Citrusy fragrances are some of the most commonly made and used fragrances in the world. There are a bunch of them after all, but what are the best citrusy fragrances for women?
What Are Citrusy Notes And How Do They Smell
Citrusy fragrances make up for a whole fragrance category and are some of the most commonly found fragrances. With their refreshing and vibrant scents, you can’t really go wrong with them, which makes them as popular as they are.
Under the citrusy category fall a number of popular fragrance notes. The notes of bergamot, orange, lemon, and grapefruit are just a few of the many citrusy notes (these links will take you to articles dedicated to that specific note).
And even though all the different citrusy notes give off a different scent, they all have one thing in common. And that’s their incredible refreshing nature.
With a citrusy fragrance, you can expect a fresh and vibrant fragrance with a bunch of character. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best citrusy fragrances for women, in no particular order!
1. Byredo Sundazed
Byredo Sundazed is an incredible fragrance with a rather unique scent of citruses. This fragrance was released in 2019 and was created by Jerome Epinette.
The top notes of Byredo Sundazed are mandarin and lemon. The middle notes are jasmine sambac and neroli and the base notes are cotton candy and white musk.
Byredo Sundazed opens with a summery scent of citruses, supported by that unique note of cotton candy. The cotton candy gives this fragrance a sweet and almost sugary undertone that magically gives this fragrance a tropical feel. In addition, this sweet and tropical feel goes perfectly with the hints of neroli, mandarin, and lemon, making for a fantastic opening.
This sweet undertone is then amplified by the addition of jasmine sambac, a note loved for its sweet and sensual scent. From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much anymore, only introducing a soft scent of musk.
In the end, you’re left with a lovely fragrance that smells fresh, sweet, and even a little tropical. Such a scent is perfect for the warmer months, where you’re best off wearing this one casually. This is because the sweet and tropical feel does make this fragrance a little playful.
2. Le Labo Bergamote 22
Le Labo Bergamote 22 is often seen as one of the best bergamot fragrances out there. This fragrance was released all the way back in 2006 and was made by Daphne Bugey.
The notes of Le Labo Bergamote 22 are petitgrain, cedar, vetiver, orange blossom, grapefruit, vanilla, musk, bergamot, and amber.
Le Labo Bergamote 22 immediately opens with an incredible scent of bright and fresh bergamot. The bergamot itself is truly the main start of this fragrance and will be at the forefront for the remainder of the scent.
Shortly after the opening, some more citrusy notes are added, blending in nicely with the bergamot. Along with the citruses comes a scent of woods that gradually becomes stronger.
This scent of cedarwood and vetiver gives the fragrance some weight and backbone, making it appear a bit stronger.
From here, the fragrance dries down into something a little warmer. This is due to the addition of amber. Still, this fragrance is incredibly bright and refreshing, making it perfect for any warm day. During these warmer days, you can easily wear it casually throughout the day but it’s also inoffensive enough to be worn formally.
3. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic is the first of many Guerlain Aqua Allegoria fragrances on this list. This one was made by Marie Salamange and was released in 2007.
The top notes of Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic are bitter orange, green tea, ivy, orange blossom, and clementine. The middle notes are mandarin, chamomille, peony, and basil. The base notes are amber and sandalwood.
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic opens with a fresh and natural scent of citrusy notes. Hints of clementine and bitter orange create a beautiful scent of fresh and realistic citruses and set the tone for the remainder of the fragrance.
After a short while, a soft undertone of green notes starts to appear. Along with the green notes are some herbal notes, including the note of basil, giving the fragrance a slightly richer backbone.
From here, the fragrance dries down into something that isn’t too different from the opening. You’ll mainly get a beautiful and refreshing scent of realistic citruses, supported by that green undertone.
Due to the fresh scent, you’re best off wearing this fragrance during the spring and summer. Here, you can either wear this one casually or formally. It will do an amazing job in either setting.
4. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte
Maison Francis Kurkdjian is the fragrance house of perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. As you can imagine, he is the one that made this lovely fragrance. This is the Forte version, a slightly stronger version of the original Aqua Universalis. This fragrance came out in 2011.
The top notes of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte are lemon and bergamot. The middle notes are rose, jasmine, and white flowers. The base notes are musk and woody notes.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Forte opens with a nice and bright scent of lemon and bergamot. These citruses smell fresh and uplifting and definitely set the tone for how this fragrance is going to be.
After a short while, some fresh floral notes start to appear. Hints of fresh rose give the fragrance a classy feel, whereas a bunch of different white floral notes give the fragrance a more clean feel.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, a soft scent of musk starts to appear. The musk, once again, appears fresh and clean, leaving you with an overall amazing fragrance.
