Fresh Scents: 2026 Spring Fragrance Trends

All items showcased on the site are chosen independently by the editors. That said, if you purchase something using our affiliate links, Condé Nast may receive a commission.

Think about packing a suitcase for a spring trip. (You've been waiting for this.) Maybe you're going to Paris. Or a more secluded spot, like Bali or the Maldives. You'll need a different outfit for each situation—formal, relaxed—no matter the weather. Springfragrance trendsare comparable to the items you place in your suitcase: They are adaptable, matching your mood and the situation.

First, you'll need something suitable for the weather. Juicygourmandssuch as pears, melons, and grapefruits, can help you prepare for more radiant, sunny days. You'll also need a light yet warm and comfortable layer (it's not quite summer just yet). For this, you'll want scents that are smooth and rich likevanilla, sandalwood, or pistachio. Naturally, there's the classic reason for bringing too much: you're unsure what mood you'll be in. For this trip, you'll need something if you're feeling active (citrus), stressed (tea), and so on. Lastly, you'll need something for a wild night out—something bold andlong-lastingthat draws focus. A scent that will signal your entrance at dinner and maintain its impact throughout a night of dancing.

Below, the specialists analyze each note and fragrance profile that's popular for spring, whether you're actually traveling or just need some self-care after a long winter.

In this story

• Juicy gourmands
• Sweet and nostalgic
• Fragrance as self-care
• Creamy scent profiles
• Excerpts, higher concentrations, and more intense fragrances

Juicy gourmands

If you caught a scent of Persephone, the goddess associated with spring and new growth, she might smell like a fresh fruit platter—large, ripe berries, zesty grapefruits, and juicy pineapple. (Her husband, Hades, remains in the springtime, allowing her to roam about cultivating flowers and managing otherworldly farmers' markets.)

The lively, fruit-focused character offers a refreshing shift from the richer comfort foods of winter. "There's a wonderful increase in 'water fruits,' such as melon, watermelon, and pear," says Amelie Huynh,fragranceDeveloper and CEO of D’Orsay states, "These notes are flavorful yet clear, invigorating without being harsh. They perfectly reflect the season."

"Freshness is a crucial area for spring and summer," says the perfumer.Paul Guerlain"More authentic, nature-inspired representations are emerging, featuring juicy or even syrupy hyperrealistic fruits." Choose Tory Burch Sublime if you desire the scent that perfectly mimics squeezing the most ripe, pink grapefruit directly onto your skin.

If citrus isn't to your liking, the berry-focused Fulton & Rourke Ladybird or YSL Libre Berry Crush feature a fruity scent with added depth (due to their rich musk base notes), while Fabbrica Della Musa Opera Infernal delivers a luscious pineapple and bergamot aroma. And if you, much like Persephone, hold many facets within, a more intricate fragrance like Anti Noshi Toro—combining pear, hinoki wood, and black pepper—will satisfy your craving for fresh produce while maintaining an air of intrigue.

Ladybird Extrait de Parfum

$205.00, Fulton & Roark

Noshi Toro Perfume

$245.00, Stéle

Sublime Eau de Toilette

$138.00, Nordstrom

Libre Berry Crush Perfume

$145.00, Nordstrom

Infernal Opera Extrait de Parfum

$295.00, Violet Grey

Sweet and nostalgic

Considering the situation in the world in 2026, it's understandable that we might put on our nostalgic lenses, share a picture from 2016, and recall the past as a more pleasant era (even though in 2016 we were looking back at 2006 with the same sentiment).

Even our dishes are brimming with memories. TheNew York Times is predicting wholesome grandmacoreAs a food trend in 2026, current wedding inspiration will show you countless images of heart-shaped coquette cakes adorned with delicate white frosting and maraschino cherries.

"The significant nostalgia wave is also [occurring] in the fragrance industry," says Erwan Le Berrigaud, chief marketing officer of Nest New York. Expect a sense of nostalgic positivity (otherwise known as your familiar rose-tinted view) through sweet aroma combinations, such as the experience of wearing a baked Alaska, a pineapple upside-down cake, or a tall vanilla milkshake with a red-and-white striped straw.

