I’m Ready for a New Perfume—These Spring Scents Are Classy, Fresh and Compliment-Worthy

Fragrance family: Fresh

Key notes: Aldehyde, bergamot, sweet pea, jasmine, orange, white musk, sandalwood

While Maison Francis Kurkdjian's bestseller, Baccarat Rouge 540, is undoubtedly an evening scent (if you've not smelt it, it's rich and gourmand), the brand's newer launch, 724, is definitely more of a wearable daytime fragrance. Although the floral notes are key, if you love fresh or woody scents, you'll find that 724 provides the perfect middle ground. Clean soapy aldehydes and heady jasmine and sweet pea mingle with white musk and warming sandalwood.

Fragrance family: Woody

Key notes: Cinnamon, cardamom, orris, carrot, ginger, patchouli, papyrus

As someone who generally gravitates towards warm, cosy fragrances year-round, I tend not get overly excited by the slew of new floral perfume launches every spring. This launch from Byredo, however, bucks convention and strays away from classic floral notes. Instead, it's a warm and papery blend of delicately spicy notes.

Fragrance family: Fruity

Key notes: Blackcurrant, pink pepper, bergamot, rose, davana, geranium, patchouli, vetiver, moss, musk

The name really says it all with this perfume—a bright floral scent that, like all of Maison Margiela's Replica fragrances, really transports you to a specific time and place. In this instance, it's a romantic date in Provence. It's delightfully playful and optimistic thanks to a contrast between hot pink pepper and patchouli, and mouthwatering blackcurrant and bergamot.

Fragrance family: Floral

Key notes: Hyacinth, geranium, lavender

A lesson in not judging a perfume by it's packaging—you might think that this would be a classic, old-fashioned floral, but in fact, it's nothing of the sort. Thanks to fresh, green notes of lime blossom and geranium, and warm suede-like orris, this is a truly modern floral. A tribute to the gardens at Highgrove, the home of King Charles III, it's overall an incredibly elegant and uplifting fragrance.

Fragrance family: Floral

Key notes: Mandarin, peony, rose, apricot, peach, white musk

With its first iteration originally launched in 1947, Miss Dior is one of Dior's most iconic scents. Blooming Bouquet presents a more modern and playful take on the classic. Yes, it's still jam-packed with florals (mainly peony and rose), but there's also fruity notes of mandarin, apricot, and peach—so you're getting some spring sweetness too.

Fragrance family: Woody

Key notes: Juniper, jasmine, powdery notes, cedar, tonka bean

This bright, sunny fragrance is guaranteed to lift your mood, and will easily see you through into the summer months—thanks to its crisp and vibrant notes. In true Diptyque fashion, it's both complex and interesting and the kind of addictive, crowd-pleasing scent that, once sprayed, you can't stop smelling.

Fragrance family: Fresh

Key notes: Coconut, lime, mint, tonka bean

For me, this is a late-spring scent—one that you reach for when the nights start drawing out and you're reaching for some lighter layers. It's more warm and mellow than some of the zingy or floral spring scents that I've already mentioned, giving skin that sweet, sun-warmed scent I associate with holidays abroad. Someone will be sure to ask you what you're wearing when you step out after spritzing this.

Fragrance family: Sweet

Key notes: Neroli, bergamot, ambrette, iris, orange blossom, musk, sandalwood, cedar

Inspired by the delicacies of a French patisserie, Honoré Delights is actually sweeter than I'd normally go for, with creamy gourmand notes. However, it remains grown-up thanks to neroli, iris, and some woody base notes. I first tried this back in 2020 and have brought it back out every spring since —wearing it brings me instant joy.

Fragrance family: Fruity

Key notes: Peach, blackcurrant, saffron, osmathus, leather, amber, sandalwood

Fruity fragrances typically lean summery, but the light, fresh, juicy scent of peach really comes into its own in spring. As well as Guerlain's trademark richness that runs throughout (thanks to saffron, leather, and osmanthus), it has warm notes of amber and sandalwood, and a sharp but subtle hint of blackcurrant blooming through its heart. It's complex yet very lightweight—the perfect signature spring scent.

Fragrance family: Fresh

Key notes: Lychee, geranium, bergamot, grass, peony, jasmine, vetiver, musk, amber

I'll admit that this is far from being your typical spring fragrance, but for those who avoid both floral and fruity scents, yet still want something light for spring, Cowgirl Grass is ideal. Sure, musk and amber don't exactly scream spring, but as well as an earthy base, there's a skin-like muskiness, and freshness thanks to the floral and fruity notes. It's chic, sophisticated and unexpected—and I can't stop spritzing it. It's now one of our favourite D.S. & Durga perfumes.

Fragrance family: Fresh

Key notes: Bergamot, apple, black tea, black amber, musk, oakmoss

Probably one of the most green and grassy fragrances in this edit. Spring fragrances can lean towards the classically feminine, but this is definitely the type of perfume that you could share with your male partner. Mixed with bergamot, apple, and a touch of black tea, it's a citrusy-yet-spicy perfume that celebrates fresh, vibrant notes—perfect for spring. Oh, and the beautiful bottle is worth the money alone in my opinion.

Fragrance family: Fruity

Key notes: Grapefruit, orange, lime, spearmint, guaiac wood, cedarwood, vetiver, black pepper

To be honest, the entire Jo Loves perfume collection screams spring to me, but if I had to pick just one to wear now, it would be Jo by Jo Loves. It's another green citrusy scent which brings to mind freshly cut flowers. Plus, it has a warm vibrancy that would definitely work well for the summer months too.

Fragrance family: Fruity

Key notes: Apricot, plum, cardamom, jasmine, peony, oud, tonka bean, labdanum, cedarwood

I'm a sucker for a Phlur perfume and have amassed a carefully curated edit since the brand launched. One of the latest to arrive was Apricot Privée, a sweet and fruity blend with the warm, lingering base I've come to expect from Phlur's scents "This is the boldest out of all of the fragrances I have created for Phlur," says perfumer Jerone Epinette. "The combination between the fruits, almost leather note and mysterious woody part from the agar wood and tonka bean make Apricot Privée so unique and addictive." This is an uplifting scent bursting with flavour—modern, vibrant, and unlike anything else in my collection.

Fragrance family: Woody

Key notes: Lemon, bergamot, fig, tea, cashmere, cardamom

Woody and fruity aren't two fragrance families that are typically thrown together, but in Indigo, the combination really works. This spring-perfect perfume is light and sweet—bright with lemon and sweet with tea. Plus, the pulpy fig gives it a boozy, juicy element.

Fragrance family: Sweet

Key notes: Iso E Super, black tea

The latest rendition of Escentric Molecules' iconic skin scent sees the woody note of Iso E Super paired with black tea. The result? A clean, crisp, and comforting fragrance, ideal for those who prefer a subtle spring scent.