Because this fragrance is so fresh and inoffensive, you can easily wear this one either casually or formally. And it goes without saying, but this fragrance is definitely a warm-weather fragrance.
5. Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin
Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin is a fresh and aromatic fragrance, created by Jo Malone herself. This fragrance was released all the way back in 1999, but it’s still relevant to this day!
The top notes of Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin are bergamot, mandarin, and lime. The middle notes are thyme, iris, lilac, and basil. The base notes are vetiver and patchouli.
Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin opens with a fresh blast of citruses. Hints of mandarin and lime are immediately noticeable and make for a lovely opening.
Shortly thereafter, a green and herbaceous undertone starts to make itself known. This scent comes from the notes of thyme and basil, making the fragrance a little stronger and warmer. These herbal notes also give the fragrance that ‘old-school’ undertone.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, the scent doesn’t really change too much anymore. You can notice a somewhat sour scent, but you’ll mainly get a fresh scent of citruses and herbal notes.
A fresh scent like this will always be great when worn during the warmer months. It’s refreshing, easy to wear, and overall very pleasant, making it perfect for any woman, who can wear it in any setting.
6. Atelier Cologne Bergamote Soleil
The house of Atelier Cologne has always been best known for its amazing citrusy fragrances. With this fragrance, they took a bergamot-focussed approach and released it in 2016.
The top notes of Atelier Cologne Bergamote Soleil are bitter orange, bergamot, and ambrette. The middle notes are jasmine, cardamom, and lavender. The base notes are white amber, vetiver, and oakmoss.
Atelier Cologne Bergamote Soleil opens with an unsurprising scent of bergamot. The bergamot appears bright, vibrant, a little bitter, and even a little sweet. Added to the bergamot are some more citrusy notes, making the fragrance even fresher but also a little more interesting.
After a short while, a green, fougere-like undertone starts to appear, blending in beautifully with the citruses and making it a little more interesting.
Along with this fougere-like scent are some fresh spices. These once again make the fragrance a little more interesting. In the end, you’re left with a bright and fresh scent of bergamot, supported by some green notes and fresh spices.
Due to the fresh scent, this fragrance is best worn during the summer. Here, there really isn’t a situation where this fragrance won’t be amazing. It smells fresh and happy but also a little classy, making it perfect for both casual and formal settings.
7. Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche is a flanker of the original Chanel Chance. This time, it’s a fresher, more citrusy version of the original. This fragrance was created by Jacques Polge and was released in 2007.
The top notes of Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche are citron, cedar, and lemon. The middle notes are jasmine, hyacinth, and pink pepper. The base notes are vetiver, patchouli, amber, white musk, iris, and teak wood.
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche opens with a wonderful scent of fresh citruses, done in the typical Chanel way. This makes for a nice opening and an inoffensive and classy scent.
After a little while, some fresh floral notes start to make themselves known, giving the fragrance a lively feel. Together with the citruses, they make up for most of the fragrance.
Only when you’re getting into the dry down will the scent change a bit. Hints of warm cedarwood and teak wood make for a rich and lovely finish. Still, the fragrance is mainly fresh and vibrant.
Due to the fresh scent, this fragrance is best worn during the spring and summer, where you can wear it either casually or formally. That’s the magic with most Chanel fragrances. They work well anywhere.
8. Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi
Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi is part of the Tom Ford Private Blend Collection. This fragrance was made by Calice Becker and was released in 2014.
The top notes of Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi are lemon, grapefruit, blackcurrant, basil, mint, and tarragon. The middle notes are shiso, clary sage, orange blossom, jasmine, coriander, and black pepper. The base notes are civet, musk, labdanum, amber, and vetiver.
The opening of Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi immediately introduces you to a beautiful scent of fresh citruses. Hints of lemon and grapefruit, paired with a fresh touch of orange blossom create a truly wonderful scent that smells fresh and uplifting.
Funnily enough, this fragrance is called ‘Mandarino Di Amalfi’, but it doesn’t actually contain the note of mandarin. Still, the scent of mandarin is created by blending those other citrusy notes.
After the opening, a few green notes start to appear. These notes of mint and basil give the fragrance a fresh and slightly herbal undertone. From here, the fragrance no longer changes that much either.
Due to the extremely refreshing scent, you can best wear this fragrance during the warm summer days. Here, it will be perfect for the beach or any other casual, relaxing activity, but it will also work nicely at the office as well.
9. Chanel No.5 l’Eau
Chanel No.5 is one of the most popular female perfumes, and the l’Eau version is a fresher variant of the popular original. This fragrance was made by Olivier Polge and was released in 2016.
