THE 20 BEST EVER PERFUMES

BEAUTIFUL BY ESTEE LAUDER

From £32 (esteelauder.co.uk)

Created in 1982 after four years of intense research by Estee Lauder herself, Beautiful remains iconic in its delicate floral bouquet. Using Bulgarian rose (9,000lb of roses for 2lb of rose oil), carnation, thyme and myrrh, the simple glass bottle has become a classic on dressing tables the world over.

                                                                                        Beautiful by Estee Lauder

COCO MADEMOISELLE BY CHANEL

From £58 (Debenhams)

A lighter, fresher version of Coco, this was launched in 2001 as a tribute to Coco Chanel, and is now one of the brand’s best-sellers. It uses a morning rose in place of Coco’s honey rose, and moves away from the citrus notes of its ‘mother’ fragrance. 

                                                                                    Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle

RIVE GAUCHE BY YVES SAINT LAURENT

£29 (Debenhams)

Launched in 1971, the blue, silver and black Rive Gauche can was instantly recognisable, and a move away from traditional glass perfume bottles. Designed to be put in a handbag and used throughout the day rather than sitting on a dressing table, it’s feminine and floral, with notes of ylang ylang and freesia, and a musk kick with vetiver, myrrh and oak moss.

                                                                                 Rive Gauche by Yves Saint Laurent

DKNY BY DONNA KARAN

From £17.50 (thefragranceshop.co.uk)

The original scent from the New York queen of fashion is 11 years old, yet is still one of the world’s most popular scents. It took its lead from DKNY fashions — strong and powerful yet feminine.

                                                                                                         DKNY Delicious

LIME, BASIL AND MANDARIN COLOGNE BY JO MALONE

From £32 (jomalone.co.uk)

Created almost 20 years ago by founder Jo Malone, who began by blending and mixing oils in her kitchen. The brand is now owned by Estee Lauder, after Jo stepped down in 2006. This scent is seen as the Jo Malone signature scent, and is the brand’s best-seller. Can be worn by both men and women.

                                                                                  Mandarin cologne by Jo Malone

ANAIS ANAIS BY CACHAREL

From £13.67 (Debenhams)

As the first fine fragrance to have a TV launch, Anais Anais went on to further shock the industry by being available in supermarkets. It launched in 1978, and was affordable and pretty, much to the delight of millions of teenage girls. Its white bottle, adorned with flowers, became the epitome of high fashion in the late Seventies, and it still sells more than two million bottles every year.

                                                                                           Anais Anais by Cacharel