Come interview time thoughts of perfume can often get dismissed or completely overlooked. Considering fragrance has the ability to make you feel more confident, should you overlook this hidden super-power?
What you need is the low down on the 10 best perfumes to wear for an interview that are all well balanced and perfect for the workplace. Below is a quick summary of the interview friendly fragrances we will be reviewing.
- Voyage d’Hermès by HERMÈS
- Mandarino Di Amalfi by Tom Ford
- Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne by Jo Malone
- Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic by Guerlain
- Acqua di Gioiaby Giorgio Armani
- Versense by Versace
- Cologne Bigarade by Frederic Malle
- Ô de Lancôme by Lancôme
- Tea Menthe Citronby Laura Mercier
- Eau de Guerlain by Guerlain
Best Perfumes To Wear For A Job Interview
It’s time to delve into the detail. Here are the 10 best perfumes to wear for a job interview that are perfectly blended to help you project that oh-so important professional image on the big day.
1. Voyage d’Hermès by HERMÈS
Voyage Eau de Toilette has fresh top notes of lemon and spice, green mid notes and a woody/musky base. A softly balanced fragrance that is discreet yet present.
A subtle fragrance that gives the impression that the wearer is someone who is at ease with themselves and comfortable in most situations.
Hermès designer Philippe Mouquet states he conceived this fragrance for voyages and symbolic of movement. Perhaps that movement is towards a new job?
Top Notes:
Lemon, Spice
Mid Notes:
Green, Tea
Base Notes:
Woody, Musk
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
2. Mandarino Di Amalfi by Tom Ford
Citrus top notes ease towards mint and thyme, all of which are perfectly supported by steady base notes of amber and musk.
Although Mandarino Di Amalfi is presented as Eau De Parfum it is a light and deliberate and fragrance giving a feeling of calm and balance.
Presented in the usual Tom Ford style of future classic.
A fragrance for both men and women.
Top Notes:
Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Mint, Thyme
Base Notes:
Amber, Musk
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
3. Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne by Jo Malone
With it’s clean, crisp & fresh citrus top notes of lime, lemon, and bergamot, spicy herbal mid notes and a Patchouli and amberwood base make this ideal for those who prefer more of a lean towards citrus than woody.
A clean fragrance to project a sense of awareness and attention to detail.
Presented in Jo Malon’s classic squat and square edged bottle design.
Top Notes:
Lime, Manderin, Bergamot
Mid Notes:
Basil, thyme
Base Notes:
Patchouli and Amberwood
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
4. Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic by Guerlain
Crisp & dynamic citrus top notes of mandarin orange, plus basil mid notes a sandlewood and amber base really leaves no stone un-turned to ensure both discretion and vitality are encompassed.
This Eau de Toilette give a fresh fragrance to present the wearer with a feeling of energy and drive.
Presented in a striking bottle design with golden mesh as a nod to the classic Guerlain Bee Bottle.
Top Notes:
Mandarin & orange blossom
Mid Notes:
Basil
Base Notes:
Sandlewood, Amber
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
5. Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani
Refreshing lemon and mint work perfectly with the base notes of cedar, and my favourite addition of brown sugar.
Acqua di Gioia in its guise as Eau de Parfum is light and inoffensive so not to overpower, yet punchy enough to confirm it’s presence. Gave me a feeling of clean and fresh professionalism.
Presented in an elegant clean curved bottle.
Top Notes:
Lemon
Mid Notes:
Mint, Jasmine
Base Notes:
Cedar, Labdanum, Brown Sugar
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
6. Versace Versense by Versace
A delightful scent which although has some mild floral mid notes, quickly becomes more citrus, green and woody focused. The cardamom and fig really do come into their own.
A clean and well balanced daytime fragrance that is perfect for a professional workplace environment.
Presented in a solid feeling bottle with clean lines and completed with the iconic Versace logo.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Manderin
Mid Notes:
Cardamom, Fig, Jasmine
Base Notes:
Sandlewood, Musk, Cedar
Available at John Lewis & Partners
7. Cologne Bigarade by Frederic Malle
Provides an enticing bitter side to the freshness of citrus, a hint of rose that can almost be missed, and lovingly held up with a woody base of cedar.
This fragrance stands out on its own for all the right reasons. Gives an subtle indication of the wearer’s individuality.
Presented in Frederic Malle’s now synonymous container that always seems to remind me of an enlarged nail polish bottle.
Top Notes:
Bitter Orange (bigarade)
Mid Notes:
Cardamom, Pink Pepper, hint of rose
Base Notes:
Cedar
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
8. Lancôme Ô de Lancôme
Refreshing citrus top notes introduce lemon, bergamot, mandarin orange delicately laced with mild honeysuckle and jasmine. The Jasmine and basic shine through after a few minutes together with the woody base.
This light and refreshing fragrance should not be overlooked. I wear it in the office on a regular basis.
Presented in an elegant, almost 70’s throwback style of bottle that really stands out thanks to it’s crisp green glow.
Top Notes:
Lemon, bergamot, mandarin orange, honeysuckle
Mid Notes:
Jasmine, basil, coriander, rosemary
Base Notes:
Vetiver, oakmoss, sandalwood
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
9. Tea Menthe Citron by Laura Mercier
A contemporary, sophisticated fragrance that captures the essence of mint and tea leaves.
Inspired by the Moroccan leisure of tea-time, Tea Menthe Citron captures the freshness of hand-picked mint and earthy tea leaves, perfectly balanced with a touch of cardamom and cedarwood; leaving behind a refreshing sensation for the body and senses.
Top Notes:
Tea leaf, Mint
Mid Notes:
Cardamom
Base Notes:
Cedar
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
10. Guerlain Eau de Guerlain
Eau de Guerlain is a ray of sun that plunges into the crystal pure water of a torrent.
It is a fresh, vibrant sparkling eau: the smell of dry herbs blends with the tangy aroma of lemon, bergamot and verbena to evoke the sun-kissed region of Provence.
Top Notes:
Lemon, Bergamot, basil
Mid Notes:
Mint, Jasmine,Verbena
Base Notes:
Amber, Musk
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
Why We Chose These Perfumes
When you are deciding which perfume to wear for an upcoming job interview, it’s vital to ensure you select a fragrance with the right notes. The correct combination of notes can make you both smell and feel more confident, professional, and any number of other positive characteristics.
Related Post: Best Perfume Notes For A Job Interview
I recommended these fragrances as they have citrus top notes, green mid notes, and woody/musk base notes to give the desired professional scent. You can read in more detail about these specific notes and why they are important in the post below:
Final Thoughts
There are a number of things you should remember when going for an interview to increase your chances of success. Dressing smart, being shower fresh, well prepared, eye-contact and a good handshake are just a few of the all so important recommended interview tips.
You can certainly consider going one step further and wear a perfume for an interview. Considering the most successful candidates are usually the most memorable, can the right fragrance give you an invisible edge?
My personal ‘interview favorite’ fragrance from this collection is Mandarino Di Amalfi by Tom Ford.
As a side note, we have also put together a review of the most elegant perfumes ranging from timeless classics to modern day sophistication that we think you will enjoy.
Discover Your Perfect Fragrance
Please take a moment to browse through my hand-picked collection of exquisite perfumes.
There may just be the perfect fragrance waiting there for you!
Andrew is a fragrance enthusiast, collector, and seasoned writer who has a burning passion for all things fragrance and flavour-related, from woody aromatics to green & spicy. Andrew’s Full Bio.
