TL;DR
Gucci Bloom Eau De Toilette is a classic spring fragrance. It’s light and floral with fresh and clean notes, and it’s not powdery. If you’re not the biggest fan of florals, we recommend Henry Rose Dave. It’s a unisex scent that’s warm and moody with a sweet, romantic finish.
As we step into spring, there’s a pull for renewal. We begin cleaning out our closets, sprucing up our apartments, and an excitement of a newer, brighter season emerges. In my opinion, the best way to embrace the season is through scent. Fragrance—strongly associated with memories and emotions—has a special way of setting the mood for spring. According to Emma, the TikTok creator behind @Perfumerism, citrus, floral, fruity, and green (think freshly cut grass and rained-on leaves) are the most popular notes to get you in the mood for the season.
To help you find your perfect spring perfume, I surveyed my fellow scent-obsessed Byrdie Editors to find out what fragrances they’ve been loving. Together, we put our latest perfume infatuations to the test and shared what makes them ideal for spring. We know fragrance is quite personal, so we’ve included a range of notes to suit various preferences. Below are our picks to get you in the spring spirit.
Base Notes: Musk, sandalwood | Middle Notes: Tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, rangoon creeper | Top Notes: Neroli, bergamot, mandarin orange, lemon | Size: 0.34-3.4 oz
Experts and Byrdie editors agree: Gucci Bloom is the epitome of a spring perfume. With citrusy top notes of mandarin and lemon, floral heart notes of tuberose and jasmine, and a warm base of musky sandalwood, this scent is anything but your standard floral.
“It has a bit of a solar note in the opening and a delicious tuberose that smells like a bridal flower bouquet,” Emma says. While tuberose can often lean hardy and overpowering, here it’s beautifully balanced with light notes of jasmine and crisp orange blossom. The results are a delicate yet radiant floral anchored in a golden warmth. If you typically shy away from florals, don’t overlook this one—the creamy sandalwood base adds an irresistible depth that transports me to a romantic getaway. As soon as I spritz myself, it’s an instant confidence boost.
If it were a place: A secret garden
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Base Notes: Musk, frankincense | Middle Notes: Labdanum | Top Notes: Eucalyptus, cedar | Size: 0.5-16.9 oz
Le Labo has a gift for transporting you through scent, and this perfume is no exception. Imagine a serene wellness resort tucked away in the desert. The spa-like aroma opens with fresh eucalyptus and calming cedar, instantly evoking a sense of zen. Earthy and almost spiritual, it’s grounded in a woody musk and frankincense, creating a complex yet transcendent blend. As it settles onto the skin, it becomes a personal oasis: fresh, revitalizing, and unlike anything you’ve smelled before. Envision a luxurious spa offering sound bath healing and daily meditations. If you’re seeking a luxurious scent that captures the essence of renewal, you’ve found the one.
If it were a place: Wellness retreat in the desert
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Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director: “When spring comes around, all I want to do is travel somewhere different and evocative. This new scent from Le Labo takes me there—at first, it evokes a spa in the desert with crisp, revitalizing eucalyptus. But it’s not so prosaic; the fresh, almost medicinal eucalyptus scent is wrapped in labdanum, frankincense, and cedar, giving it a soft warmth, like sitting by a smoldering fire pit as the cool air of the evening floats in.”
Base Notes: Sandalwood, benzoin | Middle Notes: Frangipani, ylang-ylang, jasmine | Top Notes: Lemon, solar | Size: 0.33-3.4 oz
If you could bottle up sunshine, this would be it. This bright and vivid scent bursts open to tangy, invigorating lemon and solar notes, creating a bright, almost sparkling effect. I adore its floral and uplifting notes that feel effortlessly fresh. As it settles, the warm sandalwood and benzoin begin to emerge, giving it a cozy, captivating scent. But it’s the heart notes that truly shine: frangipani, ylang-ylang, and jasmine. They blend to create a creamy, floral profile with just the right citrusy twist. I love the almost bubbly quality to it that’s unlike any other fragrance I’ve smelled before. It’s the ultimate mood booster and reminds me of dining al fresco in Italy.
