11 Great-Smelling Chypre Perfumes To Keep You Fresh In 2023

Add along these alluring fragrances to your outfits to make long-lasting impressions.

By Chaitra KrishnanChaitra Krishnan ย โ€ขย 
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Chypre (read as sheep-re) belongs to a classical fragrance family. The best chypre perfumes create enigmatic and elegant effects. The scent is characterized by bergamot, citrus, labdanum, patchouli, and dry woody oakmoss. Notes of this perfume revolve around flowery, fruity, or woody, or warm. Leathery, bitter, and Animalic notes add a rich tone to their scent. Chypre scent can be ornamental if it is combined with sultry Ambery and Animalic notes. The effect of the chypre scent is magical and bold. Chypre blends with other notes to make you feel magnificent and realistic but not overpowering.

Chypre accord can be used both in female and male perfumery. It is believed that chypre fragrances have shown their existence from the Roman era and were popularized by Francois Coty, founder of Coty Cosmetics. They released the chypre fragrance in 1917. Thereafter, many perfume companies have started using this fragrance in their perfumes. Even today, Coty Inc makes fragrances for Calvin Klein, Gucci, and Dior. However, it doesnโ€™t belong to the floral, fruit, or woody fragrance category. In this article, we have listed the 11 ideal chypre perfumes that will captivate your senses. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Top Picks

11 Classical Chypre Perfumes You Can Grab This 2023

Best Exotic Fragrance:Michael Kors Sexy Ruby Eau De Parfum

4.5

Michael Kors, famous for its handbags, also has a range of gorgeous smelling perfumes that you can don for a summery day out or a chic dinner date. Its Sexy Ruby perfume was launched in 2017 and was inspired by the brilliant red jewel that it is named after. The scent is a modern chypre perfume and blends top notes of raspberry and apricot with a heart of rose petal, and Indian jasmine sambac notes for a sensuous and exotic smell. It is finished with a warm cashmere tone to tie the fragrance together. Take a look at this video to get more information on the product.


Pros

  • Modern chypre perfume
  • Fresh and sultry scent
  • Top notes of raspberry and apricot
  • Middle notes of rose petal and Indian jasmine sambac
  • Base notes of cashmere woods

Cons

  • Scent may not last long

protip_icon Pro Tip
To make the scent last longer, apply after shower on well-moisturized skin.

Price at the time of publication: $75.22

Best Long-Lasting Smell:Colour Me - Purple

4.1

This fresh scent from Colour Me brings you another chypre perfume spray in the scent โ€˜Purpleโ€™. โ€˜Purpleโ€™ is a fruity and modern chypre scent which combines watery and floral top notes with heart notes of rose, violet, and jasmine, with a woody and vanilla finish to the scent. The fragrance also blends together the classic chypre notes of oakmoss, amber, patchouli with fresh watermelon and bergamot tones to give you one of Colour Meโ€™s famous perfume oils. This video offers a more detailed explanation of the product.

Pros

  • Modern chypre perfume
  • Rich and fruity scent
  • Top notes of floral and watery
  • Middle notes of rose and jasmine
  • Base notes of wood and vanilla
  • Long-lasting scent

Cons

  • Patchouli scent may be overpowering

protip_icon Fun Fact
In the 1960s, patchouli was considered an aphrodisiac that prompted the production of hormones.

Price at the time of publication: $12

Best Classic Aroma:Halston By Halston For Women

4.1
Halston By Halston For Women Image: Halston

Launched in 1975, the classic Halston perfume is a chypre floral fragrance that has a heady and feminine scent.ย  The top notes of this elegant perfume consists of mint, lemon, green leaves, peach and bergamot. Fresh carnation, orris root, jasmine, marigold, ylang-ylang, cedar and rose are the tones that make up the heart while the base notes of sandalwood, amber, patchouli, musk, oakmoss, vetiver and incense give it a warm and ambery finish.


Pros
  • Classic, musky and fruity scent
  • Top notes of mint, lemon, green leaves, peach and bergamot.
  • Middle notes of carnation, orris root, jasmine, marigold, ylang-ylang, cedar and rose
  • Base notes of sandalwood, amber, patchouli, musk, oakmoss, vetiver and incense

Cons

  • Scent may be strong for some

Why Itโ€™s Worth Buying: The product has received 1,344 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
Price at the time of publication: $20.99

Best Floral-Fruity Fragrance:Tiziana Terenzi Kirke Extrait De Parfum

4.3
Tiziana Terenzi Kirke Extrait De Parfum Image: Tizian Terenzi

The Tiziana Terenzi Kirke Extrait De Parfum never fails to mesmerize anyone. The floral-fruity perfume evokes the aroma of walking through the world of passion fruit, raspberries, and pears. The base notes include musk, sandalwood, and vanilla, which are rejuvenating.


