When the first Tom Ford perfume was released in 2006, the designer was best known for his time as Creative Director at Gucci, where he revived the fashion house with his bold collections and daring designs. Now, almost fifteen years later, Tom Ford is easily one of the most recognizable names among high-end fashion and the beauty industry, with both the Tom Ford Private Blend (his premium, more personal line) and the more accessible Signature collection.
With many scents being the best perfumes for women of all time, which Tom Ford fragrance is the best for you? We have gathered 17 of the best Tom Ford perfumes for women to review, so you can decide for yourself (with a little help from us, of course!), as well as give the low-down on the main Tom Ford perfume lines for you to pick your new signature scent!
In this article:
- Our Picks of the Best Tom Ford Perfumes for Women
- The History Tom Ford Fragrances
- How to Pick the Best Tom Ford Perfume for You?
Best Tom Ford Perfumes Overview
- Best Overall: Tom Ford Oud Wood
- Best Floral: Tom Ford Black Orchid
- Best Spicy Oriental: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
- Best for Summer: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc
- Best Spicy Floral: Tom Ford Velvet Orchid
- Best for Fall: Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme
- Best Sweet Yet Sexy: Tom Ford Lost Cherry
- Best Unisex: Tom Ford Ombré Leather
- Best Spicy: Tom Ford Fucking Fabulous
- Best Classic: Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge
- Best Rose: Tom Ford Rose Prick
- Best Musky: Tom Ford White Suede
- Best Citrus: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
- Best Fresh: Tom Ford MÉTALLIQUE
- Best Warm Leather: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather
- Best Fruity: Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi
- Best for Winter: Tom Ford Soleil Neige
Our Picks of the Best Tom Ford Perfumes for Women
From the best-selling Tom Ford perfumes to new releases, here we have compiled the best Tom Ford fragrances for every taste and season.
Imagine for a moment that you’re standing in a temple in the Himalayas, surrounded by the sweet smoke of the oud wood incense burning around you. Rosewood and cardamom blend with sandalwood and vetiver, while notes of tonka bean and amber add warmth and sensuality. Part of Tom Ford’s Private Blend collection, Oud Wood provides the wearer with a classic earthy-woody scent wrapped in all the opulence you would expect of a Tom Ford fragrance. Pick it up today at Nordstrom or Sephora!
Reflecting his search for ‘the deepest black, black orchid,’ Black Orchid has become a staple of the Tom Ford Signature collection since its debut in 2006. The starlet of the Signature collection, this warm floral scent is perfect if you’re looking for a classic, luxurious fragrance to start your collection. Key notes include entrancing black truffle and ylang-ylang, touched with bergamot and bitter orange. Sweet black plum envelopes this Tom Ford perfume’s black orchid extract, while patchouli and creamy vanilla finish off the sophisticated scent. Get yours at Sephora or Nordstrom!
Everyone has their vices, but you won’t find that this one is bad for your health. Dripping in the heady notes of tobacco and sweet gourmands, Tobacco Vanille is a rich, spicy blend of creamy tonka bean, vanilla, cocoa, dry fruit accords, and sweet wood sap. Tom Ford focuses on key notes of tobacco leaf, ginger, and cocoa to give us a warm, spicy fragrance that screams ‘good smelling man,’ but don’t let that deter you. Tom Ford is a firm believer that men and women can wear any of his fragrances. Grab yours at Sephora or Nordstrom!
A sweet summer scent, Soleil Blanc will have you reminiscing about days at the beach well into the Pumpkin Spice season. A sunny, floral amber scent bursting with notes of bergamot, pistachio, and coco de mer, this edition of the Soleil family will remind you of toasty skin and cool summer breezes. Snag it today at Nordstrom or Sephora!
Working from the masterpiece of the original Black Orchid, Tom Ford pushes the envelope with Velvet Orchid, a warm floral blend with key notes of orange blossom, hyacinth, jonquil, cattleya leopoldiio orchid, suede accord, and vanilla tincture. This new, ultra-feminine version of the original Black Orchid is a sensual combination of florals and spice, the perfect Tom Ford perfume for when you’re feeling a bit daring. Pick it up at Sephora or Nordstrom!
