The 9 best lavender perfumes for those seeking calming, botanical blends that linger

RRP: from £65 for 30ml | Notes: Lavender, mandarin, blackcurrant, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, musk and cedar

Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson and Emma Stoddart

Emma: "I  can totally understand why this fragrance from YSL has mass appeal. A definite crowd-pleaser, the distinctive scent combines several popular perfume notes, including jasmine, lavender, vanilla and musk, to create a sensual, intoxicating fragrance. If, however, you’re not drawn to white florals, I'd suggest steering clear, as orange blossom and jasmine (alongside lavender) initially steal the show. After a while, musk and vanilla make an appearance, giving this floral number a sweet creaminess. 

Overall, I'd describe YSL Libre as sophisticated, sensual, and a little bit masculine. It’s a great pick for night-time when you want a fragrance that demands to be noticed. But for the day, I'd personally opt for a lighter, fresher fragrance that lingers in the background. With that said, there's definitely space in your fragrance cabinet for this intoxicating, long-lasting blend that will seriously stick to the skin for 12 hours or more."

RRP: from £169 for 75ml | Notes: Lavender, grapefruit, lemon, geranium, orange blossom, rose, white musk, sandalwood, vanilla, moss and heliotrope

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Arguably one of the best Chanel perfumes out there, Boy Chanel was dreamt up by nose Olivier Polge, who drew inspiration from the inseparable bond between Gabrielle Chanel and Boy Capel. Said to transcend gender, this unisex scent has mass appeal with its citrus, woody and floral concoction. 

On the first sniff, I was hit by a clean, soapy aroma that comes thanks to lavender, geranium, and citruses. After the scent settles on the skin, spicy and woody notes come to the fore, adding warmth and depth. It’s here, at the dry down, where this fragrance truly comes into its own and the lavender takes on a powdery aroma. While it may be too powdery for some, I found this scent to be calming and comforting. As for longevity, this luxurious fragrance lingers for hours on end (think 8 hours plus). I’ll be wearing this spritz right through spring to balmy summer nights. 

RRP: £35 for 30ml | Notes: Lavender, pear, bergamot, cream, praline, coconut, vanilla orchard, musk and woody notes

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

This purse-friendly pick from Ariana Grande has become somewhat of a scent sensation. Often hailed as one of the best cheap perfumes around, fans regularly compare this fragrance to the iconic Baccarat Rouge from Maison Francis Kurkdijan (which costs  $325/£215 for 70ml). Sweet and addictive, Cloud combines soft lavender with pear, coconut, praline, and musk. Initially, I found this fragrance to be overpoweringly sweet, but give it a while and the sweetness soon settles with a creamy coconut dry down.  

For a distinctive scent that stands out from the crowd, this is your guy. But if gourmand scents aren't your thing, I'd recommend opting for one of the more classic lavender perfumes here, such as Jo Malone Silver Birch & Lavender Cologne. Although you detect a hint of lavender at first, this is eventually replaced by a marshmallow-like sweetness. In comparison to other, more expensive scents, the longevity is weak, but if you’re a fan of fragrance layering, this is a great second scent to spritz on top of a body lotion or a stronger base. 

RRP: £201 for 150ml | Notes: Lavender, sage and tonka bean

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

I'll admit it: I can be easily swayed by pretty packaging, and this bottle from Gucci won me over immediately. Seriously chic, the white bottle is adorned with gold italic font and the brand’s feminine rose print that will add a touch of sophistication to any dressing table. Looks aside, this fragrance smells incredible too. Combining delicate lavender with green sage and creamy tonka bean, it's well-balanced with a fresh, airy aroma that’s not at all overpowering. 

The fact that it's not overpowering may be a downfall for some (specifically, anyone after a 'look at me' fragrance). It's subtle and sophisticated, and because it's a water-based scent (meaning it contains a far lower dose of alcohol than Eau de parfum), it's less likely to be irritating on the skin. So if you're following a skincare routine for sensitive skin, this is the perfect pick for you. This is a high-end designer perfume with a price tag to match, so it won't be within budget for everyone. But overall, I'm a big fan of this realistic lavender scent that delivers a splash of floral freshness. 