Indeed, food enthusiasts have been embracing more intricate options since the surge last year, but for those seeking something more straightforward (like the sweet, early 2000s edible beauty collection by Jessica Simpson), there is a wide array of new scents available. It's no surprise that pop stars are spearheading the trend of vintage-inspired confections. Sabrina Carpenter's new Sweet Tooth Lemon Pie fragrance starts with lemon and transitions into a cozy vanilla and graham cracker base, while Ariana Grande's latest creation, R.E.M. Cherry Eclipse, evokes the scent of traditional cherries jubilee topped with marshmallow meringue.

Phlur recently introduced Berry Cream, a fragrance that transports you back to enjoying Strawberry Cream Savers as a child. If you're craving more sweetness with less fruit, Clean Reserve Caramel Swirl offers the feeling of being immersed in warm caramelized coconut and white chocolate. For a fresher, more crystalline sugar aroma, Ellis Brooklyn Miss Strawberry captures the essence of the early 2000s with its sweet, sticky lip gloss and glittery body mists. Powder Love by Juliette Has a Gun is reminiscent of a county fair, featuring top notes of cotton candy and marshmallow.

Sweet Tooth Lemon Tart Fragrance

$55.00, Ulta Beauty

R.E.M. Cherry Eclipse Perfume Essence

$62.00, Ulta Beauty

Caramel Twist Fragrance Essence

$118.00, Sephora

Powder Love Perfume Essence

$150.00, Amazon

Miss Strawberry Perfume Mist

$26.00, Ulta Beauty

Fragrance as self-care

Welcome to your "you" era. We're all rushing around, trying to get to the gym, get through the news, and manage our finances. This spring, experts predict that your scent will be less of a consistent signature and more of a versatile form of self-care, depending on what you need most that day. "Fragrance is being used as a personal tool for self-care and enjoyment, rather than a public declaration," says fragrance developerCarlos HuberIndividuals are connecting with fragrance as a means of self-treatment, recollection, and ceremony.

Want a beach getaway? Check outsolar fragrances"evoke sun-kissed skin, warmth, and a feeling of being somewhere specific," notes Huber. "People are attracted to fragrances that emotionally transport them, especially those connected to outdoor activities, travel, and recollection." Try Boy Smells Solar Drip or Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool for scents that embody sunshine and seawater.

If a walk through a garden is your idea of paradise, Le Labo Violette 30 combines calming white violet with white tea and cedarwood for a fresh yet grounded fragrance, or opt for Replica Up at Dawn, which includes notes of rose, pink pepper, and moss, evoking the atmosphere of the rose gardens at Windsor Castle.

A tea-inspired fragrance can also transport you to a state of calm on a hectic day.Adriana Linares, owner of Madame Aucoin Perfume in New Orleans and Winter Park, Florida, suggests Etat Libre’s Above the Waves, which combines three teas (Ceylon, oolong, and mate) with succulent plum (a great mix of the sweet, indulgent trend with a focus on personal well-being). And if these calm, distant moments seem boring and self-care feels more like a martini, Diptyque Orpheon is designed to take you back in time to a bar in 1960s Paris with its blend of tobacco, aged wood, and jasmine.

Solar Drip Eau de Parfum

$78.00, Nordstrom

Sydney Rock Pool Perfume

$225.00, Dermstore

Violette 30 Perfume Essence

$110.00, Nordstrom

Copy Up at Dawn Eau de Toilette

$89.00, Sephora

Orphéon Eau de Parfum

$206.00, Amazon

Above the Waves Perfume

$190.00, Bloomingdale's

Creamy scent profiles

Don't forget, spring isn't really summer (apologies). There's still a bit of a chill in the air, and a continued desire for light cashmere sweaters, silky slip dresses, and milky chai tea. Some of our specialists expect creamy warmth to act as a light jacket this spring—ideal comfort for mild, transitional weather.

"Velvety subtleties are trending," saysJeniece Trizzino, vice president of innovation and physical products at Scentbird in New York City. “Theseunique musksprovide warmth and comfort while maintaining a personal touch.

