Just Wait—You'll Earn at Least 6 Compliments the Next Time You Wear This Spicy Perfume

Open my Notes app, and you'll find a running list of fragrances that are surefire compliment magnets. (It's a beauty-editor thing.) Each has an element of intrigue, something that makes people literally stop in their tracks to ask, "What perfume are you wearing?" This je ne sais quoi, I've personally discovered, happens to be a hint of spice: peppercorn, ginger, clove, cardamom, saffron—anything you might use to give a meal some zing.
Spicy perfumes just have a way of blooming on the skin, similar to how a pinch of seasoning enhances flavor. Better yet, they run the gamut; you can find a spicy floral, a spicy gourmand blend, a spicy fruit-forward scent, and so much more. Scroll ahead to shop them all below—and let the "You smell incredible" compliments ensue.
The Best Spicy Perfumes, at a Glance
- Amouage Guidance Eau de Parfum
- Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette
- Glossier You Eau de Parfum
- Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy Extrait de Parfum
- Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne
The Best Spicy Perfumes of 2025
1. Amouage Guidance Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Frankincense, pear, hazelnut, saffron, rose, Sambac jasmine, osmanthus, sandalwood, cistus, akigalawood, ambergris, vanilla
Hot take: I didn't love this perfume the first time I smelled it. It kind of reminded me of licorice candy, despite featuring zero licorice notes in the formula. So why does it rank number one on this list? Well, after it settled for about 15 minutes, I became obsessed. The notes mingled together so well that I legitimately couldn't stop sniffing the sleeve of my sweater.
I texted other beauty editors to hear their thoughts (we had all spritzed it together at an event), and, lo and behold, they had the exact same experience. "It sits so nice on the skin," one text reads. "The dry-down is amazing." I continue to receive no less than six compliments each time I wear it—from colleagues at the office to friends at dinner to strangers on the subway (true story!).
Customer review: "This fragrance envelops your pillow with a lingering allure, accompanying your dreams. It's the kind of scent that prompts attention whenever worn. Forget your previous favorites; this is the epitome of allure. Its perpetual popularity isn't mere hype; it's genuinely irresistible, explaining why [it's] frequently sold out."
2. Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Clove oil, chestnut accord, vanilla accord
It doesn't get warmer or spicier than By the Fireplace. Imagine curling up next to a crackling fire, enveloped in a cashmere blanket and sipping on a toasty beverage. Sounds sublime, no? It's a wildly popular winter scent (arguably the most popular one out there!), but I personally enjoy it year-round.
Customer review: "This was a re-buy for me! Scent is so, so important to me and one of my favorites is camp fire. I get to walk around on a daily basis smelling like a comforting, nostalgic, deliciously warm scent!"
3. Glossier You Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Pink pepper, iris, ambrette seeds, ambrox
Glossier You is earthy, warm, and slightly sweet, and the sparkling addition of pink peppercorn really turns those qualities up a notch. Meant to smell different on everyone (and it does, trust us), the blend uniquely adapts to your skin chemistry for a scent that's familiar yet intoxicating.
Customer review: "This perfume lives up to ALL the hype. People constantly comment on it and it lasts all day."
4. Lumira Cuban Tobacco Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Cardamom, clove bud, tangerine, tobacco, patchouli, musk
Seductive, smoky, and slightly tangy—say hello to Lumira's Cuban Tobacco. The blend takes inspiration from the "glamour of Old Havana," evoking idle cigar draws and late-night cocktails. It's not only genderless but meant to be shared; my partner and I both happen to be major fans.
Customer review: "I received a sample of this perfume, [and] it is an absolutely beautiful complex and unique scent. I can't stop smelling my wrist."
5. Cult Gaia Zan Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Ambrox, musk, Guatemalan cardamom, cedarwood, pink pepper
When Cult Gaia made its foray into luxury fragrance, I was immediately drawn to Zan—and not just because of the stunning, dusty rose bottle. It starts out fresh and delicate until you catch the subtle zing of pink pepper. Then it dries down into a warm haze of cardamom and cedarwood. It also has some impressive longevity for a softer scent; this one lasts on my skin all day long.
Customer review: "This is a must try! My husband is obsessed with how this smells on me. I get asked everywhere I go!"
6. U Beauty Proem Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Centafolia rose, Chinese peony, Chinese magnolia, night-blooming jasmine, lychee, rhubarb, vetiver, pistachio, pink peppercorn
U Beauty's first-ever fragrance is certainly intriguing. Is it a floral scent? A fruit-forward blend? A gourmand confection? An earthy elixir? Answer: It's all of the above. Proem doesn't fit into a single scent category, as different notes bloom differently on everyone. Some might catch whiffs of pistachio; others (like myself) find it to be lychee-forward. No matter what notes you wind up with, you'll fall in love with the sophisticated, spicy blend.
Customer review: "Absolutely love! This scent is so unique and complex. I found the notes to be exactly how it is described. I’ve already gotten so many compliments!"
