10 Best Perfumes for Women in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Select the type of perfume based on the occasion.
2. Find your signature scent according to your body chemistry.
   
3. Check the top, middle, and base notes of the perfume to see if It would fit your preference.
4. Choose from the different scent notes depending on your style.
5. Since perfumes are a pricey investment, It’s important to choose the right size.
   
6. Purchase from flagship stores to ensure quality.
   
7. Try travel-sized options if you are still unsure.
   

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

You should always select perfume depending on the occasion. For example, you should not pick up an evening or night fragrance if you are planning for a casual day out with your friends. The same rule applies to selecting eau de parfum versus eau de cologne. Choose one that is based on the intended purpose.

Perfumes are the most concentrated fragrances that contain more than 20% oil and can last all day long. Eau de parfums contain 15-20% oil content, and the scent can last up to 8 hours, so they are reliable options. They last longer than sprays because they have a low alcohol concentration and are less irritating to the skin.

These are highly recommended for special occasions, formal events, and weddings. It's okay to wear them daily, but save them for special days so everyone who smells them on you will remember your unique scent. Spray some on your pulse points before entering these events and smell great from head to toe.

Eau de toilette (EDT) is the most popular choice because of its middle price point. It has 5-15% oil content, and its scent can last reasonably well up to 3 hours. Most people like to bring one along with them wherever they go to spritz midday and freshen up. 

Eau de toilettes are often worn by young women who want to smell nice or by older women who don't feel comfortable wearing strong perfumes anymore. Even if you're not a big perfume person, you will love EDTs because they are easy to wear and offer up fresh scent that's perfect for everyday wear at school or work.

Eau de Cologne (EDC) is lightweight, making it ideal for warmer weather when you don't want something too heavy on your skin. While some people prefer a stronger scent, this works best as a refreshing pick-me-up option for casual hangouts. 

Because of its low price, many people go for eau de cologne (EDC). EDCs contain only 2-4% oil, and it has a higher alcohol content. This type can last for about 2 hours, so you will often need to re-apply. Those with sensitive skin are recommended to avoid EDC because of its high alcohol content.

Your body chemistry has a huge impact on the scent that you choose. A chemical reaction occurs when the ingredients in perfume are activated by your skin's natural oils, hormones, and pH levels. So, let's first take a look at how to choose a perfume based on your skin type.

Having dry skin can make it challenging to wear perfumes like eau de cologne as they contain more alcohol which may further dehydrate the skin. If so, then we recommend you moisturize your skin before spraying perfume. Try to use musk, vanilla, or wood scents to provide moisture and hydration without clogging pores.

Your sweat causes a reaction to different scentsーand this could either be good or bad. It is best to avoid musky and woody scents as they smell offensive when mixed with sweat. Choose a more subtle scent of perfume if this is the case. Re-applying perfumes if you have an active lifestyle can help mask the unpleasant smell. 

You may opt for a floral, citrus, earthy, and fresh olfactory family to keep you going throughout the day. If you regularly run, keep in mind that most perfumes evaporate quickly because your body is too warm, so re-apply after some time once you have cooled down after a long run. 

Perfumes have top, middle, and base notes so you can figure out which sent category your particular fragrance fits into. When buying perfumes, it's best to know the notes so you know what's best for you and what scent you can tolerate. Below is a quick rundown of each note.

Top notes are light, fresh scents that often fade quickly after applying the perfume. They are also known as head notes. These are the first level of scents that you smell when you first open up a bottle. A typical example of a top note inlcude citrus scentsーorange, lemon, grapefruit, pomegranate, and so on. 

Middle notes consist of more intense smells than top notes and can last longer during the day. The heart of your fragrance lies here, so pay attention to these when choosing new perfumes. Rose, jasmine, and lavender are the typical middle notes since they fit into light/heavy/sweet categories quite nicely.

Base notes are often deeper smells that come through after the top, and middle notes fade. If you start noticing less intense scents as your day goes on, it could mean there are base notes in your fragrance. Vanilla, musk, and sandalwood are good examples, and these notes can help enhance the overall scent of your perfume.

Experts have categorized the different fragrances into an aroma wheel depending on the different scent notes they have. They have divided it into four major scent families: Floral, Oriental, Woody, and Fresh.

Citrus notes are classified as freshーyour lemon, grapefruit, and orange. These clean-smelling scents also include the smells of herbs and the ocean. A base note of spice is usually paired with fresh scents to give it a fuller fragrance.

It is also best to stick to citrus and fresh scents if you tend to sweat more, as these fragrances have been found to mix well with sweat. It's perfect for post-workout and also great for a pick-me-up for school or work. Citrus scents are recommended to women in their 20s and 30s as they give a youthful vibe. 

Floral scents are usually light scents, often evoking dreamy landscapes with flowers everywhere and romantic feelings. Floral perfume notes include gardenia, magnolia, lilac, honeysuckle, and jasmine. Some other familiar floral aromas include orange blossom and lily of the valley.

As the name suggests, these are scents that are inspired by flowers. Also under this family are fruity tropical notes such as peaches and apples, soft florals with a little bit of powder and cream, and floral oriental with a subtle layer of spice aromas. These are recommended for women in 20s and up. 

Think warmth and sensualityーthese perfumes are usually referred to as "amber" fragrances. Rich smells of vanilla and precious wood belong to this category. If you like the earthy smell of patchouli and sandalwood, punctuated with notes of sweetness and spice, this is your scent family.

Often used as a base note for perfumes, woody scents are warm and earthy. Think aromas of sweet soil and moss soaked in rainwater. These are scents that could also remind you of incenseーaromas of sandalwood and cedar. Deep and rich scents are recommended for women in their 40s and up. 

The prices of perfumes online and in physical retail stores range from P2,000 to P10,000 or more, depending on the type of perfume, whether it's an eau de parfum, eau de toilette, or eau de cologne. The size of the perfume affects the price, so it's best to buy a small bottle first to try it out yourself. 

However, if you have already found your signature scent, you can buy the big bottle with confidence online, and you don't have to think about the scent notes. Meanwhile, if you're buying it as a gift, you can always work around your budget since small bottles are cheaper than big ones. 

With the number of online sellers sprouting from different social media accounts, it could be challenging to find one that sells authentic stocks. Low prices can also be extremely tempting. 

It is best, however, to purchase from trusted sourcesーmay it be the brand's flagship store, or a reputable brick and mortar store that has opened an e-commerce website. That way, they can be liable for the authenticity of your purchase.

Some scents are offered in as small as 10mL options that you can try. Others are even offered as a set where you can test different fragrances so you can find which suits you best. If you are not ready to commit to a full-sized bottle, this is the best option for your online find.

To give you a rundown, here are our top 5 picks for the best perfumes for women you can buy online:

1. Best unique scent: Diptyque Fleur de Peau
2. Best fruity-floral scent: Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey
3. Best fresh scent: Chloe Fleur de Parfum
4. Best floral scent: Versace Bright Crystal
5. Best daytime perfume: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Katrina.

Once you have decided on what your signature scent is, enhance that fragrance by choosing other essentials with the same aromas. Our mybest team and experts have reviewed the items so far to help you find the best products online. Check out our list below. 

Author: Laura Mercado

Re-editor: Maria Krisette C Lim

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.