Best Kohls Perfume Guide: Sniff, Sample, or Buy?

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Crystal Schwanke

Socially Fragrant at Scent Chasers

Crystal enjoys investing in expensive perfumes and colgones, so she's usually wearing fragrances in social settings to make a statement. While other people are impressed with fancy jewelry, she can always tell a cheap perfume from an expensive one!

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I‘m no stranger to the Kohl’s perfume section, so I can tell you the best Kohl’s perfumes to check out. It’s expanded lately, thanks to Sephora, and I love it.

My tastes change from year to year and season to season, so I feel like I’ve tried almost all of the fragrances they offer. That means I can help you narrow it down to your new signature fragrance or scent of the day, week, month, or season.

Bottom Line Up Front

I highly recommend checking out some of the best Kohl’s perfumes. Why? They’re some of the best perfumes, period. You can find the most popular fragrances right now, hidden gems, and some of the bestselling fragrances of all time.

If you’re in a hurry when you go, here are the few I think you should check out first:

• Marc Jacobs Perfect
• Lancome Idole
• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
• Dolce & Gabbana The One
• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

Top Picks at a Glance

Some of the best Kohl’s perfumes belong to more than one category. Still, to present the information at a glance, I’ll put each one in the category I feel it most belongs. 

Some florals will be warm and almost gourmand, for example. Some fragrances are fresh but also floral. 

Light or Bright Floral

• Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia
• Ralph Lauren Romance
• Versace Bright Crystal
• Estee Lauder Beautiful
• Marc Jacobs Daisy
• Marc Jacobs Perfect
• Estee Lauder Pleasures
• Chloe Chloe
• Lancome Idole 
• Philosophy Amazing Grace

Warm Floral/Woody

• Carolina Herrera Good Girl (and Flankers)
• Lancome La Vie Est Belle
• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
• Valentino Donna Born in Roma
• Gucci Bloom
• Yves Saint Laurent Libre
• Armani Beauty My Way
• Tom Ford Black Orchid

Sweet

• Prada Candy
• Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium
• Dolce & Gabbana The One

Fresh/Fruity

• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
• Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris

Selection Criteria

Even though the list above shows more florals than anything else, some of the best Kohl’s perfumes straddle the line between two types. I aimed to offer various fragrance families to cover everyone’s preferences.

I scoped out which of the bestsellers (for the past couple of years and all-time) are available at Kohl’s. From what I can tell, not all brands offered at Sephora are in the Kohl’s locations, but there is more to choose from than before.

I also added some of my personal recommendations that I think everyone should check out.

The 23 Best Kohls Perfumes: What Fragrance Should I Buy at Kohl’s?

The best Kohl’s perfumes are a collection from every type of fragrance family. There’s truly something for almost everyone in the market for a new scent. Here are 23 of the best perfumes you can find at Kohl’s, a collection of bestsellers and my personal favorites (there’s a lot of overlap).

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia

I just discovered this one last month, and it was a no-brainer, a must-buy perfume. Something about it reminds me of Smarties candy, but it’s not just that; it’s a beautiful floral with depth.

Notes include gardenia (of course), solar jasmine absolute, pear blossom accord, and brown sugar accord.

Pros

• It doesn’t smell like everything else on the market, but it’s close enough to fit the mainstream preferences.
• It’s a sweet floral that makes you feel warm like you’ve just stepped into a garden on a sunny spring day.

Cons

• Not the best longevity

Ralph Lauren Romance

This one will always have a special place in my heart because I wore it in the early days of my relationship with my now-husband. It’s been almost two decades, and I’m still not tired of it, though I don’t wear it often anymore. It really is one of the best Kohl’s perfumes you can buy.

It lives up to its name; it’s a romantic floral with musk.

Notes include pink pepper, mandarin orange, rose, jasmine, musk, and patchouli. 

Pros

• Light and airy with an underlying warmth and sensuality that makes it suitable year-round
• Makes an excellent bridal perfume (it’s what I wore on my wedding day!)

Cons

• It could smell too sharp for some people until the dry-down.

Versace Bright Crystal

I’ve been obsessed with this fragrance for years. It’s perfect for hot days when you want something refreshing but you don’t want to smell like you’re straight out of the shower (soapy). 

Notes include peony, magnolia, lotus flower, musk, and amber.