Pros
  • Long-lasting
  • Unique sillage

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $108.15

Best Fruity Scent:CREED Aventus

The CREED Aventus is one of the best-selling fragrances in the history of the brand. It is a rich and fruity potion bottled in a black and white case. This highly concentrated chypre originated in France and celebrates and basks itself in strength, power, and success. It is made with top notes of apple, bergamot, blackcurrant leaves, pineapple, middle notes of birch, jasmine, patchouli, pink berries, and base notes of ambergris, musk, oakmoss, vanilla.


Pros
  • Sophisticated scent
  • Long-lasting smell

Cons

  • Expensive

protip_icon Fun Fact
In 1984, Paloma Picasso created the โ€œPalomaโ€ fragrance for Lโ€™Orรฉal and talked about it in the New York Post, saying it was for โ€œstrong women like herself.โ€

Why Itโ€™s Worth Buying: It has received over 883 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.
Price at the time of publication: $350

Best Gentle Formula:Coriandre Jean Couturier

4.3
Jean Couturier Image: Coriandre Jean Couturier

Launched in 1973, the Coriandreโ€™s signature, feminine chypre perfume opens with rich and spicy notes of coriander, aldehydes, angelica, bergamot, and fresh orange blossom and is followed by fresh and floral heart notes of rose, geranium, violet root, ylang-ylang, iris, lily, and jasmine. The perfume closes with vintage notes of oakmoss, vetiver, patchouli, civet, musk and sandalwood for a lingering smell.


Pros
  • Feminine chypre perfume
  • Gentle, mellow scent
  • Top notes of coriander, aldehydes, angelica, bergamot, and orange blossom
  • Middle notes of rose, geranium, violet root, ylang-ylang, iris, lily, and jasmine
  • Base notes of oakmoss, vetiver, patchouli, civet, musk and sandalwood

Cons

None

protip_icon Pro Tip
Avoid rubbing the perfume in as it causes friction and removes the top note, altering the scent.

Price at the time of publication: $24.84

Best Traditional Feel:Clinique Aromatics Elixir

Clinique brings you a chypre floral type of fragrance that opens with aromatic notes of delicate verbena, sage and chamomile that then transform to gentle, floral tones of geranium, rose, ylang ylang, jasmine, and tuberose. Traditional mossy notes of oakmoss and patchouli give a woody finish to this classic, vintage perfume that gives you a hint of romance. Apply it to your pulse points for a soft and airy scent that lasts all day.


Pros
  • Chypre floral
  • Soft and classic smell
  • Long-lasting
  • Top notes of verbena, sage and chamomile
  • Middle notes of geranium, rose, ylang ylang, jasmine, and tuberos
  • Base notes of oakmoss and patchouli

Cons

  • Smell may be strong for some

Price at the time of publication: $35.28

Splurging on perfume is always a good investment and what better way to spend your money than on a luxury Armani chypre perfume. A timeless yet modern perfume, the Giorgio Armani Si fragrance opens with deep fruity blackcurrant nectar notes which give way to soft, light floral tones. The perfume, which is suitable for all skin types, closes with a lingering musky scent that lasts all day long.

Pros

  • Modern, feminine chypre
  • Fresh and sweet scent
  • Top notes of deep blackcurrant nectar
  • Base notes of heady musk
  • TSA-friendly
  • Long-lasting
  • For all skin types

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $105.39


Best Sensuous Fragrance:Roberto Cavalli Florence Eau De Parfum

4.3
Roberto Cavalli Florence Eau De Parfum Image: Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalliโ€™s Florence perfume will whisk you away to the quaint streets of Tuscany, as you will find yourself drawn in by the top notes of sensuous mandarin essence and blackcurrant. The Florence perfume is a chypre-ambery perfume for a modern and magnetic woman, which is inspired by the Italian city. Heart notes of grapefruit, orange, and hibiscus inject a note of fruity freshness into the perfume, which is followed by tones of crisp patchouli, musk, and amber.


Pros
  • Fresh and sweet scented
  • Chypre-ambery scent
  • Top notes of mandarin essence and blackcurrant
  • Middle notes of grapefruit, orange, and hibiscus
  • Base notes of patchouli, musk, and amber
  • Comes in a faceted flower glass bottle

Cons

  • Scent may not be strong enough for some
  • Scent may not last long for some

Price at the time of publication: $46

Best Velvety Musk Notes:Cartier La Panthere Eau De Parfum

4.5

Bring out your inner wildcat with Cartierโ€™s classic and captivating chypre perfume called La Panthere which is inspired by the big cat and allows you to showcase your bold and feline side. The elegant fragrance blends soft, radiant gardenia tones with gentle velvety musk notes and comes wrapped up in a panther head-shaped glass bottle. The soft floral tones complement the earthy musk tones leaving you smelling like a dream.

