Seasonal changes in perfume preferences are not uncommon. Just like we change our wardrobes seasonally, many people opt for lighter floral or fresh scents in the spring and summer and spicier and deeper fragrances in the fall and winter. However, this is just a matter of preference. Many enjoy the same signature scent year-round, whether in shorts or winter boots. The choice to change your perfume with the seasons depends on your budget and how much you enjoy experimenting with different fragrances! The best winter perfumes featured on our list evoke all the cozy scents we associate with cold weather. Check it out!
Common winter perfume scents:
If you do like to try something new, now’s the time to consider a perfume with a richer tone, perhaps with hints of wood, amber, or vanilla. Colder air can cause scents to dissipate quickly, so look for one with a higher oil concentration. For example, Eau de parfums tend to last longer than eau de toilettes.
Winter begs for perfumes that mirror its essence – warm, inviting, and deeply comforting. Think crackling fireplaces, spiced cookies, and faraway lands. Embrace rich, resinous woods like sandalwood and oud, or indulge in the opulence of orientals like amber and myrrh. Don’t underestimate the power of spice – cinnamon, cardamom, and clove add a piquant warmth. And for a touch of brightness, citrus notes like bergamot and grapefruit can be paired with delicate florals. So, let your winter fragrance be your guide – choose a scent that speaks to your soul and wraps you in a warm embrace.
Catching a whiff of someone’s signature scent, even when they’re not there, can evoke powerful memories or reminders of that person. This connection between scent and memory highlights how our sense of smell is intricately linked to our emotions and experiences, making fragrances part of our personal and collective memories. The concept of scent-triggered memories extends to the familiarity of our homes. According to a survey, over half say they experience “scent-stalgia,” missing the comforting scents of their homes after being away for a couple of days. Interestingly, 66 percent of respondents can recognize their home’s unique scent, underscoring the strong connection between scent and personal spaces.
As with any fragrance, it’s important to consider how the perfume interacts with your skin chemistry. What smells great in the bottle may not be as wonderful once on your skin. Experts recommend you always try a sample and let it sit for a few hours to see how it interacts with you personally.
Ready to find your new scent of the season? We reviewed more than ten beauty websites to come away with the best winter perfumes most often recommended by beauty experts. Did we miss one you love? Leave a comment below.
The List: Best Winter Perfumes, According to Beauty Experts
1. Maison Margiela Replica
Maison Margiela offers several different scent profiles for this top-rated scent that are all reminiscent of different moments in life. Allure recommends their Jazz Club variety: “Replica’s Jazz Club Eau de Toilette is an Allure staple all year round, but we’re especially obsessed during wintertime. Even if it’s too cold to make it out to your local jazz club, this perfume brings the smoky, spicy vibes to any occasion, including cozy nights in.”
Marie Claire says the When the Rain Stops scent is it if you need a scent that lasts a long time! “This scent lasts forever on my skin, even in the winter, when I feel like my scents fade the fastest,” they write.
Cosmopolitan likes the smell of this brand’s By the Fireplace blend. “Contrary to what the name suggests, this winter perfume doesn’t smell like smokey firewood. Instead, this eau de toilette perfectly replicates (lol, pun unintended) cozying up by a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa, which is honestly the most quintessential wintertime activity.”
2. Parfums de Marly
Two experts recommend the Althair scent. Once you try this scent, it may become your favorite. Cosmopolitan writes, “Wearing Althair makes me feel equal parts confident, sexy, and playful, and it has quickly become my signature winter scent.”
Elle loves the richness of this brand’s Althair Eau de Parfum, which has notes of bourbon, orange blossom, and vanilla. “If you like your liquor dark and smokey, Althair is the fragrance equivalent. The base is vanilla, but Althair is more mysterious and deeper than sweet. The gourmand foundation swirls with bourbon and cinnamon and sets the stage for a strong musky edge.”