The top notes of Chanel No.5 l’Eau are aldehydes, neroli, lime, orange, bergamot, mandarin, and lemon. The middle notes are ylang ylang, jasmine, and rose. The base notes are orris root, vanilla, white musk, and cedar.
Chanel No.5 l’Eau opens with that typical Chanel No.5 scent, being a fresh, strong, and aldehydic one. This time, however, it’s much fresher. This is due to the addition of six different citrusy notes. These give the fragrance a much lighter and fresher scent than you’d find in the original.
Shortly after the opening, some floral notes start to appear. These give off a classy and fresh undertone, blending in beautifully with the citruses.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, a nice scent of musk starts to present itself. The musk is done in a light and clean manner, perfectly complementing the citruses and florals.
This fragrance is incredibly fresh and classy, making it perfect for any formal setting during the spring or summer. Of course, you can also wear this one casually throughout the day as well.
10. Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis
Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis is the second Atelier Cologne fragrance on this list. This time, it’s more grapefruit-focussed. This fragrance was released in 2015.
The top notes of Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis are blackcurrant, pink grapefruit, and mandarin. The middle notes are mint, rose, and orange blossom. The base notes are iris, vetiver, and amber.
Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis opens with a stunning scent of grapefruit, creating a fresh and juicy opening. Added to the grapefruit is a nice and sweet undertone of blackcurrant, giving the fragrance an incredible scent.
From here, hints of rose and mint start to appear, making the fragrance a bit cooler and more refined. The grapefruit is still the main star, though.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, the scent doesn’t really change that much anymore. This leaves you with a fresh, juicy, and realistic scent of grapefruit, backed by various fruits and florals.
A fresh scent like this will always be great during the warm summer days. Here, you can easily wear this one casually throughout the day, but you can also wear it formally as well. You could even wear this one while working out if you’d like.
11. Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot
Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot is a lovely fragrance that combines the freshness of bergamot with the dark and rich scent of oud. This fragrance was made by Christine Nagel and was released in 2010.
The notes of Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot are orange, oud, bergamot, lemon, and cedar.
Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot opens with a bright and fresh scent of bergamot, immediately supported by a hint of oud. The oud is done in a relatively light manner, making it approachable and easy to wear.
A short while after the opening, some more citrusy notes are added, blending in nicely with the bergamot and oud and making for a rather fresh scent.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, a hint of cedar starts to appear, and together with the note of oud, they make the fragrance a little warmer and darker.
Overall, this is an incredible fragrance that manages to take the note of oud and make it fresh and easy-going. And even though this fragrance is definitely on the fresher side, you can actually wear it all year long. The note of oud makes it powerful enough to pierce through those lower temperatures.
12. Clinique Happy
Clinique Happy is a fantastic fragrance that perfectly lives up to its name. This fragrance was made by Jean Claude Delville and Rodrigo Flores-Roux and was released in 1997.
The top notes of Clinique Happy are apple, grapefruit, plum, bergamot, mandarin, and orange. The middle notes are rose, lily of the valley, freesia, and orchid. The base notes are musk, amber, magnolia, lily, and mimosa.
In the note breakdown, you can see that there are about four citrusy notes in the opening. This is exactly what you get when you first spray this fragrance. A bright, fresh, and juicy scent of citruses that simply smells ‘happy’.
A little while after the opening, some fresh floral notes are added, working together nicely with the citruses. Together, the citruses and floral make up for the bulk of this fragrance, providing you with a fresh and lively scent.
When the fragrance dries down, though, a rather soft undertone of amber makes itself known, giving the fragrance a very slight warm undertone. Still, the citruses and florals are the strongest.
Due to the rather fresh scent, you’re best off wearing this fragrance casually throughout the warmer months. Wearing this on a warm summer day will be perfect. And even though this fragrance does have a happy and more casual scent, it will work nicely in the office or gym as well.
13. Atelier Cologne Clementine California
Atelier Cologne has yet another amazing citrus offering in the form of Clementine California. This fragrance is one of the best selling Atelier Cologne fragrances, even though it was only released back in 2016.
The top notes of Atelier Cologne Clementine California are juniper berries, clementine, and mandarin. The middle notes are star anise, pepper, and basil. The base notes are vetiver, cypress, and sandalwood.
Atelier Cologne Clementine California opens with a clean and smooth scent of citruses, clementine in particular. Added to the clementine is a crisp and refreshing touch of juniper berries, giving the fragrance a rather clean feel.
