10 Best American Perfumes
When it comes to fragrance, the typical association leads to the charming scents of France or Italy. However, let's not overlook the rich perfumery history of the USA, which dates back to the early 20th century and extends to the present day. American fragrances have left an indelible mark on the industry, with many of the best-known brands and scents originating from the United States.
These American fragrances were true pioneers in their time and have maintained their allure for decades since their inception. They brought a unique style and creativity not only to their scents but also to their bottle designs. Many of the minds behind these fragrances—brand owners, creative directors, perfumers, and bottle designers—have been honored with prestigious awards for their contributions to the industry.
What sets the best American fragrances apart is their legendary status and accessibility. Despite their exceptional quality and innovation, they remain remarkably affordable, embodying the true spirit of American ingenuity. We've carefully curated a list of 10 women's, men's, and "shared" scents that have redefined the fragrance landscape and continue to captivate discerning individuals worldwide. Join us as we explore these game-changers that have stood the test of time, leaving an unforgettable impression on anyone who experiences them.
Estee Lauder Youth Dew
Absolutely captivating, with opulent flowers, rich spices, precious woods.
It has been called one of the sexiest fragrances ever created, and more than 50 years after it was launched it continues to entice with its sensual, yet timeless appeal.
Top Notes: Rose, Jonquil, Lavender
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Muguet, Spices
Base Notes: Moss, Vetiver, Patchouli
THE INSPIRATION
"Women still like to feel beautiful, pampered and loved, And that is what Youth-Dew is all about."
-Estée Lauder, Founder
Estée Lauder wondered why women relied on the men in their lives to buy them perfume. And why they reserved fragrance only for special occasions. To change women's minds-and forever change the world of fragrance-Mrs. Lauder created Youth-Dew Bath Oil in 1953.
Captivating, rich and exceptionally lasting, women bought it for the bath, but, as Mrs. Lauder predicted, soon began wearing Youth-Dew as their fragrance as well. Because it was sold as a bath oil, not perfume, women felt free to enjoy and wear it every day. Instead of using Youth-Dew by the drop, women used it by the bottle. Men loved it too, saying it was "simply the sexiest fragrance ever."
Aramis By Aramis
Aramis by Aramis is a Woody Chypre fragrance for men. Aramis was launched in 1966. The nose behind this fragrance is Bernard Chant. Top notes are Aldehydes, Myrrh, Artemisia, Thyme, Clover, Bergamot and Gardenia; middle notes are Patchouli, Sage, Jasmine, Cardamom and Orris Root; base notes are Leather, Oakmoss, Musk, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Amber and Coconut.
Aramis was created in 1966 and dedicated to men who appreciate tradition and classic, and this is the reason why this perfume is always modern.
The composition is built around woody, sharp notes, which are very powerful and masculine. Aramis is one of the few contemporary fragrances in which the well-known intensive leather note can easily be recognized. Aramis is one of the brands belonging to Estee Lauder. It is very popular in America, where fragrances with a stronger character are preferred.
The opening notes are grassy green and fresh, spiced with cinnamon. The heart is woody with pelargonium, which possesses an intensive floral-spicy aromatic scent. The perfume ends with a massive leather note.
Top notes: artemisia, bergamot, cinnamon, gardenia;
Middle notes: pelargonium, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood;
Base: leather, oakmoss, amber.
Aromatics Elixir By Clinique
A cult classic scent defined by a complex blend of luxury notes, for an incomparable and intense fragrance.
TOP NOTES: Bulgarian rose, orange blossom
MIDDLE NOTES: Jasmine, ylang
BASE NOTES: Patchouli, oakmoss
Clinique’s Aromatics Aromatics Elixir™ Eau de Parfum is a cult-classic luxury perfume. Perfumers call it a chypre, meaning its unique blend of notes creates a predominantly woodsy, mossy scent.
This long-lasting perfume combines more than 700 ingredients to create a confident, sensuous fragrance that goes far beyond the role of perfume.
Rich vetiver, lush oakmoss, and luxurious patchouli are balanced with the soft floralcy of ylang ylang and rose—a bold blend that stirs the senses and spirit in subtle, pleasing ways.
A uniquely intense and non-conformist perfume that always makes a statement, Aromatics Elixir™ is designed for the true individual.Layer on our Aromatics Elixir™ fragrance collection and enjoy its complex blend of luxury notes.
Pamper skin after your shower with silky Aromatics Elixir™ Body Smoother.
The finishing touch: a luxe spritz of Aromatics Elixir™ Eau de Parfum.