Pros

  • Soft floral and musky scent
  • Gardenia notes
  • Velvety musk notes
  • Panther head-shaped glass bottle

Cons

  • Scent may not last long for some
Price at the time of publication: $100.3


Best Signature Perfume:Eau Du Soir By Sisley For Women

3.9
Sisley Paris Image: Eau Du Soir By Sisley For Women

Eau de Soir or Evening Water by Sisley is another elegant and luxe perfume that transports the wearer to Seville, Spain as the wafting smell of Syringa flowers captivates one. The chypre perfume opens with a hint of fresh mandarin, grapefruit and a dash of spicy pepper that flows into a floral sensation of syringa, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, lily of the valley, iris, juniper, clove, and genever clove. The signature chypre perfume closes with woody base notes of musk, amber, oak moss, patchouli, and cistus.


Pros
  • Fresh, subtle scent
  • Long-lasting
  • Top notes of mandarin, grapefruit, and pepper
  • Middle notes of syringa, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, lily of the valley, iris, juniper, clove, and genever clove
  • Base notes of musk, amber, oak moss, patchouli, and cistus

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $89

So here you have a list of the 11 best chypre perfumes that you can grab to keep you smelling fresh. If you still need a little guidance on choosing the best one for you, here are some tips you can keep in mind while making your purchase.

How To Choose The Best Chypre Perfume For You

  • Fragrance period type

There are two broad types of chypre perfumes, and they can be either traditional or modern. As chypre scents have been around for decades, the classic traditional fragrances have built up a loyal following of lovers of vintage scents. Modern chypre scents are those that have evolved over time, with new notes added to the mix for a new twist to the timeless fragrance. Keep in mind what type you want to choose from when making a chypre perfume buy.

  • Scent

The chypre family of perfumes is not the same as a traditional floral or musky family. It consists of fresh citrus notes combined with musk, patchouli, moss and labdanum. If youโ€™re a lover of pure floral scents then you may want to go for a more floral based perfume but if you prefer a mix of fresh, crisp and sweet scents with a hint of woody and floral tones then chypre is a great pick for you!

  • Long-lasting wear

Long-lasting and long-wearing perfumes are very important to have, especially if you donโ€™t like constant touch-ups throughout the day. Consider the longevity of the scent when buying a chypre perfume.

Chypre perfumes are characterized by classic, vintage, and traditional scents which consist of citrus tones blended with heady musk, patchouli, moss and labdanum. The chypre has been a popular part of the olfactory family since its renaissance in the early 20th century. While not as widely known as its famous counterparts, the floral and woody fragrances, chypre can be both modern and traditional according to its make, allowing you to be covered in a scent that is almost regal, yet still elegant and evolved with the times. You can take a look at our well-curated list of the 11 best chypre perfumes this year and choose the one best suited for you after considering the types of notes, fruity or floral, that youโ€™d like to combine with the timeless chypre fragrance.

Why Trust Stylecraze?

Chaitra Krishnan, the author of this article, is a makeup enthusiast and absolutely loves chypre perfumes. She knows which brands offer the best chypre perfumes and, therefore, she curated this list for those who want to give the products a try. She is well aware of the fragrance notes in chypre perfumes and checked different websites and went through user reviews to pick only the top-rated products for the list.

Infographic: Best Fragrances That Complement A Chypre Note

Chypre fits into the oriental fragrance family, and it goes best with floral or fruity fragrances. The refreshing tones of floral and fruits balance out the earthy smell of chypre perfumes and create an enchanting contrast. Check out the infographic below to know which floral or fruity fragrances can best complement a chypre note in a perfume before buying one.

Best Fragrances That Will Complement A Chypre Perfume (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Download Infographic in PDF version

Frequently Asked Questions

What does chypre smell like?

Chypre fragrances include both woody and floral scents. It can also release leathery and fruity aromas.

Is Chanel No 5 a chypre?

Yes. The Chanel No 5 is a floral chypre scent. The alluring base fragrance of woodsy oakmoss and patchouli merged with the aroma of rose and dense iris makes it a chypre fragrance.

What is a modern chypre?

Modern chypre can exude exotic leathery aromas and can also emit a sweet and floral lingering scent that lifts the mood instantly.

What does the word chypre mean?

Chypre means a heavy, intense perfume primarily formulated with woodsy ingredients like sandalwood.

Is Coco Mademoiselle a chypre?

Yes. The Coco Mademoiselle is a floral chypre fragrance. The fruity top notes; the flowery middle notes, and the woody base notes make it an ideal chypre fragrance.

What is green chypre?

Green chypre is a fragrance that has overpowering notes of woody smell such as the aroma of mosses and leaves. These are invigorating and cheerful aromas.


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