Few smells are comparable and more easy to conjure than the distinctly winter-like scent of a wood stove. Whenever it wafts my way, I immediately know that cold weather and the holidays are swiftly approaching. Between Thanksgiving, holiday shopping, and the transition to winter chill, the season carries an innate nostalgia, and that sentimental attachment naturally inspires many brands to debut new scents. This year’s winter fragrance launches are as warm and nostalgic as a cuddle session by a fireplace (or in your favorite blanket).
Of course, there’s more to winter aromas than simple scent notes; there’s a storytelling element that injects excitement into the mix. And there’s no singular way to wear your favorite scents: Many brands now bring body washes, lotions, and even candles to market alongside their most popular perfume skus. “As far as trends go, formula and usage seem to be the most experimental,” says Sable Yong, co-host of scent podcast Smell Ya Later and author of Die Hot With A Vengeance. “Hair perfumes, layering fragrances (or fragrances meant to be layered), and all water or bi-phase oil and water formulas (like the Dior and Orabella ones, respectively) are emerging.”
Possibly thanks to the anxieties surrounding the economy and inflation, consumers are more interested than ever in getting the biggest bang for their buck, particularly on higher-ticket items like fragrances. “I think anything that promises longevity is being pushed right now,” says Yong. “That’s why so many ‘intense’ flankers have been a thing the past three to four years.”
The winter notes that tend to gain popularity offers a sense of comfort akin to a soft fleece blanket: vanilla, tonka bean, buttercream, leather, and nutmeg. “Fragrance brands are going hard on vanilla—it’s reframed as a kind of ‘modern’ vanilla, by which most brands seem to mean ‘not too sweet,'” says Yong. “They are more balanced with other accords but retain vanilla’s familiar lactonic quality.” Spice, too, often shows up in wintery scents, arriving in the form of elements like peppercorn, amber, cinnamon, and sandalwood. One of the season’s top launches, Matiere Premiere Encens Suave Extrait de Parfum, perfectly balances these elements, featuring amber, vanilla, and coffee notes.
The changing weather, too, can act as a source of inspiration when choosing a scent, steering our noses toward certain notes and types. When the temperatures drop, I’m drawn toward the fragrances that give me a feeling of coziness, often turning to my beloved Purple Fig, a sweet (but not overly so) scent from Vilhelm Perfumerie with sichuan pepper, green fig, and cashmere woods or the juicy, bustling Apple Love by Ellis Brooklyn. “I wear my gourmands and ambery fragrances much more in the winter for the warmth and the depth they wrap me in; think fig, vetiver, saffron, leathers, tobacco smoke, cognac,” says Arabelle Sicardi, a Los Angeles-based beauty writer and creator of Perfumed Pages, a scent-centered event series. “I’m also way more inclined to layer these with spookier fragrances, which tend to be lighter—what is left, in the end, is the warmth.”
Take a look at the latest and greatest winter fragrances of 2024—you’re bound to find your new favorite scent to spritz for all your hot chocolate strolls, complete with the crispy-crunch sound of gold, amber, and crimson leaves beneath your feet.
The 18 best winter fragrances to shop:
Matiere Premiere Encens Suave Extrait de Parfum — $390.00
I love coffee, I love tea—I love Matiere Premiere’s Encens Suave Extrait fragrance and it loves me. With notes of coffee and vanilla, this dynamic scent is perfect for java lovers all season long. The scent, which originally launched as an eau de parfum in 2019, is one of five powerful extraits de parfum launched by the brand a few months back. Given its high concentration, it aligns with Yong’s observation of the trendiness surrounding more intensified formulas. She prefers the rich Crystal Saffron Extrait, adding that “saffron has been one of my favorite notes or accords for the past two years and I’ve noticed more fragrances calling it out.”
Notes: coffee, vanilla, amber, incense
Wear it when…you have the urge to channel your inner Lauren Bacall, exuding an effortless air of mystery, partly enshrouded in shadows, as you peer over your drink from the corner of a dimly lit speakeasy.
Glossier You Rêve Eau de Parfum — $78.00
For those who couldn’t get enough of the bright, enigmatic Glossier You (fear not, dear reader, we are the same), this season brings not one, but two new Glossier fragrances. Rêve and Doux are equally intoxicating, each with its own aromatic melody. Rêve’s evokes a soothing lightness; during a particularly stressful day, I found myself repeatedly smelling my wrists for the calming effects given to me by this scent.
Notes: buttercream, plum butter, toasted almond, iris, sandalwood, ambrox, ambrette
Wear it when…you’re cozied up in your favorite robe while sketching in your dream journal.