Shortly thereafter, some fresh spicy notes are added, giving the fragrance an interesting undertone and making it a little stronger. These spices don’t overpower the clementine and orange, though, as those are still giving off the strongest scent.
As the fragrance dries down, the spices start to fade away a bit, leaving you with some fresh citruses and an upcoming scent of vetiver. The vetiver is fresh and earthy and even a little sour, making it perfect for the citruses.
Due to the fresh and clean scent, you can best wear this fragrance during the spring and summer, where you can wear it practically all the time. It’s great for the office, the gym, the beach, or a relaxing day at home.
14. Versace Versense
Versace Versense is a beautiful fragrance with a rich, fresh, and long-lasting scent. This fragrance was released in 2008.
The top notes of Versace Versense are pear, citruses, mandarin, fig, and bergamot. The middle notes are narcissus, cardamom, jasmine, and lily. The base notes are musk, olive tree, cedar, and sandalwood.
Versace Versense first opens with a bright and fresh scent of citruses. These citruses will linger around for a long while, giving the fragrance a fresh and clean feel.
After a little while, some fresh floral notes are added, giving the fragrance a classy and green undertone. This green scent is somewhat soft but does make a difference in the scent.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, hints of woody notes start to appear, strengthening the citrusy notes from the opening and giving the fragrance a slightly warmer finish.
Overall, Versace Versense is an amazing fragrance that will be best for the spring and summer. And because of its versatile and clean scent, you can wear this fragrance pretty much all the time.
15. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune is an incredible grapefruit-based fragrance. This fragrance was made by Jean-Paul Guerlain and Mathilde Laurent and was released in 1999.
The top notes of Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune are bergamot and grapefruit. The middle notes are cassia, neroli, and petitgrain. The base notes are vanilla and patchouli.
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune opens immediately with a fresh and crisp scent of grapefruit. The grapefruit appears clean and juicy and is quickly supported by some more citrusy notes.
Shortly after the opening, a few white floral notes are added. These, once again, give off a fresh and clean feel, blending in beautifully with the grapefruit. Along with the florals is a slightly sweet undertone of cassia.
As the fragrance dries down, it becomes a little sweeter with the addition of vanilla, but this fragrance mainly stays fresh, bright, and vibrant.
A fresh scent like this will always be perfect for a warm summer day. Here, you can wear it either casually or formally. It will work great in either setting.
16. Jo Malone Orange Blossom
Jo Malone Orange Blossom is a lovely fragrance that perfectly combines the floral aspect and the citrusy aspect of orange blossom. This fragrance was made by Jean Claude Delville and was released in 2003.
The top note of Jo Malone Orange Blossom is tangerine blossom. The middle notes are orange blossom, lily, and lilac. The base notes are vetiver and iris.
Jo Malone Orange Blossom opens with a straightforward scent of orange blossom. Orange blossom smells fresh, citrusy, and clean and can even come across a little soapy. This is all found back in the opening of this fragrance.
Shortly after the opening, some more floral notes can be detected. These florals give off a light and fresh scent and nicely complement the orange blossom. They do stay in the background, though, leaving the note of orange blossom as the main star.
Overall, the scent doesn’t really change too much after the opening. This isn’t too bad, though, as the scent is already amazing, especially if you’re a fan of orange blossom.
An orange blossom-based fragrance is, of course, a fresh fragrance, which is best worn during the spring and summer. Here, you can wear it whenever you want, wherever you want.
17. Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot
Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot is part of the Tom Ford Private Blend Collection. Usually, the fresher Tom Ford Private Blends come in a blue bottle, however, this one comes in the classic black and gold bottle.
The top notes of Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot are ginger, pink pepper, black pepper, and bergamot. The middle notes are magnolia, pepperwood, cedar, gardenia, and ylang ylang. The base notes are cashmeran, amber, tonka bean, and sandalwood.
Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot is a lovely bergamot fragrance with a warmer undertone to it. When you first spray this fragrance, you’re introduced to a bright and fresh scent of bergamot, supported by a few soft spices.
Shortly thereafter, a scent of woods starts to emerge, blending in perfectly with the bergamot and spices. The woods are also responsible for the slightly warmer feel that this fragrance has, making it a bit heavier without taking away the freshness.
Due to the slightly warmer feel of this fragrance, you can wear it during the spring and summer, but also during the fall as well. Here, the fragrance will be great for casual daytime wear but works just as nicely in a formal setting. You just can’t really go wrong with a fresh and classy fragrance such as this.
18. Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
Herme Un Jardin Sur Le Nil is an incredibly unique fragrance with a fresh and green scent. This fragrance was made by Jean-Claude Ellena and was released in 2005.
