Fragrance Is My Specialist Subject—These New Perfumes Will Be Future Icons
Shopping for a new fragrance? Explore our round-up of the best new perfumes to spritz into spring and summer.
As a beauty editor, I often get asked what my favourite part of my job is. Although there are so many things I could say, one thing I love more than anything else is getting to write about fragrances daily. I've been obsessed with trying the best perfumes for as long as I can remember, as there's something so transformative about wearing a new scent. Even if I've had a bad day, one spritz of my most-complimented fragrance has the power to make me feel a little bit better.
With spring in full swing and summer on its way, lots of brands are launching perfumes that are perfect for April and beyond. I don't know about you, but I love switching out my heady winter scents for fresh, floral, clean-smelling fragrances at this time of year. My inbox is nearly full of press releases, and my desk is overflowing with samples, so I've been spending the last week sorting through everything and selecting the standout fragrance launches from the past few weeks.
I've included my top picks below, and trust me when I say that these scents are not to be missed. From classic scents reimagined to brand new luxury perfumes, keep on scrolling for the best new perfume launches, and get ready to take your fragrance collection to the next level this season.
9 Best New Perfume Launches for Spring and Summer
- Best New Perfume Overall: Glossier You Soie, £70
- Best Spring/Summer Scent: Calvin Klein Euphoria Solar Elixir, £60
- Best Luxury Perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Velvet Mood Extrait de Parfum, £360
- Best Sweet Perfume: Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla, £76
- Best Fresh Perfume: Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Toilette, £145
1. Glossier You Soie
Key notes: Bergamot, rice milk, tiare water, jasmine, ambrox
First up, the newest addition to the Glossier You collection. This is definitely going to be my summer perfume of choice, as it smells like a holiday in a bottle. Not any holiday, either, but a five-star, luxurious beachside resort. Fresh bergamot mingles with creamy rice milk and coconutty tiare flower for a truly intoxicating aroma. It's quite different from the original You fragrance, yet in true Glossier style, it still feels soft and uplifting.
2. Calvin Klein Euphoria Solar Elixir
Key notes: Mango, golden orchid, vanilla
Speaking of holiday-inspired scents, Calvin Klein has just released three new Euphoria fragrances, and while I'm a big fan of the entire collection, Euphoria Solar Elixir has to be my top choice. This perfume feels like sunshine on the skin, with notes of juicy mango beautifully balanced by creamy vanilla undertones.
3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Velvet Mood Extrait de Parfum
Key notes: Saffron, peach accord, suede, jasmine, oud, leather accord, copaïba balm
If you're a fan of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Oud Velvet Mood, you'll be delighted to hear the brand has recently reformulated the scent. The deep, woody aroma has been enhanced with notes of peach and suede, adding a smooth, soft, sensual element that envelops the senses all day long. This is definitely one of the most luxurious launches for spring and summer.
4. Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla
Key notes: Bergamot, caramel, coconut, vanilla, creamy musk, tonka bean, amber
Sweet, sugary scents always come into their own at this time of year. Case in point, the new perfume from Summer Fridays. A blend of caramel, coconut and vanilla, this is the ultimate summer fragrance for gourmand perfume lovers. While the opening is incredibly sweet, the base notes of tonka bean and amber add a sophisticated touch.
5. Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Green mandarin, yuzu, juniper berries, pink peppercorn, ginger, rose, magnolia, cedar, musk
Another reimagination of an iconic scent, Diptyque Orphéon. The brand has created a bright, sparkling eau de toilette with a citrusy appeal that feels fitting for this time of year. No wonder our beauty director, Shannon Lawlor, said that it's about to become every it-girl's signature scent.
6. Balmain Destin de Balmain
Key notes: Strawberry, peony, sandalwood, lychee, lily accord, patchouli, musk
The latest creation from Balmain Beauty is a spring and summer delight. It opens with notes of sweet, juicy strawberry, before a creamy base of sandalwood and musk settles on the skin. It's fresh, sweet, floral yet incredibly sophisticated, and I've had so many compliments since wearing it.
7. Maison Margiela Replica Up at Dawn
Key notes: Pink pepper, rose, ambrette, orris, patchouli, musk, moss, casherman
I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of rose perfumes, but I'll make an exception for this launch from Maison Margiela. Like walking into a bright rose garden on a fresh spring morning, notes of pink pepper make this floral scent feel so vibrant and fun. An undertone of musk, casherman and moss adds enticing warmth, meaning I'm gravitating towards this way more than I ever thought I would.
