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    1. Beauty
    2. Fragrance

    From Gourmands to Greens—The Best Fragrances in Every Scent Family, Per Our Marie Claire UK Fragrance Awards Judges

    Plus, their verdict on the best oud

    Nessa Humayun's avatar
    By Nessa Humayun
    Published 14 July 2026 In Features

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    Marie Claire Fragrance Awards 2026: Scent Profiles
    (Image credit: Eglė Tolušytė)
    Jump to category:
    • WINNER: BEST GREEN
    • WINNER: BEST WOOD
    • WINNER: BEST FLORAL
    • WINNER: BEST MUSKY
    • WINNER: BEST CITRUS
    • WINNER: BEST SKIN SCENT
    • WINNER: BEST FRUIT
    • WINNER: BEST GOURMAND
    • WINNER: BEST AMBER
    • WINNER: BEST CHYPRE
    • WINNER: BEST SPICY
    • WINNER: BEST OUD
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    With so much choice in the world of perfumery, how is one to choose a signature scent without paying attention to the fragrance families they're naturally drawn to? From botanical greens and saccharine gourmands to smoky, sultry ouds, we all have a preference for one, or several, scent profiles. Ahead, our judges have made the selection process much simpler by sharing their verdict on the best perfumes across the most popular fragrance families.

    How are the products tested and judged?

    The Fragrance Awards have been judged by a panel of industry experts, bringing together the sharpest noses and most discerning voices in beauty—from industry-leading Marie Claire UK editors to renowned fragrance specialists: Nicola Bonn, Mowa Osifeso, Suzy Nightingale, Thomas Dunckley, and Clémence Pellé. Judges tested the scents and provided scores based on perfume family, innovation, longevity and packaging.

    WINNER: BEST GREEN

    FREE YOURSELF, AETHER

    FREE YOURSELF
    AETHER
    £155 AT FREE YOURSELF

    Judge Nicola Bonn describes this fresh green as "addictive", and indeed, it features a heady, moreish blend of salty blackcurrant, bell pepper accord, fresh hyacinth and narcissus absolute.

    WINNER: BEST WOOD

    Granado, Amazônico

    Granado
    Amazônico
    £135 AT HARVEY NICHOLS

    Crafted to reveal the mysteries of the world's largest rainforest, Granado's Amazônico is a feat of contrast and textures, between earthy and green and dry heat and humid. "I love the apothecary style of this fragrance," comments expert Clémence Pellé. "This woodsy is timeless, elegant with a touch of retro."

    WINNER: BEST FLORAL

    Grandiflora Madagascan Jasmine

    Grandiflora
    Madagascan Jasmine
    £99 AT MISS MOLLY

    This floral unisex is a unique take on the classic jasmine fragrance, thanks to notes of mango, tropical fruits, green leaves, smoke and cacao. Our judges all agreed on one thing: it's addictive.

    WINNER: BEST MUSKY

    Gritti Muskaria

    Gritti
    Muskaria
    £230 AT HARVEY NICHOLS

    The personal favourite of master perfumer, Luca Gritti, Muskaria is a luxurious blend of noble musks, precious resins and rare spices, including labdanum, benzoin and ambrette.

    WINNER: BEST CITRUS

    Jorum Studio , Risso

    Jorum Studio
    Risso
    £142 AT JORUM STUDIO

    "I love the slight fun creative take of Jorum Studio," notes Clémence Pellé. "There's always something unexpected, and it's like vitamin D in a bottle."

    WINNER: BEST SKIN SCENT

    Mabelle O'Rama, Lunar Dust

    Mabelle O'Rama
    Lunar Dust
    £115 AT MABELLE O'RAMA

    This sensual, woody skin scent takes inspiration from the moon's cool, powdery surface, as well as it's warm lunar glow. Nicola Bonn says: "I'm completely and utterly in love with this incredible fragrance."

    WINNER: BEST FRUIT

    VERONIQUE GABAI, DÉLICES DES BOIS

    Veronique Gabai
    Délices des Bois
    £206.10 AT LIBERTY LONDON

    Here, it's a sun-kissed fig from the gardens of the south of France that takes centre stage, with its sweet, milky sap. It's expertly blended with sandalwood, cedarwood, dreamwood, and jasmine.

    WINNER: BEST GOURMAND

    Maison Louis Marie, No.15 Vanille Infinie

    Maison Louis Marie
    No.15 Vanille Infinie
    £79.50 AT BOOTS

    Judge Suzy Nightingale was full of praise for this sugary fragrance: "The sweetness in Vanille Infinie is burnished, like flambéd brown sugar atop a vanilla bean-flecked créme brulée. It makes for a gorgeously grown-up gourmand which, nevertheless, doesn't feel too buttoned up to have some serious fun."

    WINNER: BEST AMBER

    EX NIHILO, Blue Talisman Extrait De Parfum

    EX NIHILO
    Blue Talisman Extrait De Parfum
    £230
    £229.50 AT LIBERTY LONDON

    Clémence Pellé states that this as a scent to go "out out": "There's so many layers and so much depth. It's a seductive amber with a mysterious edge."

    WINNER: BEST CHYPRE

    Brunello Cucinelli, Brezza Gentile

    Brunello Cucinelli
    Brezza Gentile
    £255 AT HARRODS

    This UK exclusive pays homage to the earthy terrain of the brand's native Umbria, with an invigorating, perfectly grounded mix of bitter orange, pink pepper, and patchouli.

    WINNER: BEST SPICY

    Atelier Versace, Safran Royal

    Atelier Versace
    Safran Royal
    £221 AT FENWICK

    As its name connotes, Safran Royal bottles the rare essence of saffron, the world's most expensive spice. It's singular scent is enhanced with Moroccan wormwood, as well as leather and amber.

    WINNER: BEST OUD

    Dolce&Gabbana, Velvet Desert Oud

    Dolce&Gabbana
    Velvet Desert Oud
    £280 AT HARRODS

    A quintessential "sexy" scent, Dolce&Gabbana's Velvet Desert Oud opens on a heavy wave of incense, before unfolding into something smokier, with enigmatic notes of dark wood and deep amber.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Nessa Humayun
    Nessa Humayun
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    Beauty Editor

    Nessa Humayun is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over eight years of editorial experience across lifestyle sectors, Nessa was previously the Editorial Lead of HUNGER Magazine, and has bylines in British Vogue, Dazed, and Cosmopolitan. A self-confessed human guinea pig, Nessa covers everything from product must-haves to long-reads about the industry writ large. Her beauty ethos is all about using products that work hard, so you don't have to.

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