7. Ellis Brooklyn Après Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Juniper berries, bourbon, cedarwood, praline, vanilla
Ever wish you could smell like a chic ski lodge nestled in the French Alps? (Niche, I know, but who's with me?!) This Ellis Brooklyn scent transports you right there. Boozy, woodsy, and crisp, it's like a fabulous winter getaway, bottled. Fun fact: This was actually the first scent I ever tried from Ellis Brooklyn, and I'm now a brand loyalist, so that should tell you just how intoxicating the potion is.
Customer review: "I bought their sample kit ages ago and ended up reaching for this scent over and over until it was gone. I’m big into trying all sorts of scents and switching it up every day, but genuinely I love how this smells so much, if I could only choose one scent for the rest of my life it would probably be this one. It’s so perfect in every way."
8. Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy Extrait de Parfum
Key notes: Neon galbanum, cinnamon bark, orris butter, Whiskey a Go Go, angelica root, and tobacco leaf, decadent amber, cacao blanc, musk
You won't find a more intoxicating scent than Cosmic Cowboy. After I finally tried it—much to the delight of our beauty director, Erin Jahns—it quickly became one of my go-to nighttime potions. After all, how could I not bathe myself in this "smoky, boozy debauchery in a bottle," inspired by nightclubs of the Sunset Strip in the 1970s? I mean, swoon.
Customer review: "I cannot get enough of this amazing scent! So intense and unlike any other scent in my collection. Every time I wear it, I get so many compliments. You will also love the staying power!"
9. Phlur Caramel Skin Body & Hair Fragrance Mist
Key notes: Bergamot, caramel cream, brown sugar, vanilla, sandalwood, musk
You might be surprised to discover that this sticky-sweet scent classifies as a spicy perfume. Note, it does have sandalwood, which has warm, spicy undertones that give the blend an addicting, "salted caramel" quality. I have yet to meet an editor who doesn't sing the praises of this Phlur MVP, but if you want to amp up the spicier note, feel free to layer it with another zesty body mist. (Amber Haze is a solid option!)
Customer review: "Whenever I wear this, I’m always asked what I have on or am told that I smell sooooo good! Definitely try it out. Long lasting and I find I love the smell more when sprayed directly on skin than clothes."
10. Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Perfume
Key notes: Rose, blackcurrant, raspberry, clove, patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense
This isn't your grandma's rose perfume. Portrait of a Lady is arguably the dreamiest, most expensive-smelling floral solution in the game. It's very rose-forward, yes, but the clove, patchouli, and sandalwood give it a nose-tickling earthiness that is truly one of a kind. Whenever I wear it, I instantly feel sophisticated.
Customer review: "Amazing and unique fragrance. It smells like nothing else on the market and has become my signature scent. Absolutely love it!!!"
11. Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne
Key notes: Sandalwood, cedarwood, nutmeg, ginger
It doesn't get spicier than a fragrance dubbed Nutmeg & Ginger, does it? The latter brightens up the blend with a fresh opening, while the former keeps the blend warm and earthy. It's also grounded by sandalwood, which adds a lovely creaminess. Loads of reviewers consider this genderless scent their all-time favorite and were absolutely shattered when Jo Malone decided to discontinue it. But loyalists, don't fret! The brand officially brought it back for its online archive collection.
Customer review: "I have a lot of JM fragrances, and most of them I love, but this one holds a special place in my collection. This is absolutely divine on its own. I love to layer this with Orange Blossom to make a orange/nutmeg dreamsicle scent, and on top of Mimosa and Cardamom to make an extra delicious spicy scent. I just wish this came in other products like the body lotion or hand lotion. I truly can't get enough of this."
What are spicy fragrances?
Spicy fragrances, at their core, feature at least one spice—pepper, cardamom, saffron, clove, cinnamon, etc.—in their scent profile. How "spicy" a fragrance is will depend on how present these spices are in the lineup. For example, some fragrances might include pink peppercorn for a subtle zing, while others really hone in on the cardamom and clove for a warm, inviting aroma.
Why do people like spicy perfumes?
Just like in food, spicy notes open up a fragrance and accentuate the "flavor," so to speak. It simply adds an element of complexity to the juice. They tend to be present in warm, earthy blends, but they work well in every category—florals, gourmands, woods, et al. If you're obsessed with a certain perfume but can't quite put your finger on what you love about it, chances are it features a spicy note or two.
When should you wear spicy perfume?
It's up to you! Spicy notes have a warm, seductive quality that may make them well-suited for date nights, but you can find subtler blends (such as those with saffron or pink peppercorn) that are perfect for everyday wear. Some spicy perfumes also lean a bit wintry, sort of like how a whiff of cardamom or clove might conjure cozy evenings with a steaming mug of tea. That said, most spicy perfumes are definitely universal. They simply give a perfume its sophisticated element.
Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. With over seven years in the industry, she specializes in trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative fragrance launches to need-to-know makeup tutorials to celebrity profiles. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and her work has appeared in MindBodyGreen, Coveteur, and more. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves scouting vintage boutiques and reading thrillers, and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn.
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