25 best perfumes for teenagers that will make a great 'first fragrance'
Choosing perfumes for teenagers doesn't need to be stressful.
My own perfume journey started – like many people I know – at a tender young teen age, when I first discovered the power of scent. I remember writing up my Christmas list and struggling to select just one perfume gift set from Boots’ festive catalogue. (Don't even get me started on the unlimited joy of the Argos catalogue).
I began with celebrity perfumes. From JLo Glow to Britney Spears' Fantasy, buying a fragrance that’d been given the A-list seal of approval was the ultimate early noughties flex.
Next, it was the likes of ‘00s classics, including CK One (a unisex fragrance that was the first of its time), Tommy Girl, Vera Wang Princess and of course, the potent concoction that was (and still is) Thierry Mugler’s Alien. I distinctly recall my Mum hating the smell of this, but I couldn’t get enough.
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Over time, my taste refined and I moved on to the likes of Chloe’s first soft floral fragrance and the more seductive Gucci Guilty. Fast forward to now, and I prefer a sophisticated scent that’s not too fruity, floral or overpowering. But those original bottles? They paved the way for where I am (and what I smell like) now.
Of course, buying for a teen a whole decade later is a different ballgame. Teens can be notoriously fussy – though, really, they just know what they like. Luckily, there is plenty out there for younger tastes (and noses).
We've done the hard work to discover the best fragrances perfect for a young adult. (And pssst: you don't even have to be a teenager – many of them can be snapped up at any age for a scented hit of nostalgia).
Which notes are best in perfumes for teenagers?
When referring to my own teenage perfume journey, there’s a definite pattern, and it’s one that may not surprise you. Fruity and floral notes are definitely the most common for younger adults, and (depending on what they are specifically), they usually ensure a perfume isn’t too mature or rich for a younger audience.
Look out for the likes of citrus fruits, berries and fresh flowers such as lily, rose or peony. I’d also recommend sticking to fresh, lightweight smells that won’t overpower a teen palette. Again, citrus notes work well here, along with things like bergamot, musk and cedar.
Which brands do good perfumes for teenagers?
Lines such as Ariana Grande’s are paving the way for the modern celebrity perfume, while classics like Dior, Chanel and Prada have some great, sweet or fresh scents for a teen nose.
If you want something affordable, opt for perfume body mists instead; Sol de Janeiro and Victoria’s Secret have some great ones that could easily become a signature scent.
Scroll to view our edit of the best perfumes for teenagers…
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette
Why we love it: A classic and an icon amongst all young women, this was one of my own teenage favourites due to its sweet-yet-still-sophisticated scent. This long-lasting perfume comes in an equally-as-impressive bottle that all teens will proudly display on their dressing table.
Top notes: Violet leaf, blood grapefruit, strawberry.
Middle notes: Violet, gardenia, jasmine.
Base notes: Musk, white woods, vanilla.Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: While boasting plenty of citrus and berry notes, this deceptively fruity fragrance is also incredibly creamy and calming, with caramel, praline and vanilla at the base, as well as amber and sandalwood.
Top notes: Wild berries, mandarin orange.
Middle notes: Gardenia, honeysuckle, jasmine.
Base notes: Caramel, praline, vanilla.Why we love it: Sniffing this will do what it says on the tin (read: sleek glass bottle): make you happy. With uplifting notes such as orange, rose and lily, it’s a nice starter scent for the young fragrance connoisseur.
Top notes: Orange, blood grapefruit, bergamot.
Middle notes: Freesia, orchid, rose.
Base notes: Mimosa, lily, magnolia.Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa '62
Why we love it: Sol de Janeiro’s irresistible Bum Bum Cream is beloved because of its delicious tropical scent, and its body mist version quickly became just as popular. The brand has become a TikTok hit, with most of its other fragrances quickly going viral – and for good reason.
Top notes: Pistachio, almond.
Middle notes: Heliotrope, jasmine.
Base notes: Caramel, vanilla, salt, sandalwood.Save big when you shop for the best teenage perfumes with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Why we love it: Sweet, sparkly and just that little bit special: Miss Dior is a scent any teen will remember receiving for years to come. With fruity sweet orange, pink pepper and lemon mixed with patchouli and rose, it’s a classic for a reason. And that bottle…!
Top notes: Pink pepper, sweet orange, lemon.
Middle notes: Damask rose, jasmine leaf.
Base notes: Patchouli, palisander rosewood.Save big when you shop for the best teenage perfumes with these Sephora discount codes.
Why we love it: With floral notes as well as fruity pear, tangerine and bergamot, this is the perfect hybrid fragrance. One of the newest of the bunch, Prada’s Paradoxe is chic and stylish, perfect for the slightly older teen.