If it were a place: Coastal villa in Italy
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Base Notes: Chantilly cream, vanilla bean, tonka bean, cocoa shell | Middle Notes: Almond blossom, lavender extract, orange | Top Notes: Pink pepper, neroli, tangerine | Size: 0.27-1.7
If comforting vanilla fragrances are your go-to, Henry Rose Dave just might become your new spring obsession. This dreamy, intimate fragrance is a sophisticated vanilla with an elegant twist. Notes of toasty almond blossom, spicy pink pepper, and juicy tangerine combine to create an airy, intimate scent. While gourmands may not seem like the go-to for spring, this milky vanilla is softened with delicate florals and brightened with light orange and neroli, a fresh take on a classic. It gives this pick a deliciously sweet, ambiguous scent with a genderless undertone. It’s subtly magnetic without being overpowering, like a soft whisper that lingers just long enough.
If it were a place: Cabin in Aspen
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Cailtyn Martyn, associate editor: “I love a vanilla scent year-round, but this one hits exceptionally nicely during the winter-to-spring transitional season. It’s warm and spicy with a hint of sweetness due to the vanilla, but it’s not invasive or headache-inducing like some vanillas can be.”
Base Notes: Chypre, musk, iris | Middle Notes: Rose, pear, violet | Top Notes: Cucumber, bergamot, mint | Size: 2.53-4.22 oz
To liken this perfume to a flower garden would be an understatement. This green, nuanced scent goes far beyond the typical floral. Think fresh dew on rose petals, the feeling of stepping out of an everything shower, or the first juicy bite into a perfectly ripe pear. Guerlain’s creation is a breath of fresh air, blending sweet notes of rose, pear, and iris with fresh cucumber and mint. It’s airy, lightweight, and clean, with a soft aquatic quality that’s both invigorating and calming. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that it comes in a gorgeous bottle with a gold honeycomb encasing, emulating its spring spirit. Spritz this gem on and invite the new season into your everyday life.
If it were a place: Meadow in the English countryside
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Shannon Stubbs, writer: “With notes of cucumber, mint, and pear, the opening is crisp and refreshing. It settles into a slightly citrusy rose that’s fresh, rather than powdery, reminiscent of the rose stem more than the flower. I love that while it’s long-lasting on the skin, it’s delicate enough for me to spray liberally without being overpowering.”
Base Notes: Musk, vetiver | Middle Notes: Watermelon, apple blossom | Top Notes: Dew drop, aquatic | Size: 0.34-3.4 oz
A fragrance inspired by water may not seem all that interesting, but Clean Reserve’s H2Eau Waterfall brings the concept to life in a whole new way. Inspired by a cascading waterfall, it opens with a crisp burst of dewy, aquatic notes that instantly feel refreshing and give it that quintessential clean fragrance feel. But it’s the dry down that gives it its enticing pull. Earthy vetiver and a soft musk ground the scent in something quite calming. Hints of juicy watermelon and fragrant apple blossom give it an uplifting, slightly sweet flair. This fragrance is understated in all the right ways and will fit perfectly into your fragrance arsenal.
If it were a place: Niagara Falls on a sunny afternoon
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Alyssa Kaplan, associate editor: “The aquatic accord gives this fragrance its signature freshness, while apple blossom and veviter give it juiciness and the perfect hint of sweetness. If you’re looking for a super-fresh fragrance for spring that’s perfect for everyday wear, I can’t recommend this one enough.”
Base Notes: Driftwood, sandalwood | Middle Notes: Gardenia, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine | Top Notes: Frangipani, coconut, salt | Size: 0.34-2.5 oz
Dreaming of summer? This fragrance is your one-way ticket there. Inspired by a sun-drenched, beachside romance, it blends solar with lush florals like gardenia, tuberose, ylang-ylang, and jasmine for a scent that feels both romantic and indulgent. Hints of coconut, salt, and driftwood evoke the salty aroma of coastal air, while creamy sandalwood adds a soft, seductive feel. The result is a beautifully balanced fragrance that is equally salty and sweet, reminiscent of golden skin and ocean air.
If it were a place: Beach house in Tulum
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Shauna Beni-Hayes, senior editor: “There are only three words I need to use to sum up this delightful perfume: sweet, creamy, and sexy. I love the intoxicating blend of creamy coconut, salt water, frangipani florals, and sandalwood, which gives it a fresh, sweet, and woody aroma.”
