Selecting a perfume is very personal. It's so intimate, in fact, that some people refuse to share their signature scent to prevent the It-fragrance effect—when everyone is all of a sudden spritzing the exact same scent—from happening. There are so many fragrances on the market, and with new iterations from beloved fragrance houses continuing to pop up, keeping up with the newness isn't always easy. So we reached out to Daniel Patrick Giles, the founder of luxury fragrance brand Perfumehead, to get the details on all things fragrance trends here and now.
What's trending in the world of fragrance? Well, Giles says it's all about emotional impact right now. "The trend that will stay and, in some ways, change the industry is how scent is fulfilling a huge role with emotional benefits," he tells us. "Whether that's well-being or self-expression, scent is now a tool on how you feel about yourself. This trend is changing how the customer experiences scent and how scent fits into their lives."
In addition to getting all the feels from our fragrances, a few important fragrance trends (and mainstays) are orbiting the industry. Keep reading for more.
Trend #1: The Icons
Before you rethink that iconic It fragrance you discovered via your favorite TikToker, don't. There is plenty of room on your vanity for a range of perfumes, including those that everyone raves about. (Essentially, they'll just always be on-trend.)
"There will always be an It ingredient or note everyone is talking about," Giles notes (pun intended). But that doesn't mean you have to push your signature fragrance to the back of your perfume tray. Instead, try layering fragrances to give an iconic scent some extra oomph and personalization.
Our top picks:
For lack of better words, this scent is poppin'. The must-have fragrance released in 2015 is still one of the most beloved fragrances on the market, with Hey Discount reporting nearly six million Google searches and over 110 million TikTok views yearly. Don't want to break the bank? Click here for some more affordable dupes.
This budget-friendly, uplifting fragrance is layered with notes of lavender blossom, bergamot, vanilla orchid, and musk. It's housed in an immediately recognizable cloud-shaped bottle, and it continues to be a fan favorite, especially on TikTok.
Okay… If an "It girl" was a perfume, this timeless floral fragrance would be the one.
If you know Byredo, then this is likely the fragrance that made you a fan. Or maybe you heard your fragrance-loving best friend go on and on about this woody scent infused with notes of bergamot, lemon, pepper, and juniper berries. Either way, this olfactory delight is enjoyed by many.
Trend #2: Sustainable Formulas
Throughout the beauty industry, sustainability is on everyone's lips. Giles says the fragrance pillar is no different. "The next big trend in fragrance is how technology is driving innovation," he tells us. "As the plant world becomes more heavily impacted by climate, technology is driving incredible innovation through extraction technologies and renewable processes, green chemistry, and biotechnology. This will set the industry up for the future and ensure we are protecting Mother Nature while still having access to beautiful scents."
Our top picks:
Upcycling is a practice in fashion, but did you know fragrance houses are using this method too? This warm, spicy scent is infused with distilled essential oils derived from by-products of the furniture-manufacturing industry, which is pretty darn cool.
Launched in 2021, this vanilla fragrance made way for a more planet-friendly option, as the vanilla notes are sourced from renewable carbon from plastic recycling, and the cedarwood notes come from sawdust, taking over six hours to distill.
From the product boxes to bottle caps to its scents, Sana Jardin is all about gifting us with the love of fragrance while keeping the brand's carbon footprint top of mind. With orange blossom, rose, sandalwood, and patchouli at the helm, this fragrance is both grounding and light. And we can't forget to mention that the brand spotlights female flower harvesters to help launch them into micro-entrepreneurship.
Trend #3: Unisex Appeal
Unisex fragrances are among our favorites because they tend to be more balanced. Lucky for anyone else who loves sporting a unisex scent, Giles says they're here to stay. "There's no turning back," he shares. "This is a movement and one of the most exciting things happening in fragrance. The modern fragrance consumer isn't shopping by gender. They don't think of gender in their decision process. They're purchasing fragrance based on how it makes them feel, not on the idea that 'this scent is only for a woman, and this scent is only for a man.'"
Our top picks:
Created in batches of 50, this musk, orris, and cinnamon scent takes its inspiration from the nightclubs of the Sunset Strip in the 1970s, offering a rich, sensual, upbeat fragrance.
For sensitive skin, we love this earthy fragrance enriched with notes of vanilla bean, freesia, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, musk, and patchouli.
This is the first fragrance from the trailblazing fashion house. The ho wood-, bergamot-, vetiver-, and patchouli-layered scent offers an interpretation of the smell of sand, inspired by travel.
Trend #4: OG Notes
The OGs will forever have a place in the world of fragrance trends. And when we say OG, we mean what Giles says are "classics that always work." Think: vanilla, rose, sandalwood, musk, amber, and bergamot. However, he does note there is an uptick in the mixing of masculine and feminine notes together.
Our top picks:
The bright, woodsy, yet fresh fragrance with notes of pink pepper, ambrette, and iris from the no-makeup makeup brand became an instant classic.
For anyone who appreciates a clean scent, this classic floral perfume—which blends iris, lily, and white musk—will be your ultimate fragrance match.
Housed in the iconic Miss Dior bottle adorned with a houndstooth motif and the signature Miss Dior bow, this vibrant floral fragrance takes you on a scent-induced journey to a field of fresh roses.
Trend #5: Individuality via Layering
Fragrance will always be an extension of how we represent ourselves. However, as we learn more about brands, it can be harder to find a scent everyone hasn't discovered. Well, that's only if you don't know where to look. "The fragrance consumer is looking for individuality in their scents," Giles shares. So how do you create an exclusive signature fragrance? Layering.
"One of the best ways to create a signature fragrance is to layer two fragrances together," he says. He also says this will take some work, so don't be afraid to connect with an expert to guide you in the right direction. He also suggests investing in premium artisanal fragrance brands, as they tend to create the most unique and innovative scents on the market.
Our top picks:
If you're not a fan of sweet notes in your perfumes, this fragrance—layered with leather, sage, and iris—offers the perfect blend for a grounded yet mysterious scent. And if you love a good story behind your perfume bottles, the fragrance is housed in recyclable glass adorned with a cap made from natural reclaimed marble stone that is hand-sculpted by local Mexican artisans.
This fragrance fills many homes via a hand-poured candle. However, the Afro-Dominican brand also offers this fig leaf–, black currant–, orris-, and cedarwood-rich scent in perfume form.
For a warm, spicy scent with a hint of floral, give this fragrance infused with Madagascan vanilla, benzoin, Bulgarian rose, Indonesian patchouli, and pimento berries a try.
We know that fragrance and body chemistry work in tandem. This latest release from Victoria's Secret boasting notes of musk, Egyptian violet petals, Australian sandalwood, and Madagascar mandarin keeps that science in mind, crafting an aroma unique to you.
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