"Consider rice and toasted nuts, made to feel soft and easy to wear," addsLauren Marano, associate director of product development at Scentbird. “The shared characteristic is fun moderation: fragrances that seem warm, individual, and not too strong…yet are fascinating when examined closely.”

Huynh suggests searching for flavors such as milk, cream, vanilla, almond, and hints of coffee or gingerbread, "notes that feel familiar and personal," she mentions.

Trizzino suggests "Monarch Butterfly" by Sanctuary, a fragrance that combines vanilla orchid with sandalwood, an element "long valued for its smooth, warm quality," according to the perfumer.Darryl DoCoach Dreams Starlight combines sandalwood with pistachio to create a lighter yet nutty warmth. Byredo Alto Astral incorporates bright coconut water with cashmeran and sandalwood, resulting in a milky yet vibrant fragrance that feels like wearing an elegant, lightweight sweater.

You can still experience that warm, smooth comfort without the presence of sandalwood. Parfums de Marly Athenais opens with vibrant yuzu and bergamot, but eventually settles into a soothing blend of vanilla, tonka bean, and amber. Navitus Parfums Vanilla Éclat features a buttermilk note that provides "softness rather than excessive sweetness," according to Marano.

Monarch Butterfly Perfume

$105.00, Sanctuary

Dreams Starlight Perfume

$78.00, Ulta Beauty

High Astral Eau de Parfum

$235.00, Nordstrom

Athénaïs Eau de Parfum

$410.00, Nordstrom

Vanilla Glow Extrait de Parfum

$195.00, Navitus

Excerpts, higher concentrations, and more intense fragrances

As we waver toward a potential economicrecession, and high prices are a daily concern, shoppers are seeking greater value for their money. A recent survey of beauty industry leaders by McKinsey and Company found that 75% of beauty executives anticipate increased consumer focus on perceived value.

That suggests a liking for scents that are more powerful and have a longer-lasting effect. "We are noticing a significant desire for intensity and closeness," says Guerlain. "This means bolder formulations [and] ingredients used in higher amounts." Look out for extrait versions—the most concentrated type of fragrance (only a drop or two is needed) thatusually lasts for six to eight hoursversus two to three for eau de toilette or four to five for eau de parfum—of classic fragrances such as Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder or Bvlgari Le Gemme Tygar.

Ormonde Jayne Oud Laisons distinguishes itself with a strong presence of licorice,oud, and patchouli. "It's the kind of scent you'd wear to an opening night lecture at the Neue Galerie," notes Linares. If you're looking to make a strong impression, D’Orsay Incense Crush serves a dual purpose. It is an concentrated perfume containing powerful aromas such as clove, cardamom, and leather note.

Vanilla Powder Perfume Extract

$420.00, Nordstrom

The Tygar Gems Extrait de Parfum

$595.00, Nordstrom

Oud Love Eau de Parfum

$270.00, Selfridges

Incense Crush Perfume Extract

$315.00, FWRD

Meet the experts

• Darryl Dois a perfumer based in New York City.
• Paul Guerlainis a French fragrance creator with International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF).
• Carlos Huberis a perfume creator and the founder of Arquiste.
• Amelie Huynhis a fragrance developer based in Paris and the CEO of D’Orsay.
• Erwan Le Berrigaudis the chief marketing officer at Nest New York.
• Adriana Linaresis the proprietor of Madame Aucoin Perfume in New Orleans and Winter Park, Florida.
• Lauren Maranois the associate director of product development at Scentbird based in New York City.
• Jeniece Trizzinoserves as vice president of innovation and physical product at Scentbird based in New York City.

Read more beauty stories:

• The Scent of Comfort and Escape in 2026
• The Most Dramatic Hair Trends of 2026
• The 2026 Tattoo Fads Will Make You Long for the Past
• 6 Eye-Catching Nail Lacquer Shades Set to Dominate in 2026
• The World's Most Uncommon Scents Can Be Found in a Mall Located Near Lake Tahoe

Now observe Dove Cameron's 10-minute workout.

Watch Now: Video.

Berbagi :