Soft Floral Perfumes
Looking for a fragrance that will make you feel like you’re walking through a garden of blooming flowers? Enter soft floral perfumes! With their powdery and soapy scent, these fragrances are a great choice for those who love a sweet and feminine scent.
Don’t be fooled by their delicate nature, soft floral perfumes can also be unisex, making them a versatile choice for anyone looking to add a touch of elegance to their scent collection.
Get ready to be transported to a world of soft, sweet-smelling florals – it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
A soft floral fragrance is characterized by its powdery scent, but what exactly is it? The powdery scent in a soft floral perfume usually originates from a certain ingredient or combination of ingredients.
Soft floral fragrances also tend to incorporate delicate floral scents. Wondering what a delicate floral scent is? The classic examples are rose, violet, and lavender, which are all flowers with a subtle fragrance.
These notes have often caused soft florals to be disregarded by some people as “perfumes for older women,” but my list will show you that this can be an unfair judgement.
Table of Contents
Check out my 9 picks for women’s and unisex soft floral perfume.
1. Flower by Kenzo:
If you only buy one soft floral perfume, consider Flower by Kenzo. This fragrance has a powdery soft floral scent that is well-balanced, with a reasonable price tag and great longevity. Created by Alberto Morillas and Christian Dussoulier in 2000, this sweet floral perfume has top notes of Bulgarian rose, hawthorne, and mandarin orange.
The fragrance has a blend of violet, rose, and jasmine, which gradually transitions into vanilla, musk, and incense. This perfume is gentle and best suited for women. It’s appropriate for a work environment as it has a wide appeal, but playful enough for after-work drinks. A good balance of everything in a long, slim bottle – perfect for displaying.
Pros: Delicate floral scent, great longevity and sillage.
Cons: Way too powdery for some.
2. Blanche by Byredo:
Byredo is recognized for its unique takes on classic perfumery. To challenge the notion that delicate floral fragrances are for older women, what better way than naming a scent Blanche? The fragrance opens with top notes of aldehydes, rose, and pink pepper, then mellows into a heart of peony, violet, and orange flower.
The fragrance’s base notes consist of musk and sandalwood. It’s a contemporary, fresh, and gentle floral scent that works well in both professional and hot weather environments.
It’s a composed and self-assured fragrance that doesn’t need to demand attention. This perfume was introduced in 2009.
Pros: Complex without being intellectual.
Cons: Expensive, some find the aldehydes overpowering.
3. Chanel No. 5:
It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the classic soft floral fragrance, Chanel No. 5. The version currently available is a modern interpretation by Jacques Polge of the original scent created in 1921. It comprises several elements from the original fragrance and maintains the same refined Parisian essence.
Aldehydes, ylang-ylang, and neroli are the top notes that are followed by iris, jasmine, and rose as the heart notes. The dry down comprises of vetiver, patchouli, and sandalwood. The base notes accentuate the powdery floral notes with a touch of amber.
This fragrance may be overwhelming for some; however, if you appreciate soft floral scents with a vintage vibe, the original scent is unparalleled.
Pros: Vintage appeal, big and bold.
Cons: Way too overwhelming for some.
4. Sunshine by Demeter:
Demeter’s Sunshine may not be the most sophisticated soft floral fragrance available, but it is a beautiful scent that comes at a great price point. If you are searching for a new fragrance to wear every day, this one is worth considering. This unisex fragrance, introduced in 2013, includes notes of aldehydes, honey, and vanilla.
There are certain noses that can detect a subtle lemony aroma. The fragrance gives off a feeling of a white cotton t-shirt that has been dried in the sun – it’s clean, warm, and has a slight flowery scent. Sunshine is different from other Demeter fragrances as it has a decent sillage and longevity.
This fragrance is perfect for summer and can also be used in combination with other fragrances to create a fresh note.
Pros: Affordable, great for warm weather.
Cons: Very simple fragrance.
5. Fleur de Peau by Diptyque:
Fleur de Peau by Diptyque, which means “flower of skin” in French, is a fragrance that embodies its name’s delicacy, refinement, and sensuality. If you are not fond of other soft floral scents because they are either too soapy or harsh, then you might want to give this sweet floral perfume a chance.
This perfume was created in 2018 by Olivier Pescheux and features angelica, aldehydes, and pink pepper notes in its top layer.
The fragrance features a heart of iris and Turkish rose which gradually fades into a dry down of musk, carrot, and ambergris. If you are fond of Glossier’s You or prefer layering Juliette Has a Gun’s Not a Perfume over your florals, then Fleur de Peau might suit your taste. This scent is powdery in a modern way and has a floral essence that is not overly complicated.
