Best Clinique Perfumes

Updated October 2020

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more

Bottom Line

Pros

Cons

The brand's top seller has top notes of grapefruit and citrus with layers of bergamot and Hawaiian wedding flower.

Pros

This scent has many long-time users who feel that it does what the name suggests, and lifts the spirit. With bottom notes of honeysuckle, it has a long-lasting, fresh and feminine aroma.

Cons

Too much of a citrus tone for some tastes.

Best Bang for the Buck

Warm and woody tones are accentuated by fresh scents like cucumber and hyacinth.

Pros

A unique, modern scent that's a great choice for those who aren't fond of overly sweet scents. Even those who eschew florals love the subtle rose scent. It invokes a romantic mood.

Cons

The scent was too under-powering for some.

Clinique

Calyx

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Crisp, Refreshing Edibles

Bottom Line

An uplifting fruit salad mix of grapefruit, mango, papaya and passion fruit mingles with lilies and vetiver, known for its calming qualities.

Pros

A relaunch of the much-loved Prescriptives scent, this has many original users happy at its revival. The light, summery scent is energizing and refreshing.

Cons

Some detractors thought it was not a close enough version of the original.

Clinique

Elixir

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Original 1970s Classic

Bottom Line

A sensual and rich perfume that's garnered a lot of lifelong fans. Over 700 ingredients, including sandalwood, patchouli, and musk blend with rose and jasmine.

Pros

This is a complex scent that's sexy and seductive. It only needs a light application, and often generates a lot of compliments. It also evokes nostalgia for a lot of users.

Cons

It's polarizing – you either love it or hate it. Some commented that it was best for mature women. It's at a higher price point.

A flowery take on the Happy fragrance, with notes of freesias and mimosas.

Pros

The undertones of wood and amber stop this fruity, floral scent from being too sweet or sickly. Light, and not too powerful.

Cons

It's not as long-lasting as some of the other Clinique products.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

35 Models Considered

8 Hours Researched

2 Experts Interviewed

95 Consumers Consulted

Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Since Clinique is known for its hypoallergenic range of high end cosmetics that are free of fragrances, it seems a bit of an oxymoron to see that they offer a line of perfumes. However, like their cosmetics, all the Clinique perfumes are dermatologist and allergy tested, although those with sensitive skin are always advised to do a patch test before using. When comparing perfume prices, note that eau de parfum is more concentrated than eau de toilette, and a little will go a long way. Spray perfumes are easier to apply, and you can do the trick of spraying into the air and walking through the mist to get a perfectly subtle rather than overpowering scent.

Other Products We Considered

The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.

Clinique

Happy Eau de Parfum Spray for Women

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Happy by Eau De Parfum Spray women

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Happy Heart Perfume Spray

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Happy For Women Eau De Parfum Spray

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Happy Perfume Spray For Women

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Happy By Clinique For Women