11 Best Michael Kors Perfumes for Women
Updated January 2023
How We Found the Best Michael Kors Perfumes
5 Experts Interviewed
26 Fragrances Tested
Top 11 Picks
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Madison McCord
Diploma in Perfumery Science and Sensory Evaluation
Michael Kors is an American fashion brand synonymous with the jet-set lifestyle. The iconic ‘MK’ logo is instantly recognizable, and the brand is one of the few to offer both attainable everyday luxury and red-carpet ready-to-wear. The brand was launched in 1981 and has expanded to include several diffusion ranges, including Michael Kors Collection, MICHAEL by Michael Kors and Michael Kors Mens. Along with launching his eponymous fashion label, Michael Kors was the women’s ready-to-wear designer at Celine.
Their fragrances are produced by Estee Lauder, with the first perfume for women, ‘Michael’, launching in 2001. The brand now has 56 scents in their arsenal, collaborating with a series of perfumers along the way. We’ve pulled together 11 of the brand’s best-selling fragrances to determine what is the best Michael Kors perfume. We’ll be comparing perfume notes to see which smells best to help you decide which one you should add to your fragrance collection.
Summary List
Michael Kors Perfumes Ranked by CologneCritic.com
Why we chose it
Sparkling Blush is an oriental floral fragrance, and is ideal for spring and summer wear. It is a follow-up to the brand’s ‘Sexy Ruby’ fragrance, launching in 2017.
It is one of the most sensual in the brand’s catalogue. Very light and refreshing.
The scent opens with notes of bergamot, litchi, pear, and pink pepper. The middle notes contain frangipani, jasmine, lily, magnolia, and rose. Sparkling Blush closes with perfume notes of amber, sandalwood, vanilla, and vetiver.
The pink bottle is very beautiful. It takes inspiration from the world of luxury and the brilliance of precious gemstones.
Main Accords
- Floral
- Fruity
- Tropical
- Vanilla
Our Take
Wonderlust is a year-round day-time scent and is one of Michael Kors’ best-selling fragrances.
It launched in 2016 and was created by Honorine Blanc and Aurelien Guichard. It encapsulates the idea of escapism and leaving the normal world in favour of somewhere better.
It was launched with a coordinated ad campaign which showed the American model Lily Aldridge escaping from a yacht into a speed boat. Wonderlust is a play on words of ‘Wanderlust’.
The perfume opens to top notes of almond milk, bergamot, and pink pepper. The dianthus flower is used to give this fragrance the feel of almond milk. The middle notes contain carnation, heliotrope, and jasmine sambac. This fragrance closes with base notes of cashmere wood, benzoin, and sandalwood.
This is a modern feminine fragrance which is designed for everyday wear without feeling sticky or too sweet. The answer to ‘What is the best Michael Kors perfume of all time?’ might be Wonderlust.
Main Accords
- Floral
- Almondy
- Woody
Our Take
Midnight Shimmer is the best vanilla Michael Kors perfume. Period.
Ideally for fall and winter use, lending itself to both day and night-time wear. It was released in 2016 and is one of the brand’s highest-rated scents. Its popularity led to the release of another three perfumes in the ‘Shimmer’ collection.
The perfume notes include freesia, jasmine, and quince. The middle notes feature vanilla amberwood and white woods. In the base notes, you’ll smell Peru balsam, moss, and musk.
Midnight Shimmer is designed for your Cinderella moment, promising to illuminate the evening with its vanilla and rich woody musk. It’s the perfect finishing touch to your outfit before a night out. If you live for partying, this is the Michael Kors fragrance for you.
Our experts recommend it if you like Cologne of the Missions, a classic amber vanilla fragrance by Le Couvent des Minimes.
Main Accords
- Woody
- Vanilla
- Amber
Our Take
Glam Jasmine is a fragrance you can wear from fall through to spring and is ideal as a day-time scent. This floral fragrance was formulated by Harry Fremont and was launched in 2013. It’s a glamorous fragrance with notes of jasmine and white flowers, which contrast against the black currant buds and sandalwood.
This perfume is for the woman who isn’t afraid to take centre stage and enjoys turning heads. Glam Jasmine is a light scent with impressive longevity. It is ideal for the woman who wants a floral perfume that isn’t too sweet or that feels too young.
Main Accords
- Woody
- Aromatic
- White Floral
Our Take
Sexy Ruby is a fruity fragrance that launched in 2017. It has a simplistic set of perfume notes, with apricot and raspberry in its top notes. The middle notes contain rose petals and jasmine sambac, while the perfume closes with a base note of cashmere wood.
