The 8 Best Perfumes for Teens of 2024, Tested & Approved

Finding that first signature scent has never been easier.

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Perfumes for Teens

Byrdie / Kevin Liang

Choosing your first perfume or cologne as a teenager is a monumental moment. It's another step towards adulthood, and it will color all the memories you are about to make in this chapter. Just ask any adult, and they will tell you that one whiff of their old scent instantly brings back a flood of memories. Yet it's not easy to find the best perfume for teenagers as most fragrances marketed for this age group are overly saturated with tacky florals, fruity scents, or intense vanillas. Long story short: They’re usually way too strong for their own good.

"For teens, light and fresh scents are better because teens tend to sweat more, and the heavier scent may cover their sweat odor, but the combination of odor and scent can be gross," says Grace King, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Grace Kingdom Beauty, a cosmetic development company. "Staying on the lighter scent is also more appropriate for their age."

With so many scent options out there, you'll want to narrow your selection down to fragrances that are age-appropriate, worth the money, smell great, and last a long time. To save you the trouble, we tested 70 different perfumes and colognes over the course of the year. After evaluating them on the scent, wear, longevity, ingredients, projection, and packaging, we landed on these top scents that are best for teens (or frankly anyone that wants to add a youthful scent to their collection).

Best Overall

Glossier You Parfum

Sephora Glossier You Parfum

Sephora

What We Like
  • Minimal, unisex scent

  • Difficult to overdo

  • Smells different on everyone

What We Don't Like
  • Iris note can be unappealing to some

Read Full Review: Glossier's Debut Fragrance Is About to Become Your New Addiction

If you're picking your first fragrance, you still may be figuring out if you prefer floral, fruity, or fresh notes. That's why we love this perfume from Glossier, which has gone viral on TikTok for good reason. The perfume blends with each person's skin differently, creating a scent that's unique to you. Featuring hints of iris root, pink peppercorn, musk, and ambrette, the scent brilliantly balances floral, fruity, warm, and musky notes, giving you the best of all the fragrance families.

The spray has a light, even mist, and we are impressed that it doesn't stain different fabrics nor does it irritate our sensitive skin. In fact, this perfume lasts a long time without overwhelming us. We also love the ombre glass bottle that's sleek and modern and how the thumbprint makes it easier to hold. The red cap goes on securely, so you can toss it in your backpack worry-free. Considering that for less than $100, you get a customized, long-lasting perfume, we think this scent is an incredible value.

Type: Warm Floral | Top Notes: Pink Pepper, Iris | Free of: Parabens, BHT, dyes | Size: 0.27 / 1.7 fl. / 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Cologne

Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla

Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla

Amazon

What We Like
  • Warm, spicy scent

  • Extremely affordable

  • High-quality bottle

What We Don't Like
  • Best suited for colder months

A teenage boy should start off with something subtle, and this one is a great option. The main scent note is vanilla while cardamom and tobacco balance out the sweetness with spice. It settles wonderfully on our skin, leaving a warm, spicy, and slightly woody scent. It's not overpowering, yet it also doesn't fade quickly, lasting a few hours. While the cozy scent is better suited for colder months, we love it so much, we would wear it on cool summer evenings.

What really blows our mind is how affordable it is. Rather than having to opt for the smallest bottle to save some cash, you can get the whole 3.4 ounce bottle for less than $25. Despite the low price, it doesn't smell cheap, and it doesn't look cheap either. The scent comes in a sleek, logo-embossed glass bottle that has a nice weight to it. The slender shape is easy to hold and the atomizer sprays evenly without clogging. The internet is convinced this cologne is an affordable version of Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb, and we'd take the Cremo version any day.

Type: Woody Spicy | Top Notes: Cardamom, Tobacco, Black Vanilla | Free of: Parabens | Size: 3.4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

Pacifica Dream Moon Spray Perfume

Pacifica Dream Moon Spray Perfume

Ulta

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Unique, youthful scent

  • Long-lasting

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't come with a cap

Naturally, most teenagers don't have a ton of money to spend on a fragrance. But you don't have to fork over all of your savings to get a good one. Case in point: Pacifica Dream Moon Spray. This little blue bottle is intoxicating, and it's less than $25 and available at drugstores. What makes this scent so addicting is its combination of floral and woody notes, created by pink rose, sandalwood, and earthy patchouli. The scent captures the essence of youth and summertime, with every whiff transporting us back to the beach.

The scent lasts a long time yet it's not overwhelming. Though it settles nicely into our skin and clothes, it fades fast when we spray it in our hair, which is a bit disappointing. That isn't a dealbreaker, and at the very least, the spray doesn't leave stains or an oily residue on our skin or fabrics. As a brand focused on sustainability, Pacifica nixed the cap in order to reduce waste, however, we do wish it had a cover to make this fragrance easier to travel with.

