The best Dior perfumes of all time are known globally for their elegant, sophisticated and timeless blends. Crafted from the finest ingredients, these fragrances are complex, refined, and are some of the best long-lasting perfumes around.
Founded in 1946, the House of Dior made its first foray into the fragrance field with Miss Dior. A green, chypre scent, this fragrance was designed to “leave a trail of desire in a woman’s wake”. While it continues to be a cult classic, the French Maison has gone on to launch many more of the most beloved, best perfumes for women, including Dior J’Adore and Dior Addict.
With a particular interest in floral fragrances, many of Christian Dior’s perfumes feature a bouquet of blooms. And here, we’ve included some of our favourites. But we’ve also selected other, less obvious choices that celebrate ingredients like vanilla and sea salt. Have a read, pick the fragrance that speaks to you, then go and smell it IRL - it may just be your new signature scent for summer.
The 12 best Dior Perfumes of all time, as tested by a beauty editor
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RRP: £68 for 30ml | Olfactory family: Fresh floral | Standout notes: Peony, lily-of-the-valley, apricot, rose, musk, sandalwood
Miss Dior EDP is a timeless classic that has to take the top spot as the best Dior perfume of all time. It’s fresh and floral and exudes femininity with its striking bouquet of delicate rose perfume, fresh lily-of-the-valley, powdery iris, and apricot-tinged peony accord. At its base, comforting musks, sweet vanilla and creamy sandalwood leave a lasting impression.
Housed in the instantly recognisable bottle, adorned with the Miss Dior bow, it reminds us of our late teens when we first ventured into the world of ‘adult’ fragrances and became acquainted with Miss Dior EDT. Sweet, without being sickly-sweet, this scent became a signature for many. But it’s the latest incarnation, Miss Dior EDP, that now has our heart, with its slightly more sophisticated take on florals that’s less sweet and more vibrant – leaving behind soft musk in its trail.
RRP: £68 for 30ml | Olfactory family: Fruity floral | Standout notes: Ylang ylang, damask rose and sambac jasmine
Dior J'Adore is an iconic fragrance that continues to be one of the brand's best-sellers and has been for over 20 years. One sniff, and you'll understand why. An ode to Christian Dior's love for florals, the carnal blend, which launched back in 1999, celebrates different flowers from around the world.
There's ylang-ylang and Damascus rose from Turkey, Indian jasmine sambac, and jasmine grandiflorum from Grasse, aka France's fine fragrance mecca. Together, these blooms create a pillowy, soft scent that's classy and modern. It's sharp, sweet, and smooth – all at the same time - and will make the wearer feel polished and put together. The perfect scent for summer and tres chic!
RRP: £82 for 50ml | Olfactory family: Fruity floral | Standout notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, freesia, pomegranate, white musk and woods
This fun, fruity and fresh fragrance is guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Seriously uplifting, one sniff of this, and you’ll instantly feel perkier. A floral fruity concoction, this scent combines zingy bergamot and grapefruit with delicate florals and woodsy notes. While the crisp fruits cut through the white florals – the lasting scent is a powdery one that smells sophisticated, not unlike the best lavender perfumes. This is an excellent choice for anyone who’s obsessed with more traditional floral fragrances.
As for wearability, we can imagine wearing this on a balmy summer’s night, spritzed onto a billowy dress. So pretty, this is a happy scent that will reel in the compliments. The only downside? The longevity is weak compared to other Dior fragrances we’ve tried (and listed here), lasting a few hours at most. We’d recommend misting it onto hair and clothes too, for a longer-lasting scent.
RRP: £125 for 40ml | Olfactory family: Amber vanilla | Standout notes: orange, pink pepper, lemon, rum, cacao, cardamon, bourbon vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli
Searching for the best vanilla perfume? Turn your nose to this gourmand fragrance from Dior. Inspired by Christian Dior’s favourite pastry, the Diorama Gourmand, this scent smells good enough to eat (in the best way possible). It’s creamy, comforting, and oh so moreish with its luxurious blend of Madagascan vanilla, rich cocoa, and boozy rum. And while many vanilla fragrances fall into the sugary sweet camp, conjuring up the aroma of freshly baked cookies, this vanilla perfume is far more refined.
