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10 Rollerball Perfumes For a Midday Touch-Up

Your new favorite travel buddy.

Headshot of Nerisha PenroseBy Nerisha Penrose
rollerball perfumes
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You don't know stress until you're unpacking your goods at TSA and they ask you to throw away your favorite luxury fragrance because it doesn't fit the size requirements. Thankfully, many (many) ages ago, someone somewhere decided to compress full-size perfumes into miniature, rollerball vials to protect your investment and minimize stress when traveling.

Whether you purchase rollerball perfumes as a way to discover new scents or just need a midday scent tune-up, rollerball perfumes are a quick refresh for the busy beauty bee on the go. Not only can they fit in the smallest purses, gym bags, or pockets, but they also cost a fraction of a typical perfume, so you can spritz away without buyer's remorse. Ahead, shop the 10 best rollerball perfumes and oils you never knew you needed.

1
Best Coconut Scent

NEST New York Balinese Coconut Perfume Oil Rollerball

Balinese Coconut Perfume Oil Rollerball
1
Best Coconut Scent

NEST New York Balinese Coconut Perfume Oil Rollerball

$35 at Sephora
Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Great to layer
Cons
  • Doesn’t have strong projecton

Key notes: creamy coconut, creamy sandalwood, salted musk.

Sephora star rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “Once coconut is included in a scent’s composition, I’m sold. Coconut can lean a little cheap and childish if it’s not supported by the right ingredients, but Nest’s Balinese Coconut hits all the right notes. Thanks to creamy sandalwood and salted musk, this oil takes you away from the pina colada-sipping tropical vacation and into a damp, tropical forest.” — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

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2
Best Earthy Scent

Costa Brazil Aroma Rollerball

Aroma Rollerball
2
Best Earthy Scent

Costa Brazil Aroma Rollerball

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Natural ingredients
Cons
  • Can be too strong and masculine for some

Key notes: Brazilian orange, pink pepper, grapefruit, myrrh, nutmeg, bourbon geranium

Our expert says: “I love that this scent was thoughtfully made to inspire peace of mind and balance because the woodsy, earthy notes evoke the feeling of lounging in a tranquil spa. It’s both spicy and sparkling, thanks to a beautiful meld of pink pepper and grapefruit, and deepens with nutmeg and bourbon.” — NP

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3
Best Light Floral Scent

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Rollerball

Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Rollerball
3
Best Light Floral Scent

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Rollerball

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Refreshing and not too overpowering
Cons
  • Not long-lasting

Key notes: ear blossom, white gardenia, brown sugar, patchouli

It’s hard to be upset or down when wearing Gucci’s Flora Gorgeous Gardenia. Floral, feminine, and bright, this perfume feels like strolling through a botanical garden on a breezy spring morning. White gardenia, jasmine, and pear blossom offer a cheerful burst and sweetness.

Ulta star rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “It’s a delightfully floral scent that screams Spring. A friend gifted me this and it’s become a staple in my fragrance repertoire. It’s the perfect fragrance to wear on a Saturday brunch date.” ~ Danielle James, Beauty Director ELLE.com

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4
Best Vanilla Scent

LAVANILA LABORATORIES Pure Vanilla

Pure Vanilla
4
Best Vanilla Scent

LAVANILA LABORATORIES Pure Vanilla

Now 16% Off
Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Light, delicate scent
Cons
  • Projection could be stronger

Key notes: Madagascar vanilla, creamy tonka bean

Lavanila’s Pure Vanilla is an uncomplicated gourmand delight. The scent is built around Madagascar vanilla and creamy tonka bean to create a warm, inviting softness.

Amazon star rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “This product smells wonderful, it goes really well with my body chemistry, and it lasts for a long time. Money well spent!!”

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5
Best Amber Scent

Byredo Mojave Ghost Roll-On

Mojave Ghost Roll-On
5
Best Amber Scent

Byredo Mojave Ghost Roll-On

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Great sillage
Cons
  • Can be too smoky for some

Key notes: ambrette, Jamaican naseberry, sandalwood, crisp amber,

While inspired by its floral namesake, Byredo’s Mojave leans more earthy and mysterious than floral. It takes you for a ride, from smoky sandalwood and cedarwood to musky with ambrette and amber.

