Quick! Name a popular autumn perfume! Chances are you immediately thought of a cinnamon-, nutmeg-, or pumpkin spice–infused concoction—something akin to a cosy autumn beverage slowly thawing your chilled palms. And look, maybe you genuinely crave sticky-sweet potions (I too adore a sophisticated, dessert-inspired blend every once in a while), but if you're open to an even chicer autumn scent, I suggest finding inspiration not at the spice rack but on the quiet streets—where soft, golden light dances between tree branches, blushing leaves crunch underneath your feet, and the air is crisp with a fresh, energizing quality you can practically taste with every inhale. If you've ever wanted to bottle that daydream, you've come to the right place.
I didn't realise just how eagerly I was anticipating that first gust of autumn air until I smelled Remi, By Rosie Jane's latest eau de parfum. On a rather humid, 80-degree day in early August, I received an unassuming sample on my desk (along with a delicately wrapped box of fresh mandarins) and took a whiff—and was immediately transported to that peaceful, tree-lined street on an idle Saturday afternoon. It's warm and cosy yet never predictably so.
"I didn’t want to make another pumpkin spice fragrance. Honestly, I don’t even like pumpkin spice," Rosie Johnston, founder of the fragrance brand, admits. (And to that I say, well, same.) "For me, citrus felt fresher and a more modern way to tell that cosy story." You might associate citrus notes with juicy, summery blends, but allow me to remind you that the fruit technically peaks in the autumn and winter months; and in fragrance, it effortlessly balances heavier, syrupy notes with a vibrant zing. "The mandarin doesn’t stand alone—the cardamom and amber wrap around it, making it cosy and grounding. You still get that crisp, uplifting spark, but with this warmth that feels even more right for autumn than something heavy or overly sweet," Johnston adds. "It’s modern, unexpected, and keeps you feeling fresh and alive through the season."
Inspired by Remi, I decided to dig up my collection of crisp, crunchy perfumes and consult fellow beauty editors on their go-to blends that remind them of a cool, autumn wind. Autumn is just around the corner, and these potions are just as essential as a buttery cardigan.
The 9 Best Crisp Fragrances for Autumn, According to Beauty Editors
Key notes: Bergamot, African marigold, bucchu, violet, cyclamen, vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood
"While I wouldn't necessarily call this scent 'crisp,' it's the one I know I'll be melting into this autumn," notes WWW associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia. "Its warm disposition and woody, musky undertones make this one endlessly interesting—notes of bergamot, African marigold, and violet crescendoing above the earthy base of it all. These floral notes take the scent on an unexpected upturn, but it dries down beautifully warm and somewhat sweet on the skin. Autumn is calling!"
Key notes: Lily of the valley, iris, white musk
Just-washed cotton sheets and sun-warmed skin are the hallmarks of this clean-smelling blend. While you can totally wear it year-round, it reminds me of a sunny autumn morning—crisp and clear, yet not too chilly. If you're a fan of the lingering smell of laundry detergent, you'll surely fall head over heels. A few spritzes, and you'll swear you just buried your nose in fresh linens.
Key notes: Chamomile, vanilla, lavender absolute, orange flower, Turkish rose, musk
Crisp autumn fragrances don't have to steer clear of gourmand notes entirely. Take this Dries Van Noten number, which perfectly blends vanilla, chamomile, lavender absolute, orange flower, Turkish rose, and musk for an aroma that's at once fresh, leathery, and sweet. The ornate bottle is the icing on the spice cake—a treasure you'll want to display year-round.
Key notes: red apple, sugar cane, vanilla madagascar, mandarin, ambrox, musk
Before you wave this off as a sticky-sweet gourmand, allow me to emphasize that Apple Love does not evoke caramel apples—at least in my opinion. To me, it smells like the first bite of a juicy honey-crisp: crunchy, tart, and, yes, subtly sweet. Perhaps it's because the blend also has mandarin (which, again, adds a modern freshness), ambrox, and musk, but I swear this perfume smells just like a whisper of autumn wind.
Key notes: Lychee, bergamot, pink pepper, raspberry blossom, pink sugar, suede, labdanum, papyrus, vetiver, birch smoke, patchouli
Bella Hadid's newest launch just might be my favourite of her fragrance line. It has a noticeably juicy, fruity opening thanks to lychee and raspberry blossom, but those notes quickly make way for a spicy, smoky dry-down of suede, birch smoke, and patchouli. It's feminine and bright, but it's not without its twists and turns—a facet that makes it downright irresistible. It's no wonder WWW Beauty Director Erin Jahns immediately calls it out as one of her favourite crisp, autumn scents.
Key notes: Ambrette seeds, pear nectar, liquid musk
Succulent pear meets soft, woody musk in a beguiling blend that can't help but draw people in. Take it from one Sephora reviewer who writes, "When I put this on, I smell so clean and fresh," or Jahns, who once shared, "I swear I’ve gotten so many friends hooked on it, and they say it’s the best thing they’ve ever smelled." If "You smell amazing!" compliments are your thing, you can't go wrong with this perfect-for-autumn pick.
Key notes: Ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage
"When I want to romanticise the feeling of a whimsically British autumn stroll along the seaside, this is the Jo Malone London fragrance I reach for," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "It captures the bracing sea air, waves crashing on the shore and the gentle breeze of salt that caresses the skin and tangles your hair. I love it because it's both crisp and grounding—it's one of my favourite autumn perfumes to bring an aquatic mood into the season."
Key notes: Bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet, orris, vanilla, musk, moss
"Nothing says autumn like pear, and it's one of the fruity notes in Merit's Retrospect perfume that brings a golden sparkle to this crisp fragrance, before drying down into a subtle woody skin scent that is delightfully earthy," says Vousden. "That's not to say it has a weak projection, however. It has a 30% concentration of perfume oils, making it one of the more long-lasting perfumes I've tried. It's one of those fragrances that is quietly luxurious."
Key notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood, black pepper, white cedar
"We can't talk about crisp autumn fragrances without mentioning Diptyque's Philosykos, another fragrance that combines the seasonal autumn fruit of fig, and pairs it with all parts of the fig tree—sap, leaves and bark included," says Vousden. "The result is a crisp, juicy bite of fig, quickly followed by the milky flesh of the fruit before it gives way to the smooth, woody notes. It's a classic for a reason, and it's the perfect transitional perfume to take you from summer into autumn,"
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