RRP: from £55 for 30ml | Notes: Grapefruit, lavender, birch and woody notes

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

If you’re a fan of earthy, woodsy fragrances, turn your nose to this opulent blend from Jo Malone. Laced with lavender, roasted oak, and grapefruit, this scent has a crisp freshness that, to me, conjures up an English garden on a sunny spring day. My advice? If you find yourself stuck inside all day and are craving that fresh-air feeling, I'd highly recommend spritzing this on. It's refreshingly clean and has an outdoorsy quality that will transport your mind elsewhere. 

Admittedly, this scent won’t appeal to everyone. It's masculine, punchy, and demands to be noticed. But if woody perfumes are your go-to, I reckon this could be your new signature. A long-lasting perfume, Lavender & Silver Birch lingers on the skin for several hours (6 or more) and, unlike many others, does not change or evolve over the course of the day. I'll be wearing this one to the office. 

RRP: from £115 for 50ml | Notes: Lavender accord

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

I was completely blown away by this beautiful blend from Chloé that’s inspired by the perfumer’s memory of his mother walking through the heat of the garden with lavender in her arms. Celebrating the Provencal flower in all its effervescent glory, this is the most realistic lavender scent I've come by. Delicate, fresh, and sunny – its mood-boosting aroma is the perfect scent for summer and one I can imagine misting onto a linen white dress with a glass of pale rosé in hand. 

And while its freshness may fool you into thinking it's not long-lasting, this perfume does, in fact, linger. I spritzed this onto my skin first thing in the morning and could still detect the scent the following day. Impressive! This also means one spritz is enough for daylong wear, which helps prolong that pricey ribbed glass bottle that's just as beautiful as the fragrance inside. It comes with a pale pink and gold lid embossed with the Chloe logo. To conclude, I am utterly obsessed with this fragrance and can safely say it's the best lavender perfume for the incoming warmer days.

RRP: £185 for 50ml | Notes: Lavender, anise, bergamot, mandarin orange, pineapple, geranium, patchouli, caramel, sugar, vanilla, labdanum

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

If you're after a scent that's entirely unique and original, turn your attention to Music For A While from Frederic Malle. Unlike any other fragrance I've tested, this perfume will have you perplexed (in a good way, hopefully). Opening with a hefty hit of lavender and anise, it smells extremely overpowering at first and a little like soapy liquorice. To be completely honest, I wasn't hooked at first sniff, but stay with it as this is a complex fragrance that really evolves on the skin. 

Once that initial aniseed scent subsides, pineapple steals the spotlight and, contrary to what you may think, blends exceptionally well with lavender. Sharp and fruity yet delicate and floral – the contrast really works. At the dry down, patchouli and vanilla make an appearance, cutting through that fruity sharpness with a soft sweetness. This is a potent, unique fragrance that, in my opinion, gets better with every sniff, but it's one I'd recommend testing on the skin before making a purchase. 

RRP: £185 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, ginger, basil, lavender, coriander, watermelon, cucumber, jasmine, sandalwood, cedarwood and musk

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Pitched traditionally as one of the best men's colognes, I believe that this fresh, aquatic scent from Creed has wide appeal. Drawing inspiration from a sailing trip around the Mediterranean, this scent is designed to ‘transport you to a salty sun-baked boat deck in the heat of summer.’ One sniff and I was (mentally) there. Think salty air, skin warmed from the sun, and a crisp, citrus breeze. 

While lavender gives this fragrance a lasting freshness, lemon, orange, and watermelon also make it one of the best fruity perfumes around. If you like your perfume blends to be fruity, uplifting, and fresh, this is the one for you. And while it is masculine, it’s not overpoweringly so, thanks to the sweetness of the fruits. Overall, this is a lovely sunny scent that will have you dreaming of your next getaway. 

RRP: from £235 for 50ml | Notes: Saffron, nutmeg, lavender, oud, patchouli, musk

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

If you’re in the market for a seriously opulent fragrance (that will set you back a considerable amount), Oud For Greatness from INITIO is worthy of consideration. A celebration of oud, this is a great choice for anyone with a penchant for the best oud perfumes. Warm and addictive, this scent also stars fresh lavender, sweet nutmeg and spicy saffron.  

While rich, oud scents aren’t normally my go-to, I was won over by this number. It smells sophisticated, expensive, and after spritzing it onto a poplin shirt, I felt instantly more polished. Although it's a potent fragrance that will definitely get you noticed, it also has a welcoming hit of freshness (I'm putting this down to the lavender). The longevity and silage are second to none – this perfume will linger on clothes for hours and even days. And while I won’t reach for this every day, it's a great 'going out' scent that will make you feel more put together.