There is so much I love about spring—longer days, lighter evenings, discarding winter’s heavy coats and boots, an excuse to embrace some colourful nail art, and that feeling when you first feel the sun’s warmth on your skin after a long, gloomy winter. But while I’ve not yet committed to a wardrobe refresh or edited my skincare routine for spring, there is one seasonal switch-up that I have already kicked off. Changing up my fragrance wardrobe every quarter is my favourite way to lean in to the optimism of a new season, and I think this is especially appropriate in spring time—the season of fresh starts, change, and renewal.
Now as much as I’m naturally drawn to the warm and cosy notes that feature in my go-to autumn and winter fragrances, by the time February comes around I’m ready to set them aside in favour of lighter, fresher spring perfumes. Typically, spring scents lean floral—and there are plenty of those below; both new and staple crowd-pleasers that rely on classic floral notes like rose, peony, and jasmine to help you kick off the new season with an appropriately sunny optimism. In addition, as I’m not a great lover of conventional florals myself (I’m more often drawn to perfumes that lean slightly on the green or sweet or woody side of things), I’ve also added my favourite not-so-obvious spring perfumes for those after an unexpected twist that means you won’t smell like anyone else this spring.
If, like me, you’re already keen to embrace the new season, keep scrolling for the 17 best spring fragrances ever—from the latest launches to cult classics I always come back to.
While Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s bestseller, Baccarat Rouge 540, is undoubtedly an evening scent (if you’ve not smelt it, it’s rich and gourmand), the brand’s latest launch, 724, is definitely more of a wearable daytime fragrance. Although the floral notes are key, if you love fresh or woody scents, you’ll find that 724 provides the perfect middle ground. Clean soapy aldehydes and heady jasmine and sweet pea mingle with white musk and warming sandalwood.
As someone who generally gravitates towards warm, cosy fragrances year-round, I tend not get overly excited by the slew of new floral perfume launches every spring. The latest launch from Byredo, however, bucks convention and strays away from classic floral notes. Instead, it’s a warm and papery blend of delicately spicy notes.
The name really says it all with this perfume—a bright floral scent that, like all of Maison Margiela’s Replica fragrances, really transports you to a specific time and place. In this instance, it’s a romantic date in Provence. It’s delightfully playful and optimistic thanks to a contrast between hot pink pepper and patchouli, and mouthwatering blackcurrant and bergamot. This one only just launertain to be spring perfume classic.
A lesson in not judging a perfume by it’s packaging—you might think that this would be a classic, old-fashioned floral, but in fact, it’s nothing of the sort. Thanks to fresh, green notes of lime blossom and geranium, and warm suede-like orris, this is a truly modern floral. A tribute to the gardens at Highgrove, the home of King Charles III, it’s overall an incredibly elegant and uplifting fragrance.
Key notes: hyacinth, geranium, lavender,
With its first iteration originally launched in 1947, Miss Dior is one of Dior’s most iconic scents. Blooming Bouquet presents a more modern and playful take on the classic. Yes, it’s still jam-packed with florals (mainly peony and rose), but there’s also fruity notes of mandarin, apricot, and peach—so you’re getting some spring sweetness too.
Key notes: mandarin, peony, rose, apricot, peach, white musk
Rose is probably my least favourite fragrance note, but it’s totally reinvented in Serge Lutens’ iconic ode to the city of Berlin. This perfume is at first floral, but with surprising hints of moss and palmarosa that lend it a crisp edge while remaining playful and sweet thanks to honey and patchouli. I’ll be wearing this all spring long.
Another unconventional rose, Rose Load is green, spicy, and steers clear of the floral stereotype of a traditional rose-based perfume. There are pink pepper and cardamom which provide a warm, comforting softness, and raspberry and rhubarb for a mouth-watering finish. If you’re after a spring floral with a twist, look no further.
Inspired by the delicacies of a French patisserie, Honoré Delights is actually sweeter than I’d normally go for, with creamy gourmand notes. However, it remains grown-up thanks to neroli, iris, and some woody base notes. I first tried this back in 2020 and have brought it back out every spring since —wearing it brings me instant joy.
The entire L’Eau d’Issey collection is inspired by the purity of water, so for me, these fresh, aquatic scents really come into their own in spring. As well as the trademark clarity that runs throughout (thanks to lotus, freesia, and melon), it has warm hints of musk, amber, and cedar, and subtle floral notes blooming through its heart. It’s complex yet very lightweight—the perfect signature spring scent.
I’ll admit that this is far from being your typical spring fragrance, but for those who avoid both floral and fruity scents, yet still want something light for spring, Commodity Milk is ideal. Sure, marshmallow and milk don’t exactly scream spring, but as well as a creamy sweetness, there’s a skin-like muskiness, and depth thanks to the mahogany base. It’s chic, sophisticated and unexpected—and I can’t stop spritzing it.
Probably one of the most green and grassy fragrances in this edit. Spring fragrances can lean towards the classically feminine, but this is definitely the type of perfume that you could share with your male partner. Mixed with bergamot, apple, and a touch of black tea, it’s a citrusy-yet-spicy perfume that celebrates fresh, vibrant notes—perfect for spring. Oh, and the beautiful bottle is worth the money alone in my opinion.
Key notes: bergamot, apple, black tea, black amber, musk, oakmoss
To be honest, the entire Jo Loves perfume collection screams spring to me, but if I had to pick just one to wear now, it would be Jo by Jo Loves. it’s another green citrusy scent which brings to mind freshly cut flowers. Plus, it has a warm vibrancy that would definitely work well for the summer months too.
I’m a sucker for a Phlur perfume and have amassed a carefully curated edit since the brand launched last year. Latest to arrive was Apricot Privée, a sweet and fruity blend with the warm, lingering base I’ve come to expect from Phlur’s scents “This is the boldest out of all of the fragrances I have created for Phlur,” says perfumer Jerone Epinette. “The combination between the fruits, almost leather note and mysterious woody part from the agar wood and tonka bean make Apricot Privee so unique and addictive.” This is an uplifting scent bursting with flavour—modern, vibrant, and unlike anything else in my collection.
Citrus and floral aren’t two fragrance families that are typically thrown together, but in Les Fleurs, the combination really works. This spring-perfect perfume is light and sparkly—bright with magnolia and sweet with jasmine. Plus, the pulpy fig gives it a boozy, juicy element.
Key notes: fig, neroli, magnolia,
For me, this is a late-spring scent—one that you reach for when the nights start drawing out and you’re reaching for some lighter layers. It’s more warm and woody than some of the zingy or floral spring scents that I’ve already mentioned, giving skin that clean, sun-warmed scent I associate with holidays abroad. Someone will be sure to ask you what you’re wearing when you step out after spritzing this.
Key notes: mimosa, violet, blonde wood, white musk
The latest rendition of Escentric Molecules’ iconic skin scent sees the woody note of Iso E Super paired with black tea. The result? A clean, crisp, and comforting fragrance, ideal for those who prefer a subtle spring scent.
Launching early March 2023. Key notes: Iso E Super, black tea
This bright, sunny fragrance is guaranteed to lift your mood, and will easily see you through into the summer months—thanks to its fresh and vibrant notes.