It smells rich, not sweet, and gets better as it evolves on the skin with a woodsy, spicy dry down. We are hooked and highly recommend saving this one for special occasions, like weddings or birthdays. Expect lots of “you smell amazing” compliments while wearing it.
RRP: £97 for 50ml| Olfactory family: Amber vanilla | Standout notes: Liquorice, almond, jasmine sambac, orange blossom, vanilla and tonka bean
If you like the original Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette, then you’ll love this Eau de Parfum iteration. Landing on our shelves in 2014, this has quickly become one of the brand’s best-sellers. Darker and more mysterious than the original, the EDP packs a punch with its intoxicating blend that contrasts white florals (think jasmine sambac and orange blossom) with sharp liquorice and creamy vanilla. It’s sweet yet sophisticated and gets better with every sniff.
Ideal as a perfume for winter months as well as summer, this fragrance is warming and comforting. Seriously striking, this fragrance has major #shelfie appeal. And with impressive staying power (we’re talking 8 hours or more), it has major scent appeal, too.
RRP: £99 for 50ml | Olfactory family: Amber floral | Standout notes: Neroli, bergamot, jasmine, rose, vanilla, tonka bean, musk and sandalwood
A mood booster in fragrance form. Bright and breezy, the sunny scent combines zesty bergamot and mandarin with delicate florals and creamy sandalwood. As it dries down on the skin, we detect the soft scent of rose, which lingers long after spritzing. Ideal for everyday wear (and for anyone who adores florals), this is not a ‘look at me’ fragrance – instead, it’s a delicate, sophisticated number that lingers quietly in the background.
If you prefer something bold, like one of the best oud perfumes, this fragrance is probably not for you. But if you’re drawn to soft florals that smell fresh, as opposed to powdery, this is the perfect pick. A best-seller for good reason; it really does have mass appeal and will not overpower as many other fragrances do. Our only word of warning is that the longevity of this scent is moderate, so we recommend moisturising your skin before spritzing this on to boost its staying power.
RRP: £125 for 40ml | Olfactory family: Woody floral | Standout notes: sea salt, citruses, mineral notes, jasmine, coconut, pine tree and labdanum
It may sound cliché, but this really is summer, bottled. Inspired by Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc (aka one of the world's most exclusive and glamorous hotels), this scent is designed to conjure up the hotel's lavish atmosphere and picturesque setting overlooking white clifftops and the Mediterranean Sea.
An aquatic perfume, Dior perfumer-creator Francois Demachy called upon sea salt and mineral notes to mimic the scent of warm, salty air. As it develops on the skin, you'll start to notice a suntan lotion scent that's thanks to jasmine and coconut. The dry down is green and a little herbaceous, which is an ode to the hotel's beautiful gardens. Overall, it's an elegant fragrance that's sunny yet chic.
RRP: £125 for 40ml | Olfactory family: Floral | Standout notes: Peony, rose, lily of the valley, strawberry, raspberry, woods and musk
You guessed it, Holy Peony is another floral fragrance that exists in Christian Dior’s La Collection Privée. As the name suggests, this fragrance is designed to personify the peony blossom with a delicate, fresh aroma that’s soft and feminine. As with the new J’adore fragrance, this floral number doesn’t veer into powdery territory – instead, it’s light and airy with a fruity freshness (that’s thanks to notes of strawberry and raspberry).
If it’s a loud, statement scent that you’re after – this pick probably isn’t for you. Holy Peony is extremely subtle, perfectly capturing the beautiful, delicate nature of the peony flower. As the scent evolves on the skin, warm woods and musk make an appearance, adding depth to this otherwise simplistic (but very pleasing) fragrance. Ideal for the summer months, this light, feminine and elegant fragrance gets our vote.
RRP: £125 for 40ml | Olfactory family: Amber floral | Standout notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, Damask rose, pink pepper, ambergris, guaiac wood, cedar and patchouli
It probably goes without saying that Dior is not the place to shop if you want to bag a bargain. For that, look for the best cheap perfume. At Dior, expect refined, well-balanced blends that will make you feel, and not just smell, luxurious. This is something we especially felt when wearing Ambre Nuit. Velvety, smooth and sensual, this opulent number is an excellent pick for evening wear or whenever you want to make a lasting impression.