If sensual and mysterious is what you’re looking for, look no further than Noir Pour Femme. Punctuated by notes of bitter orange oil, rose absolute, and amber, this member of the Tom Ford Signature collection is a dramatic yet sophisticated combination of warm and sweet gourmands. Dark and dramatic, it’s one of the best Tom Ford perfumes for the gloomy days of fall. Find it at Sephora or Nordstrom!
Is a high-shine lip gloss your best friend? If so, Lost Cherry by Tom Ford may catch your eye. With its gleaming, lacquered bottle, and candy-like finish, Lost Cherry is a stunning bit of eye candy before you even open the bottle. Sweet notes of black cherry settle into just a hint of bitter almond, leaving a luscious combination of both sweet and tart. Hints of Turkish rose and jasmine dry down to balsam and tonka, creating a sensual combination that will reflect every side of you. Get it today at Nordstrom or Sephora!
If florals aren’t your favorite, and you prefer more of a unique scent, look no further than Tom Ford’s Ombré Leather. Although most Tom Ford perfumes are unisex, this one is the best that both men and women can try out. Ombré Leather is a warm, spicy, woody fragrance that will wrap you in the scent of the desert. Black leather, cardamon, and patchouli are at the forefront of this unique, stirring blend that will suit men and women alike. Purchase it at Sephora or Nordstrom!
If you’re like me and have the mouth of a sailor, this Tom Ford fragrance might just be for you. Another member of Tom Ford’s Private Blend collection, FF is a woody, oriental blend that boldly combines the delicate floral notes of lavender, orris root, and iris flower with bitter almond and sweet vanilla. Warm tonka bean and rich leather complete this explicit fragrance. Get yours at Sephora or Nordstrom!
When you want a new twist on an old favorite, you may want to consider this Tom Ford perfume. A classic floral, Jasmin Rouge uses an ingredient never used in perfumery before – precious sambac jasmine sepals absolute – to remind you of everything there is to love about the time-honored scent. Finishing key notes of black and white peppercorn, ylang-ylang, and amber complete this seductive, glamorous potion. Purchase it at Sephora or Nordstrom!
It seems no matter where you turn, there’s something new rose-themed on the market. Whether it’s the color, the drink, or the scent, the flower is virtually everywhere, and fragrance is no exception. Tom Ford’s Rose Prick is a luscious combination of Turkish and Bulgarian rose, patchouli, and balsam. This is the best Tom Ford perfume for an intimate night in or a romantic dinner out. Get it at Sephora or Nordstrom!
Usually, when we hear the word ‘musk,’ our noses don’t exactly perk up in response. But in perfumery, ‘musk’ commonly refers to an animal byproduct that is secreted from the glands of a deer. These secretions elicit certain animalistic reactions, and the same is said to be thought when it is added to the base notes of perfumes that we humans wear. Tom Ford’s White Suede uses a synthetic musk blend to highlight the warm pull of leather and suede, while thyme, amber, and rose add a spicy, floral depth to this irresistible fragrance. Purchase it at Sephora or Nordstrom!
According to Tom Ford, Neroli Portofino ‘perfectly captures the cool breezes, sparkling clear water, and lush foliage of the Italian Riviera,’ and I am hard-pressed to disagree. By far my own personal favorite, Neroli Portofino is a scintillating blend of Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, winter yellow mandarin, and lavender. Enticing citrus oils and floral notes awaken the senses, while warm amber undertones leave you cradled in the glow of this unique eau de cologne that is truly a vacation in a bottle. It’s available at Nordstrom and Sephora.
When I was in college, I was OBSESSED with Victoria Secret Beauty’s body mists. I thought they smelled amazing, and they probably did at the time. I can’t remember the name of the scent, but my favorite had a base of pink peppercorn, and I felt SO GOOD when I wore it – fresh, pretty, attractive. If I wanted to emulate that feeling today, I would reach for Tom Ford’s MÉTALLIQUE. Delicate vanilla and warm sandalwood highlight key notes of pink peppercorn, heliotrope, and balsam. This sweet, sexy floral gives off an ultra-feminine, fresh vibe. Pick it up at Sephora or Nordstrom!