The top notes of Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil are green mango, tomato, grapefruit, and carrot. The middle notes are hyacinth, bulrush, peony, orange, and lotus. The base notes are incense, musk, cinnamon, iris, and labdanum.
Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil opens with a fresh and unique scent of tomato and green mango. These two notes give the fragrance a fresh and green scent that actually smells fantastic
Added to the green opening is a beautiful touch of citruses, making the fragrance a little fresher and juicier.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, some floral notes start to appear. These floral notes give the fragrance a slightly bitter and classy finish. This leaves you with an overall unique and classy fragrance that’s actually quite easy to wear.
Even though the scent is unique and ‘different’ (in a very good way), it’s also an easy one to wear. It will work great in pretty much any setting, as long as the temperature is on the warmer side.
19. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde is a lovely fragrance with a fresh and tropical scent of lime. This fragrance was made by Thierry Wasser and was released in 2014.
The top note of Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde is lime. The middle notes are sugar cane, fig, tropical fruits, and green notes and the base note is tonka bean.
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde immediately opens with a fresh and tropical scent. Hints of sweet and vibrant lime, paired with sugar cane and a sweet touch of fig make up for a beautiful opening.
Shortly thereafter, a bunch of tropical fruits are added, blending in perfectly with the lime and fig. This leaves you with a stunning scent of fresh, sweet, and vibrant fruits.
From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much anymore. There are a few green notes in the background, but they stay relatively hidden, leaving room for the lime and fruits to shine.
This fragrance would be the perfect fragrance to wear on a warm summer day. It’s fresh, vibrant, and tropical, making it fit in perfectly with the higher temperatures. Due to the tropical feel, this fragrance is best worn casually.
20. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin is often seen as one of the better lemon-based fragrances. This fragrance was, of course, made by Francis Kurkdjian himself and was released in 2016.
The notes of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin are musk, hawthorn, orange blossom, ambroxan, lavender, and lemon.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin opens with a bright and smooth scent of lemon. Francis Kurkdjian originally modeled this fragrance after a cool morning in Paris and the opening really pays homage to that feeling.
Added to the lemon are some fresh floral notes, giving the fragrance an aromatic undertone. Aside from the lemon and the floral notes, there’s also the note of ambroxan.
Ambroxan is an interesting fragrance note that’s responsible for an extremely pleasant and somewhat clean scent. In this fragrance, the ambroxan does just that. It lifts up the brightness of the lemon and makes it feel a little cleaner.
Overall Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin is an extremely pleasant fragrance with a scent that works great in any setting. Due to the focus on the note of lemon, it is best worn during the summer and even the spring.
21. Diptyque Oyedo
Diptyque Oyedo is a stunning fragrance with a fresh and aromatic scent of many citruses. This fragrance was released all the way back in 2000 but its still an amazing choice.
The top notes of Diptyque Oyedo are yuzu, lemon, mandarin, and lime. The middle note is thyme and the base notes are woody notes.
Diptyque Oyedo opens with a blast of different citrusy notes. There’s a fresh touch of lime and yuzu, as well as a slightly sweeter scent of lemon, all coming together to create something truly fantastic.
A little while after the opening, a soft aromatic undertone of thyme starts to appear, giving the fragrance a slightly bitter undertone. This actually goes very well with the citruses from the opening, making them a little more interesting.
From here, the fragrance doesn’t really anymore, leaving you with a fantastic citrusy fragrance.
Just like most fragrances on this list, this fragrance is best worn during the spring and summer. Here, you can easily wear this one casually throughout the day, but it also works well while working out or when you’re going to the office.
22. Calvin Klein IN2U For Her
Calvin Klein IN2U For Her is the quintessential airport fragrance. Really, anytime you’re at the airport, you’ll see this fragrance. Calvin Klein IN2U For Her was made by Bruno Jovanovic, Jean-Marc Chaillan, Loc Dong, and Carlos Benaim and was released in 2007.
The top notes of Calvin Klein IN2U For Her are grapefruit, bergamot, and redcurrant leaves. The middle notes are cactus and orchid. The base notes are vanilla, cedar, and amber.
Calvin Klein IN2U For Her opens with a fresh and clean scent of grapefruit and bergamot. These two citrusy notes take the foreground and set the tone for this fragrance.
Quickly added to the opening are some fruity notes and the unique note of cactus. These give the fragrance a slightly richer and smoother scent without taking away the freshness of the citruses.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, you can start to notice some sweet notes such as vanilla and amber. These give the fragrance a denser dry down and work together perfectly with the citruses.