An amber floral fragrance, this perfume is all about contrast and “the encounter between two extremes,” says Dior perfumer-creator François Demachy. “It is, in a way, the olfactory expression of Beauty and the Beast,” he continues. Honeyed amber is warm, while Turkish rose is soft and velvety. Together, these starring notes smell sweet, musky, spicy yet fresh – making it a great year-round fragrance.
RRP: £68 for 30ml | Olfactory family: Amber floral | Standout notes: mandarin leaf, orange blossom, jasmine sambac absolute, bourbon vanilla
Addictive by name, addictive by nature – Dior Addict EDP is an intoxicating, seductive scent that will have you coming back for more (in our case, much more). Not for the faint-hearted, this fragrance demands to be noticed with its lingering blend of fresh mandarin leaf, floral jasmine sambac, and creamy bourbon vanilla.
In fact, if you want something long-lasting, this Dior number is a top contender that will stick around from dusk until dawn. Bold, confident, comforting, and nostalgic – Addict is a scent we want to wear while out dancing. If you’re yet to smell this scent, we’d describe it as warm, comforting, and sweet with the stars of the show being vanilla, sandalwood and spice.
RRP: £68 for 30ml | Olfactory family: Floral | Standout notes: Neroli, jasmine sambac, magnolia, rose, honeysuckle
Dior's alcohol-free rendition of its iconic J'adore fragrance is the epitome of a crowd-pleaser. We know we say it a lot, but this fragrance has serious mass appeal. It's light (much lighter than the original), creamy and refreshing with a soft petal scent that combines delicate white florals (including neroli, jasmine sambac and magnolia) with refreshing green notes. Overall, the scent is elegant and sophisticated and, to us, conjures up that fresh out the shower feeling.
Not at all overpowering, this scent has been formulated without alcohol (a first for Dior), meaning it doesn't have that initial harsh alcohol aroma. Instead, you're hit with a floral freshness that lingers on the skin for around three to four hours before evolving into a clean skin scent. "This is a true ode to the white flowers of J'adore, in a fresh and spontaneous interpretation," says Francois Demachy, the nose behind the scent.
RRP: £114 for 100ml | Olfactory family: Amber woody | Standout notes: Brazilian rosewood, mandarin orange, bergamot, peony, lily, ylang-ylang, wallflower, jasmine, rose, amber, sandalwood, benzoin, oakmoss, vanilla, patchouli and musk
Launching back in 1991, Dune is a timeless classic that challenged the typical aquatic scents of this era. The brand wanted a marine fragrance unlike any other, free from the usual notes used to conjure up an oceanic scent (like melon and cucumber). Instead, the three perfumers behind this fragrance turned to zesty citruses, white florals and warm woods to create a ‘marine’ number that, to us, smells like hot sand as opposed to ocean air. Completely unique, it’s hard to put Dune into words.
At first, we were hit by the potent bouquet of white florals (think peony, lily, rose and jasmine). And while this was pleasant, we didn’t get that beachy, Mediterranean vibe. It was only after this fragrance settled on the skin, that we could fully appreciate its complexity. The dry-down is warm, soothing and earthy – conjuring up hot desert sands with a hint of salty air. Perfect for summer, this is a scent that needs to be tested on the skin and left for an hour or so to truly come into its own.
What is the oldest Dior perfume?
Miss Dior Original is the very first fragrance by Christian Dior that launched back in 1947. Described as an ‘avant-garden green chypre floral’, this iconic fragrance is laced with sambac jasmine, patchouli and galbanum. "I created this perfume to clothe every woman in exquisite femininity, as though each of my gowns were emerging, one by one, from the bottle,” says François Demachy.
Is Dior perfume worth the money?
It really depends on what you’re after. If you want to have a signature scent that’s carefully crafted with the finest ingredients from around the world then yes, Dior perfume is worth the spend. All the fragrances we’ve listed here are beautifully balanced and manage to tell a story as they evolve on the skin.
At Dior, you’re not just buying a fragrance, you’re also buying into the bigger picture – the Dior woman who’s elegant, chic and ever so sophisticated. These fragrances are designed to make you feel like the best, most sophisticated version of yourself.
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