These Sexy Perfumes Are Equal Parts Flirty and Spicy

One Cosmo editor says: “I now spray Good Girl every time I want a boost of confidence and to feel sexy. I’ve come to think of it as a scent that functions like catnip. ‘Here, kitty kitty kitty,’ I whisper, doused in jasmine, tuberose, and tonka bean.”—IMAN BALAGAM, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Key notes: Tuberose, jasmine, tonka bean

One Cosmo editor says: “I can’t even put into words how warm and spicy and beautiful this smells. I’ve literally gotten compliments on it every single day since I started wearing it late last year. It also stays put all day on both my skin and clothes, so I don’t need to worry about reapplying it after a long work day. And for a luxury perfume, it’s pretty decently priced.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

Key notes: Miracle berry, butterfly lily, oak, patchouli

One Cosmo editor says: “I sniffed this for the first time about a month ago, and I have never fell in love with a fragrance so quickly. It’s complex yet wearable—boasting a unique and magnetic combination of musky, spicy, and juicy. If you like a sweet and floral scent that also feels elevated and sexy, do yourself a favor and add this extrait to your shelf. You only need one spray of the transformative formula to rack in the compliments all night long.”—JH

Key notes: Osmanthus, white rose, magnolia, black pepper, ambrox, musk, cedarwood

One Cosmo editor says: “Designer scents that everyone knows aren’t generally the scents that get me the most compliments. But Donna Born in Roma is the exception. It’s a sweet and floral mix that works well with basically everyone’s body chemistry (I’ve spritzed it on quite a few friends to test this theory). And the scent projects well without cloying or inducing a headache.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

Key notes: Jasmine, pink pepper, blackcurrant, bourbon vanilla

One Cosmo editor says: “Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille is inherently sexy without being overly sweet or cloying or in-your-face. I love a vanilla scent but don’t want to smell like a birthday cake (most of the time). This hits that layered, grown-up note perfectly and lasts all night.”—MADELEINE FRANK REEVES, SENIOR DIRECTOR

Key notes: Tonka beans, dried fruits, vanilla

One Cosmo editor says: “The best compliment I could ever possibly receive? ‘You smell good.’ Which is the very first thing my date said to me while wearing this perfume last week. Then a random person in line at the grocery store. And then my Uber driver. Then my coworker. The compliments kept coming. And I totally get why. This fresh, citrus perfume smells bright and happy—and my fellow New Yorkers apparently agreed.”—BG

Key notes: Lemon, water hyacinth, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli

One Cosmo editor says: “This is one of three perfumes I’ve ever fully gone through an entire bottle of, but it’s because it’s perfect. It’s woodsy, sweet, spicy, warm, earthy—every single box? Ticked. And the scent lasts a very long time, especially if I also layer it with the perfume oil.“—BG

Key notes: Sandalwood, vetiver, amber wood

One Cosmo editor says: “It’s no surprise a perfume inspired “by a night in Paris” would smell inherently sexy. It’s extremely unique and unlike all of the other scents in my (very large) collection. It’s effortlessly sexy—like a chic French woman with messy hair and jeans and a t-shirt. As it dries down, you really pick up on the cashmere and patchouli that ground the scent and add richness.”—BG

Key notes: Ginger, mandarin orange, black pepper, jasmine, orange blossom, cashmere, amber, patchouli

One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve spritzed every single Byredo perfume on my body, and Rouge Chaotique is my go-to for a spicy, ~sexy~ night out. Herbaceous patchouli is rounded out by sweet, rich plum and praline. And because it’s an extrait, I smell it on my skin forever.” —BG

Key notes: Praline, oakwood, plum

One Cosmo editor says: “If Rihanna were a scent, I’d like to believe it’s this. Her EDP combines musk, spicy citrus, and florals, to create a genderless and spicy fragrance that stays on my skin for hours. Magnolia and rose create a bit of sweetness, but not in an overpowering way, thanks to its other spicy and musky notes. If you need an everyday sexy perfume, let it be this one.”—JH

Key notes: Tangerine, bulgarian rose, magnolia, patchouli, musk

One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve worn Blindfold every time I’ve gone out at night yearning for a meet-cute with the love of my life. The scent sits close to your skin, but lingers for a long time. My friends have complimented this scent more than maybe anything I’ve ever worn—and I own 200+ perfumes.” —BG

Key notes: Saffron, tobacco, sandalwood, patchouli, tonka bean, amber

One Cosmo editor says: Sunkissed Goddess is basically sunshine in a bottle, thanks to the mix of tropical and creamy notes that immediately transport me to a beach vacation. It’s also not too intense or heavy, per my testing, so it’s great to spritz on after a day in the sun when you want to smell beachy and fresh without a cloying, strong perfume. IMO, it’s fully itsy-bitsy-yellow-polka-dot-bikini-worthy.”—STIXX MATHEWS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Key notes: ​​Neroli, coconut, tiare flower

Know your preferences.

Every single scent family can (and does!) smell ~sexy~. But what smells sexy to *you* just depends on your vibes and preferences. What scents make your heart thump? Floral, fruity, spicy, or woody? Start by choosing a scent fam you know you’ll enjoy wearing.

Test before you buy.

Always take a perfume on a “scent date” before committing. For instance, ask for a sample before you invest, as some scents can smell different when you get them home. Test them on your wrist (or I like to put them on my ankles or inside my elbow if I don’t totally want to smell like that perfume just yet) and notice how the scent changes throughout the day, how it mixes with your body’s chemistry, and how long it lasts. This will lyk if something is truly full-bottle worthy.

Consider the concentration.

Perfumes come in different intensities. Extraits and Eau de parfums have a higher concentration of oil, therefore tend to last longer and have a stronger scent. On the other hand, eau de toilettes are lighter and softer with a lower concentration of oil, so they might need to be reapplied throughout the day. If you want a perfume that’ll last through dancing in a sweaty club, go for an extrait or EDP. However, if you prefer quieter perfumes that only the people closest to you can smell and you’re happy to reapply as needed, opt for an EDT.

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about all the best fragrance trends and perfumes out there. For this story, she, along with team Cosmo shared their favorite perfumes that make them feel (and smell) sexy.

Stixx Matthews is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan and has previously written for Hypebae and Popsugar. He also has a Substack where he talks about beauty called The Boy Beat.