Halston 1-12 By Halston Cologne Spray
Celebrate your masculinity with Halston 1-12 cologne, a classic men's scent that was introduced in 1976 by the iconic design house and is still going strong. Crisp and lively top notes of mandarin orange and basil open up the scent, followed by soothing lavender and carnation at the heart. A musky base brings out the robustness of the fragrance and emits rich warmth on the dry down. Whether you're preparing for a big day at the office or hanging with friends at a casual gathering, this fresh scent makes the perfect subtle impression without overpowering the senses.
Introduced by Halston in 1976 HALSTON 1-12 is a refined woody mossy fragrance. This Perfume has a blend of sweet florals wood and musk. It is recommended for evening wear.
A bold fragrance for the confident man who is sophisticated with an adventurous edge
Mirroring Halston’s clean, minimalist designs, this cologne radiates a modern spirit and fashionable vibe
This masculine fragrance is showcased in a sleek bottle inspired by jewelry designer Elsa Peretti
Designed to become your everyday signature scent with green, citrus and woody fragrance notes
Accept every challenge and new adventure wearing this exuberant scent for men
Polo Black By Ralph Lauren
Sophisticated. Sensual. Mysterious. A woody aromatic fragrance created for the sophisticated man who lives an urban and elegant lifestyle.
Top Notes: Iced Mango accord, Mandarin oil, Lemon oil, Cardamom accord
● Mid Notes: Ozone accord, Jasmine accord, Silver Armoise oil
● Base Notes: Moss accord, Tonka Bean absolute, Patchouli Noir oil, Cedarwood accord
About the Fragrance: Polo Black Eau de Toilette is a sophisticated men’s fragrances that debuted in 2005. This EDT presents a cool and invigorating first impression when you smell it. While known as Polo Black Cologne to some this masculine scent is actually an eau de toilette. As an eau de toilette Polo Black is slightly more intense than the average eau de cologne (EDC) since it has an aromatic concentration of 5-10% vs 4-8%. This scent is a bold fusion of crisp energy and dark sensuality.
Olfactive Profile: Polo Black an intrepid blend of Top Notes: Iced Mango accord, Mandarin oil, Lemon oil, Cardamom accord, Heart Notes: Ozone accord, Jasmine accord, Silver Armoise oil and Base Notes: Moss accord, Tonka Bean absolute, Patchouli Noir oil, Cedarwood accord. The crisp and invigorating notes of Polo Black EDT make it a great Spring and Summer scent for men.
About the Bottle: Inspired by Polo’s signature flask, the Polo Black bottle is designed in deep black with strong shoulders and accented with silver Polo Pony design and cap. This fragrance bottle is customizable with engraving allowing for a more personal touch if desired. Available in various sizes, 100 ml or less can be taken on flights but for everyday outings the 10 ml might be the best travel size option.
Le Labo Santal 33 By Le Labo
Imagine sitting in solitude on the rugged, wide plains of the American West, firelight on your face, indigo-blue night skies above. There is nothing around save for the soft, desert wind. You. Are. Free.
From this defining vision was born SANTAL 33: a perfume that touches the vast and wild universality of this dream... that intoxicates... It combines a mix of cardamom and notes of iris and violet, which crackle in the formula. Added to this smoking wood alloy (Australian sandalwood, cedarwood) are some spicy, leathery, musky notes, giving this perfume its signature and addictive comforting scent.
Here is, in a few words, what SANTAL 33 is... An open fire…The soft drift of smoke…Where sensuality rises after the light has gone.
Woody accords of overseas sandalwood and Virginia cedar are amazingly intertwined with the spicy hints of oriental cardamom. The fragrance of the airy violet is perfectly complemented by the breathtaking scent of ancient papyrus. Heavy notes of natural leather are the heart of the perfume composition. The final accents are alluring accords of exotic amber and voluptuous iris.
High-society events, evening walks along the dark alleys of the waterfront, or important negotiations at the highest level - any event will be decorated with the sophistication of Le Labo Santal 33 scent.
Top notes: Cardamom, Sandalwood, Virginia cedar
Heart notes: Leather, Papyrus, Violet
Dry notes: Amber, Iris
Chinatown By Bond No. 9
Superpower meets Supercity: The emerging superpower energy with the avant-garde cachet of downtown New York. A sultry, mouth-watering equal-opportunity East-West bouquet.
Bond No. 9's Chinatown is a seductively dynamic eau de parfum. Its topnote is a burst of peach blossom, blended with creamy-sweet gardenia and sultry tuberose and a hint of patchouli adds a spiky note to the other florals. On one side of the bottle, the flowers are the color of iridescent pearl on a deep fuschia background. Turn it over, and in yin-yang style its the same design with the colors reversed. A feminine scent perfect for her. Made in USA.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Bond No.9's Chinatown, an exquisite ladies' fragrance that is as captivating as it is charming. This alluring perfume is a delightful blend of aromatic notes that create a scent that is both sophisticated and alluring. The scent is perfectly suited for the modern woman who appreciates the finer things in life.
