The best-smelling perfume for women is defined by several key factors that come together to create a captivating and harmonious scent. First, a well-balanced perfume features a blend of top, middle, and base notes. The top notes are the initial scents you smell, like citrus or herbal notes, which create the first impression. Middle or heart notes, such as florals or spices, develop after the top notes fade and define the perfume's character.