Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
For many of us, the ripe aroma of a just-bitten orange that lingers on your fingertips is a scent that harkens back to childhood and conjures images of bright, sunny mornings we only wish we could relive every day. That's the thing about scents, though—you can relive your happiest moments with a simple spritz; each whiff prompts a moment of reminiscing, and each bottle serves as a keepsake for the happy memories of yesterday. If citrus notes are your preferred palette, but you’re looking for perfumes a bit more elevated and mature than the typical orange, neroli is the main note you should be looking for.
Neroli, derived from the bitter orange tree, exists at the intersection of citrus and floral—not as tangy as, say, orange blossom or mandarin, but not as soft as rose or jasmine. There’s Phlur’s Missing Person, a silky second-skin kiss, or even Tom Ford’s cult-favorite Neroli Portofino, which smells like a dazed day on waves of the Italian Riviera.
Our picks for the best neroli perfumes of 2024
ELLE Beauty’s scent profiles vary, from warm vanilla perfumes to delicate rose scents—and neroli is the latest note to have our team’s noses in a tizzy. After perusing each of our stashes and combing through online reviews, we landed on the 10 best neroli perfumes that are guaranteed compliment magnets—we should know!
Pros
- Invigorating notes
Cons
- Not long-lasting
If you could bottle up the best summer day, Sundazed would be the olfactory embodiment. A neroli middle note unfurls the scent’s bright aroma, amplified by similar citrusy notes, like mandarin and lemon, with a hearty musk base.
Key notes: Mandarin, lemon, neroli, cotton candy, musk
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “This is hands down my favorite summer scent, and I have a fairly large and ever-growing collection of fragrances. This is citrus, floral, musky and sweet. It captures summer in a way that no other scent has for me. I cannot recommend it enough! For a citrus-forward fragrance, this has great performance!”
Phlur Missing Person Eau De Parfum
Pros
- Light and airy scent
Cons
- Not long-lasting
Skin scents can demand attention without being too overbearing. Missing Person is exactly how you’d like to smell—soft, warm, and inviting. The scent smells familiar and fresh at the same time, similar to meeting a potential suitor and realizing it could be a match made in heaven. Missing Person is your scent soulmate.
Key notes: Skin musk, neroli, jasmine, sandalwood, orange flower
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Missing Person creates a soft veil that melts into your skin without fully disappearing; it’s not loud but still alluring enough for someone to do a double-take and plays well with similar softer notes. I feel incredibly sexy and smell delicious every time I wear this.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Bright, summery dry down
Cons
- Projection not too strong
On the Mount Rushmore of fan-favorite neroli scents is this gem by Tom Ford. At its surface, Neroli Portofino is just another citrus scent; as it settles, white florals, deep woods, and musks unearth for a fresh and spicy landing.
Key notes: Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “If you enjoy gourmand and fresh scents, with Neroli Portofino, you don’t have to choose. It is perfect for summer and brings beach vibes with every spritz.” —Danielle James, ELLE.com beauty director
Bvlgari Allegra Chill & Sole Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Great sillage
Cons
- Some users note the citrus notes can be too strong
The bottle looks like an enticing candy waiting to be unwrapped, and the scent is equally as delectable as your favorite treat. Not so sugary but incredibly juicy and fruity, Chill & Sole smells like a boat ride along the crashing waves of the Mediterranean Sea with a chilled glass of citrus goodness in hand, sprinkling droplets on your skin.
Key notes: Italian lemon essence, neroli essence
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Bloomingdale’s rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Legend has it that neroli got its name from 17th-century princess Anne Marie Orsini of Nerola (a town in Italy), who loved to perfume herself with the scent of bitter orange tree blossoms. When I wear this Bulgari fragrance, I feel like a princess relaxing in a grove of orange trees in the thick of summer. I usually don’t like citrusy scents, but this one is so floral, fresh, and light that I never hesitate to spritz it on with a heavy hand.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty commerce writer
Pros
- Gourmand notes elevate the scent
Cons
- Some users note the neroli is a bit strong
If love is in the air, you’d want it to smell exactly like Dossier’s Neroli Romance. Custom-made for the brand’s VP of operations to celebrate her wedding day, Neroli Romance is built around neroli, with hints of flirty florals and gourmands rounding out the scent.