Pros

• Bright, sparkling scent perfect for hot days
• You can try it in several different sizes, so you don’t have to spend a lot to give it a whirl
• Comparatively speaking it’s not that expensive; 6.7 oz will only set you back about $140.00.

Cons

• Doesn’t last more than a few hours on my skin, so you may need to reapply.

Estee Lauder Beautiful

This lives up to its name–it’s simply beautiful and an undeniably feminine fragrance. It’s all about unassuming flowers, a hint of fruit, and woods. 

Notes include rose, lily, tuberose, orange flower, citrus, and woods.

Pros

• It doesn’t take much concentration to enjoy this, from top to bottom, the way more complex fragrances might
• It’s fresh, not heavy, but still floral and warm
• Sensual and romantic

Cons

• Some may feel this one is outdated.

Marc Jacobs Daisy

The strawberry note in Daisy really sings, but it’s not just fruit. The violets add a powdery element while the jasmine and sandalwood warm it up. This is still a light scent, perfect for spring and summer.  

Pros

• Everybody seems to love it
• Adorable bottle design
• Light and feminine, safe for work and daytime events

Cons

• May feel too light and youthful for some tastes
• Not great year-round (better for warmer months)

Marc Jacobs Perfect

I gave my daughter this one as a gift, and she wears it every day. I adore the scent. It’s a clean floral with the warmth of woods. It works in any season, though I may prefer it in the later winter and early spring the most.

The rhubarb really stands out at first, but then it settles into something warmer and creamier while still retaining the bright rhubarb and daffodil notes to keep it interesting. 

Notes include rhubarb, daffodil (unusual!), almond milk, cedarwood, and cashmeran.

Pros

• It lasts
• Projection is good
• Mixes the trendy rhubarb note with more unusual ones for something that is unlike most other perfumes on the market

Cons

• Expensive
• Some may not like the sharp rhubarb note

Estee Lauder Pleasures

Estee Lauder Pleasures has been around for decades now. It keeps showing up on lists of popular, feminine, floral perfumes. It’s like a warm spring day in a field of flowers, clothes swaying on a line in the breeze.

Notes include lilies, white peonies, jasmine, and Baie Rose.

Pros

• It’s a fresh, clean, happy scent that encompasses the smell of a bouquet of flowers
• You can get a 0.5 oz. bottle for just $34.00

Cons

• Some may feel this one is too outdated to enjoy
• Seems expensive ($75.00 for 1.7 oz. or $100.00 for 3.4 oz.)

Chloe Chloe

I can sum Chloe up this way: fresh roses dotted with dewdrops, accompanied by the warmth of woods and the sweetness of a touch of honey.

I have a full size of this one and love it on warm days; it’s not warm and comforting enough for me on cold, dreary days. It’s bright and airy–refreshing, almost.

Notes include peony, lychee, freesia, rose, honey, lily-of-the-valley, amber, and cedarwood.

Pros

• Light, fresh, and floral with a hint of woods
• Gorgeous bottle style that hovers somewhere between vintage and modern
• Beautiful wedding scent–youthful, romantic, and optimistic (but still could appeal to all ages)

Cons

• Some may feel that there’s not enough warmth to ground it; it can seem a little too fresh and sharp
• Not good year-round, in my opinion, but beautiful in the warmer months

Lancome Idole 

This one made the list because of its ability to straddle the line between cool and warm. It’s feminine and sensual, perfect for any age (but may especially appeal to those in their 20s). It’s been a bestseller since it launched in 2019.

Notes include jasmine absolute, rose, chypre accord, vanilla, white musk, and citrus.

Pros

• Light, fresh, and inoffensive
• Seems to be a crowd-pleaser
• Mostly floral but anchored in light woodsy notes for balance
• Not heavy on the vanilla, even though there’s vanilla in the base notes, which makes this one easier to wear when it’s hot outside

Cons

• It’s having a trendy moment, so you may smell like everyone else
• The bottle is too thin to stand and needs to lie on its side, which is slightly annoying.
• You won’t love this one if you don’t like rose scents.

Philosophy Amazing Grace

A friend gave this one to me when I was dealing with a lot of headaches. She said it didn’t aggravate hers, so she thought I might be able to enjoy wearing it, too. She was right. This is a comforting scent that stays close to the skin and doesn’t trigger headaches for me. 

