Venezuelan-born American designer Carolina Herrera is notorious for her edgy, contemporary designs. The best Carolina Herrera perfumes for women fuse an eclectic mix of attention-grabbing aromas to ensure a bold, yet feminine statement.
Establishing her fashion house in 1980, Herrera enjoyed immediate acclaim and success as the exquisitely chic designs which are now synonymous with the brand took the world by storm. In 1988 the eponymous Carolina Herrera Eau de Parfum was launched as the forerunner to a series of stunning male and female fragrances.
Top 10 Best Carolina Herrera Perfumes
With enticing floral notes combined with sensual fruits and musks, the best Carolina Herrera perfumes are both luminous and captivating. We review 10 for your consideration.
1. Good Girl Eau de Parfum
Review
Blended by Louise Turner and launched in 2016, Good Girl is one of Carolina Herrera’s most iconic female fragrances. This sexy oriental perfume was launched with the slogan #itsgoodtobebad, which says it all.
Opening with a contrast of citrus a with almond and coffee, Good Girl is unashamedly feminine and sensual. Tuberose and jasmine bloom in the mid for an almost girlish feel. A smooth base of creamy tonka bean, cacao and praline add depth and sophistication.
Perfect for chilly winter and autumn evenings, this perfume has soft sillage but good staying power. Expect 4 hours of wear from Good Girl if you’re not doing anything strenuous.
The elongated, stiletto heel bottle that Good Girl is presented in has become iconic, and it’s easy to see why. It’s stunning, sassy, and perfectly embodies the Carolina Herrera aesthetic.
Overall, the sweet darkness of cacao and coffee with smooth tonka, brightened by tuberose really shines. Warm and elegant.
Top Notes:
Almond, Coffee, Citrus
Mid Notes:
Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose
Base Notes:
Tonka Bean, Cacao, Praline
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Selfridges:
2. 212 Sexy Eau de Parfum
Review
Launched in 2004, 212 Sexy is a fruitier iteration of the original with bittersweet undertones. Blended by Rosendo Mateu, it remains a firm favourite with younger women.
Spicy, citric, and tart the top notes of this perfume make the strong sillage just a little overwhelming at first; pomegranate, mandarin orange, and bergamot make for a sparkling start. The mid notes, by contrast, are softer and sweeter; gardenia, rose, and cotton candy come together to balance the initial sharpness before blending into the base notes. The blend of musk, vanilla, and caramel gives this a surprisingly soft finish.
A good all-rounder, 212 Sexy is nonetheless best deployed at night or in colder months when the fresh air will prevent it from being overwhelming. You can expect 4 or 5 hours of wear from this fragrance.
The pale pink body of the bottle makes the oval shape seem inviting rather than clinical.
Overall, 212 Sexy is an addictively feminine scent that oozes confidence.
Top Notes:
Pink Pepper, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot
Mid Notes:
Gardenia, Pelargonium, Cotton, Candy, Flowers, Rose
Base Notes:
Musk, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Caramel, Violet
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Fragrance Direct:
3. CH Eau de Toilette
Review
Blended by the inimitable Olivier Cresp and launched in 2007, CH is surprisingly androgynous given the fact that it is a female fragrance. This works in its favour, however.
With a fresh opening wave, CH uses bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, tropical fruits, and watery notes as its opening. This sharp, almost stinging sillage makes way for a heart of rose, praline, cinnamon, orange blossom, and jasmine to bloom. The predominantly woody base is what really dominates this fragrance, however. The bottom notes of amber, suede, musk, cedar, cashmere wood, sandalwood, and patchouli are the stars of the show.
This is a long-lasting fragrance which matches its strong sillage with excellent staying power; expect 5 to 6 hours of wear from CH. This makes it a perfect night-time perfume, especially in fall/winter.
CH is presented in a surprisingly discreet way, considering this is a Carolina Herrera fragrance, but it is undeniably pretty. The simple, short bottle has a fabric covering and dangling ‘CH’ charm, which makes it feel very decorative.
Overall, CH is a deliciously dark and sensual praline woody scent mixed with tropical fruits.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Tropical Fruit, Water Notes
Mid Notes:
Jasmine, Orange Flower, Cinnamon, Bulgarian Rose
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cashmere Wood, Virginia Cedar, Musk, Suede, Amber
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Harrods:
4. Carolina Herrera Eau de Parfum
Review
The iconic Carolina Herrera Eau de Parfum (also known as Carolina Herrera New York Eau de Parfum) remains one of the brands best-loved female fragrances to-date.
