouli and creamy vanilla adding warmth.
£112 for 50ml from TOM FORD
Creed Delphinus Eau de Parfum
One of my signature scents, Delphinus combines smoky incense and pepper with almond, heliotrope and iris. Patchouli, tonka and leathery vanilla give it a powdery, enveloping finish.
£235 for 50ml or £330 for 100ml from Creed.
Guerlain L’Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum
Guerlain’s current interpretation of L’Heure Bleue balances an airy ozonic accord with velvety iris and enveloping vanilla. It’s an elegant floral amber, presented in a blue-gradient bottle inspired by the moment day turns to night.
From £78 at Guerlain.
YSL LIBRE Santal Couture Eau de Parfum
A limited-edition, woody take on the LIBRE signature. French lavender and Moroccan orange blossom bring the familiar floral contrast, while warm New Caledonian sandalwood gives it a creamy finish.
£123 for 50ml from YSL Beauty.
For her if she loves floral fragrances
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum
White gardenia and jasmine give this fragrance its joyful floral character, while pear blossom and brown sugar add a softly sweet finish. It comes in Gucci’s elongated Flora bottle, decorated with the collection’s signature floral print.
£146 for 100ml from Gucci.
Chloé Le Nectar Eau de Parfum
A warm, luminous floral that opens with bergamot before revealing neroli, orange blossom and rose. Tonka, amber and patchouli bring depth, while the pleated glass bottle is finished with a golden beige ribbon. It’s refillable, too.
£151 for 100ml from Chloé.
Issey Miyake Lumière d’Issey Eau de Parfum
A bright, comforting gift for winter, Lumière d’Issey evokes the first light of dawn. Juicy green mandarin opens the fragrance, followed by silky orange blossom, while pistachio wood and creamy sandalwood leave a warm, luminous trail.
£102 for 50ml from Issey Miyake.
Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Parfum
A more expressive take on rose, with Damascena and Centifolia rose joined by chamomile, lychee and an unexpected artichoke note. A lovely gift for a woman who enjoys floral scents with a green, distinctive edge.
£170 for 75ml from Diptyque.
Dior J’adore Intense Parfum
A richer floral bouquet of jasmine, rose and ylang-ylang, with apricot accents adding a luscious sweetness. Vanilla and soft sandalwood complete its warm, gourmand trail.
From £82 for 35ml at Dior; 100ml is £155.
If she prefers fresh or woody scents
Chloé Atelier des Fleurs Sous les Pins Eau de Parfum
For a woman who prefers woody scents to traditional florals, Sous les Pins evokes a walk beneath Mediterranean pine trees. Resinous eucalyptus and the surrounding flora give it an aromatic, fresh quality, held in a warm green, pleated-glass bottle.
£115 for 50ml or £231 for 150ml from Chloé.
Jo Malone London Tangerine & Honey Cologne
Bright tangerine meets smooth honey and a dash of clove in this festive cologne. Tobacco leaf brings aromatic warmth to the citrus, making it a good choice for a woman who likes fresh scents with a cosy finish.
£130 for 100ml from Jo Malone London.
The timeless classic
CHANEL N°5 Eau de Parfum
A timeless gift for the woman who appreciates a classic. May rose and jasmine form the heart of this aldehydic floral bouquet, brightened with citrus and warmed by vanilla. The iconic bottle makes it a memorable present.
£156 for 100ml from CHANEL.
