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

Photo of fragrance collection on a bathroom shelf

(Image credit: @pink_oblivion)

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

The Best Spicy Perfumes of 2025

1. Amouage Guidance Eau de Parfum

2. Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette

3. Glossier You Eau de Parfum

4. Lumira Cuban Tobacco Eau de Parfum

5. Cult Gaia Zan Eau de Parfum

6. U Beauty Proem Eau de Parfum

7. Ellis Brooklyn Après Eau de Parfum

8. Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy Extrait de Parfum

9. Phlur Caramel Skin Body & Hair Fragrance Mist

10. Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Perfume

11. Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne

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
Senior Beauty Editor

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.