17 best sweet perfumes that are anything but saccharine

You don't have to be a fragrance connoisseur to know that sweet perfumes have always been a cult-favourite scent category. Need proof? #GourmandFragrances has over 90 million views on TikTok, courtesy of the #PerfumeTok community.

As a perfume-obsessed beauty journalist, I find sweet fragrances versatile enough to wear on any occasion – be it for a day in the office, a date night, a day out with my friends or even a pick-me up on the days when I want to stay in and cuddle up with a book.

First off, you have your florals, citrusy and fruity scents that make perfect everyday fragrances. More often than not, they'll feature refreshing yet addicting notes of rose, lavender blossom, juicy pear and bergamot.

My personal favourites have to be the gourmand, mouth-watering fragrances that will have you smelling like walking dessert. Trust me, they'll grant you the most compliments, whether you're heading off to the office or a date night. Think notes of vanilla, cotton candy caramel, praline, coffee and marshmallow – Ariana Grande Cloud, we're looking at you.

The best part? The days of the overly nauseating sweet perfumes for women are well over. Instead, we're met with unique and balanced blends that are everything but sickly. Case in point: one of the best gourmand scents around is one that also happens to be adored by none other than Rihanna herself – enter, Kilian Love, Don't Be Shy.

Best sweet perfumes at a glance – our top picks:

1. Best sweet perfume overall: Ariana Grande Cloud Eau De Parfum, £33, Boots
2. Best celebrity-approved sweet perfume: Kilian Love Don't Be Shy Refillable Eau De Parfum, £220, Selfridges
3. Best floral sweet perfume: Maison Margiela Replica on a Date Eau de Toilette, £110, Cult Beauty
4. Best vanilla sweet perfume: Kayali Vanilla 28 Eau De Parfum, £98, Cult Beauty
5. Best affordable sweet perfume: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist, £22, LookFantastic

Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum

£33 at Boots

£53 £40 at Amazon

Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy Refillable Eau de Parfum

£220 at Selfridges

£175 at John Lewis

Huda Beauty Kayali Vanilla | 28 Eau de Parfum

£73 at Cult Beauty

£58.30 at Sephora

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist

£22 £17.60 at LookFantastic

£19 £17.60 at Amazon

But if you found yourself a tad overwhelmed by the sheer amount of perfumes to choose from – we don't blame you. Below, we've put together a comprehensive guide to the very best options on the market, including viral scents, the all-time classics and new launches that landed on the GLAMOUR beauty desk just earlier this year. Think: Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Lancome, Prada, Armani, Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana, Mugler and Jo Malone London. You'll find pricier options as well as affordable picks (hello, Sol de Janeiro) to fit every budget and preference. We've also broken down all the notes so you can get the idea of what they smell like – after all, we totally get just how hard it can be to shop for perfumes online.

How we tested sweet perfumes

Over the years, the GLAMOUR beauty team has tested hundreds of eau de parfums, eau de toilettes and colognes, all ranging in terms of the scent profile, price range and packaging. We've reviewed the fragrances over a minimum period of a week in real life scenarios (in the office/date night/gym/weddings), while judging each scent based on longevity and the complexity of the notes.

Looking to upgrade your perfume collection? Make sure to check out our guides on best long-lasting perfumes, best rose perfumes and best perfume for women (of all time).

For more makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.

Ahead, your ultimate guide to the very best sweet perfumes that will surprise you in the best way possible…