Narcissus (daffodil) is a popular perfume note thanks to its surprisingly complex scent profile. The best narcissus perfumes blend this yellow floral aroma with other delicate flowers, fruits and woods.
What does narcissus smell like? Narcissus has a bright yellow floral aroma that can also smell sweet yet slightly green, fresh and uplifting.
Though a spring flower, I feel the humble daffodil holds a mysteriously deep yellow floral undertone that works well for most seasons and occasions.
Best Perfumes With Narcissus
I’ve selected the best narcissus perfumes to engulf you in their yellow floral daffodil spell. Here are seven narcissus-heavy scents to consider.
1. Fragonard Narcisse Eau de Toilette
Review
New for 2023, Narcisse Eau de Toilette is a perfect example of Fragonard’s often whimsical and creative blends.
A bright, airy blend of tangerine, bergamot, and petitgrain merge to a heart of sunny narcissus, sweet jasmine, and delicate Turkish rose.
I love the musk in the base, plus the honeyed woody notes are smooth and sensual. It is a bit light overall.
Top Notes:
Tangerine, Bergamot, Petitgrain
Mid Notes:
Narcissus, Egyptian Jasmine, Turkish Rose
Base Notes:
Musk, Honey, Woody Notes
Seasons & Longevity
Narcisse is modern, bright, and charming, perfect for daytime lunches or dates in spring and summer.
This is a moderately durable blend; you can expect 3+ hours of wear from one application.
2. Papillon Hera Extrait De Parfum
Review
Hera Extrait De Parfum is named after the Greek goddess of women and family. This is a narcissus-heavy scent that is powdery, complex, and incredibly sensual.
Hera opens with bright and sweet floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom before mellowing to allow the rich scent of rose de mai to bloom.
At the base, you will be shrouded in vibrant floral aromas of narcissus, supported by buttery orris. Has a vintage vibe once it dries.
Top Notes:
Jasmine, Orange Blossom
Mid Notes:
Ylang-Ylang, Rose de Mai,
Base Notes:
Orris, Narcissus
Seasons & Longevity
Hera is best worn in spring or autumn, and its complexities can be lost in extreme cold or heat. Put a spring in your step and bring out your inner goddess. Lasts 6+ hours.
3. Marc Jacobs Perfect Eau de Toilette
Review
Marc Jacobs Perfect is a luminous, bright daffodil scent with clean, sparkling undertones and gentle sweetness. I prefer this EDT version.
This delightful Marc Jacobs perfume begins with sweet, spicy, uplifting pink pepper and refreshing polygonum melt into a heart of fragrant white daffodil.
This heart is bright and fresh with darker undertones. The base of resinous and slightly sweet cedarwood adds depth to the blend.
Top Notes:
Pink Peppercorn, Polygonum
Mid Notes:
White Daffodil
Base Notes:
Cedarwood
Seasons & Longevity
Ideal for warm weather, Perfect Eau de Toilette is bright and airy with deep undertones; I would wear it in late spring and summer to get the best from it.
The blend is quite delicate, but thanks to its sturdy base, you should get 4+ hours from one application.
4. Creed White Flowers Eau de Parfum
Review
Founded in London in 1760 and now based in Paris, Creed perfumes ooze quality and luxury. White Flowers lives up to its name and is fresh, sweet, and creamy.
Fresh and zesty opening aromas of green apple, pear, violet leaves, and lemon merge into a floral heart of sambac, jasmine, rose, and geranium.
Narcissus soon emerges, supported by musk and cedarwood to elevate this classic-style scent beyond the average floral bouquet.
Top Notes:
Lemon, Violet Leaves, Green Appl, Pear
Mid Notes:
Sambac Jasmine, Geranium, Rose
Base Notes:
Narcissus, Musk, Cedarwood
Seasons & Longevity
Elegant, opulent, and unashamedly feminine, Creed White Flowers is an ideal spring and summer perfume that smells expensive.
I personally found it relatively delicate, only giving 4+ hours of wear from one application. Hence, price vs. performance is one drawback.
5. Chloe Narcissus Poeticus Eau de Parfum
Review
French fashion house Chloé blends stylish demeanour with Narcissus Poeticus Eau de Parfum. This delightful yellow floral scent has a beautiful soapiness.
Narcissus Poeticus is surprisingly complex and evolves on the skin. You will notice that the first wave of scent is fresh, floral, sweet, and slightly green.
As it dries down, slightly darker and bitter notes will come to the fore before it settles to a yellow floral scent with green edges.
Fragrance Notes:
Narcissus
Seasons & Longevity
Wear this sweet, powdery, and whimsical scent in spring or early summer, as it does best in cool weather.
This fragrance lasted 4+ hours on my skin and created a moderate scent bubble.
6. Givenchy Peur de Rien Eau de Parfum
Review
Peur de Rien Eau de Parfum from Givenchy is an elegant yellow floral scent that makes up part of the La Collection Particulière.
Opening with a zesty blend of orange and bergamot, leading to a bouquet of fragrant narcissus and orange blossom.
As this fragrance settled, I loved the rich ylang-ylang that makes a welcome appearance to add even more mystery and style.
Top Notes:
Italy Bergamot, Tarocco Orange
Mid Notes:
Narcissus Absolute, Morocco Orange Blossom
Base Notes:
Ylang-Ylang Essence
Seasons & Longevity
I personally recommend Peur de Rien Eau de Parfum for any season and would say it’s most suitable for daytime and early evening.
Thanks to its more robust notes, it will also last well; I managed 6+ hours of wear from one generous tester spray.
7. Masque Milano Romanza Eau De Parfum
Review
Masque Milano Romanza is a complex, slightly boozy scent with floral and woody undertones guaranteed to seduce!
A fruity and herby blast of absinthe, angelica, and orange blossom creates a complicated scent bubble that mellows to a heart of narcissus absolute, jasmine and violet leaves.
You will enjoy a decadent blend of woods, amber, and fragrant myrrh at the base. Wow!
Top Notes:
Absinth (Artemisia), Orange Blossom, Angelica
Mid Notes:
French Narcissus Absolute, Violet Leaves, Jasmine
Base Notes:
Decadent Woods (Vetiver, Cedarwood, Patchouli), Amber Accord, Myrr
Seasons & Longevity
Romanza is versatile and can be worn year-round, but undeniably does best in spring or fall.
Wear it to an intimate evening date to entrance your companion. Expect 6+ hours of wear from one application.
Sheree’s Top Pick
Marc Jacobs Perfect Eau de Toilette
My top pick for best narcissus perfume is Marc Jacobs Perfect Eau de Toilette. This bright and cheerful narcissus scent is well worth discovering.
Conclusion
The best narcissus perfumes will shroud you in an elegant yellow floral scent bubble, and the note of narcissus is undoubtedly present in all of these fragrances I’ve selected.
Don’t be afraid to layer any of these fragrances with something heavier, as narcissus works well with warming notes such as amber or oud.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, luxury accessories and more.
