Perfume seems like the ideal holiday gift: It's beautifully bottled and pure luxury -- the sort of treat that women may not buy for themselves, but almost all like to receive.

Or do they? Because perfume might be a great holiday gift, but picking fragrance to give someone else is like playing Sephora roulette. The musky floral fragrance that smells like heaven to you smells like headache-y hell to someone else.

It doesn't have to be so hard, though. Here are the top 10 most giftable fragrances for the holiday season -- and how to tell if the women on your gift list will love them.

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Notes: iris root, pink pepper, ambrette, ambrox, musk

Gift it if she likes: Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning; Aerin Amber Musk; Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris

Buy the cool girl in your life Glossier's first fragrance, a warm, slightly powdery scent with spicy and green top notes. Formulated, Glossier says, to "smell like you," this perfume's base notes are strongest, which enhances the wearer's natural scent. Think of this affordable pick as the tinted lip balm of fragrances, subtle and minimal -- with a sculptural, millennial-pink bottle that's hip AF.

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Notes: vert de mandarine, noble iris, patchouli, musk

Gift if she likes: Lancome Tresor; Le Labo Iris 39; Narciso Rodriguez for Her

Who doesn't love getting a gift in that Tiffany blue box? This grown-up perfume, housed in a diamond-like crystal bottle, would be perfect for your mother or grandmother. It's an elegant floral with base notes of patchouli and musk that keep it from smelling too sweet or wispy.

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Notes: nashi pear, black currant, ivy, jasmine, magnolia, pink lily of the valley, white amber, raspberry, cashmere woods


Gift it if she likes: Charlotte Tilbury Scent of a Dream; Tocca Giulietta; Creed White Amber

The faux-snakeskin-embossed, clutch-shaped bottle housing Marc Jacobs' new perfume is pure vanity-table candy. The sparkling, fruity-floral fragrance smells a bit like candy, too. Gift this youthful, fun EDP to a little sis or young cousin.

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Notes: redcurrant, citrus, green almond, cedarwood, tonka

Gift it if she likes: Mugler Angel Eau Sucrée; Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire

This juicy, sweet gourmand has a festive, comforting, wintry appeal. And the limited-edition, pink-and-green bottle is so playful. Get this for a friend whose favorite part of the holidays is the desserts.

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