Key notes: Neroli, salted caramel, orange flower, lavender, vetiver, vanilla
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Dossier rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve always considered myself a romantic. So when it comes to scent I love fragrances that are sultry, warm, and a little bit sweet. The Dossier Neroli Romance fragrance has some of my favorite notes, like vanilla and salted caramel, to add some sweetness to the neroli base. Lavender and orange flower round out the fragrance with a fresh floral touch for the perfect everyday scent.”—Tasha Smith, ELLE beauty assistant
Le Labo Lavande 31 Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Calming notes
Cons
- Some users note it smells soapy
If self-soothing smells like a lot of lavender with hints of earthy and musky notes, Lavande 31 is a great addition to your self-care lineup. The star of the show is easily lavender, but the fresh, herbal aroma gets a boost from neroli, musk, and amber, which takes whatever you think a typical lavender-scented perfume smells like and flips it on its head.
Key notes: Lavender, neroli, amber, musk, bergamot
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Lavender always makes me think of a spa—relaxing, but I’m not sure I want to smell like it. Le Labo’s Lavande 31, however, completely changed my preconceived notions about lavender scents. It’s fresh on the nose thanks to bergamot and neroli, and musk and amber at the base give it way more richness than any lavender scent I’ve smelled before. This fragrance makes me feel like I just walked outside on a spring morning, and it will always have a place in my rotation.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
Pros
- Great projection
Cons
- Some users note it can smell too tart
One glance at its name indicates the main note this fragrance is built on: oranges. Histoire d’Orangers smells like the last bite of the tangy fruit, where its pulp and juices caress the skin, slightly warming up to unveil a fruity, floral, and toasty aroma.
Key notes: Orange blossom, neroli, musk
Size: 3.4/5 stars
Neiman Marcus rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Growing up, oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines were consistently stocked in our home and quickly became the scent family I reach for when sourcing perfumes and body care products. Invigorating and bright, Histoire d’Orangers reminded me a lot of my childhood mornings, biting into an orange while waiting for my grandmother to prepare breakfast. This scent is mature and sophisticated, but this light and playful; as it settles on the skin, musk deepens the tanginess to add a bit of depth to the otherwise sunny scent.”—Nerisha Penrose
Tiziana Terenzi Mirach
Pros
- Mature, darker notes
Cons
- Pricey for the size
One whiff is all it takes for you to fall in love with Mirach by Tiziana Terenzi. Despite a few bright notes in its composition—rose, neroli, patchouli, to name a few—Mirach is a deeply seductive and nocturnal scent, anchored by oud, sandalwood, and a hint of vanilla.
Key notes: Damask rose, neroli, patchouli, oud, sandalwood, vanilla
Size: 3.4 fl oz
Fragrantica rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Fragrantica reviewer said: “Mirach is the best rose-based scent I have ever tried. Beautiful fruity rose with oud and sweet notes. Perfectly unisex.”
Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Great projection
Cons
- Not long-lasting
Prada’s Paradoxe gives its tangy fruits and flirty florals enough space to shine. Paradoxe bursts with white florals, like jasmine, and connects with fruits like pear and tangerine to create an intoxicating aroma reminiscent of the first few days of spring.
Key notes: Neroli, jasmine, orange blossom, musk, vanilla
Size: 3 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This is a beautiful floral fragrance with a juicy finish. This scent has a nice trail, truly lasting all day long.” —Danielle James
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose scoured the internet and editors' stashes to find the best neroli perfumes on the market.
Readers Also Read
5 Best Hairstyles for Thin Hair
How to Master Your Fine Hair Routine
Serena Williams Talks GLP-1s and Diet Culture
How to Style an Asymmetrical Pixie Cut
