Who doesn’t love a date night? Whether it’s your first date or your eleventh date, there’s nothing more exciting then getting dressed up, heading to your favourite restaurant for dinner and drinks and then telling your friends every single detail the next morning. As a beauty editor and a self-confessed luxury perfume lover, I take my date night fragrances very seriously. I don’t know about you, but I think that the right perfume has the power to make you feel so much more confident, and is the ideal finishing touch to your evening look. Of course, everyone likes different things when it comes to perfume, but there are certain notes that I always look for when I know I want a slightly sexier scent.
For a sweet touch, I tend to look for gourmand notes such as vanilla or praline. I also like my fragrances to have a woody, earthy edge, so I am a big fan of patchouli and cedarwood. You can’t go wrong with musky notes such as amber either, and a bit of jasmine always adds a sensual touch. Because of my job, I have been lucky enough to try hundreds of perfumes over the years, but when it comes to sexy perfumes for women, I’ve managed to narrow my collection down to twelve intoxicating scents. Trust me when I say that the below fragrances will earn you so many compliments, and you’ll want to keep them in your collection for years to come.
Key notes: Oud, bergamot and rose. If you’re looking for a truly captivating scent, then look no further than Halfeti by Penhaligons. It’s spicy, it’s floral and it’s incredibly sexy. Although it has hints of fresh bergamot, the oud and rose are the key notes here, giving it that rich, mysterious edge that so many people know and love.
Key notes: Mexican black vanilla, sandalwood and liquorice. The name of this perfume might have you thinking that it’s a sweet, innocent, vanilla-like scent, but think again, as this is vanilla not as you know it. Although it has that warm, sugary appeal, hints of liquorice give it a spicy, sensual edge that makes this perfume ideal for a winter date night.
Key notes: Jasmine, saffron, ambergris and cedar. I’m sure you’ve all heard of this now-iconic fragrance, and for good reason. The smooth, chocolatey scent practically oozes sex appeal, thanks to musky notes of amber and cedar. Rich saffron and sensual jasmine give this perfume a perfectly balanced finish, and everytime I smell it I fall in love with it all over again.
Key notes: Pink pepper, orange blossom; jasmine, coffee, vanilla and cedarwood. This perfume has remained in my collection for years as it has such an addictive fragrance. When I first heard that it featured notes of orange blossom and vanilla, I expected a really sweet scent, but roasted coffee and cedarwood give this perfume impressive depth. The last time I wore this on a date, the waitress even complimented me on how good I smelt.
Key notes: Rose, ylang ylang, jasmine, coffee and fresh cream. Speaking of coffee, if you’re yet to try this scent from Floral Street, then I highly recommend giving it a go. The mix of sweet and earthy notes give this perfume an incredibly seductive finish, and hints of fresh cream make it smell almost good enough to eat.
Key notes: Saffron, rose, oudh and patchouli. I normally shy away from rose scents, but after smelling this, I was totally captivated. Notes of saffron give it a spicy opening, while patchouli and rose add a warm, musky element. It lasts on the skin all night long, and it’s definitely one of the most unique perfumes I own.
Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, amber, cedarwood and patchouli. I’m sure by now you are starting to see a pattern when it comes to what notes are included in more sensual perfumes, and this fragrance from Jo Loves has some of my favourites. Sweet bergamot and fresh mandarin blend harmoniously with warm amber and rich patchouli for a scent that will leave a lasting impact.
Key notes: Black truffle, bergamot, black orchid, plum and patchouli. Yes, this fragrance is as sexy as it looks. Think dark, rich notes of plum and truffle that are met with citrusy bergamot and patchouli. A little bit of this goes a long way, so just a couple of sprays will have you feeling ready to take on the night.
Key notes: Vanilla, fresh violet and patchouli. As the name suggests, this perfume perfectly encapsulates that feeling of your first dance with someone you like. Sweet, innocent notes of vanilla blend with fresh violet before woody patchouli adds a more mysterious finish.
Key notes: Neroli, orange blossom and marshmallow. Another fragrance inspired by those feelings of young romance is Love Don’t Be Shy by Kilian Paris. Sweet notes of marshmallow will have you totally intoxicated, while neroli and orange blossom give the scent a fresh, clean finish. In my opinion, it’s the perfect option for a first date.
Key notes: Tonka beans, cedar wood, juniper berries and jasmine. If you didn’t know, Orphéon is actually the name of a bar where the founders of Diptyque would go together, and you can almost smell those memories in this perfume. When I spritz it, I’m reminded of nights out spent having a candlelit glass of wine with the smell of tobacco smoke filling the air.
Key notes: Bergamot and jasmine sambac. Last but by no means least, say hello to Jasmine XXX by Altra. This unique scent smells as exquisite as it looks, with citrusy bergamot and rich jasmine sambac at the heart. Woody undertones make it perfect for the evening, and trust me when I say that it lingers beautifully on the skin.
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