The 11 Best Fragrances of 2026, As Per Skilled Judges
Welcome to Who What Wear UK’s Next in Beauty Awards 2026. Here, we’re crowning and celebrating the easiest in magnificence, from game-changing business innovators to the tried-and-tested classics that stay mainstays in our toilet cupboards and make-up baggage. To assist us discover the worthy winners, we referred to as upon our esteemed panel of business consultants, hard-to-please editors and in-the-know influencers, who put each product to the check. We enlisted our judges to doc and share their testing for each product they tried, so you possibly can see all of the winners in motion—in addition to these crucial before-and-after outcomes. After a lot testing, spritzing and reviewing, the outcomes are in. Join us in celebrating the perfect fragrances of 2026.
Who What Wear UK Next in Beauty Awards 2026: Best in Fragrance
Best New Fragrance
First up, let’s speak about the perfect new perfume. There have been some unbelievable fragrance launches this 12 months, however in line with our judges, Parfums de Marly Athénaïs stole the present.
“As a fan of Parfums de Marly and the long-lasting Valaya perfume, I had excessive hopes for this,” says Who What Wear UK magnificence editor Eleanor Vousden. “It’s a spring-like scent and conjures the very color of the bottle. It’s vibrant, juicy and citrusy with an ambery-floral path.”
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Parfums de Marly
Athénaïs
Best Cult Fragrance
When it involves cult fragrances, nothing can beat Escentric Molecules Molecule 01. This distinctive scent consists of a single word, Iso E Super, which adapts to the wearer to create your very personal pores and skin scent.
“10/10 throughout the board—the very best perfume,” says Who What Wear UK affiliate trade director Poppy Nash. In truth, the whole Who What Wear UK group counts themselves as this perfume’s greatest followers.
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Escentric Molecules
Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette
Best Scent Innovation
Here at Who What Wear UK, we champion innovation, and our knowledgeable judges had been so impressed by Amouage’s Sequence. The scent is created utilizing a intelligent double-infusion course of with sandalwood and artisanal oakwood barrels and comprises 30% pure fragrance oils, creating an unforgettable olfactory expertise.
“Artisanal perfumery does not get a lot better than this,” says Who What Wear UK magnificence director Shannon Lawlor. “The really revolutionary infusion of sandalwood makes this basic leather-based scent profile really feel creamy, comforting and deliciously wearable.”
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Amouage
Sequence Essence de Parfum
Best Creative Blend
We like it when manufacturers get inventive with their scents. Case in level: Chloé Atelier Des Fleurs Sous Les Pins. I used to be fortunate sufficient to guage this one, and I fell in love with the charming scent.
It smells like strolling by way of a forest in your solution to a hidden five-star retreat, with notes of pine needle absolute, bergamot and eucalyptus. It’s not like anything I’ve come throughout, and I do know I’ll put on it for years to come back.
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Chloé
Atelier Des Fleurs Sous Les Pins Eau de Parfum
Best Classic Perfume
Sometimes, all you need is a basic fragrance that you realize you possibly can depend on all 12 months spherical. According to our judges, that is precisely what Givenchy L’Interdit delivers.
“I’m infatuated with the fixed reinvention of L’Interdit and the way it has developed through the years, however the explosion of white florals that’s the authentic eau de parfum continues to be one of the vital magnetising perfumes round, even in 2026,” says Shannon.
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Givenchy
L’Interdit Eau de Parfum
Best Fragrance Reinvention
Speaking of scents that reinvent themselves, we now have to say Tom Ford‘s Soleil Neige. Reformulated in 2025, this fragrance is to not be missed.
“I’ve fallen for this perfume,” says Eleanor. “It actually captures that feeling of brisk, snowy mountain air contrasted with the heat and cosiness of an expensive chalet—it’s extremely Tom-Ford-winter-coded. It has made its method into my everlasting rotation of fragrances, which says so much. It’s not like anything I’ve smelled, and I like the warming dry-down that has me repetitively sniffing my wrists all through the day. It additionally has unbelievable lasting energy; I can nonetheless odor it on my pores and skin even eight hours later. I do know I’ll be repurchasing this after I inevitably deplete my bottle.”
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Tom Ford
Soleil Neige Eau de Parfum
Best Fragrance Development
A equally putting scent, our judges could not get sufficient of Angels’ Share on the Rocks by Kilian Paris.
“I completely adore this scent, and it has turn out to be considered one of my most-worn perfumes of the summer season,” says Shannon. “It smells vibrant and cooling, drenched in summer season solar, but additionally heat, spicy and deep with the core cognac DNA. It is nice and has an addictively moreish high quality that must be smelled to be believed.”
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Kilian Paris
Angels’ Share on the Rocks Eau de Parfum
Best Niche Fragrance
These days, nobody needs to odor like everybody else, which is why we’re at all times looking out for the perfect area of interest fragrances. This 12 months, our judges had been blown away by The Merchant of Venice Rococò 26.
A mix of saffron, clove, caramel accord and jasmine, the perfume feels as lavish because the bottle itself. Who What Wear UK editor-in-chief Jane McFarland was significantly impressed by how long-lasting it’s.
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The Merchant Of Venice
Rococò 26 Eau de Parfum Concentrée
Best Body Spray
Body sprays have come a good distance lately. Gone are the times of spritzing myself with sickly candy physique mists at college; now there is a vary of subtle choices accessible. Our best choice? Space NK’s Paros Tides Hair & Body Mist.
“This is costlier than different physique mists I’ve tried, however in my view, it is a lot nicer,” says Who What Wear UK branded content material editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans. “The crisp, refreshing scent is delicate, however it lasts so effectively.”
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Space NK
Paros Tides Hair & Body Mist
Best Hair Perfume
A hair fragrance is my trick to smelling good all day lengthy. In truth, it is typically the factor that earns me probably the most compliments. When testing, our judges beloved the Balenciaga 100% Hair Mist, praising its luxurious, floral-focused scent.
“This mist is long-lasting and feels light-weight on my hair,” says Who What Wear UK junior author Brittany Davy. “In true Balenciaga vogue, it smells extraordinarily costly.”
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Balenciaga
100% Hair Mist
Best Home Fragrance
You did not suppose we might pass over residence perfume, did you? You in all probability know by now that we’re big followers of Diptyque’s candles, however it’s the Rhubarbe scent that acquired high marks from our knowledgeable judges.
“This is a mouthwatering aroma of wealthy berries with a touch of peppercorns, and it feels completely autumnal,” says Jane.
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Diptyque
Rhubarbe Classic Candle