This brand is pricey, but if you’re passionate about fragrances, it might justify the investment. According to Allure, the Oajan scent is also a great choice for winter. Why? “Parfums de Marly’s Oajan Eau de Parfum is the platonic ideal of a holiday season gourmand. Honey and cinnamon are the stars here — this winter scent is a deliciously sweet and deep feast for the senses.”
3. YSL Black Opium
From legendary fashion house, Yves Saint Laurent, you can’t go wrong with the original or extreme versions of this scent. According to Byrdie, “Black Opium intensified the coffee note and added cacao to add more depth. It doesn’t smell literally like coffee, but it doesn’t make it a secret, either. It is warm, sweet, and has a lot of depth. However, it doesn’t wear overly heavy, as the name might lead you to believe.”
Beauty Base continues to have a love affair with this scent. “The gourmet dose of vanilla scent envelops the fragrance in sweet beauty, creating a trail that is indulgent, sensuous, and unforgettable. Instil freedom, confidence, and glamour into your aura this winter and live life to the full with this addictive scent that smells so good you’ll want to taste it.”
This scent will make you want to brew a cup of coffee. Cosmetify writes, “When it comes to warm and deep autumn-winter fragrances, nothing quite welcomes the new season like YSL Black Opium. Bursting with passion and energy, it’s a sensual scent that perfectly balances black coffee and vanilla to create a sweet yet extremely seductive fragrance.”
4. Phlur Somebody Wood
Don’t worry, you won’t smell like a tree if you choose this winter scent. Who What Wear states, “Although it doesn’t rely on the obvious notes associated with an evening fragrance, this lends itself so well to nighttime wear. The combination of sweet and woody base notes make it an incredibly sensual fragrance, while jasmine and saffron keep it sophisticated.”
If you love fresh crisp air on a wintry morning, Woman and Home says you’ll love this aroma. Why? “As the name suggests, this scent is woody but without being overwhelmingly so. That’s down to the brighter notes like lemon and bergamot, which give it a bit of a lift,” they mention in their review.
If you like this scent, it also comes in a body wash. The beauty editor at Glamour used it before trying the Eau de Parfum writing, “Phlur’s formulation has a particularly lightweight effect that provides just a hint of warmth to the skin and calls to mind a cozy cabin on a cold day.”
5. Bond No. 9
You won’t be disappointed if you try Bond No. 9, which rounds out our top five list. According to Allure, “If you’re looking for a statement-making scent that’s guaranteed to be noticed by everyone around you, Bond No. 9’s NoMad should be right up your (New York City-inspired) alley.”
This fragrance is perfect if you want something that lasts longer in the colder weather. Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro writes, “Bond No. 9 New York Signature Scent is a warm and inviting choice for winter. With its deep blend of oud extract, rose, tonka beans, and musk, it captures the essence of a cozy winter evening. It’s perfect for me because I love a blend of woodsy notes and hints of floral for some added softness.”
Another Bond No. 9 blend that’s popular with beauty experts is New York Sandalwood. Elle states, “This scent screams seductive. With a combination of creamy sandalwood and pungent fruits, it’s a warm and spicy fragrance that’s perfect for colder weather.”
You may also be interested in:
- Best Floral Perfumes
- Best Celebrity Perfume
- Best Affordable Perfumes
- Best Perfumes for Teens
- Best Sweet Perfumes
Sources:
- Allure
- Lily Cherie
- Glamour
- Marie Claire
- Elle
- Byrdie
- Cosmopolitan
- Beauty Base
- Cosmetify
- Glamour UK
- Woman and Home
- Who What Wear
- Elle
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
I recently purchased another bottle of my favourite Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf for $150 at chemist warehouse. It has NO scent! I had my friend check it too as i was so surprised! So pleased to see that it is not on your list! I am disappointed as perfume’s smell is subjective and hard to return I wrote to the Viktor & Rolf but received no reply.
I’m so surprised that INIS was not included in this list. It’s very fragrant, has a clean kind of smell. Can’t stand flowery fruity perfume.