Spring arrives first as a feeling: longer days, softer air, the first trees in blossom and the urge to leave the winter coat, and the winter perfume, in the wardrobe. The dense vanilla and amber scents that keep us warm in January suddenly feel heavy in April. Time for something lighter.
In this article we will show you what makes a fragrance “springlike”, how to choose yours according to your character and your day, and which perfumes for women and men are worth trying this season. All the suggestions are available in our shop.
What makes a perfume springlike
Spring fragrances sit between the freshness of summer and the warmth of winter. They are not as transparent as summer citrus, but they do not weigh on you like oriental compositions either. Most of them are recognisable by three things:
- Flowers in the heart. Rose, peony, lilac, freesia, jasmine, magnolia, orange blossom and lily of the valley: everything that blooms in the garden in April and May.
- Juicy or green top notes. Pear, lychee, green apple, bergamot, grapefruit, fig leaves and freshly cut grass.
- A soft, “clean” base. White musk, light woods and a little cedar instead of heavy vanilla, amber and resins.
Most often these are floral, fruity-floral, green and musky fragrances. If you are not sure which family suits you, read our article on the types of perfume fragrances.
How to choose a spring perfume
By the weather
Spring is capricious: 8 degrees in the morning, 22 in the afternoon. On cool days rose, iris and musk, which have a little more body, do better. On warm days, citrus, green notes and white flowers shine. If you wear one fragrance all season, choose something “in the middle”: a fruity-floral or musky perfume.
By concentration
Eau de toilette (EDT) is lighter and fresher, eau de parfum (EDP) is longer-lasting and richer. In spring both work: EDT for sunny days and the office, EDP for cool evenings. You will find more on the difference in the article Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette.
By occasion
For work, choose something delicate: musk, iris, green tea. For a walk in the park or a weekend away, a fruity or green fragrance. For dinner out, rose, jasmine or tuberose with a warmer base.
Spring perfumes for women
Dolce&Gabbana L'Impératrice
Fruity, juicy, playful
Dolce&Gabbana L'Impératrice is like a bowl of fruit in the sun: watermelon, kiwi and rhubarb, lightly spiced with pink pepper, over soft cyclamen and musk. The scent is part of the D&G Anthology collection and was created in 2009, yet it is still one of the best-selling spring and summer perfumes today. Ideal for girls and women who want something cheerful without being childish.
Chloé Eau de Parfum
Rosy, powdery, elegant
Chloé Eau de Parfum is spring in a bottle with a ribbon. The rose here is fresh and slightly powdery, surrounded by peony, lychee and freesia, while the cedar and amber base makes it long-lasting and warm. A scent that looks equally good with jeans and with a dress, which is why it has been among the classics of modern perfumery since 2008.
Narciso Rodriguez for Her EDP
Musky, floral, sensual
Narciso Rodriguez for Her EDP is a perfume for those who do not like loud fragrances. At its centre is musk, wrapped in rose and peach, with a warm base of patchouli and amber. It stays close to the skin but lasts for hours and leaves the impression of clean, expensive skin. A good choice for the office and for cool spring evenings.
Hermès Twilly d'Hermès
Floral, spicy, youthful
Hermès Twilly d'Hermès was created by Christine Nagel in 2017 and takes its name from the silk scarves of Hermès. Fresh ginger at the start blends with tuberose and ends in warm sandalwood. The scent is bold and playful, suited to a woman who loves classic elegance, but with a wink.
Montblanc Lady Emblem
Rosy, citrusy, light
Montblanc Lady Emblem combines pink grapefruit and pink pepper with delicate rose and cashmere woods. It is fresh but not too light, an excellent everyday perfume for work and walks. And it comes at a very good price for a fragrance with such longevity.
Cacharel Anaïs Anaïs
White flowers, a classic
Cacharel Anaïs Anaïs dates from 1978, and many women remember it as their first “real” perfume. Lily, hyacinth, lily of the valley and orange blossom create a bouquet that smells like a spring garden after the rain. Gentle, romantic and timeless.
Clinique Happy
Citrusy, sunny, cheerful
Clinique Happy lives up to its name. Grapefruit, bergamot and mandarin at the start, flowers in the heart and soft musk in the base: the scent is like a glass of fresh juice on a terrace. It is suitable for every day, and its price is more than affordable.
Spring perfumes for men
Men's spring fragrances are rarely “floral” in the literal sense. Citrus, aromatic herbs, vetiver and light woods work here: fresh, but with character.
Hermès Terre d'Hermès
Citrusy, mineral, woody
Hermès Terre d'Hermès was created by Jean-Claude Ellena in 2006 and is one of the most respected men's perfumes of all. Bitter orange and grapefruit, mineral notes and pepper, vetiver and cedar: the scent smells of earth, sun and stone. Suitable for any man who wants sophistication without showiness.
Montblanc Legend Spirit
Fresh, aromatic, clean
Montblanc Legend Spirit is the lighter version of Legend: grapefruit and pink pepper, cardamom and lavender, white woods and musk. Clean and modern, it suits a white shirt and a Sunday stroll. A good choice for men who want one fresh perfume for the whole season.
Unisex fragrances for spring
Hermès Un Jardin sur le Toit
Green, fruity, garden-like
Hermès Un Jardin sur le Toit is inspired by the rooftop garden of the Hermès boutique in Paris. Apple, pear, rose, magnolia and grass: the scent is literally a walk through a spring garden. It is worn equally well by women and men.
Xerjoff Erba Pura
Fruity, musky, niche
Xerjoff Erba Pura is one of the most loved niche fragrances of recent years. Sicilian orange, lemon and bergamot, juicy fruits, white musk, vanilla and amber: sweet, bright and extremely long-lasting. If you want a spring perfume that does not go unnoticed, this is it.
How to wear perfume in spring
- Apply to moisturised skin. After winter, skin is drier, and dry skin “eats” a scent faster. An unscented lotion, or one from the same line, makes it last longer.
- Spray less, but more often. With spring fragrances you do not need five sprays: two in the morning and one in the afternoon is better.
- Do not rub your wrists. That breaks down the top notes, which are the most beautiful part of spring fragrances. You will find more tricks in our article on where to spray perfume.
- Change your fragrance gradually. At the end of March start with a musky or powdery perfume, and in May move on to citrus and white flowers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best perfume for spring?
There is no single “right” perfume, but the safest choice is floral and fruity-floral fragrances: rose, peony, freesia, pear, lychee. For men, citrus, aromatic and light woody compositions.
Can I wear my winter perfume in spring?
Yes, but in smaller amounts and mostly in the evening. If the scent is very sweet or heavy, on a warm day it will feel overpowering.
EDT or EDP for spring?
Both. Eau de toilette is fresher for sunny days, eau de parfum lasts longer on cool ones. If you are buying only one bottle, choose a fresh eau de parfum.
Spring is the best time to discover a new fragrance. Browse all our women's, men's and unisex perfumes in our shop, and if you are looking for a gift, see also how to choose a perfume as a gift.