Type: Woody Floral | Top Notes: Pink Rose, Sandalwood, Earthy Patchouli | Free of: Parabens, Phthalates, BHT | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy

Marc Jacobs Daisy

Sephora

What We Like
  • Not overpowering

  • Sweet notes

  • Layers well

What We Don't Like
  • Might be too faint for some

We, like Kaia Gerber, wore this perfume throughout middle and high school, and one whiff instantly brings us back. Originally designed in 2007, this fragrance is one of the most well-known fragrances for how pure, subtle, and sweet it is. As an eau de toilette, the fragrance only has 4-8 percent of pure fragrance, making it lighter and less pungent than other perfumes on the market. The fragrance opens up with a fresh scent of violet leaves and wild strawberries, but the heart of the scent is jasmine, gardenia, and grapefruit. The base is a subtle musk, vanilla, and sandalwood. It's like spring captured in a bottle.

Even as an adult, we would still wear this fragrance. It's elegant and refined, and can be easily layered with others to create you own take. The bottle, with it's oversized daisy decals, is adorable yet high-end thanks to the gold touches. In other words, this is timeless scent you can't outgrow.

Type: Floral | Top Notes: Strawberry, Violet Leaves, Jasmine | Free of: Parabens | Size: 1.7 / 3.4 / 6.8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Floral

& Other Stories Moon Fiction Eau de Toilette

& Other Stories Moon Fiction Eau de Toilette

& Other Stories

What We Like
  • Enhances your natural scent

  • Can work it up to your desired scent level

  • Works for all seasons

What We Don't Like
  • It fades

  • Contains BHT

For those that prefer a gentle floral scent, this one is it. As an eau de toilette, it has a lower fragrance concentration, making it ideal for those who are sensitive to strong perfumes. There's nothing we despise more than feeling overwhelmed by a scent, so we adore how we can layer this light fragrance to achieve our desired strength rather than feel nauseated by one spritz. Even the spray, which is short and concentrated, helps us work our way up as it doesn't dose our entire body with product.

We also love how this fragrance enhances our natural scent, rather than masking it. Sugared musks and sandalwood comprise the base notes, and peach and ginger glitter as the heart notes. While these sweet notes could become sickly, the fragrance's top notes—bergamot and lime—cut it before it gets too sweet. As a result, it's a romantic and flirty floral that doesn't feel too young or too old. We can see ourselves wearing this to class, on dates, and even on casual days out and about. The scent fades a bit, especially on clothes, but we actually like its subtle presence, and we can always reapply it if we want more. The bottle is chic, simple, and small, perfect for starting out your fragrance collection.

Type: Fruity | Top Notes: Bergamot, Lime | Free of: Parabens, dyes | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Warm

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

Sephora

What We Like
  • Smells delicious

  • Long-lasting

  • Affordable

What We Don't Like
  • The cap is hard to take off

Everyone from Barbie Ferreria to all of TikTok seems to be obsessed with this fragrance, and we now know why. The concoction of salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla is so sweet, warm, and cozy, it frankly smells good enough to eat. If you already are a fan of the brand's famous Bum Bum cream, you'll adore this scent that's very similar. And even if you are new to the world of Sol de Janeiro, the tantalizing fragrance will transport you to the beaches of Brazil.

Despite being marketed as a summer fragrance, the scent also suits the colder months thanks to warm and spicy notes. It's certainly not for the faint of heart, as it's quite sweet and strong. Though it's not a true perfume, it lasts several hours and can infuse an entire room if you spray it into the air. A little goes a long way, and considering you can get an 8 ounce bottle for less than $40, it's very cost-effective. Our only complaint? The cap is a bit tricky to take off.

Type: Warm & Spicy | Top Notes: Salted Caramel, Pistachio, Vanilla | Free of: Parabens, BHT, dyes | Size: 3.04 / 8.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Fruity

Ariana Grande God Is A Woman Eau de Parfum

Ariana Grande God Is A Woman Eau de Parfum

Ulta

What We Like
  • Sweet but not sickening

  • Youthful scent

  • Made from 91% naturally derived ingredients

What We Don't Like
  • Lasts longer on fabric and hair than skin

Read Full Review: God Is a Woman by Ariana Grande: Sex, Power, and a Brand-New Fragrance

You don't have to be an Ariana Grande fan to appreciate this perfume that is equal parts playful and sweet. The base is a combo of Madagascar vanilla and cedarwood, the middle is orris and Turkish rose petals, and lastly, the top is a burst of ambrette and juicy pear. When blended all together, the result is truly divine. The pear note stand outs the most to us, and while we enjoy the feminine, youthful scent, you might want to pass if you're not a fan of pear specifically.

The scent does fade throughout the day, but it's still there. It absorbs well into our skin without leaving it oily or tacky, but it lasts longer when sprayed on clothes and hair. Because this scent is so specific and sweet, we actually appreciate that it fades a bit, making it more wearable to school. Grande further wins us over by making this a vegan, cruelty-free scent that's made from 91 percent naturally derived ingredients. The graphic plastic case is an interesting touch, though you can always remove the glass perfume bottle from the inside if you prefer a more minimalistic style.