The top notes of bergamot and peach blossom introduce a sweet, citrusy aroma that is instantly captivating. The heart notes of guaiac wood, gardenia, cardamom, vanilla, tuberose, peony, and orange
Notes: Peach blossoms, Gardenia, Tuberose, Patchouli and Cardamom
Boss Bottled Night By Hugo Boss
Boss Bottled Night is a new edition by the house of Hugo Boss which hits the shelves in July 2010! The fragrance aims at ambitious young man who realizes his goals and strives for new challenges. Everything is within arm's reach for him, and every goal is possible to be realized.
Boss Bottled Night is an aromatic fragrance which abounds in intense and masculine woody accords. It opens with lavender and birch tree aromas, while accentuating intense heart aromas of African violet, resting on a base constructed of warm, precious woody nuances of Louro Amarelo tree and sensual musk.
The flacon was created to remind us of hot summer night. It is created of midnight blue and black nuances on characteristic glass flacon body (Hugo Boss Bottled – one of bestsellers in the world of fragrances – 60 million flacons sold).
Dark outlines on the flacon promise a seductive, intense and extremely masculine composition. Face of advertising campaign is actor Ryan Reynolds.
The BOSS man is primed to succeed—competitive, driven, and ambitious. His daily preparation rituals are integral to his personal quest for success and BOSS has become an established part of his daily armor. BOSS BOTTLED NIGHT is destined to become his secret after-dark weapon, instilling him with the same compelling presence that underpins his success by day. The scent features an intensely seductive composition of purposeful, aromatic top notes combined with a rich, woody base.
The top notes combine the contrasting energies of bittersweet birch leaves with the natural aromatic freshness of lavender, finished with a touch of lemon leaves. The heart of the fragrance, blended with a new type of masculine florals, combines green and nutty cardamom with a synthesis of sweet jasmine and African violet. A new accord at the base, Louro Amarelo, replicates a rich and exotic new wood note discovered in the Amazon. It lends body to the fragrance, as well as a natural energy when finished with a traditional musk and sandalwood infusion.
Notes:
Birch, Lavender, Lemon Leaves, Cardamom, Jasmine, African Violet, Louro Amarelo, Musk, Sandalwood.
Style:
Edgy. Magnetic. Masculine.
Ck One Gold By Calvin Klein
CK One fragrance from Calvin Klein that was launched in 1994 marked the teenage generation of the 90s and 2000s. The new aroma for her and for him, coming out mid-2016, is a modern interpretation of the iconic fragrance conveying the message: "Be brave. Stand out from the crowd. Everything you touch exudes gold. "
CK One Gold is seasonal, youthful scent of juicy and fresh woody character which supposedly combines the power of both sexes. Energetic freshness in the top notes is achieved by an unusual blend of fig, bergamot and sage. The luminous heart of neroli is complemented by flowers of jasmine and violet. Sunny vetiver gives depth to the perfume, leaving a sensual and warm trail on the skin together with notes of patchouli and guaiac wood.
Rhiannon McConnell is the face of the ad. The signature transparent CK One bottle is dipped in gold paint.
Sparkling White Diamonds By Elizabeth Taylor
Sparkling White Diamonds Perfume by Elizabeth Taylor, Sparkling White Diamonds is a fresh, classic scent for the timeless woman. Gentle and romantic, this fragrance, released in 1999, is sure to captivate your senses. The green citrus scent of neroli opens the perfume with a dazzling sweetness. Gardenia and lily drape the crisp fruit with a plush blanket of sensuality. Rose, narcissus, and jasmine deepen the floral motif at the middle, lending their own deep, heady aromas. The gorgeous flowers drift into a warm base of woods, amber, and musk. Wear this lovely composition as a signature daytime scent.Elizabeth Taylor was one of the most beloved actresses of all time. Known for her great beauty, she blossomed from a child star into an Academy Award-winning thespian. The style icon launched a line of fragrances in 1987, starting with Passion for women. She was a lover of jewels and many of her perfumes, including this one, were inspired by precious gems.
Whether running errands or going out for lunch, indulge in the refreshing and crisp aroma of Sparkling White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor. Launched in 1999, this women's eau de toilette creates an elegantly floral fragrance by blending notes of lily and gardenia with neroli and jasmine to offer a fresh and clean aromatic. Designed for casual or daytime wear, this feminine scent delivers a bright and airy scent that quickly grabs the nose and keeps the sense of smell firmly in your clutches.