Base Notes: White musk, vanilla | Middle Notes: Candy, fruit notes | Top Notes: Raspberry, peach | Size: 2.4 oz
Embrace your playful side with this fragrance from Maison Francis Kurkdjian. The fruit-forward and candy-like notes bring you right back to your childhood. This unexpected scent is bright and juicy when you first mist yourself, but it quickly settles into a deeper, warmer fragrance that’s both sophisticated and alluring. Creamy white musk and decadent vanilla give it a velvety feel that lingers throughout the day. Plus, there’s a unique spiciness that adds another layer of depth. It’s fun and modern with a hint of sweetness. Think of it as your favorite hoop earrings: cool, playful, and effortlessly chic.
If it were a place: Cocktail lounge in Manhattan
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Lauren Pardee, senior editor: “It’s fun and playful, fruity and fresh. I love how the sweetness is balanced by creamy white musks, making this the perfect scent for spring/summer if you don’t want to go too sweet.”
Base Notes: Crystallized Ambrox, vanilla caviar, blonde cedarwood, musk | Middle Notes: Tiger lily, vanilla orchid, wild freesia | Top Notes: Bergamot, white peach, orange blossom water | Size: 3.4 oz
Vince Camuto’s newest fragrance is just the right amount of soft, dreamy, and flirty. The smoother, gentle notes of bergamot, white peach, and orange blossom make me feel feminine, confident, and delicate when I wear this one. But don’t let that fool you because as it dries down, creamy woods and a crystallized ambrox lend to a grounded, bolder warmth. It’s a fun yet sophisticated fragrance. I love how it lingers on my clothes throughout the day, and each time I get a whiff of the romantic scent, I feel transported into a dreamlike state: calm, whimsical, and imaginative.
If it were a place: Floral arrangements at your favorite couple’s wedding
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What to Look for in Perfumes for Spring
- Notes: Knowing what type of scents you gravitate towards can eliminate a lot of guessing. If you know your other scents are spicier, deeper fragrances, try a perfume in the amber scent family. On the other hand, if you prefer bright, citrus aromas, a fresh perfume will likely complement your taste. But as always, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something completely new.
- Projection: According to Onyi Ifeguini, a chemist with over 20 years of experience in the fragrance industry, a fragrance’s projection and longevity are among the most essential factors when selecting or creating a scent. “Some people prefer a scent that is either more noticeable and leaves a trail or more intimate (i.e., closer to the skin),” she says. Ultimately, if you don’t want to apply throughout the day, you’ll want something with greater projection. We recommend testing out your new scent and seeing how it wears throughout the day, as it may vary person to person.
- Size: When shopping for your spring perfume, consider how often you’ll be wearing it. Are you looking for one to wear daily? Are you shopping for spring fragrance for special occasions? . A larger fragrance may serve you better if you’re looking to wear your new scent daily, but smaller perfumes are usually more budget-friendly. The size you choose depends on how you intend to use it.
How We Tested Perfumes for Spring
To compile this list, we surveyed Byrdie editors and asked them to share the fragrance they’re wearing this spring. We asked them to describe the scent, why they keep reaching for it, and what makes it stand out. We then consulted with two experts to review our selections and gain a deeper understanding of what makes these perfumes ideal for spring.
Meet Our Experts
For this story, we tapped fragrance experts to learn more about what notes to look for when buying fragrances for spring:
- Emma is a perfume enthusiast with over 516K followers on her TikTok account, Perfumerism, where she shares reviews and recommendations.
- Onyi Ifeguini is a fragrance expert with over 20+ years of experience. She has attended ISIPCA in France for scent design and creation and now owns her fragrance line, Tabbeauplace.
Why Trust Byrdie
Amanda Rosenthal is a writer at Byrdie who is passionate about all things fragrance. Her picky nose prefers amber-layered florals and loves anything surprising and unique. This spring, she’s looking for fresh scents that evoke the light, airy feeling of the season while still having an alluring pull. Amanda has personally tested many of the perfumes on this list, and her favorites include Gucci Bloom Eau de Toilette, Henry Rose Dave, and Jo Malone London Frangipani.