Type: Fruity | Top Notes: Pear, Ambrette | Free of: Parabens, BHT, dyes | Size: 1 / 1.7 / 3.4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Fresh

Clean Classic Warm Cotton

Clean Classic Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum

Amazon

What We Like
  • Smells like fresh laundry, in the best way

  • Subtle but doesn't disappear

What We Don't Like
  • It can stain fabrics

If your definition of bliss is burying your face into a load of fresh laundry, then this might just be your dream fragrance. The brand hit it right on the nose when it named this perfume "warm cotton" as it invokes all the nostalgia, comfort, and joy of cocooning yourself in bedsheets straight from the dryer. Yet don't think this smells like Tide. Bright florals, citrus, amber, and musk elevate it to be elegant yet fresh. It's the perfect scent for those days where the sun is shining and we're happy to be outside, but even during gloomy weather, this is the pick up we need. Like soap, the scent is subtle but obviously there. You can spray it on before school without worrying it will give you headache or disappear by lunch.

Though it doesn't leave a residue on our skin or cause any irritation, it does leave a mark on cotton and satin fabrics. To combat this, it's best to spray this on before you get dressed or be very careful to avoid your clothes when spraying it on your skin. Still, the simple bottle takes an intentional touch to spray anything, letting us know we could put this in a bag without worrying it would spray on accident. Plus, it comes in a rollerball if you find that best for traveling and direct application.

Type: Fresh | Top Notes: Bergamot, Peony, Amber | Free of: Parabens, BHT, dyes | Size: 1 / 2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Where We Stand

Overall, our favorite perfume for teens is Glossier You. The fragrance combines with your body's chemistry to create a scent that's unique to you. It strikes the ideal balance of being long-lasting without overwhelming the senses. When it comes to cologne, we were blown away by Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla. It smells, looks, and lasts like a luxury cologne at an incredibly low price.

How We Tested

To write this article, we tested 70 different perfumes and colognes in our testing lab. We sprayed each fragrance on testing strips, different types of fabric, hair extensions, and our skin to see if the material affected how the fragrance smelled and how long it lasted. We also examined the fabrics, hair, and skin to see if the fragrance left any stains or residue. In addition, we sprayed the fragrance on a piece of paper to better examine how the atomizer distributes the product.

We rated each perfume and cologne on the scent, wear, longevity, ingredients, projection, and packaging. We also spoke to experts on their advice on what to look for in a teen perfume. After examining these results, we selected the fragrances that are best suited for teens based on the scent, wear, price, and overall value.

We are continuing to test these fragrances over the course of six months to see how they perform over time. We will continue to update this story with our findings.

What to Look For in Perfumes for Teens

Bottle

If you're planning to bring your fragrance to school as a way to freshen up after gym, you want to look for a bottle that's travel-friendly. Look for bottles that aren't too bulky and have a secure cap and lid. Many brands, like Glossier You, offer their scents in rollerballs which are even easier to tuck into your backpack or purse.

Scent Longevity

Depending on potency, perfume scents will last for different periods of time. If you prefer a lighter scent or aren’t concerned with the scent fading, you might want to look for a lighter scent like & Other Stories Moon Fiction Eau de Toilette. But if you want a long-lasting fragrance, be sure you opt for a perfume that’s noted to last longer.

Eau de Parfum vs. Eau de Toilette

Eau de parfum and eau de toilette differ by the concentration of oil blended with alcohol. Eau de parfum is more concentrated than eau de toilette, and a higher concentration of oils translates to a longer-lasting fragrance. According to King, an eau de parfum lasts about six to eight hours, while a eau de toilette typically lasts four hours.

FAQ
  • How do you pick a perfume for a teen?

    Besides sticking to King's advice for looking for lightweight scents, consider what type of scents you like in general. Do you gravitate towards florals or more fruity fragrances? Woodsy scents or ones that are clean and fresh? Pin-pointing one primary scent category will greatly help you narrow down the selection of perfumes to pick from. Next, consider the budget. This is a good time to opt for more affordable perfumes; you can also consider smaller sizes and/or ancillary products, think travel-size roll-ons or scented body lotions, sprays or washes. Celeb fragrances can be a good way to go, too, especially if the teen you’re shopping for has a celebrity they love who happens to have a fragrance line.

  • How do you apply perfume?

    The best way to apply perfume is to focus on your pulse points: the inside of your wrists, inner crook of your elbow, behind your ears, on the back of your knees. All of these spots emit body heat, which will help heighten the scent. But don’t rub your skin, as this can break down the fragrance components. Instead, spritz on the perfume then gently dab it in with your fingertips. Alternately, mist a few spritzes into the air, then walk through the fragrance cloud for a more diffuse, all-over application.

  • How do you make a fragrance last?

    There's a few ways you can extend your fragrance to last from class to extracurriculars. King recommends using a fragrance layering technique. "Use an unscented lotion prior to spray as the lotion will grab the scent and hold on to it longer," says King. "It will also make the scent smells softer and less alcoholic." Applying fragrance to damp skin, like right after a shower, has the same elongating effect.

Why Trust Byrdie

Emily Cieslak is an associate commerce editor, covering all things beauty and fashion. As someone who easily gets bored wearing the same fragrance all the time, she has tried many different perfumes. Her favorite scents as a teen were Marc Jacobs Daisy and DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum. In addition to analyzing the testing results to determine the winners, she also spoke to the following experts:

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