As a beauty writer, I’m constantly being asked by my friends and family for perfume recommendations. And their most asked question? What type of fragrance should they choose for formal events? Whether it be for a wedding, birthday or party, picking the perfect perfume can be a challenge. But there’s one fail-proof scent type that I’ll always recommend to them for any and every formal occasion. Enter the sparkling perfume.
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
Made to emulate the glass of bubbly that you save for a very special occasion, sparkling perfumes smell bright, crisp and fizzy. Some feature actual notes of some form of sparkling wine, whilst others focus more on simply giving that smell of the effervescence we associate with our favourite glass of spritz. This quality is what makes them the perfect event perfume. And with spring here (and summer right around the corner), these light and aerated scents are ideal for warmer weather as they won’t feel too heavy or overpowering—rather, they’re beautifully fresh scents.
Below, I’ve rounded up seven of the best sparkling perfumes that I always recommend. So if you, too, require the perfect fragrance for any upcoming occasion, or simply love a glass of bubbly as much as I do, and want a scent to emulate that, keep scrolling to discover the seven best speaking perfumes, all of which come editor-approved.
1. Best Overall Sparkling Perfume – Chanel Comète, £240
2. Best Daytime Sparkling Perfume – Phlur Afterglow, £99
3. Best Nighttime Sparkling Perfume – Vilhelm Parfumerie Sparkling Jo, £220
4. Best Sparkling Floral Perfume – Byredo Inflorescence, £150
5. Best Sparkling Gourmand Perfume – YSL Black Opium Glitter, £77
6. Best Affordable Sparkling Perfume – Jimmy Choo Blossom, £43
7. Best Luxury Sparkling Perfume – Creed Jardin d’Amalfi, £415
Best Overall Sparkling Perfume
CHANEL
Comète Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Cherry blossom, aldehydes, iris, heliotrope, musk
Inspired by the brand’s Bijoux de Diamants high jewellery collection created by Gabrielle Chanel in 1932, Chanel’s Comète is a shimmering, subtly sparkling perfume that blends cherry blossom, powdery iris, heliotrope and aldehydes. It’s powdery and soft, yet still has the luminous effect you’d expect from a sparkling perfume, with many of my fellow beauty writers likening it to stardust. It’s by far the most elegant scent in my collection, lending itself well to more formal occasions.
Best Daytime Sparkling Perfume
Phlur
Afterglow Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Apricot, coconut, citrus, ambrette, milk, vanilla orchid, lavender, cashmere wood, amber, sandalwood
With a lively opening of zesty citrus, juicy apricot and creamy coconut, Phlur’s Afterglow captures the crisp fizz of sparkling wine. But rather than the sharp sophistication of traditional champagne, this scent is much fresher—like drinking a mimosa on a breezy tropical getaway. It then settles down into a warm, creamy base of soft lavender and smooth milk, making it ideal for everyday wear.
3. Vilhelm Parfumerie Sparkling Jo
Best Nighttime Sparkling Perfume
Vilhelm Parfumerie
Sparkling Jo Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Champagne, bergamot, juniper, Williams pear, ginger, ambrette, champaca, musk, ambroxan, ambergris, oak, cedar
The most obvious “sparkling” perfume of the bunch, Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Sparkling Jo was specifically formulated to smell like a glass of champagne. Featuring notes of champagne, bergamot and juniper, this bright and bubbly perfume perfectly evokes the energy of a chic Parisian night out. It starts off lively and playful, but then settles down into a much more mature base of musk, woody and cedar.
Best Sparkling Floral Perfume
Byredo
Inflorescence Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Pink freesia, rose, lily-of-the-valley, magnolia, jasmine
Not every sparkling perfume has to be quite so obvious, and if you’re looking for a much more subtle take, Byredo’s Inflorescence is for you. Its effervescence comes not from a note of sparkling wine, but rather a blend of bright pink freesia and rose petals. The fresh lily-of-the-valley then brings with it a clean, green, floral scent, which finally settles down into a softer base of jasmine and magnolia. Because of this, to me, this botanically-inspired scent is well-suited to those more romantic occasions, such as a wedding or garden party.
4. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Glitter
Best Sparkling Gourmand Perfume
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Glitter Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Green mandarin, pear, lemon, orange blossom, vanilla absolute, coffee, marshmallow, musk, patchouli
Kicking off with a zing of green mandarin, lemon and pear, before settling down into a base of warm vanilla coffee and marshmallow, YSL’s Black Opium Glitter is perfect for those on the hunt for something sweet yet sophisticated. It’s a seductive gourmand scent that leans grown-up rather than overly sickly, thanks to the orange blossom and patchouli, making it the perfect fizzy fragrance for a night out.
Best Affordable Sparkling Perfume
Jimmy Choo
Blossom Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Raspberry, red berries, citrus, sweet pea, rose, white musk, sandalwood
Fun, youthful, and vibrant, Jimmy Choo’s Blossom reminds me of a lively night out with friends. Starting with juicy notes of raspberry, citrus and berries, this floral-fruity composition somehow manages to feel sophisticated rather than too juvenile. It then settles down into a base of gentle florals and musk, which grounds it and makes it feel just that little bit more grown-up. This has quickly become my handbag fragrance on evenings out with friends at under £50, it won’t break the bank.
Best Luxury Sparkling Perfume
CREED
Jardin D’amalfi Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Tangerine, neroli, bergamot. pink pepper, Bulgarian rose, apple, Virginia cedar, white musk, Haitian vetiver, cinnamon
With sparkling top notes of lemon, bergamot, mandarin and pink berries, Creed’s Jardin d’Amalfi evokes the feeling of sipping a glass of prosecco on the iconic Italian Amalfi coastline. Whilst the opening notes are fizzy and vibrant, the perfume eventually transitions into a warm, woody-musk base that feels elegant and refined. It’s airy, bubbly, and iridescent, exactly the type of scent I’ll be dousing myself in all summer, and to me, this is a luxury perfume that’s well worth the extra splurge.
