9 Best Perfume Scents for Spring, According to Fragrance Experts

Strawberry

Strawberries are quintessential spring, so it makes perfect sense to see them pop up in warm-weather fragrances. “Perfumers have figured out how to make strawberry feel fresher, more vibrant, and true to life, bringing a new level of refinement to the note,” says Gustavo Romero, perfumer and founder of the Fragrance Alliance Network. “Plus, they are fun and mood boosting.” Some of his favorites are Commodity Juice, Phlur Strawberry Letter, and Cartier L’Heure Convoitee Il Eau de Parfum.

Violet

Violet is one of those captivating floral notes that feels at once vintage and completely modern. “What makes violet truly special is its fascinating duality—it has this delicate powdery sweetness but also an earthy, vegetal, green facet,” says Greta Pagel, fragrance director at Good Chemistry.

She adds, “Violet is coming into the conversation as consumers seek fragrances with depth and character beyond your typical fresh florals. The note perfectly captures ‘quiet luxury’—understated elegance with substance.” Callouts include Glossier’s You Doux and Good Chemistry’s Magnolia Violet.

Milk

You read that correctly. Milky notes are absolutely trending as part of a larger theme of light, layered, creamy gourmands popping up in fragrances this spring.

“Milky notes are creamy, smooth, and almost edible—think vanilla milk, coconut milk, or rice milk,” says Alina Gliwinska, fragrance compounder at Lush Cosmetics. “They offer a gentle, comforting sweetness without ever feeling overly sugary, often finishing with a subtle nutty or powdery touch that keeps them grounded.” Try Lush Supermilk Perfume, DedCool X-Tra Milk Eau de Parfum, Phlur Heavy Cream, and Dossier Milky White.

Coffee

What better to pair with milk than coffee? Maybe it’s the rise of espresso martinis or Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso playing on repeat. Whatever the case, coffee notes are definitely trending as a spring 2025 fragrance and they add the perfect buzz to a gourmand. Wake up with Maison Margiela’s Coffee Break, or check out Carpenter’s newly launched Me Espresso.

Cocktail Bitters

On the opposite end of the fragrance spectrum, cocktail bitters are another popular spring note in 2025. “These notes have been rare in one-size-fits-all, super-commercial perfumery,” says Christophe Laudamiel, master perfumer at Generation by Osmo. “Some niche perfumers have quietly been working on recreating these kinds of bitter top notes—not to sell millions of bottles, but because they love the craft.”

He says to think nature-fresh tangy notes: an air of absinthe, a waft of cosmo, something herbal—but is it lime with coriander seed? Sage and curacao? Great examples include Adarga by Travertine and Me Dea by Chronotope.

Tangy Fruits

Speaking of bright and zingy notes, tangy fruits with a grown-up twist are another spring 2025 fragrance trend. “As body sprays make a major comeback, this trend offers the perfect chance to re-imagine them through a more elevated, sophisticated lens,” Gliwinska says. 

“Expect to see a rise in standout notes like cherry, guava, ripe mango, pear, rhubarb, fig, and blackcurrant—alongside some of my personal favorites, like sun-kissed strawberries and golden peach. They’re fresh, playful, and just polished enough.” Try Maison Francis Kurkdjian Kurky, Kayali Guava Granita, and Nectar de Passion Eau de Parfum. 

Rose

Rose continues to undergo such a cool transformation in the world of fragrance. Perfumers are peeling back the petals, so to speak, and creating compositions with incredible versatility and depth.

“Today’s rose accords move far beyond one-note, powdery or way-too-dated to showcase the flower’s many facets—from bright and dewy to rich and jammy, from green and fresh to honeyed and spiced,” Pagel says. “The rose renaissance often delivers unexpected note pairings and is part of a broader movement where traditional floral notes are re-imagined for contemporary tastes.” Try Phlur Rose Whip or LIIS Rose Struck.

Deep, Dark Notes

While spring evokes a certain lightness, that’s not always the vibe. Maybe you’re heading to a dimly lit date night, want to evoke the coolness of a deep forest, or you’re just in your feels a bit. Lucky for you, moody and earth-driven dark notes are a spring fragrance do.

“Even in spring, people are reaching for deep, dark notes. These aren’t built on traditional perfumery structures—they’re not fresh, not floral, not mainstream. But they move people,” Laudamiel says. “Walk through a forest—you smell its darkness. There’s no fake rose or synthetic apple jam lingering. These notes feel real and grounded. It’s signature perfumery.” Try Tom Ford Black Lacquer and Jo Malone Cypress & Grapevine.

Light, Layered Gourmands

Gourmand notes have been enjoying some time in the spotlight and they’re not going anywhere soon. “Long adored for their deliciously addictive appeal, this season they’re getting a fresh twist. Think lighter, more refined interpretations, beautifully layered with florals, fruits, woods, and whisper-soft spices,” Gliwinksa says. “The overall vibe? Edible, but elevated.”

She says one gourmand note poised to stand out this spring is toasted sugar, which carries and irresistible depth—think the golden, crackling top of crème brûlée or that fleeting moment when sugar begins to melt at the edge of a hot skillet. Try Lush’s Chelsea Morning and Henry Rose Dave.