Notes include lily-of-the-valley, musk, and bergamot.

Pros

• Very faint
• May be safe for those who frequently get headaches triggered by perfumes
• Smells similar to Narciso Rodriguez For Her, but costs less

Cons

• Doesn’t last more than a few hours on me
• May stay too close to the skin for some preferences
• Linear scent

Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris

This is a rich “fruitchouli” scent that’s heavy on the berries and sits lightly on a base of patchouli. Woven through the fragrance are a honeysuckle-like note (the datura flower) and a wisp of musk. 

Notes include datura flower, red berries, white musk, and patchouli.

Pros

• Lasting power
• Excellent projection, but not over-the-top or suffocating (people will notice your perfume)
• This patchouli doesn’t take over the whole scent; jammy berries are the main event here. 

Cons

• On some people, the patchouli does overpower the rest of the notes.
• The projection may be off-putting for someone looking for an everyday scent.

Carolina Herrera Good Girl (and Flankers)

I love all Carolina Herrera Good Girl perfumes; I want to collect them all. Each one is complex and beautiful, but they’re different enough to have and wear them all at different times. The original is mysterious and sexy, perfect for fall and winter. It’s all about jasmine, tuberose, tonka bean, cocoa, and a hint of coffee.

Legere is lighter, flirtier, and feels almost beachy even though it’s still a floral with a focus on jasmine and ylang-ylang. Very Good Girl is fruitier, brighter, punchier, and similar to the much more expensive Delina by Parfums de Marly (it’s just missing some of the depth in the drydown).

Supreme is a heady, seductive, warm floral with juicy berries and a hint of earthy vetiver, all on top of smooth, creamy vanilla. It’s not too overpowering; it’s just right for various occasions (maybe not work).

Pros

• Complex scents
• Suitable for people who love florals with a twist (the original is sexy and mysterious, but the flankers have a more lighthearted feel)

Cons

• Though the bottles are attractive, not everyone will love the style (a high-heel pump) and may not want to leave it on display.

Lancome La Vie Est Belle

This is a bestselling perfume that doesn’t work for me personally. It smells incredible, but I feel overwhelmed when I actually wear it. It’s very sweet, featuring iris (powdery note), vanilla, patchouli, tonka bean, berries, pear, jasmine, orange blossom, and praline. All I really smell is rich, sweet vanilla. 

Pros

• Beautiful, long-lasting vanilla-floral with staying power and decent projection

Cons

• Can feel heavy or cloying (to me, at least)
• Very heavy on the vanilla 

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

This is the best-selling women’s perfume for a reason. It’s complex and has notes for almost everyone in there (unless you’re a fan of citrus or fresh scents). It’s warm, sweet, floral, and vanilla. Sometimes it feels like it teeters on the line between floral and gourmand. It’s a strong, long-lasting fragrance.

Pros

• Long-lasting
• One spritz is all you need
• Good sillage and projection
• Sweet, but balanced 

Cons

• It’s a best-selling perfume for women, so you’ll need to stay away if you don’t want a fragrance everyone else is wearing. 

Valentino Donna Born in Roma

This one surprised me. I got it as a sample and didn’t think I’d like it all that much, but now I can see why it’s such a hit.

It’s jammy, floral, and has that boozy Bourbon vanilla. Still, there’s also pink peppercorn to give it an edge, woods to give it warmth, and jasmine tea to give it a little something extra to stand out from the crowd.

Pros

• It’s not your run-of-the-mill warm floral, even though the first glance at the notes makes it look like it would be.
• It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s not too overwhelming, even though it sounds like it’d be an 80s powerhouse type of perfume.

Cons

• I’m not a fan of how the bottle looks.
• Could feel too scattered for some, since it’s pulling from different types of fragrances and seems to be trying to do a lot at once

Gucci Bloom

Gucci Bloom is for the true floral-loving perfume fan. The notes are pretty straightforward: Rangoon creeper, jasmine, and tuberose. It’s a white floral with a powdery edge, a feminine type of scent through and through.

Pros

• What you sniff is what you get; there’s not a lot of complexity here, so there’s little room for surprises.

Cons

• The bottle is slightly on the bland side (square, pale pink with black and white accents).
• Heavy on the tuberose

Yves Saint Laurent Libre

Yves Saint Laurent Libre seemed to be an instant hit when it hit the shelves in 2019. It plays up the lavender, jasmine, and cedar–at least to my nose. I can’t think of too many Kohl’s perfumes–or fragrances in general–that smell like this, and I mean that in a good way. 