Neiman Marcus star rating: 4.6/5

A Neiman Marcus reviewer said: “Beautiful fragrance! Blends exquisitely with my body chemistry! Certainly highly recommended!”

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6
Best Floral Scent

Dior J'adore Eau de Parfum Roller-Pearl

J'adore Eau de Parfum Roller-Pearl
6
Best Floral Scent

Dior J'adore Eau de Parfum Roller-Pearl

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Tapered design makes it easier to hold/roll on
Cons
  • Pricey

Key notes: ylang ylang, damascene rose, grasse jasmine

In J'adore, each floral star has its own spotlight, although it's jasmine that's the Beyoncé of the formula. The floral notes were carefully selected, from fruit and flirty ylang ylang to the tender sweetness of rose. J'adore's allure comes at the hands of jasmine, which ties together this seductive floral bouquet.

Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “Love love love this smell! I feel so pretty when I wear it. I get so many compliments. I am hooked.”

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7
Best Tropical Scents

Summer Fridays The Perfume Oil Trio

The Perfume Oil Trio
7
Best Tropical Scents

Summer Fridays The Perfume Oil Trio

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Easily recyclable tubes
Cons
  • Projection could be stronger

Key notes: coconut, eucalyptus (Coconut Wave); almond blossom, pistachio (Soft Vanilla); frozen lemon, lime zest (Crisp Citrus)

What exactly does a “summer Friday” smell like? According to the brand, it smells a lot like coconuts, pistachio, and lemons. Luckily, you don’t have to choose one scent—this trio gives you three different moods to choose from depending on what you want your “Friday” to feel like. Coconut Wave transports you to an idyllic seaside vacation; Soft Vanilla is reminiscent of a bakery shop, and Crisp Citrus evokes the feeling of a cool frozen lemon sorbet dripping down your hands on a warm summer day.

Revolve star rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Revolve reviewer said: “Okay, I will admit I bought these for the aesthetic. I’m really into neutrals, LOL, but I love the scents as well! (duh!). The vanilla is in my purse..so pretty and mature. Not too sweet! :)”

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8
Best Fresh Scent

Lake & Skye 11 11 Fragrance Oil Rollerball

11 11 Fragrance Oil Rollerball
8
Best Fresh Scent

Lake & Skye 11 11 Fragrance Oil Rollerball

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Scent isn’t too overpowering
Cons
  • Pricey for the size

Key notes: white amber, musk

Very few feelings compare to that of freshly washed sheets or salty ocean waves. Lake & Skye’s 11 11 fragrance bottles up these light, refreshing notes—with a hint of musk–to evoke those memories on the go.

Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “It’s a beautiful light fragrance. I have to admit, when I first sprayed it, I really thought that I didn’t care for it. As it dried down, it became one of my all-time favorites. I am frequently asked what I’m wearing. Very light.”

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9
Best Musk Scent

Nemat Egyptian Musk Fragrance Oil Roll-On

Egyptian Musk Fragrance Oil Roll-On
9
Best Musk Scent

Nemat Egyptian Musk Fragrance Oil Roll-On

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Long-lasting
Cons
  • Can be too spicy for some

Key notes: musk

Musk may be the most immediate note you smell, but this fragrance oil also has a soft, fresh side. Thanks to its main oil concentration coming from jojoba oil, the scent kisses your skin and leaves an arousing fascination in its wake.

Ulta star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “This is the longest-lasting perfume I have ever had. I get many compliments on it.”

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10
Best Springtime Scent

Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy Eau So Fresh Rollerball

 Daisy Eau So Fresh Rollerball
10
Best Springtime Scent

Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy Eau So Fresh Rollerball

Credit: courtesy
Pros
  • Light and energetic scent
Cons
  • Projection could be stronger

Key notes: raspberry, wild rose, plum

Sunshine and florals are all you smell when you spritz Daisy Eau So Fresh. It’s bright, joyful, and youthful without feeling immature, courtesy of fruity florals like rose and plum.

Sephora star rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “Really enjoy this perfume. It’s the perfect girly scent for spring, but I feel like it’s neutral enough to wear anytime throughout the year.”

Headshot of Nerisha Penrose
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor

Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.

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