Top notes: Pear, tangerine, bergamot.
Middle notes: Orange blossom, neroli, jasmine sambac.
Base notes: Bourbon vanilla, white musk, amber.Save big when you shop for the best aphrodisiac perfumes with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche Sheer Moisture Mist
Why we love it: A mainstay in my teenage collection, Chanel’s Chance Eau Fraiche (or, ‘the green one,’ as I used to say) is fresh, citrusy and full of sparkle. Buying it in body mist form helps to save the pennies, making it perfect for teens.
Top notes: Citron.
Middle notes: Jasmine.
Base notes: Amber and teak wood.Save big when you shop for the best teenage perfumes with these Sephora discount codes.
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: With floral notes at its base, middle and top, this is a truly floral scent – but not overpoweringly so. The gardenia is its most detectable note, embedded in jasmine and frangipani and nicely undercut by the smooth, creamy brown sugar at the base, making it a brilliant buy for younger noses.
Top notes: Pear blossom, red berries, Italian mandarin.
Middle notes: Gardenia, jasmine, frangipani.
Base notes: Brown sugar, patchouli.Save big when you shop for the best teenage perfumes with these John Lewis discount codes.
Why we love it: A teenage girl’s perfume collection just isn’t quite complete without a Victoria’s Secret addition, and this one is the ultimate, with floral, fruity notes perfect for a teen spritz. And at its current price, it’ll still give you change from a twenty.
Top notes: Peach, cherry blossom, red apple.
Middle notes: Lilac, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley.
Base notes: Tamarind, musk, white woods.Save big when you shop for the best teenage perfumes with these Amazon discount codes.
Why we love it: Quintessentially British, this fragrance is packed full of fruity notes such as orange, raspberry and cranberry – to name but a few. It’s the ultimate ‘cool girl’ scent, so will give any teen a new level of confidence.
Top notes: Red pepper, blackberry, cranberry.
Middle notes: Lily, peony, peach.
Base notes: Cedar, oakmoss, vanilla.Calvin Klein CK One Unisex Eau de Toilette
Why we love it: The best unisex perfume – and also the original. Groundbreaking for its time, CK One was the first of its kind and paved the way for the genderless scents of today. Citrusy and fresh, this is the dream teenage summer scent.
Top notes: Lemon, bergamot and mandarin orange.
Middle notes: Jasmine, violet, nutmeg.
Base notes: Musk, cedar, sandalwood.Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau De Toilette
Why we love it: If your teen is looking for something fresh and never overpowering, D&G’s Light Blue is always a great option. Just as its stripped-back bottle suggests, this is simple and delicate; perfect for someone new to fragrance.
Top notes: Sicilian lemon, apple, cedar.
Middle notes: Bamboo, jasmine, white rose.
Base notes: Cedar, musk, amber.
Huda Beauty Kayali Vanilla | 28 Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: Creamy and sensual, but just right for a slightly younger palette, Kayali’s Vanilla | 28 is a bestseller at the brand for a reason. Perfect for Autumn months when there’s a chill in the air, this has the strength to make you feel cosy yet empowered all at once.
Top notes: Vanilla orchid, jasmine.
Middle notes: Brown sugar, tonka bean.
Base notes: Amber, amberwood, musk, patchouli.Save big when you shop for the best teenage perfumes with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette
Why we love it: Another of my young adult go-tos was Vera Wang’s Princess, which is pretty in name, appearance and smell. The fruity, floral top notes are perfectly complemented by the richer, creamier vanilla, amber and dark chocolate, making for an irresistible spritz.
Top notes: Water lily, apricot, apple.
Middle notes: Dark chocolate, guava, tuberose.
Base notes: Vanilla, amber.Moschino Toy2 Bubblegum Eau de Toilette
Why we love it: If you’re shopping for a teenager with a sweet tooth (and nose!), you can’t beat Moschino’s Toy2 Bubblegum, which features everything from candied fruits to bubblegum in its perfectly pink bottle.
Top notes: Candied fruits, bitter orange, lemon.
Middle notes: Bubblegum, Bulgarian rose, peach blossom.
Base notes: Musk, ambroxan, cedar.Why we love it: When Glossier released its first perfume several years back, fans of the brand went wild. Smelling slightly unique on every person, this is the ultimate skin scent that suits all age ranges and tastes. It’s hard to describe, but the mystical fragrance feels warm, comforting and powdery to me personally. If you love a musk, this one is most certainly for you.
Top notes: Pink pepper.
Middle notes: Ambrette seeds and ambroxan.
Base notes: Iris.
Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth - Eau de Parfum Spray
Why we love it: 2024 has been Sabrina Carpenter's year. If you haven't been heard the absolute bop of Espresso, turn it up right now and add the singer's scent to your bag. A truly mouthwatering concoction inspired by her love of desserts, this yummy perfume blends notes of chocolate and vanilla with citrusy bergamot and ginger to create a scent that's good enough to eat. As for the chocolate bar inspired bottle? I mean.
Top notes: Bergamot, candied ginger, chocolate marshmallow.
Middle notes: Jasmine, coconut and Madagascan vanilla.
Base notes: Cashmere wood and musk.Cosmic by Kylie Jenner Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: Designed to fit perfectly into the palm of your hand, this sculptural offering blends fruity floral notes of jasmine, peony and blood orange with depths of musk and cedarwood. Ideal for day or night wear, this uplifting scent will look gorgeous on your dressing table - and the mirrored cap is designed as a reminder to show yourself love and kindness.
Top notes: Jasmine and blood orange.
Middle notes: Amber and red peony.
Base notes: Vanilla, musk and cedarwood.LOVENOTES by Ariana Grande Vanilla Suede
Why we love it: Ari believes that scent should be a universal love language, so she created this perfume to act as a love letter to the world. Only available in the UK, this special scent was designed to deliver a second skin feeling and leave a light trail of musky, vanilla goodness wherever you go.
Top notes: Italian bergamot.
Middle notes: Sandalwood and rice milk.
Base notes: Vanilla and musk.Narciso Rodriguez All of Me Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: Yep, vegan perfume is a thing - and this offering is not only vegan, but also consists of 88% natural ingredients. Impressive, no? Created to encourage you to embrace your uniqueness, this floral fragrance effortlessly fuses rose and geranium with deeper musk and sandalwood, delivering an intoxicating scent that lasts all day.
Top notes: Magnolia.
Middle notes: Rose and geranium.
Base notes: Musk and sandalwood.
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Why we love it: Opening with a burst of gummy bears, this playful scent is guaranteed to turn heads (and will satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth). And although it's sweet – the dry down is sophisticated, thanks to the addition of amber and musk.
Top notes: Dragon fruit pulp, orange and fruit gummies.
Middle notes: Orange flower, jasmine and amber.
Base notes: Patchouli, musk and amber.MERIT Beauty Retrospect L’Extrait De Parfum
Why we love it: Merit Beauty’s debut fragrance is a grown-up skin scent that combines delicate floral notes with creamy vanilla and moody musk. Not at all overpowering, this is a great everyday pick that gets better with every sniff. Try it!
Top notes: Bergamot, pear, ambrette and aldehydes.
Middle notes: Jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet and orris.
Base notes: Vanilla, musk and moss.Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Did you know that hair is a better scent carrier than skin? For long-lasting freshness, spritz Gisou’s Hair Perfume all over your tresses. Laced with earthy lavender and zesty blackberry leaf, the nourishing blend softly scents hair while boosting shine (thanks to argan oil).
Notes: Honey, lavender, blackberry leaf and ginger.
Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: Ariana Grande Cloud, her bestselling scent, is everything a teenage perfume should be: sweet, creamy and fun. The notes of whipped cream, praline and coconut envelop you into a warm embrace, undercut by woody musk at the base. And that bottle? A teenage dream.
Top notes: Lavender, pear, bergamot.
Middle notes: Whipped cream, praline, coconut, vanilla orchid.
Base notes: Musk, woody notes.
Why we love it: Designed to conjure up the scent of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear seas, this refreshing fragrance (that’s inspired by Jo’s holiday to Turks and Caicos) is perfect for summer. On first sniff, you’ll be hit with an invigorating citrus kick before spicy clove and musky suede come to the fore.
Top notes: Pomelo, grapefruit and rose.
Middle notes: Vetiver and clove.
Base notes: Patchouli and suede.
How we test perfumes for teenagers:
We've been there and got the T-shirt, people. We've all been teenagers ourselves, and we remember well what we used to like when it came to our first fragrances.
Yep, it's true that perfumes have certainly evolved since the days of our teenage youth, but the market is much the same - brimming with celebrity perfumes, fruity florals, sweet gourmands and woody musks.
We've taken our teenage know-how and our inside knowledge on the very best perfumes for teenagers, scrolling through customer reviews, brands, olfactory notes and the latest perfume releases to give you this ultimate list. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to follow your nose…
After more content for teens? Shop the best skincare for teens. We've also got lots more perfume content. Shop Black Friday perfume deals, the best cherry perfumes, best bergamot perfumes, best autumn perfumes and best solid perfumes.