A fruity and dry opening is fuelled by notes of rosewood, apricot, bergamot, and orange blossom, and the result is a sharp, light sillage with a slightly green edge. The plethora of heart notes come together to make an impressive floral bouquet. Still, jasmine and tuberose are the stand-out stars, along with buttery ylang-ylang. This sparkling heart is tempered by a classic array of base notes which include sandalwood, amber, musk, and oakmoss.
The excellent sillage is backed up by surprising staying power; you can expect 8 hours of wear from this perfume, depending on the conditions. While it is undeniably suited to winter and autumn days, this is a versatile perfume which can realistically be worn for any occasion.
Presented simply in a tall, clear bottle Carolina Herrera Eau de Parfum is the embodiment of the designer’s grace, elegance, and style.
Overall, Carolina Herrera Eau de Parfum is a classic white-floral fragrance that is simply stunning. Almost Chanel/Dior like with the tuberose, jasmine and ylang-ylang combo.
Top Notes:
Apricot, Orange Blossom, Green Notes, Bergamot, Brazilian Rosewood
Mid Notes:
Honeysuckle, Tuberose, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lily-of-the-Valley, Narcissus
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Civet, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Cedar
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Fragrance Direct:
5. 212 VIP Rosé Red Eau de Parfum
Review
The newest addition to the 212 collection, 212 Rosé Red is a floral and fruity fragrance with spicy undertones that really packs a punch.
The top notes are a surprising blend of liquor, raspberry, and hints of tomato, which makes the opening unusual, to say the least. The mid notes of delicate rose, spices, and tiramisu produce a sweet and warming heart that is supported by a subtle base of musk, patchouli, and woods.
With an enormous sillage and impressive staying power, this perfume is best worn on winter nights as it will combat the cold effectively. Still, the cooler air will prevent it from becoming overpoweringly sweet or spicy.
Presented in a bright red version of the iconic 212 bottle, 212 VIP Rosé Red will look stunning on any dressing table. In fact that one word sums it up perfectly; stunning.
Overall, 212 Rosé Red is a fantastic evening scent that is as vivid as the bottle! Highly recommended.
Top Notes:
Tomato, Raspberry Liquor
Mid Notes:
Bulgarian Rose, Tiramisu, Spices
Base Notes:
Woody Notes, Patchouli, Musk
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Amazon:
6. Good Girl Suprême Eau de Parfum
Review
Launched in 2020, Good Girl Suprême is the simpler, juicier sister to the original. Also blended by Louise Turner, this oriental fragrance is lighter but just as potent.
The top notes of forest fruits and Egyptian jasmine dominate the opening of Good Girl Suprême but quickly blend into a heart of creamy tonka bean and delicate, white tuberose. In fact, the jasmine all but disappears, especially when the woodiness of vetiver kicks in. Dry down settles into a sexy mix of creamy tonka bean, white floral and berries.
You can expect around 4 hours of wear from this perfume, and over this time you will notice that the scent of forest fruits and tonka bean are the most prominent from end to end.
Perfect for day time wear in warmed months, this is a light and fresh perfume which balances youthful energy with sophistication. Presented in the same stiletto bottle as Good Girl, this iteration has a darker, more glamorous skin; the sparkling lower half of the bottle makes it stand out beautifully.
Overall, Good Girl Suprême is sexy, sassy and well worth checking out.
Top Notes:
Forest Fruits, Egyptian Jasmine
Mid Notes:
Tuberose, Tonka Bean
Base Notes:
Vetiver
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Carolina Herrera:
7. CH L’Eau Eau de Parfum
Review
Light, airy, girlish; these are the perfect words to sum up CH L’Eau. As the younger sister to the original CH, it is far more feminine and delicate in both scent and appearance.
Opening notes of bitter orange, citrus, freesia, and lemon blossom, create a slightly sour start. A heart notes of rose, lily-of-the-valley, violet, and jasmine bloom, soften the initial bitter edges without becoming too sweet. Sandalwood and cinnamon in the base give CH L’Eau a warming finish that is light, yet delightful.
A beautifully light fragrance for spring and summer days with only soft sillage and moderate staying power; expect 3 hours of wear from this perfume.
