As a jewellery and perfume house, Van Cleef & Arpels may be the most famous brand you’ve never heard of. Trading since 1906, they are known for their highly recognisable, creative style.
The brand expanded into fragrance in 1978, and, in my opinion, the best Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes for women are elegant, creative and alluring.
Best Van Cleef & Arpels Perfumes
Complex and captivating, I’ve rounded up my nine favourite Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes that every girl should consider.
1. Rose Rouge Eau de Parfum
Review
If you love a complex, sweet, fruity-floral scent that’s sexy and elegant, then Rose Rouge is perfect.
Juicy blackcurrant and pink peppercorn create a sweet and slightly tart opening that melts beautifully into heart notes of rose and dry vetiver.
Rich musk, sweet cocoa, and smoky patchouli create a dark and alluring base that I found supports the overall blend beautifully.
Top Notes:
Blackcurrant, Pink Peppercorn
Mid Notes:
Vetiver, Rose
Base Notes:
Musk, Cocoa, Patchouli
Seasons & Longevity
Rose Rogue is perfect for cold weather; you can wear it from autumn to spring and expect a complex, evolving scent that lasts 6+ hours.
2. Gardénia Pétale Eau de Parfum
Review
An elegant floral fragrance, Gardénia Pétale is a classic take on the carefree white floral fragrances of yesteryear.
Zesty citrus, delicate jasmine and green notes are soon joined by a floral fanfare of gardenia, supported by Lily of the Valley. In the base, warm white flowers add a touch of mystery.
Top Notes:
Green Notes, Citrus, Jasmine
Mid Notes:
Gardenia, Lily of the Vally
Base Notes:
Wild Flowers
Seasons & Longevity
I recommend Gardénia Pétale for spring and summer to put a spring in your step. It will last 5+ hours with moderate projection.
3. Orchidee Vanille Eau de Parfum
Review
Vanilla perfumes can be an acquired taste, but Orchidee Vanille walks a perfect, balanced line; it’s sweet but not sugary.
The gourmet opening comprises mandarin, litchi, chocolate, and bitter almond, giving it an almost confectionary-esque vibe.
Orchidee Vanille has a classic floral heart of rose, violet and orchid, leading to a vanilla-tonka bean base with wood and musk.
Top Notes:
Mandarin, Litchi, Bitter Almond, Chocolate
Mid Notes:
Orchid, Bulgarian Rose, Violet
Base Notes:
Cedar, Tonka Bean, White Musk
Seasons & Longevity
I love this scent for cold autumn and winter days; the sweeter, richer notes are warming and genuinely moreish. Expect 7+ hours of performance.
4. Santal Blanc Eau de Parfum
Review
Santal Blanc is a delicious, sophisticated fig scent with a woody twist that will turn heads without being the usual vanilla bomb.
A unique but sensual combination of mandarin and fig join forces with powdery violet and dry notes of sandalwood in the heart.
Musks and tonka bean compound to create a sweet and rich base, setting to a smooth woody/fig blend.
Top Notes:
Mandarin, Fig Milk
Mid Notes:
Violet, Sandalwood
Base Notes:
Tonka Bean, Musks
Seasons & Longevity
Santal Blanc is incredibly versatile; you can wear it from spring to autumn without losing complexity or depth.
If I had one complaint, the opening is powerful initially, but it lasts 6+ hours, so it’s’ impressive overall.
5. Rêve de Cashmere Eau de Parfum
Review
I love a quality woody, aromatic perfume; Rêve de Cashmere is one of my all-time faves. It has the right blend of dry, sweet, and warm notes.
Despite its androgynous undertones, Rêve de Cashmere opens with aromas of jasmine and bergamot descending into the heart of heliotrope, sandalwood, and black vanilla.
The base is dry and smoky with notes of musk, leather, cashmere wood, and patchouli. The result is mature, sensual, and evocative.
Top Notes:
Calabrian Bergamot, Jasmine
Mid Notes:
Heliotrope, Sandalwood, Black Vanilla
Base Notes:
Musk, Leather, Cashmere Wood, Patchouli
Seasons & Longevity
Rêve de Cashmere is an ideal cold-weather fragrance; I’d recommend it for date nights in the heart of winter. It will last you 6+ hours.
6. California Reverie Eau de Parfum
Review
Evoking thoughts of far-flung locations, California Reverie is bright, refreshing, and sweet, blending flowers, citrus and sea salt in the air.
Mandarin and Neroli set the fresh, zesty tone before bright jasmine and frangipani bloom in the feminine heart.
Upon dry-down, vanilla and beeswax never entirely come to the fore, but they add depth to the overall scent. Very pretty.
Top Notes:
Mandarin, Neroli
Mid Notes:
Jasmine Sambac, Frangipani
Base Notes:
Beeswax, Vanilla
Seasons & Longevity
Wear California Reverie in spring and summer to make the most of its happy holiday vibe, which lasts 4+ hours with moderate projection.
7. Bois d’Amande Eau de Parfum
Review
Boise d’Amande is one of my favourite sweeter perfumes, which says a lot because sweet scents are not usually my forte.
Opening with almond and lemon, Boise d’Amande has a stunning start that melts slowly into a woody heart of cedarwood essence.
Vanilla and musk make up the base of this scent, and their richness shines through at all times.
Top Notes:
Almond, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Cedarwood Essence
Base Notes:
Vanilla, Musk
Seasons & Longevity
Boise d’Amande is best worn in cold weather, so think crisp winter mornings and sharp spring nights. This scent will linger for 6+ hours.
8. Rêve D’Ylang Eau de Parfum
Review
Sometimes, you need a shot of exotic warmth in your day-to-day life; when I feel the need for a flash of spiced fragrance, Rêve D’Ylang comes to the rescue.
Cardamom is the first scent you’ll pick up on; it lingers as the heart notes of elegant ylang-ylang and saffron come forward.
Sophisticated noses will notice the dark sweetness of vanilla and smoky patchouli underneath this simple yet effective blend.
Top Notes:
Cardamom
Mid Notes:
Ylang-Ylang, Saffron
Base Notes:
Vanilla, Patchouli
Seasons & Longevity
Although it is the perfect cold-weather perfume on paper, I’d also wear it in late spring and early summer. It will last 6-7 hours.
9. Precious Oud Eau de Parfum
Review
Some perfumes are classic and timeless; Precious Oud is one such scent. It’s mature yet modern and an entirely elegant oud perfume.
Bergamot and pink pepper come together in a symphony of sweet, warming, and slightly bitter aromas that I love.
Smoky incense, jasmine, and tuberose create an alluring heart that melts into a robust, woody base that includes vetiver, sandalwood, and oud.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Pink pepper
Mid Notes:
Jasmine, Incense, Tuberose
Base Notes:
Patchouli, Oud, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Ambergris
Seasons & Longevity
Wear Precious Oud on cold winter nights to turn heads or on crisp spring days to give yourself a boost. It will linger throughout the day for 6+ hours.
Sheree’s Top Pick
Gardénia Pétale Eau de Parfum
My top pick is Gardénia Pétale Eau de Parfum because it’s beautifully elegant and fresh, providing a floral fanfare of gardenia, jasmine and Lily of the Valley.
Conclusion
This concludes my take on the best Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes for women. What I like about the collection is that there is something for every season, occasion and preference.
Also Read: The Merchant of Venice Perfumes: 7 Hidden Gems
The brand has an incredible portfolio of perfumes, so if none of these scents tickles your fancy, don’t be afraid to go in-store and discover the delights of Van Cleef & Arpels first-hand.
Also Read: 8 Van Cleef & Arpels Fragrances For The Discerning Man
