My collection of fragrances can be categorized similarly to my wardrobe of clothes. I have everyday essentials like light, fresh fragrances that are as adaptable as blue jeans and a button-down shirt, as well as seductive, head-turning amber perfumes for nights out and sweet, comforting vanillas for curling up in at home.
Soapy flowers, featherweight musks, and sheer woods are my favorite fresh-smelling scents. These are so light and unobtrusive that they are nearly undetectable unless someone is leaning in to smell my perfume. They wear like a second skin. If you don’t like flowers as much as I do, you might like a subtle citrus, a subtle aquatic, or a fruity, fresh scent that makes you feel as though you’ve just taken a shower.
As a fan of clean fragrances, I’ve compiled eight of my all-time favorites below. They range from a citrus eau de toilette that reminds me of coastal summers to a Carolyn Bessette Kennedy-coded musk.
1 out of 8
Henry Rose Eau de Parfum, London, 1983
Michelle Pfeiffer’s latest fragrance is a sheer, fig-forward musk that exudes a cool, seductive scent. Before drying down to a delicate and slightly woodsy jasmine, a fresh, watery fig note first appears on the skin.
02 of 08
Lake & Skye 11 11 Eau de Parfum
The aroma of freshly laundered sheets is distilled into a perfume in this Lake & Skye bestseller. It has a lasting freshness that you’ll be able to detect hours after spritzing, but it’s so gentle that you could wear it on a plane or a long commute without disturbing your seatmates. A close-knit, reassuring scent bubble is created by white amber and musk.
03 of 08
Nemat Egyptian Musk Fragrance Oil
Thanks to the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy with this soapy-clean fragrance oil that is strikingly similar to the Abdul Kareem Egyptian Musk Oil that the fashion icon used to wear. Fresh linen, lily-of-the-valley, and a warm, powdery musk are among its notes. It looks great on its own or layered under any of the scents on this list to give them more lingering power.
04 of 08
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette
As part of my work, I’ve tested well over 1,000 fragrances, but few make me feel as content and carefree as Light Blue. Ripe with lemon, apple, and cedarwood, the nostalgic blend brings back memories of carefree summer days spent on the beach. It is mild enough for delicate noses, clean, and uplifting.
5 out of 8
Absence of Makeup Absence of Fragrance
The beauty of perfume is that it changes according to the chemistry of the skin. Particularly prone to changing from person to person are light, sheer scents like this one. Creamy sandalwood, delicate jasmine, or slightly powdery orris will shine through on some, while mildly sweet and citrusy pomelo notes will be most noticeable on others.
06 of 08
DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum
This perfume from the year 2000 smells like a shower of magnolia buds and green apple shampoo. Almost every time I spray this on, people comment on how clean I smell. It’s bright, sparkly, and invigorating. It’s also reasonably priced; I still have plenty of the $100 bottle in my collection after two years.
07 out of 08
L’Iris Eau de Parfum Santa Maria Novella
Iris is frequently characterized as powdery, soapy, and even slightly lipstick-like. I think the note is the pinnacle of timeless beauty and nostalgia, even though it’s not for everyone. L’Iris is a stunning version that highlights the feminine neroli and jasmine petals along with the delicate green freshness of iris.
08 out of 08
Clean Reserve Skin Eau de Parfum,
A wooden-capped bottle of Clean Reserve Skin Eau de Parfum with a front label Thanks to InStyle and the Brands $118 at Sephora
Clean Reserve Skin is a perfumed cashmere sweater that envelops you in warm musk, creamy vanilla, and a salty, second-skin praline. Additionally, there’s a faint scent of copaiba oil, which adds a peaceful, woodsy touch that makes me think of unwinding in a spa steam room.
