As a beauty writer, my friends and family constantly ask me for perfume recommendations. And their most asked question? What kind of fragrance should they choose for formal events? Be it a wedding, birthday or party, choosing the right perfume can be a challenge. But there is one fail-proof fragrance type that I would always recommend for any formal occasion. Enter sparkling perfume.
(Image credit: Who Wears What in the UK)
What is sparkling perfume?
Designed to emulate the glass of bubbles you save for a very special occasion, the sparkling perfume smells bright, crisp and fizzy. Some contain actual notes of some type of sparkling wine, while others focus more on simply giving off that zesty smell we associate with our favorite glass of spritz. This quality makes them ideal perfumes for events. And with spring here (and summer just around the corner), these light and airy scents are ideal for warmer weather because they won’t feel too heavy or overpowering—instead, they’re lovely. Fresh aroma.
Below, I’ve collected seven of the best sparkling perfumes that I always recommend. So if you, too, need the perfect scent for any upcoming occasion, or simply love a glass of bubbly as much as I do, and want a scent to emulate that, keep scrolling to find the seven best talking perfumes, all of which come editor-approved.
best sparkling perfume
1. Best Overall Sparkling Perfume – Chanel Comte, £240
2. Best Daytime Sparkling Perfume – Fleur Afterglow, £99
3. Best Nighttime Sparkling Perfume – Wilhelm Perfumery Sparkling Jo, £220
4. Best Sparkling Floral Perfume – Byredo Inflorescences, £150
5. Best Sparkling Gourmand Perfume – YSL Black Opium Glitter, £77
6. Best Affordable Sparkling Perfume – Jimmy Choo Blossom, £43
7. Best Luxury Sparkling Perfume – Creed Jardin d’Amalfi, £415
1. Channel Comte
channel
comte eau de parfum
Key Notes: Cherry blossom, aldehyde, iris, heliotrope, musk
Inspired by the brand’s Bijoux de Diamants high jewelery collection created by Gabrielle Chanel in 1932, Chanel’s Comet is a shimmering, subtly luminous perfume that is a blend of cherry blossom, powdered iris, heliotrope and aldehydes. It’s powdery and soft, yet has the luminous effect you’d expect from a luminous perfume, with many of my fellow beauty writers comparing it to stardust. This is by far the most beautiful fragrance in my collection, which looks good even on more formal occasions.
2. Fuller Afterglow
floor
Afterglow Eau De Parfum
Key Notes: Apricot, Coconut, Citrus, Ambrette, Milk, Vanilla Orchid, Lavender, Cashmere Wood, Amber, Sandalwood
With a vibrant opening of zesty citrus, juicy apricot and creamy coconut, Fleur’s Afterglow captures the crisp fizz of sparkling wine. But instead of the intense sophistication of traditional Champagne, this scent is more refreshing – like drinking mimosas on a tropical vacation. It then settles into a warm, creamy base of soft lavender and smooth milk, making it ideal for everyday wear.
3. Wilhelm Perfumery Sparkling Joe
Wilhelm Perfumery
The Sparkling Eau De Parfum
Key Notes: Champagne, bergamot, juniper, Williams pear, ginger, ambrette, champaca, musk, ambroxan, ambergris, oak, cedar
The most obvious “sparkling” perfume of the group, Wilhelm Perfumery’s Sparkling, was specially formulated to smell like a glass of champagne. With notes of champagne, bergamot and juniper, this bright and flirtatious perfume perfectly evokes the energy of a glamorous Parisian night out. It starts off lively and playful, but then turns into a more mature base of musk, woodsy and cedar.
4. Byredo Inflorescence
byredo
inflorescence eau de parfum
Key Notes: pink freesia, rose, lily-of-the-valley, magnolia, jasmine
Not every flashy perfume should be so obvious, and if you’re looking for something more subtle, Inflorescence by Byredo is for you. Its brightness comes not from the flavor of sparkling wine, but from the blend of bright pink freesia and rose petals. Fresh lily of the valley then brings with it a clean, green, floral scent, which eventually settles into a soft base of jasmine and magnolia. Because of this, for me, this botanical-inspired scent is suitable for more romantic occasions like a wedding or garden party.
4. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Glitter
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Glitter Eau De Parfum
Key Notes: Green Mandarin, Pear, Lemon, Orange Blossom, Vanilla Absolute, Coffee, Marshmallow, Musk, Patchouli
Starting with flavors of green mandarin, lemon and pear, before settling into a base of warm vanilla coffee and marshmallow, YSL’s Black Opium Glitter is perfect for those looking for something sweet yet sophisticated. It’s a delightfully girly scent that’ll make adults lean instead of sick, thanks to orange blossom and patchouli, making it the perfect fizzy scent for a night out.
6. Jimmy Choo Blossom
jimmy choo
blossom eau de parfum
Key Notes: Raspberry, red berries, citrus fruits, sweet pea, rose, white musk, sandalwood
Fun, youthful and vibrant, Jimmy Choo’s Blossom reminds me of a lively night out with friends. Starting with juicy notes of raspberry, citrus and blackberries, this floral-fruity composition somehow manages to feel sophisticated rather than too novelty. Then it settles into a base of gentle florals and musk, which grounds it and makes it feel a little more grown up. This has become my go-to handbag scent for an evening out with friends, at under £50 it won’t break the bank.
7. Creed Jardin d’Amalfi
creed
Jardin D’Amalfi Eau De Parfum
Key Notes: Tangerine, neroli, bergamot. Pink pepper, Bulgarian rose, apple, Virginia cedar, white musk, Haitian vetiver, cinnamon
With bright top notes of lemon, bergamot, mandarin and pink berries, Creed’s Jardin d’Amalfi evokes the feeling of sipping a glass of Prosecco on the iconic Italian Amalfi Coast. While the initial notes are fizzy and lively, the perfume eventually transitions into a warm, woody-musky base that feels elegant and sophisticated. It’s airy, bubbly, and iridescent, exactly the type of scent I’ll be dousing myself in all summer long, and to me, this is a luxury perfume that’s worth the extra expense.
