They say that 50 is the new 40; a time in a woman’s life where the children have flown the nest and she is free to explore the later years of her life. Women, at this point in their life, have shaken that self-consciousness they felt when they were younger and are ready to take on the world. They have an air of class and elegance and want to show off their confident, sophisticated personality in style. What better way to do this than finding the best perfume for a 50-year-old woman?
Top 9 Perfumes For 50-Year-Old Women
The modern perfume marker is bursting with fragrances that are ideal for 50-year-old women. Whether you want a prominent, intense fragrance for a special occasion or something lighter for day-to-day wear, we’ve got you covered in our list of the top 9 perfumes for 50-year-olds.
1. Lancome La Vie Est Belle
This floral fruity fragrance for women launched by Lancome in 2012 has become synonymous with elegance and beauty. The inspiration behind the perfume is the idea of freedom and as you reach your later years, this is exactly how you will feel; liberated.
I think that this is one of the best perfumes for 50-year-olds since it boasts a delicate yet prominent sillage. It is never overpowering but doesn’t go unnoticed. With notes of blackcurrant and pear at the head, blending into a beautiful floral heart, La Vie Est Belle is the epitome of femininity.
La Vie Est Belle finishes with sweet accords like praline and vanilla, accompanied by warming patchouli. For a daytime perfume, this is a wonderful choice.
2. Cerruti 1881
Even the bottle of 1881 has a mature, sophisticated character and this is reflected by what is inside. Having been launched in the mid-90s, 1881 has become one of the best-selling perfumes for 50-year-old women.
With classic style in mind, 1881 is a rich floral fragrance with notes of rose, jasmine, iris, and bergamot at the head. The complex blend moves through an intensely floral heart of chamomile, geranium, jasmine, and orange blossom before revealing a woody, musky base.
While 1881 is a relatively affordable fragrance, it has amazing longevity and would therefore be perfectly suited to all-day wear.
3. Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker
If you are looking for a super feminine fragrance to show off your flirty, youthful side then Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker is the best choice. This perfume allows you to transition from one part of your life to another with class, elegance, and a little bit of fun.
Lovely is a floral woody perfume that features lavender, martini, and citrus notes. Through the dry down, we are treated to orchid and patchouli before being left with a woody base and hints of musk.
Perfect for lazy sunny afternoons, vacations, and shopping trips with friends, Lovely is a delicate perfume. For ladies who need something inoffensive yet incredibly beautiful, I would highly recommend this fragrance.
4. Dior Oud Rosewood
Dior’s exclusive perfume line ‘Maison Christian Dior’, features some stunning fragrances, Oud Rosewood is one that is perfect for classy 50-year-old ladies with a taste for the finer things in life. It is a rich, decadent, and intoxicating perfume that lasts throughout the day and beyond.
Oud Rosewood features prominent agarwood (oud) notes alongside raspberry, quince, sandalwood, and rosewood. This is a perfume for ladies who aren’t quite ready to shy away but want to show off their elegant personality.
This is a fragrance that would be ideal for evening wear but there is no reason why you couldn’t rock Oud Rosewood at a summer daytime event. In fact, you’d certainly stand out from the crowd.
5. YSL Libre
Often hailed as a fragrance for younger women, I think the Libre by Yves Saint Laurent has a fun-loving yet mature character that is great for ladies in their 50s. The fragrance is intoxicating but not in a garish way and allows you to show off a slightly more sensual side.
Libre, meaning free in French, certainly breaks free of the boundaries of normal fragrance. With a unique composition, this is the perfect perfume for a signature scent that everyone knows is yours. Lavender features prominently at the head and through the middle notes. This is blended with orange blossom and jasmine before melting down to a musky, vanilla base with notes of ambergris and cedar.
6. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana has become something of an iconic fragrance that is loved by women from all walks of life. It works particularly well for ladies aged 50 since it isn’t over-pronounced but will get you noticed.
An aromatic citrus fragrance, Light Blue is a great choice for summer wear. There is a very fresh character to the perfume with notes like lemon and apple at the head. A floral heart forms into a base of cedar, musk, and amber which gives this perfume excellent longevity.
Light Blue is a timeless perfume and is a great way to move from your younger years to a more fulfilled and sophisticated later life.
7. Lancome Tresor
This amber floral fragrance for women was released in 1990 and has held on to its popularity thanks to its elegant and luxurious scent. Without a doubt, Tresor is one of the best-selling perfumes for 50-year-old women and brings together an array of floral accords with peach, apricot, sandalwood, vanilla, and musk.
Tresor is not a timid fragrance and so is perfect for ladies who want to demonstrate their powerful feminine side. For women hitting the age of 50, Tresor is an excellent way to show off their desire for life in one of the most sophisticated ways I know.
8. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir
Frequently mimicked by never matched, Pomegranate Noir is the epitome of elegance and luxury. Launched back in 2005, this perfume has become one of the most well-loved in the world. While some of the Jo Malone perfumes boast a much simpler composition, Pomegranate Noir is packed with stunning notes.
It begins with pomegranate alongside watermelon, plum, and rhubarb. Moving through the heart, you get a range of feminine florals with cloves, guaiac wood, and pink pepper. The base is musky with hints of amber. Pomegranate noir may be complex but it is truly sensational and elegant.
9. Chloé Fleur De Parfum
For ladies looking for an elegant yet sensual perfume to wear in their 50s, Fleur de Parfum by Chloe is a great choice. This is a floral fragrance with fresh, sweet hits of fruity notes like grapefruit and peach.
Being such a fresh yet powdery scent, I would recommend this perfume for summer wear. If you want a fragrance to pack in your suitcase for your next vacation, Fleur de Parfum would be an ideal choice. It has a strong projection but not one that is in your face and can certainly go the distance in terms of longevity.
How To Choose A Perfume For A 50-Year-Old Woman
When it comes to choosing a perfume, one of the most important things you should look for is a fragrance that is pleasing to your nose. Gone are the days of trying to impress other people, you want a perfume that makes you happy. We all have different tastes and that’s OK; it’s a great way to show off your personality, so let yourself shine.
Floral fragrances are ideal for women in their 50s since they are feminine yet incredibly mature and sophisticated. When you were younger, you may have opted for a fruity perfume that was more playful. While you certainly still have your wild side, you don’t want that to come across in the wrong way.
That said, while gourmand fragrances are usually favored by teens and younger women, more mature ladies can rock the right gourmand. For example, Prada Candy is one of the most sophisticated sweet fragrances ideal for older women. In essence, you need to find a perfume that feels right to you.
Moreover, it is important to think about the kind of notes according to when you will wear the perfume. Woody notes at the base offer excellent longevity and are perfect for all-day fragrances that need to last. For summer afternoons spent leisurely strolling the local boutiques or sipping champagne on a terrace, a light fragrance with citrus notes is ideal.
But one of the most effective ways to find a perfume that can become your 50s signature is to check out guides like this one. Here, you will find a detailed review of each potential fragrance allowing you to discover which ones will work well for you. We also have an in-depth rundown of a range of perfumes for older ladies to give you a more expansive choice.
Conclusion
As life begins to transition between youth and your later years, the fragrance you opt for may differ. While you are no longer attracted to heavy, ‘young’ perfumes, you’re not quite ready to throw in the towel and wear something that your grandma loves. But never fear; there is an entire world of beautiful perfumes for 50-year-old women that we know you will fall in love with.
