We’ve all walked by someone who applied a little too much perfume or cologne, causing everyone around them to practically choke. But then there are times when you approach someone, breathe in the subtlety of their signature scent and wonder what they’re wearing.
We’ve never been fond of gatekeeping beauty secrets, so when a perfume pro recently told us about the nine perfumes women over 40 get the most compliments on, we knew we couldn’t keep them to ourselves.
We chatted with Octavia Morgan, the founder of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, and asked her to dish on a wide range of fragrances that often cause a stir when others catch a whiff of them. Morgan chose from florals musks, budget-friendly picks, luxury finds and other categories to curate a list with options for every personality.
We also spoke with Susan Ankersen, the co-founder and perfumer at Susan James Fragrances, and asked her to explain why your skin chemistry changes after 40 and how it affects the way a scent wears. The fragrance expert also weighed in on the fragrance notes and concentrations that last the longest and shared tips for properly applying perfume so it projects (without rubbing your wrists).
Related: The 14 Best Jasmine Perfumes for an Intoxicating Floral Scent, According to Fragrance Experts
The Best Perfumes for Women Over 40, According to a Fragrance Expert
Best Perfume for Women Over 40 Overall: Portrait of a Lady Parfum Spray Best Floral Perfume for Women Over 40: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum Best Woody Perfume for Women Over 40: Heretic Perfumes Dirty Hinoki Best Musk Perfume for Women over 40: Brown Girl Jane Casablanca Best Gourmand Perfume for Women Over 40: Influxious Gold Standard Eau de Parfum Best Affordable Perfume for Women Over 40: Lattafa Yara Eau de Perfume Natural Spray Best Luxury Perfume for Women Over 40: Victoria Beckham Eau de Parfum Portofino ’97 Best Long-Lasting Perfume for Women Over 40: House of Bo Infinitoud Parfum Best Date Night Perfume for Women Over 40: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles ROOM 33 Eau de ParfumWhy Does Skin Chemistry After 40 Change How a Scent Wears?
We’re used to hearing about hair and skin care changes after 40, but you may be surprised to hear that the way fragrances interact with your skin can also change over time.
“Hormone changes, especially with menopause, can change our temperature, which makes perfumes perform differently,” Ankersen tells Parade. “Our skin often becomes dryer, which makes scent not adhere well. Oily or well-moisturized skin makes fragrance last longer.”
Related: How to Properly Layer Perfume, According to a Fragrance Expert
What Fragrance Notes and Concentrations Actually Last the Longest?
Knowledge is power, and knowing that fragrances might not last as long as they used to when you reach your 40s is incredibly helpful because it helps you select your fragrance notes and concentrations strategically.
“Fragrances that last must have base notes. These are heavier, have lower volatility and need heat from our body to open up,” Ankersen says.
Examples of base notes include woods, vetiver, vanilla, resins and musks.
As for concentration, aromatic oil content typically lasts longer than other formulations. However, Ankersen says a 25% citrus cologne wouldn’t necessarily last as long as a 12% woody perfume or even a 6% vanillin solution.
Sometimes, fragrances use certain ingredients to lower the volatility of the overall compound. For instance, Ankersen says DPG is often used as a solvent. Solid materials like ambroxan or galaxolide are also common additions to some concentrations.
Related: These Are the 9 Best-Smelling Perfumes for Women, According to a Fragrance Expert
How to Properly Apply Perfume So It Projects (Without Rubbing Your Wrists)
Just because perfumes don’t last as long when you’re in your 40s doesn’t mean you can’t increase their longevity.
“For better projection, spray many areas of your body, not just your neck. Spray places that have warmth to open the scent, such as the back of the knees or any pulse point,” Ankersen says.
The perfume pro also suggests spraying areas where the perfume doesn’t get absorbed, such as your hair and/or clothing.
Lastly, moisturized skin can also make scents project better.
9 Compliment-Getting Perfumes To Try Now
1. Best Perfume for Women Over 40 Overall: Portrait of a Lady Parfum Spray, $90
Nordstrom
Shop It at NordstromMorgan describes Portrait of a Lady as one of those rare fragrances that feels “both timeless and contemporary.”