CH L’Eau is presented in a slightly taller bottle with a gold-toned topper, and a floral strap holds the ‘CH’ logo. This, and the frosted glass, makes it seem gentler than its older sister.
Overall, CH L’Eau is a bright and fresh spring/summer fragrance but is quite discreet, so perhaps more suited for the office.
Top Notes:
Lemon, Blood Orange, Neroli, Red Pepper, Cardamom
Mid Notes:
Mate, Rose, Red Tea, Lemon, Ginger, Orange Blossom
Base Notes:
Vetiver, Cedar, Patchouli, Cashmere Wood, Musk
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Harrods:
8. 212 NYC Eau de Toilette
Review
212 NYC is one of Carolina Herreras most iconic fragrance and was the first point of contact for many die-hard fans today. Blended by Alberto Morillas and launched in 1997, it broke ground with its notes and presentation.
A sharp and invigorating mix of orange blossom, mandarin orange, bergamot, and cactus flower makes up the top layer of this perfume. While the orange blossom is most apparent in the pleasantly moderate sillage, the heart notes quickly take over. Floral and fresh, the heart of 212 NYC is incredibly feminine; lily, freesia, and gardenia are the stand-out stars of the mid notes. A deep, musky base with a hint of sandalwood underpins this otherwise sweet and fruity mix.
This is a warm-weather perfume which is best suited for day time wear; you should get 4 hours of wear from an application, but cold weather will shorten this.
Presented simply in a pill-shaped bottle of dull, silver-toned metal and frosted glass, it looks fresh and clean.
Overall, a musky/white floral feminine fragrance masterpiece that gets lots of compliments.
Top Notes:
Orange Blossom, Mandarin, Orange, Cactus Flower, Bergamot
Mid Notes:
White Camelia, Lily, Gardenia, Freesia, Jasmine, Rose, Lily-of-the-Valley, Peony
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Musk
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Notino:
9. Burning Rose Eau de Parfum
Review
As a warm, spicy, and scintillating unisex fragrance which perfectly encapsulates the modern sexuality that Carolina Herrera so often channels, Burning Rose is underrated by too many people.
With an incredibly simple set of notes, Burning Rose could seem insipid on paper, but this is far from the truth. The top note of rose fills the sillage entirely and stays with the fragrance all the way to the end. However, it is superseded by the heart notes of cinnamon and ginger eventually. The base note of patchouli never truly shines through but does give the perfume a smoky and warm finish that is truly delightful.
With excellent sillage and incredible staying power, Burning Rose is best suited to winter nights and should be applied sparingly. Expect up to 6+ hours of longevity.
The red, black, and gold of this bottle make it feel opulent and striking.
Overall, Burning Rose is a dark mix of spice, rose, and intoxicatingly earthy/musky patchouli. An incredible evening fragrance.
Top Notes:
Bulgarian Rose
Mid Notes:
Cinnamon, Ginger
Base Notes:
Patchouli
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Harrods:
10. 212 VIP Eau de Parfum
Review
212 VIP smells like a good time; think flashing lights, loud music, and all-out glamour, and you’ll have this fragrance down to a T. Blended by Alberto Morillas and launched in 2010, it is one of the most underappreciated offerings in the line.
The mix of passion fruit and rum top notes ensures that the huge sillage of this perfume turns heads. This bittersweet, alcoholic and fruity blend mellows but never entirely leaves. The heart notes of musk and gardenia lighten it, however, and allow the base notes of tonka bean and vanilla to shine through. The overall result is a sweet and heady mix that makes you feel undeniably sexy.
Despite its huge sillage, this is a fragrance with moderate staying power at best. You can expect 4+ hours of longevity. 212 VIP is a perfect autumnal perfume for nights out.
The shining gold of this versions bottle makes it the most eye-catching by far.
Overall, 212 VIP is a heavenly combination of boozy, fruity notes that is perfect for night owls.
Top Notes:
Passionfruit, Rum
Mid Notes:
Musk, Gardenia
Base Notes:
Tonka Bean, Vanilla
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Harrods:
Conclusion
The best Carolina Herrera perfumes for women are sexy, bold and extremely feminine. With a sensual combination of contemporary notes combined with unusual additions such as blood orange, hyacinth, ginger and even rum, Carolina Herrera has created a line of fragrances that truly shine.
Before you go, I have put together a review of the most elegant perfumes ranging from timeless classics to modern day sophistication that I think you will enjoy.
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, designer handbags, luxury accessories and more.
