I don’t know about you, but I’ll use almost any beauty product that makes me feel like I’m on a constant vacation. In my humble opinion, spritzing on a balmy, aromatic fragrance is one of the easiest ways to do so. Your sense of smell can invoke so many memories, or it can help you tap into your inner dreamer to imagine you’re somewhere else completely. There’s one note in particular that instantly makes me think I’m lounging on a hammock in a tropical location.
Sweet, creamy, and musky, notes of coconut in any perfume always make my nose perk up. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea because, if done incorrectly, it can smell too much like scented sunscreen. But when combined with the right notes, it’s a perfume wearer’s ultimate paradise. Even if you don’t like coconut-heavy scents, there’s still one on this list I’m sure you will love. I’ve rounded up the best coconut perfumes, from strongly scented to subtle AF. Keep scrolling and find the one for you.
Key notes: petitgrain essence, coconut water, coconut milk, bergamot, solar musk, banana, pineapple. I adore this tropical vacation–inspired scent. Sure, it has a hint of that coconutty, banana-like sunscreen scent, but it’s so elevated that it doesn’t smell like actual sunscreen. Mostly, it just evokes a lot of happy memories at the beach for me, and I’m planning to wear it exclusively on my trip to Hawaii in a few months.
Key notes: pistachio, bergamot, coconut, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, tonka bean. Solar, floral, and amber notes in this aptly named Tom Ford fragrance complement the creamier notes of coco-de-mer. It smells like a luxurious vacation off the coast with additional notes of tonka bean, pistachio, ylang-ylang, and tuberose.
Key notes: bergamot, coconut, ambrox. Skylar’s take on a coconut fragrance has to be one of my favorites. It is very coconutty, so it may not be for those who like that note to be a bit subtler, but it really does evoke the feeling of a breezy tropical cove. To me, the additional notes of jasmine, hibiscus nectar, lemon, and coastal woods are just magical and make me smell deliciously fresh anytime, anywhere.
Key notes: bergamot essence, jasmine grandiflorum, bourbon vanilla, coconut. Alien Goddess is another general favorite of mine, but I was pleasantly surprised when I learned it has notes of coconut in the mix too. This is a good option for those who just like a hint of coconut, as the other notes of vanilla, jasmine, and bergamot are a bit more prominent.
Key notes: almond, coconut milk, jasmine, rosewood, ylang-ylang, vanilla, tonka, heliotrope, musk. This Laura Mercier fragrance was a random find for me, but now, I can’t imagine my perfume collection without it. I’m a sucker for a fragrance with almond notes in it (Dior’s Hypnotic Poison has been my signature scent for ages), and this scent features both that and creamy coconut milk as top notes. It’s definitely a sweeter, muskier coconut scent, but it smells divine, and I always receive at least a few compliments when I wear it out.
Key notes: bergamot, heliotrope, coconut milk. The name of this luscious Maison Margiela fragrance says it all. It was inspired by the salty air and sunshine present on a beach getaway. Notes of heliotrope, coconut milk, and bergamot evoke a soft, airy scent that’s totally intoxicating.
Key notes: ambrosial coconut, vanilla, vetiver. Featuring a warm blend of ambrosial coconut, vanilla, and earthy vetiver, this offers a beautiful, rich, and exotic scent that I’d 100% wear daily. The $22 price tag also doesn’t hurt. It’s inexpensive yet smells luxurious and like you spent a great deal more on it.
Key notes: ambrette, coconut water, patchouli leaves, cocoa absolu, cotton musks, wild musk. I have a few Byredo scents I’ll never stop wearing, and this is one of them. It envelopes you in the crackling heat of ambrette, patchouli, coconut water, and wild musk. It’s earthy and sweet and literally lasts all day. Along with Gypsy Water, it’s one of my all-time favorite offerings from the brand.
Key notes: bergamot, orange blossom, coconut water. With sparkling citrus and fresh floral notes, this Clean Reserve fragrance is so vibrant and crisp. Coconut water sits at the base and adds a delicious touch of sweetness that instantly transports you to a remote tropical island.
Key notes: cedar, sandalwood, peach, iris, coconut, ambergris, balsam fir, ambrette, musk. For those who are into headier woody fragrances, Radio Bombay is the one for you. It was the first D.S. & Durga scent I’d ever tried, and to this day, it’s still my favorite. According to the brand, it was inspired by the heat of the Bandra area in Mumbai and evokes the feeling of a radio playing in a small shop in the busy city. It’s truly gender-neutral but strikes the perfect balance between woody, creamy, and musky.
Key notes: cedar, vanillin, coconut water. This is another coconut-heavy scent infused with coconut flesh, toasted coconut husk, exotic woods, and warm vanilla. It’s a relaxing scent that makes me feel like I’m lounging at a hotel rooftop pool, and surprisingly, it isn’t overpowering.
