When it comes to the fragrances that are commonly associated with the season of rebirth and new beginnings, it’s easy to settle on the easiest imagery that comes to mind: the vibrant explosion of flora and fauna following a stark winter. Sometimes, identifying fragrances that not only envelope its wearer with the florals they love but also provide other springtime-inspired notes can be easier said than done. (Take it from this floral-obsessed beauty editor.)
Before you open your beauty supplier’s shopping tab or head to the store to replenish your fragrance collection for this spring, take a peak at our roundup of perfumes that may permanently alter your expectations for “spring” scents. If you’re ready to meet the new fragrances you’ll be wearing all season, keep on reading!
Key notes: Bergamot, pear, gardenia. Inspired by the charm and sophistication of Paris, Tocca’s Florence is crafted from a blend of bergamot, lush pear, and delicate gardenia. Reminiscent of white flowers in bloom at the height of spring, this perfume is one you won’t want to miss.
Key notes: Sandalwood, vetiver, amber wood. For those more partial to warmer, earthy fragrances, consider spritzing No. 04 Bois de Balincourt. It skillfully combines notes of sandalwood and cedar wood against a base of a spicy cinnamon and nutmeg complex and vetiver.
Key notes: Blackberry, bay leaves, cedarwood. As a child, did you ever have the opportunity to pick blackberries? If so, Jo Malone London’s Blackberry & Bay Cologne is sure to evoke those memories. If not, here’s your chance to experience it through vibrant notes of tart blackberry juice mixed with the cozy combo of bay leaves and cedarwood.
Key notes: Damask rose, centifolia rose, lychee. This isn’t your grandmother’s rose perfume. Composed of the finest damask and centifolia rose essence, Diptyque’s Eau Rose Eau de Toilette offers a new take on the classic scent thanks to fruity layers of lychee, chamomile, and surprisingly, a single accord of artichoke.
Key notes: Patchouli, juniper berries, green leaves. If you’re a fan of Le Labo’s Santal 26 eau de parfum, there’s a good chance you’ll also fall in love with Baie 19. It’s a crisp, wet eau de parfum that smells nearly identical to the air after a heavy rain on dry earth. To me, it’s the most reminiscent of a spring day spent in the company of nature.
Key notes: Rangoon creeper, jasmine bud, tuberose. Gucci’s aptly named perfume smells exactly how you would expect: an explosion of classic floral notes including natural tuberose, jasmine bud, and rangoon creeper to infuse the fragrance with a unique powdery edge.
Key notes: Pink pepper, Turkish rose petals, white amber. In my opinion, Byredo’s Rose of No Man’s Land is one of the brand’s most underrated spring-inspired perfumes. Opening with notes of pink pepper and Turkish rose petals, its scent takes its wearer on a sensual yet fresh fragrance journey with the addition of sweet raspberry blossom and papyrus.
Key notes: King William pear, freesia, patchouli. English Pear & Freesia has been my signature perfume for the past year, and I’ve received endless compliments. While it definitely works for a spring fragrances, it can be worn year-round thanks to its unique composition of just-ripe pear, white freesias, and mellow amber.
Key notes: Bergamot, white flower, vetiver. This is another rain-inspired perfume that should be on your radar. Clean Reserve’s Rain Eau de Parfum is a fresh and dewy unisex fragrance that captures the crisp scent that lingers after rainfall with a touch of vetiver and patchouli for calming earthiness.
Key notes: Violet leaf, neroli, sandalwood. Henry Rose is a line of cruelty-free and paraben-free line of fine fragrances that has completely won me over in the last year. My favorite scent from the brand, Queens & Monsters, perfectly expresses the floral and earthy essence of a day in early spring right before the bloom of the flora and fauna in later months.
Key notes: Moss, ambrette seeds absolute, synthetic animal musk. Is it really a surprise that I would include another one of Le Labo’s fragrances on this list? Its distinctive eau de perfume, AnOther 13, embraces calming jasmine as its core note with the addition of moss, ambrette seeds absolute, and synthetic animal musk for a hypnotizing and unique scent.
Key notes: Orange blossom, angelica root, juniper berry. Another one of my top picks from Diptyque, Eau des Sens awakens the senses with a juicy and energizing blend of orange blossom, angelica root, patchouli, and juniper berry. The addition of bitter orange attributes unexpected spicy and warm notes.
Key notes: Iris pallida, neroli, incense. I’m a strong believer in the idea that everyone should have at least one timeless, classic fragrance on their vanity. This one by Prada is the epitome of elegance from its fresh and light blend of iris pallida, violet, and vetiver to its gorgeous glass bottle.
Ket notes: Aquatic accord, rose petal, pine needle. Our last rain-inspired fragrance this time around is this refreshing eau de toilette by Maison Margiela. When the Rain Stops features aquatic accord, rose petal, and pine needle as its key notes to capture the moment right after the rain stops and sun makes a return.
Key notes: Rhubarb, cyclamen, freesia. What’s spring without the arrival of tulips? Byredo’s La Tulipe Eau de Parfum is a fresh and floral fragrance opening with notes of tulip, rhubarb, cyclamen, and freesia and further supported by the coziness of blonde woods and vetiver.
Key notes: Violet leaf, Virginia cedarwood, amber. Inspired by the expansive wilderness of the Adirondack Mountains, Aerin’s Cedar Violet Eau de Parfum offers sparkling notes of violet leaf, Virginia cedarwood, and invigorating amber to create a warm floral fragrance you’ll fall head over heels for.