Notes include lavender, orange blossom, black currant, petitgrain, jasmine, vanilla, musk, cedar, and ambergris.

Pros

• Even though it’s still floral, it doesn’t smell like all the rest.
• Stunning bottle
• Sensual and warm without being sweet

Cons

• It’s expensive, starting at $85.00 for one ounce
• Can be too heavy and strong for some

Armani Beauty My Way

My Way is a white floral with vanilla, tuberose, sandalwood, and orange blossom. It’s not especially unique, but it is lovely. 

Pros

• Classic type of scent that’s unlikely to offend or overwhelm, so you can wear it in most settings
• Good longevity

Cons

• Will be too sweet for some
• Expensive at around $78.00 for an ounce

Tom Ford Black Orchid

For years, this has been one of my favorites because it starts out weird and like something the average perfume fan wouldn’t choose, but then it dries down to something feminine, warm, and lovely. 

Notes include bergamot, bitter orange, plum, orchid, black truffle, patchouli, ylang-ylang, and vanilla.

Pros

• Even though it starts unusually, the dry-down is a beautiful warm vanilla floral 
• Interesting notes keep it from smelling like everything else on the market

Cons

• Too “weird” for some people because of the truffle note
• Expensive

Prada Candy

This one made the list because it’s the perfect burnt caramel candy scent that gourmand lovers can’t wait to spray on.

Notes include iris, white musks, benzoin, and caramel accord.

Pros

• Warm and sweet, perfect for cuddling
• More interesting than it seems at first, thanks to the powdery iris and musk

Cons

• Some may find it too sweet
• Some may feel it’s too youthful and linear

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium

If Carolina Herrera Good Girl and a truffle-free version of Tom Ford’s Black Orchid had a baby, it’d be Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium. It’s got a sexy, mysterious vibe, the hint of coffee from Good Girl, and the gorgeous vanilla-floral dry-down of Black Orchid.

Pros

• Complex
• Sexy and mysterious
• Who doesn’t love a coffee note?

Cons

• Sometimes I feel like this one smells a little generic after the top notes fade.

Dolce & Gabbana The One

This is one of my absolute favorite vanilla scents. It’s pretty and uplifting, not heavy, probably because it’s paired up with bergamot and peach rather than berries. 

Notes include amber, jasmine, peach, vanilla, vetiver, musk, bergamot, plum, lily, lily-of-the-valley, and mandarin orange.

Pros

• Can be worn any time, for any occasion
• Beautifully balanced between warm, sweet, vanilla, and fruit
• Incredible longevity

Cons

• May be too heavy on the vanilla for some
• Some may find it a little boring

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

I can’t remember a time when Light Blue wasn’t a bestseller. It’s fresh, but not aquatic. It’s a little sweet, but there’s the green apple and lemon bite to take the edge off. There are musk, warmth, and hints of the best summer memories a person can make.

Pros

• Clean, but with a warmth that keeps it sexy, not soapy
• Can mentally take you to the beach

Cons

• Doesn’t last as long as some others
• Not much projection 

Tips for Shopping for Fragrance at Kohl’s

Shop the Minis and Sampler Sets

Now that Kohl’s and Sephora have teamed up, you’ll have access to more fragrance sets to help you narrow down your signature scent.

You may also have access to more rollerball and travel sizes. This is an excellent way to test drive a perfume without much commitment.

Buy Online and Pick Up In-Store

If you’re shopping at Kohl’s online, you can check the inventory at the stores closest to you and save yourself a trip to a location that doesn’t have what you’re looking for.

You can also buy your perfume online and then pick it up in the store when it’s convenient.

This is useful if there’s a sale going on and you can’t make it to the store before it ends, or you’re afraid they’ll be out of stock on the fragrance you want before you can get there.

Sephora and Kohl’s

Some Kohl’s locations have an even more exciting beauty department that functions like a freestanding Sephora store. This means there’s potential there for an even better selection of perfumes. You can see if there’s a location near you by using their location finder.

You can earn Kohl’s rewards and Sephora Beauty Insider points on perfume orders through Kohl’s. Unfortunately, Kohl’s coupons won’t apply to fragrance purchases, though.

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