The best-selling perfumes in history
Jean-Paul Guerlain once said that "perfume is the most intense form of memory." Therefore, it's really important which fragrance you choose. To help you with your selection, we will tell you about the best-selling perfumes in the world.
Once someone has found their perfume, their loyalty to it tends to last forever. This may be the reason why some of the best-selling perfumes in history have remained so successful. Can you guess which they are?
It was Ernest Beaux's fifth attempt at creating it, but it also turned out to be Coco Chanel's lucky number. Launched in 1921, a bottle of Chanel No. 5 is sold in the world every 30 seconds.
It was a revolution in 1925 when it became the first perfume of the oriental olfactory family. The scent goes hand in hand with a wonderful tribute to the gardens of Shalimar and the Taj Mahal.
A recognizable design, a mischievous formula, and a sweet scent that doesn't get boring: These characteristics have made this 1993 perfume a contemporary classic.
Since 1985, this perfume has combined mystery and elegance to great success. Its Oriental-Floral fragrance has become a signature within the company.
Photo: Dior
Its star-shaped bottle, its particular shade of blue, and a sweet fragrance that almost invites you to eat it, have made 'Angel' a success since its launch in 1992.
Since 2005, 'Euphoria' has been a hit. Thanks to its futuristic design and oriental floral scent, it continues to sell by the millions.
Photo: Calvin Klein
Its aroma is elegant and sweet without getting overwhelming. The 2006 invention combines citrus with white flowers, honey, and vanilla, putting 'Armani Code' on the Olympus of fragrances.
This fragrance belongs to the Spicy Oriental olfactory family which, combined with its exotic but classic bottle, has made it a top seller since 2009.
Simple, classic, and with a point of seduction that comes directly from Paris and has been sweeping the market since 1930.
Photo: Jean Patou
The icon of Generation X, launched in 1994, remains the fragrance that screams freedom and equality with a Citrus Aromatic fragrance.
Photo: Calvin Klein
Elegance turned into a fragrance with an eternal and feminine essence. Even though it launched in 1999, it might seem like it's over a century old.
A fun, striking design and a hypnotic red tone make for one of the quintessential fruity perfumes in the market since 2003.
With the help of this floral fragrance, launched back in 1948, Nina Ricci managed to position herself at the top of the competitive perfume sector. Its bottle is legendary.
Photo: Nina Ricci
It's hard to believe that one of the most famous fragrances in history only dates back to 2001 and has its origin... in a Granny Smith apple!
Photo: Dolce & Gabbana
From its bottle simulating a dress to its spicy oriental fragrance, this perfume dating from 1953 is all about elegance.
Photo: Estee Lauder
And what about the men? Of course, they, too, have their favorite fragrances. In many cases, their preferences coincide with feminine perfumes. These are the best-selling men's fragrances.
It's hard to believe that Johnny Depp's greatest success in recent years has been a fragrance and not a movie. Yet, his face will always be associated with this perfume created by François Demachy in 2015.
Photo: Dior
Jacques Huclier added all kinds of edibles to his creation in 1996. Therefore, in this legend of masculine fragrances, you'll find elements such as caramel, chocolate, or coffee.
Photo: Thierry Mugler
Light, fresh, elegant, and ideal for summer, 'Acqua Di Gio' has dominated the men's fragrance industry since 1996.
Photo: Giorgio Armani
Hugo Boss has been, for decades, the reference in men's perfumes. Boss Bottled, launched in 1998, is its best version: a combination that mixes mint, pineapple, cinnamon, and sandalwood, among other elements.
Created by Francis Kukrdjian in 1995, its bottle is a work of art and its content combines notes of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and sage, along with other ingredients that make it an almost alchemical elixir.
Photo: Jean-Paul Gaultier
A bottle in the shape of a gold ingot can only lead to success. And that's exactly what happened with this creation by Michel Girard, Christophe Raynaud, and Olivier Pescheux in 2008.
Photo: Paco Rabanne
An intense, sweet, and woody aroma for a fragrance whose image promotes masculinity and power. It was released in 2013.
Photo: Paco Rabanne
Presented in 1988, 'Cool Water' is fresh, youthful, and a reference to surfing rebellion, always connected to the ocean.
Photo: Davidoff
Its launch, back in 1994, was a real boom. It has been sustained over time, in large part, thanks to David Gandy and his legendary commercial in a white swimsuit.
Photo: Dolce & Gabbana
This is pure eighties elegance that combines a smell similar to that of gasoline with citrus and violets. It is a strange mix but it has been a hit since 1988. 'Fahrenheit' is one of the most suggestive perfumes in history.
Photo: Dior
It wasn't easy, but Christophe Laudamiel managed to capture the essence of the North American fashion firm in a fragrance that has been a best-seller since 2002.
Citrus, cedar, and ambergris appear in this 2008 creation by Olivier Polge.
Photo: Dolce & Gabbana