Perfumery isn’t just about citrus and lilies these days—the fragrances are as varied as the notes themselves. For example, strawberry is the fruit du jour, people are going nuts for nuts, and violet is the new rose. How we wear perfume is changing too, with solid scents and hair and body mists taking the lead. Eager to learn more? We got the scoop on all of spring 2025’s biggest fragrance trends from three perfume experts. Read on for what they shared.
Meet the Experts
- Arnaud Guggenbuhl is global head of marketing, insight & image at Givaudan.
- Alexandra Monet is a perfumer at DSM-Firmenich.
- Leila Zagwolsky is a fragrance expert and CEO and co-founder of LUXSB Luxury Scent Box, a woman-owned and founded fragrance subscription box based in California.
Solid Perfumes
Who hasn’t wanted to touch up their perfume at some point, but obviously didn’t lug the bottle out with them? Solid perfumes are making reapplication on-the-go a cinch.
“On TikTok, the current craze is prolonging the longevity and diffusion of one’s scent trail,” says Arnaud Guggenbuhl, Givaudan’s global head of marketing, insight & image. “Solid perfumes have become the perfect accessory for this trend. They can be used with the same fragrance to allow for regular application and revive its diffusion or layered with another scent to add a base note closer to the skin and more intense for longevity.”
To give your regular old liquid perfume some staying power, Guggenbuhl suggests applying petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) on the neck and wrists before spritzing your perfume to prevent the molecules from evaporating too quickly.
Body Mists
“We’re seeing a big ‘skinification’ trend that’s blurring the lines between the beauty and fragrance markets, with customers looking for products such as body mists that offer both scent and skincare benefits,” says Alexandra Monet, a perfumer at DSM-Firmenich. “Fortunately, these benefits can often be incorporated into the formula without disrupting the fragrance’s overall composition, creating a top-notch scent with bonus benefits. There are so many offerings in the space that people want products that stand out—such as multifunctional beauty offerings.”
Fruits and Juiciness
“Cherry is still very popular, but strawberry is the new ‘it’ red fruit,” Guggenbuhl declares. “The scent of strawberries evokes nostalgia and delight, while the sensual texture of the tiny seeds and luscious tart-sweet flesh create a natural association with love. Black fruits are [also] on the rise, as they blend perfectly with more mysterious, dark undertones.”
A few other fruits on the rise? Tomato and rhubarb reinterpret green notes, adding juiciness. “Banana is reinventing the exotic category and riding the creaminess trend,” Guggenbuhl says. “Will banana become the new vanilla? It’s a sweet treat. Mashed banana (for example, on a piece of bread with sweet peanuts) is the ultimate interpretation of youthful nostalgia that speaks to all of us. Finally, the acidic, tangy facet of maracuja is also an interesting option, reinterpreting mango with more vibrancy and punch.”
Functional Fragrances
Wellness has entered the perfume space with functional fragrances that have health perks. “When a perfumer creates a wellness scent, it’s a blend of specific ingredients to potentially improve your mood, stress, or sleep,” says fragrance expert and LUXSB CEO and co-founder Leila Zagwolsky. “This season, look for green aromatics with herbal notes of sage, chamomile, rosemary or lavender, which are great options in combination with greens such as leaves or even green teas. With pop culture and fashion trends, there is a demand for wellness fragrance, including cruelty-free or vegan, as we see a more self-care-conscious [wearer].”
Vanilla and Milky Notes
We’re not talking about your grandmother’s synthetic vanilla here. “On one hand, there’s a more mature vanilla: less sweet, more spicy and opulent, with woody and powerful nuances,” Guggenbuhl says. “On the other, vanilla is explored through its milky facets: Vanilla, tonka bean, and sandalwood are combined with elements inspired by hot beverages like coffee and milk tea. These fragrances provide a sense of warmth and familiarity, ideal for those seeking enveloping and relaxing scents.”
Opposites Attract
Unconventional scents feature a juxtaposition of notes. “In the world of perfumery, there is a trend of blending fragrances with opposite notes, creating the unusual and modernized scents,” Zagwolsky says. “I love a good citrus with a woody base or a rose blend with a touch of sweetness and woods.”
Post-Pistachio Nuts
People went nuts for pistachio; it had such a stronghold on the perfume world. But it’s not the only nut note to crack. “Milky aspects are incorporating nutty and seed-like notes to echo the plant-based milk trend,” Guggenbuhl says. “Hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, macadamia, and sesame are the new pistachios. These help create gourmand and nourishing fragrances that are less sugary while still being delightful.”
Skin Scent Trend
Think your skin but better for this category. “We’re seeing a huge spike in the use of skin fragrances—usually musky, sensual, sometimes woody sandalwood,” Monet says. “They are rising in popularity because they provide a more intimate and personal scent for the [wearer]. More brands are being created now than ever and seeing super-fast success. Thankfully, the fragrance market is changing and there is a way to find uniqueness in prestige brands [as well as] small emerging brands with innovative concepts.”
Tuberose and Glamour
“The minimalist aesthetic is making way for a return to glamour, inspired by celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter,” Guggenbuhl says. “Voluminous hair, radiant makeup, and bold fragrances reflect this trend. Perfumes that emphasize sensuality and self-confidence will be particularly sought after. For this trend, tuberose is definitively the flower to re-explore.”
Nostalgic Fragrances
Perfumers love to tell stories with their creations, and one of the best ways to do that is to look to the past. Zagwolsky calls these “story time scents, aka scents with stories.” She adds: “Nostalgic fragrances have been trending, evoking memories, or creating new ones.”
The Allure of “Beast” Mode
When you want the Energizer Bunny of scents, this is the category for you. “Long-lasting fragrances with strong sillage remain highly sought after,” Guggenbuhl says. “In response, many brands are introducing concentrated versions of their most iconic scents. Incorporating leathery facets is another way to create a lasting olfactory impression, allowing a fragrance to become an integral part of the identity of those who wear it, thanks to a blend of smooth yet smoky sensuality.”
Violet is the New Rose
Roses are red, violets are blue, and the latter is the latest note for you. “While rose has long been the dominant fragrance, fueled by the popularity of many scents that have gone viral on TikTok, there is a rising appreciation for another equally romantic note that is taking the perfume world by storm: violet,” Guggenbuhl says. He explains that violet shares a powdery sweetness with rose but reinterprets it by blending timeless floral elegance with a contemporary fruity (and slightly green) vibrancy. “The powdery softness of violet combined with the luscious allure of fruits creates a perfect balance of naturalness and sophistication,” he says.