Beauty Pros Say These Are the Best Perfumes for Mom
Make it the best scented day of the year!
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Wondering what to get mom for Mother’s Day? Perfume is having a moment right now, and it's the perfect thing to impress her this Mother's Day—even if she's already got a collection. The idea of having a signature scent is out. Instead, think of fragrance as a wardrobe that she can switch up depending on her mood.
From fresh florals and bright citrus notes to warmer scents, we've rounded up the best perfumes for her, all of which have been vetted by our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. Splurge on an iconic fragrance from Estée Lauder that's fresh and clean, a trendy pick from Le Labo that lingers for a long time, or a nostalgic pick from Chanel that smells like entering a flower garden. If she typically doesn't wear perfume often, you might surprise her with an everyday scent, like the viral Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum that's a bit more subtle.
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If you're looking for a designer perfume with fruity, floral, and woody notes, look no further than Giorgio Armani's GH Beauty Award-winning fragrance. Added bonus: The bottle is refillable and the packaging is made from consumer recycled and recyclable materials.
The name on everybody lips? Phlur. Buy your mom the hottest perfume on the market with this scent. Enhanced by subtle flavors of jasmine and orange blossom, the Missing Person perfume by Phlur will give your mom ultimate "it girl" status (as if she doesn't have it already).
Further enhance your mom's love for Ouai with the St. Barts Hair and Body Mist, which has a fresh scent inclusive of jasmine, orange blossom, and dragon fruit. It's a vacation-like scent she can spray anywhere.
First released in 1995, Pleasures Eau De Parfum by Estée Lauder is like spring in a bottle. Featuring a fresh, clean, and airy scent of white lilies, peonies, and jasmine, our beauty pros love it as an everyday scent.
Make your mom feel like she's sitting near the Mediterranean with the Light Blue perfume from Dolce & Gabbana. Packaged in a beautifully designed new bottle, their formula is designed to last for 16 hours and includes notes of lemon, apple, and cedarwood.
If there's one thing about moms, its that they are constantly on the go. The Laila perfume by Tocca is a great option for those who want to carry something in their purse without the risk of spillage. Plus, it comes with a vegan leather pouch for extra protection. This balm is a blend of citrus, vanilla, and florals.
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Looking to splurge a little extra on mom? GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler always recommends L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake. The scent is a beautiful combination between white flowers and lotus blossoms. Plus, the bottle is refillable and has a easy twist off top.
An icon through the decades and GH Beauty Award Winner, this pick from Bvlgari is uplifting yet soft. A combination of green tea and florals notes, this is spring in a bottle that smells both refreshing and calming.
Cheirosa 68 from Sol de Janeiro is an affordable option that's still on-trend. Plus, like most of the brand's other products, this mist will make you feel like you're laying under the sun with its notes of jasmine and vanilla. There are other popular scents, too!
My personal favorite, the English Pear & Freesia Cologne from Jo Malone is a delicate and elegant scent. It's a great option for those who like fruity, floral flavors and works well layered with other scents.
Another GH Beauty Award winner, Lancôme’s standout scent is for the moms who are pulled-together, chic, and a little mysterious. "I'm a longtime wearer of this fragrance," says Dori Price, Contributing Beauty Editor. "It's sweet yet elevated."
Bergamote 22 by Le Labo can best be described as a minimalist, luxury scent with notes of grapefruit, amber, and citrus. A great gift for mom, because these perfumes last a long time with over 12 months of freshness in the bottle.
Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume is a long lasting, luminous scent with a mix of amber, cedar, and jasmine. Senior Beauty & Style Director April Franzino names it one of her favorite of all time—she even wore it on her wedding day.
Feel as though you are standing in a garden with the Chance Eau Tendre perfume by Chanel. Inclusive of jasmine, grapefruit, and hyacinth notes, this perfume is subtle enough for everyday wear.
Haley DiMaria is a writer whose work has appeared in publications including Esquire, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and Good Housekeeping. When she’s not writing about popular culture or commerce, she’s watching the latest TV shows, searching for the best cup of coffee, and making playlists for her friends.
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