This perfume is where femininity meets fantasy and is inspired by the Michael Kors ideal of womanhood, bringing together glamour and sex appeal. The woman who wears this perfume is mesmerizing and multi-faceted, enticing the world around her.
Sexy Ruby is a confident, daring, and alluring fragrance that is unapologetically sensual.
Main Accords
- Rose
- Sweet
- Fruity
Our Take
Twilight Shimmer is the second fragrance in the ‘Shimmer’ range, releasing in 2018 after the original Midnight Shimmer. It is an oriental vanilla fragrance, ideal for fall and winter wear, lending itself more as a night-time scent than a day-time one.
The perfume notes open with plum and red fruits, with a middle note of Laotian oud. This fragrance closes with base notes of praline and woodsy notes. If you’ve wanted to try an oud perfume with a western twist, this is the perfume for you. It’s unlike anything else in the Michael Kors range.
Twilight Shimmer is ideal for those who want a scent with longevity, and that will fill a room.
Main Accords
- Sweet
- Fruity
- Aromatic
Our Take
Sexy Amber is another Michael Kors fragrance, which was formulated by Harry Fremont, launching in 2013. This scent is the fall fragrance that you can wear either during the day or as a night-time scent. The perfume notes focus on sandalwood, warm amber, and white flowers.
This scent is a floral oriental perfume which encapsulates the idea of sensual chic. It exudes an allure that will turn heads wherever you go. It takes its inspiration from the bold and vibrant colours in the brand’s ready-to-wear and accessory collections.
Sexy Amber represents Michael Kors as a brand, bringing together pleasure and sex appeal for an elevated look.
Main Accords
- Amber
- Woody
- White Floral
Our Take
Wonderlust Eau Fresh is the 2018 follow up fragrance to the best-selling Wonderlust perfume.
This is a spring/summer fragrance which is best kept for day-time wear. It takes its inspiration from the idea of chasing adventure and new experiences, taking advantage of what the world has to offer and seeking knowledge everywhere.
The perfume notes open with bergamot, granny smith apple, and pomelo. You’ll smell jasmine sambac, lily of the valley, and peony in the heart notes. This fragrance closes out with base notes of musk, sandalwood, and woody notes.
Like its predecessor, Wonderlust Eau Fresh is a contender for the best Michael Kors perfume of all time. It has a fresh scent that will see you through the summer months and give you around 4-5 hours of wear time.
Main Accords
- Fresh
- Citrus
- White Floral
Our Take
Sublime is the fourth fragrance in the Wonderlust range, launching in 2019. It opens with perfume notes of orange blossom and middle notes of carnation and Tahitian tiare flower. The fragrance has one base note of amber. This scent is a fresh summer fragrance for day-time wear.
It has one of the most impressive staying powers of any of the Michael Kors fragrances, especially for a summer perfume. This is a perfume that every woman needs to have in their collection as a go-to scent for warmer days when you want a tropical scent that makes you feel like you’re on vacation in The Bahamas.
Main Accords
- Sweet
- Amber
- White Floral
Our Take
Rose Radiant Gold is a year-round scent which lends itself to the transitional months of spring and fall. This floral musk fragrance is ideal for day-time wear and night-time wear during spring. The perfume notes contain a simplistic trio of spices, floral notes, and musk.
This perfume encapsulates the feel and smell of a garden party. It is an elegant choice for anyone who wants an office-appropriate perfume. This sophisticated scent will add a touch of glamour to your look.
Main Accords
- Floral
- Musky
- Warm Spicy
Our Take
Very Hollywood is a floral fragrance by Michael Kors, launching in 2009. It’s a sophisticated scent which incorporates perfume notes of bergamot, mandarin orange, and raspberry. In the heart notes, you’ll smell gardenia, jasmine, orris root, and ylang-ylang. This fragrance closes with base notes of amber, oakmoss, and vetiver.
This is a spring and summer fragrance for day-time wear and gives you a simple and fresh scent.
At CologneCritic.com we think it’s the best Michael Kors perfume for women in their 20s as it has a softer allure than others in the brand’s collection, with a simplistic formula. It smells almost exactly like Tease by Paris Hilton.
Very Hollywood dries down to a gardenia scent that lasts for several hours and is perfect for a midsummer’s day.
A beautiful bottle for your collection!
Main Accords
- Citrus
- Fruity
- White Floral
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Researched by a team of fragrance experts.