Pros: Modern take on powdery fragrances.
Cons: Reads as mature to some.
6. This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.5 by Histoires de Parfums:
I can definitely say that I love This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.5 by Histoires de Parfums, even though it can be a fragrance that divides people. Luca Maffei created this unisex scent in 2018, which makes use of the artificiality of aldehydes to create a delicate and slightly futuristic aroma.
The fragrance starts with top notes of ozone, aldehydes, and citrus, which then fade into a heart of floral notes. On the dry down, you’ll notice that the scent wears close to the skin, with notes of musk, ambroxan, and minerals.
The combination of synthetic and natural fragrances creates a distinctive scent in perfumery. It is the same fragrance that the flight attendants wore in 2001: A Space Odyssey, or the aroma of a sophisticated and attractive cyborg. It is not a fragrance that everyone can wear, and it should not be purchased blindly, but it is truly one-of-a-kind.
Pros: Unique, truly unisex.
Cons: Some are turned off by the artificial scents.
7. Izia by Sisley:
Both straight floral and soft floral scents commonly use rose as a note. Izia by Sisley is an example of a fragrance that features a particularly soft rose scent. Amandine Clerc-Marie created this fragrance in 2017, and it includes top notes of bergamot, aldehydes, and pink pepper.
The heart of the fragrance features rose, angelica, and peony, while the scent fades into a dry down of musk, cedar, and amber.
The fragrance of the rose present here is fresh and it has subtle powdery undertones. This aroma is not too strong that it can be worn to the office but it is unique enough to be worn on special occasions. It is also suitable for wearing in warmer temperatures due to its mildness.
8. Pikovaya Dama by Xerj
Pikovaya Dama by Xerjoff is anything but subtle. The fragrance takes its name after a Tchaikovsky opera that was inspired by Aleksandr Pushkin’s novella, which is centered around themes of gambling, betrayal, and supernatural terror.
Chris Maurice’s 2014 creation leans towards a spicier and more amber scent rather than the typical soft or sweet floral perfume. The top notes are a blend of aldehydes, neroli, and rose, which then give way to a heart of iris, incense, and coriander.
Musk, vanilla, and patchouli are the notes that prevail in the dry down. Pikovaya Dama is a fragrance that combines sweetness with a subtle sharpness that catches you off guard. This scent is potent and has a captivating edge. of a beguiling Russian countess watching an opera from her private box.
Pros: Luxurious, exceptional longevity and sillage.
Cons: Expensive, mature-smelling.
9. Sheer Veil by Vera Wang:
I understand that you need me to reword the text below without changing its meaning or adding new sentences:
If you’re like me, sometimes you don’t want edgy, niche, or thought-provoking perfume – you just want to smell nice. Sheer Veil by Vera Wang is the perfect scent for those occasions.
Here’s the reworded version:
I can relate to the fact that sometimes people may prefer a fragrance that is pleasant and conventional, instead of something unconventional, obscure, or contemplative. Sheer Veil, created by Vera Wang, is an ideal scent for such situations. 2005 sweet floral perfume is soft but not overly subtle. The notes are straightforward, but they don’t hit you over the head.
The fragrance maintains notes of lily, lavender, champagne rose, and gardenia from start to finish – there are no discernible initial or final notes. This perfume is subtle enough for office wear and versatile enough for a wedding or a first date.
Pros: Ultra-feminine, good sillage and longevity.
Cons: Straightforward florals without much nuance.
Closing Thoughts
Looking for a scent that’s feminine, timeless, and effortless to wear? Look no further than the soft floral perfume family! While this fragrance category is undoubtedly iconic, don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s outdated. In fact, you can discover some truly edgy and dramatic soft florals if you know where to look.
So, why not add a touch of floral elegance to your scent collection today? Whether you’re looking for an everyday perfume or a signature scent, you ought to check this group out.
FAQs about Soft Floral Perfumes:
1. What are soft floral perfumes?
Soft floral perfumes are a gentle, powdery subgroup of the floral family. They feature light floral notes like rose, violet, and lavender, along with aldehydes that contribute to their powdery aroma.
2. Are soft floral perfumes only for women?
Floral perfumes are not just for women. Unisex varieties with powdery and light floral notes are available and appeal to a wide range of preferences regardless of gender.
3. What occasions are soft floral perfumes suitable for?
Floral perfumes are versatile and suitable for many occasions, including office wear, casual outings, and special events.