“The richness of Turkish rose, patchouli, blackcurrant and incense creates incredible depth while remaining elegant. Women over 40 tend to gravitate toward fragrances with character and sophistication, and this perfume makes a memorable statement without feeling trendy. It’s the kind of scent people stop you to ask about,” she says.
2. Best Floral Perfume for Women Over 40: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum, $250
Nordstrom
Shop It at NordstromMorgan says this perfume has become a “modern floral icon” due to the fact that it “balances femininity with confidence.”
“The combination of Turkish rose, peony, lychee and soft woods creates a fragrance that feels luminous, polished and incredibly wearable. It’s bright enough for daytime but elegant enough for evening, making it a consistent compliment getter,” she says.
3. Best Woody Perfume for Women Over 40: Heretic Perfumes Dirty Hinoki, $65
Bluemercury
Shop It at BluemercuryMorgan appreciates that this perfume offers a refreshing take on woody fragrances.
“Hinoki wood, cedar and citrus create a calming, refined scent that feels effortless and modern. It’s ideal for women who appreciate understated luxury and want something distinctive without being overpowering,” she says.
Related: 11 Korean Fragrance Brands a Perfume Expert Wishes More People Knew About
4. Best Musk Perfume for Women over 40: Brown Girl Jane Casablanca, $102
Brown Girl Jane
Shop It at Brown Girl JaneMorgan describes this next perfume as “intimate, elegant and quietly captivating.”
“Casablanca wraps the skin in a beautiful veil of warm musk with creamy woods and soft florals,” she says. “Musk fragrances become incredibly personal because they blend with your own skin chemistry, and this one develops beautifully throughout the day.”
Fragrance notes include marshmallow, cardamom, incense, amber and sandalwood.
5. Best Gourmand Perfume for Women Over 40: Influxious Gold Standard Eau de Parfum, $150
Sephora
Shop It at SephoraMorgan says Gold Standard is the perfect example of a gourmand fragrance that can be “luxurious rather than overly sweet.”
“Rich vanilla, warm amber and decadent gourmand notes create a sophisticated fragrance that feels comforting and elevated. It’s indulgent without becoming overwhelming,” she says.
6. Best Affordable Perfume for Women Over 40: Lattafa Yara Eau de Perfume Natural Spray, $40
Ulta
Shop It at UltaIf you’re looking for an approachable, feminine, affordable fragrance, Morgan suggests picking up this budget-friendly find.
“Yara consistently surprises people with how luxurious it smells for its price point. Tropical fruits, creamy vanilla and soft musk create a fragrance that performs far above its cost,” she says.
Related: 9 Most-Requested Discontinued Fragrances, According to a Perfume Expert
7. Best Luxury Perfume for Women Over 40: Victoria Beckham Eau de Parfum Portofino ’97, $200
Nordstrom
Shop It at NordstromWhen it comes to perfumes that capture effortless luxury, Morgan says Portofino ’97 is leading the pack.
“Bright citrus, incense, amber and vetiver evoke the feeling of an Italian summer while maintaining incredible sophistication. It’s polished, refined and perfect for someone who appreciates quiet luxury over bold statements,” the perfume pro says.
8. Best Long-Lasting Perfume for Women Over 40: House of Bo Infinitoud Parfum, $370
Neiman Marcus
Shop It at Neiman MarcusMorgan says Infinitoud is “beautifully composed and remarkably long-lasting.”
“Oud, warm woods, amber and resins create exceptional depth and longevity while remaining smooth and wearable,” she continues. “It evolves throughout the day and leaves an unforgettable trail that continues to receive compliments hours after application.”
9. Best Date Night Perfume for Women Over 40: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles ROOM 33 Eau de Parfum, $165
Ulta
Shop It at Ulta“Room 33 was designed to create presence without overpowering the room. Luminous pear, pink pepper and violet leaf open into elegant jasmine and tuberose before settling into warm blond woods, sandalwood, amber and vanilla,” Morgan tells Parade.
The end result is an intimate and sensual fragrance that the perfume pro says “invites people closer rather than announcing itself from across the room.”
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Sources:
Susan Ankersen is the co-founder and perfumer at Susan James Fragrances. Octavia Morgan is the founder of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles.Hence then, the article about 9 perfumes women over 40 get the most compliments on according to fragrance experts was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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