8. Dior J'adore Intense
Key notes: Jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, sandalwood, vanilla
Both my mum and I constantly wear Dior's J'adore perfume, and I know this intense iteration will become our new go-to for spring. Created by Francis Kurkdjian, the warming aroma cocoons the senses with a comforting base of sandalwood and musk. To me, wearing this feels like bathing in that first bit of sunlight, and spritzing it is like enveloping my skin in all that golden goodness.
9. Creed Wild Vetiver
Key notes: Timur berry, bergamot, pink pepper, rose centifolia, geranium, blackcurrant bud, vetiver, cedarwood, amberwood
Awaken the senses after a long winter with Creed's Wild Vetiver. Bergamot and pink pepper sparkle on the skin, before a heart of rose takes over. Soon, an earthy, woody base reveals itself, adding depth to the crisp, lively aroma.
Shop the Best Perfume Launches From Earlier in the Year
Key notes: Ambrette seeds, rose, cedarwood, oakmoss, peach
Inspired by Kilian Hennessy's journey to Japan and the beauty of Sakura blossoms, this Kilian perfume is a delicate, uplifting delight. Powdery rose sits at the heart of the scent, whilst woody undertones and a hint of sweet peach add delicious depth that sits closely to the skin throughout the day. It's one of those fragrances that I can't imagine anyone not liking, which is why I'm adding it to my permanent perfume line-up ASAP.
Key notes: Kadota fig accord, vert de bergamot, muscovado accord
I'll admit, I have a thing for fig perfumes, but even if you're not a fan, this new fragrance from Tom Ford is bound to win you over. It's so incredibly fresh and green, with notes of juicy fig that are heightened by citrusy bergamot and sweet muscovado accord. I'd say it's the perfect perfume for this time of year, as a spritz feels like inhaling the first breath of spring air.
Key notes: Passion fruit accord, frangipani flower accord, vanilla absolute, benzoin resinoid
If you want your perfume to pack a punch, this is my statement scent of choice this season. It's hard to put into words how good this is, but I've honestly recommended it to everyone I know since getting my hands on it. It's a gourmand fragrance bursting with fun, fruity energy, thanks to notes of passion fruit accord. That being said, once it settles on the skin, creamy vanilla envelops the senses, adding a sophisticated touch.
Key notes: Italian bergamot, ylang-ylang, grapefruit, blood orange, rosemary, orange leaves absolute, patchouli, vetiver
To mark the brand's 110th anniversary, Acqua di Parma has created an olfactory masterpiece called Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato. Fans of the brand will know that Colonia is Aqua Di Parma's hero fragrance, and this limited-edition iteration features a heart of ylang-ylang, adding a rich floral undertone that makes it smell so luxurious. Of course, it contains all the citrusy goodness we know and love, but this floral addition really takes it to a whole new level.
Key notes: White violet, green florals, white tea, cedarwood, guaiacwood
This new scent from cool-girl fragrance brand Le Labo is the ultimate contradiction, in the best way possible. It starts as fresh, green and floral, before transforming into a smoky, woody delight. It lures you in before revealing its true depth, which is just as addictive as the opening notes.
Key notes: Sandalwood, chai latte accord, citrus, cardamom
If you like your perfume to feel like a long, warm hug, then let me introduce you to Prada Les Infusions Santal Chai. A warm, creamy, milky concoction, this scent combines notes of sandalwood with a chai latte accord for a smooth, comforting finish with a hint of spicy goodness.
Key notes: Raspberry accord, tobacco, rose oil, ambergris accord, vanilla
Rich, smoky scents aren't usually my thing, but the minute I smelt this new(ish) Guerlain perfume, I was immediately hooked. Perhaps it's the addition of raspberry, but this tobacco fragrance is unlike anything else I've come across. Yes, it has that dark, smoky undertone, but tobacco is brought to life by vibrant red berries and warm ambergris and vanilla. It's completely captivating and has become my evening scent of choice.
Key notes: Cocoa, tonka bean, vanilla, rum
In need of a little escapism from the grey, non-spring-like weather? Ouai has got you covered with its new body mists. Inspired by the island of Ibiza, this scent combines heady rum with sweet vanilla to create the most intoxicating blend that makes me want to book a flight ASAP. The brand has also launched the Santorini Fragrance Mist (£26), with notes of peach, orange and honeysuckle.
