Glossier's "Fleshy" New Fragrance Is Dewy Skin, Bottled

What does dewy skin smell like? Technically, you'd say that it smells like whatever scented skincare formulas you've just slathered on (fair point), but allow me to get romantic for just a moment. Dewy skin calls forth a succulent piece of fruit, bursting with juicy flavor; a mossy garden at dawn, shimmering with mist; or, say, the gentle spray of sea breeze. It's clean and fresh yet abstract, I'll admit—until I gave Glossier You Fleur a spritz. What does dewy skin smell like? Ah, yes—that.

Glossier You arguably changed the modern skin scent game when it launched back in 2017, and I'd wager the brand's inaugural floral version will make just as big of a splash. Not only does it have a dry-down that's downright addictive (more on that later), but it also has a "fleshy" quality that's unlike any floral perfume I've ever tried. If you're on the hunt for a new springtime scent, I highly suggest giving this one a whirl. Bonus points if you pair it with a glossy, luminous complexion.

What does Glossier Fleur smell like?

Interestingly, the first word I'd use to describe Fleur isn't "floral." It's soft and powdery, thanks to the osmanthus and slightly creamy ylang-ylang. But both of those blooms, while technically considered flowers, are naturally complex. "From these flowers, I sought to extract what could evoke suede, skin, and velvet, bringing a fleshy and radiant dimension," perfumer Dora Baghriche—who co-created the original Glossier You with Frank Voelkl—tells Who What Wear. They certainly don't screech springtime blooms like, say, a rose or a jasmine.

Apricot skin adds a touch of sweetness, while cashmeran and ambrox give the juice its "skin-like" quality. (The entire Impressions of You family is grounded by the latter, as the synthetic molecule emits a rich, amber-y warmth.) But what makes this a "dewy" fragrance, I'd say, is the mineral salt accord you catch at first whiff.

It's an "unexpected touch in the floral universe," Baghriche notes, but a popular one in the world of skin scents. Salty fragrances, which are oceanic, give your skin an intoxicating jet ne sais quoi. Here, sidled up against soft florals and woody musks, the note evokes shimmering, springtime skin. "It suggests surprise, and sometimes even a skin-like scent [and] a rosiness to the skin—it’s an addictive facet," Baghriche adds. On my skin, that salty note shines through and makes the amber situation even more divine.

How it compares to other florals:

Have you ever noticed how floral perfumes typically have a specific muse? Some elixirs are tuberose-forward, while others go heavy on the gardenia. Fleur, Baghriche says, is "not a literal interpretation of a recognizable flower." Allow her to explain. She adds, "Instead of relying on classic references like rose or jasmine, the composition takes a more abstract approach. Ylang-ylang brings a creamy richness, while osmanthus introduces fruity and coppery facets. Together, they evoke the sensation of petals bathed in light rather than a strict floral note." I mean… swoon. "Petals bathed in light" is officially how I want to smell every single day this spring (and beyond).

Sure, other floral perfumes do feature a bouquet of notes, but Fleur refuses to join a single scent category. It's at once coppery, salty, gourmand, and floral. "The goal was not to replicate a classic floral but to explore an abstract floral sensation through a play on textures and nuances," Baghriche adds. Think of smooth, velvety petals and fuzzy tufts of pollen. "I wanted to translate the tactile dimension of petals, creating a femininity that is not an obvious cliché." In other words, this isn't your grandma's floral fragrance. It's about as effortless and modern as a floral blend can get.

My review and how I wear it:

Baghriche's absolutely right about Fleur's captivating quality. I, for one, have been reaching for it daily since receiving a prelaunch sample a few weeks ago, and not just because the creamy lavender-hued bottle stands out on my vanity. Folks, it makes me smell so freaking good. Delectable. Heavenly. Intoxicating. Dreamy. I can't even come up with enough adjectives to sing its praises.

I always like to cap off my beauty routine with a spritz of perfume, but this one especially begs to be worn right before floating out the door (ideally with naturally flushed, dewy skin). While I could layer it with the original Glossier You—I always keep a travel-sized vial on my desk—I find that I don't even need to reinforce the juice; one spritz of Fleur is more than enough to last me the entire day. In fact, I love to notice how it graduates with each passing hour. What starts out as delicate and powdery eventually becomes warm and sensual.

As a major fan of the original Glossier You, I didn't think an iteration could ever replace the OG in my heart. (I adore You Rêve and You Doux, but to me You still reigns supreme.) Now that I've spent some time with Fleur, I might be ready to crown a new favorite. It still smells like You, just a touch more airy and romantic; as if You had dewy, radiant, ethereal-looking skin.

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