If you want something similar to Ombré Leather but just a touch more sensual, look no further than Tuscan Leather. A member of the Private Blend collection, this Tom Ford perfume picks up where Ombré Leather leaves off by adding olibanum (a.k.a. Frankincense) and blooming jasmine. Reach for Tuscan Leather when you want a feminine yet fierce fragrance. Get it at Sephora or Nordstrom!
Appearing to be a close cousin of Neroli Portofino, Mandarino Di Amalfi is part of the Tom Ford Private Blend collection, another love letter to Ford’s love of Italy. Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, its key notes are refreshing orange blossom and grapefruit, complemented by fresh mint and thyme, with a swirl of wildflowers for good measure. Get yours at Sephora or Nordstrom!
When you’re longing for those sweet summer days, reach for Tom Ford’s Soleil Neige, a sister scent of Soleil Blanc. This Tom Ford perfume inspires images of flowers bursting forth from fresh snow, with heavy notes of white blooms and Turkish rose. Fresh citrus and key notes of bergamot and jasmine will dry down into a luscious combination of creamy vanilla and benzoin, stirring daydreams of the sun-kissed skin and sandy beaches to come. Get it at Sephora or Nordstrom!
The History of Tom Ford Fragrances
Born Thomas Carlyle Ford in New Mexico, Tom Ford first studied architecture at the Paris campus of Parsons School of Design. It was there that he talked his way into his first design job with Gucci in 1990, quickly rising through the ranks of high fashion to revive Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent throughout the ‘90s with his bold and daring campaigns.
Ford would spend a decade as Creative Director at the Gucci Group, taking his leave in 2004 to launch his first line of fragrances. Beginning with the renowned Black Orchid in 2006, Tom Ford perfumes emulated the fashion lines and collections he spent years perfecting as a designer.
As bold and daring as he is in his clothing designs, Tom Ford spared no expense when it comes to his collection of fragrances. He continued to push the envelope with his blends, using unexpected combinations such as raspberry and leather for Tuscan Leather, or mixing oud wood with a salty sea note for Oud Minérale.
Since his first launch in 2006, Tom Ford has amassed over 40 mostly genderless eau de parfumes under his belt. Each blend, whether part of his Private or Signature line, is carefully crafted and developed to Ford’s standard of perfection.
It’s this standard of perfection that has allowed him to continue to create such impactful products year after year, all while sweeping the industry with numerous awards. His accolades include the Fragrance Foundation Awards (FiFis) for Violet Blonde, Café Rose, Jasmin Rouge, Grey Vetiver, and Tom Ford for Men.
These awards reflect not only his hard work but also his dedication to his craft. It’s obvious that scent, in particular, is incredibly important to Ford.
We know we’d have a hard time living without any of the luscious, multifaceted Tom Ford perfumes the designer has provided us with over the years.
How to Pick the Best Tom Ford Perfume for You?
Are you unsure about where to begin when it comes to Tom Ford perfumes? With so many options to choose from, you may easily find yourself overwhelmed. Here are a few pointers to help you find the right Tom Ford fragrance for you!
- First, consider if you are interested in the Tom Ford Signature, or Private Blends. The Private Blend is what Ford considers to be his own “personal scent laboratory” and is about a bit more experimental and unconventional scents featuring tobacco, amber, leather, or black violet notes. The Signature line is where the most successful of those experiments are presented to the wider market. Noir, Oud, and Portofino are the successful collections within the main lines.
- Bestseller of the Private Blend collection, the Oud line may speak to the wearer who is looking for a spicy, woody base that combines everything from floral notes to the scent of the ocean breeze in its variations.
- If fresh, citrus scents call your name, Signature member Mandarino Di Amalfi and Private Blend Neroli Portofino will be your perfect pair.
- More interested in a classic floral to take you from day to night? The OG Black Orchid is your new best friend. Velvet Orchid provides the wearer with a more sensual, oriental fragrance, with Rose Prick being a classic rose choice.
- If making a statement with your personal fragrance choices sounds appealing, consider the blatant, seductive notes of Fucking Fabulous. This heady oriental Tom Ford perfume will wrap you up in its vibrant blend of warm spices and sweet gourmands.
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