Diptyque Rose Roche Eau de Parfum — $330.00
Florals may not be the first thing you picture when someone says “winter fragrance”—and that’s exactly why it is my favorite of the five scents the brand launched this year. Counterintuitive as a rose-spiked fragrance may be for the season, Rose Roche manages an impeccable balance of citrus, floral, and spicy notes that come together in a timeless (and elegantly packaged) scent. If you share my indecision in choosing just one fragrance, allow me to point you toward Diptyque’s set of all five new eau de parfums in 10 mL mini bottles.
Notes: Provence rose, tart lemon, patchouli
Wear it when…you need to evoke the awe and wonder of one last late-season walk through a botanic garden.
Marissa Zappas Carnival of Souls Eau de Parfum — $190.00
When asked about the launches they’re most excited for, Sicardi shouted out Carnival Souls, a new scent from New York City perfumer and poet Marissa Zappas. With beautifully balanced fragrance notes that include mimosa cream, violet, saffron, coconut, amber, patchouli, vanilla, incense, and musk (oh my!), it feels relatively safe to assume this scent will be unforgettable when someone takes a whiff.
Notes: Mimosa cream, violet, patchouli, vanilla, incense, musk
Wear it when…you want to feel inviting but mysterious while bundled up in a thick sweater.
Noteworthy Moonlit Terrace — $135.00
A powerful scent that boasts the warmth of toasted vanilla bean, the sensuality of freesia and cedarwood, and the sweetness of candied apples, Moonlit Terrace is the kind of perfume that pairs equally well with a pair of jeans and a crisp, white button-down as a glamorous (vegan) fur coat and short, sequinned dress.
Notes: vanilla, freesia, cedarwood, candied apple
Wear it when…you want to channel the childlike spirit of an apple-picking trip all year round.a
Jo Malone Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense — $226.00
This woody, aromatic cologne draws its name from the hinoki tree (chamaecyparis obtusa), a slow-growing cypress tree native to Japan, often prized for its utility as high-quality timber. (Fun fact: When scientists studied the rings of a koso hinoki tree cut down in 1954, they estimated its age to be 950 years old, taking the word “longevity” to the next level.) Jo Malone’s new scent balances fresh, clean notes with dry, woody ones, making it a distinguished fragrance to wear in the winter.
Notes: aromatic clean accord, hinoki wood, cedarwood
Wear it when…you feel the urge to take a solo day trip with nothing but a good book and a soothing playlist.
Snif Honey Suite Eau de Toilette — $67.00
Honey Suite is Snif’s second collaboration with popular fragrance TikToker Professor Perfume (its first being the delightful, wedding-themed Vow Factor). Its melody includes sweet notes of honey and vanilla bourbon, harmonized by notes of cedarwood, saffron, and incense that prevent this scent from being overly sugary.
Notes: crystallized honey, broom absolute, lavender flower, saffron, incense, havanawood, cedarwood, vanilla bourbon
Wear it when…you spend a gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon recording all the amazing things you accomplished this year in your journal.
D.S. & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus — $210.00
If your goal is to channel the crispest early-winter air at California’s highest elevations, look no further than D.S. & Durga’s new Big Sur Eucalyptus, which blends spicy green notes with breezy, foggy ones. With top and bottom notes of eucalyptus, this fragrance is the invigorating equivalent of having Scorpio pop up twice on your astrological chart.
Notes: wet wood, eucalyptus, cardamom, rosemary, magnolia, dry leaves
Wear it when…you need a quick cerebral stay at a mountain chalet.
Bottega Veneta Fragrance Discovery Set — $60.00
The Italian fashion house is synonymous with impeccable craftsmanship and timeless, tailored designs. This ethos has been carried into Bottega Veneta’s brand-new fragrance collection, which features five scents: Come With Me (buttery, elegant, comforting), Alchemie (rich, peppery, charismatic), Acqua Sale (woody, oceanic, bold), Déjà Minuit (spicy, alluring, wintry), and Colpo di Sole (warm, radiant, calming).
Each fragrance is priced at $450 for a beautifully designed 100 mL bottle, though the brand also sells refills that hold a slightly larger volume of 150 mL for $320 and will soon debut a $60 discovery set featuring 2.5 mL samples. While 60 bucks isn’t a cost to sneeze at (not in this economy, at least!), this little sampler could be worth picking up before you invest more than seven times that price on a single scent.
Wear it when…you have the urge to dress for a black-tie event but there is none to be found—but it’s OK because you’re capable of turning even the most casual occasion into your very own Met Gala.
Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy — $115.00
If you haven’t yet test-driven a Perfumehead fragrance, I cannot emphasize this command enough: try one. Perfumehead’s formulas are consistently impressive and complex; a testament to the brand’s power is that everyone I’ve worn the brand’s fragrances around universally loves them.
With this recent launch, Perfumehead offers its fans their favorite scents in a brand-new format: a concentrated, alcohol-free perfume oil extract applied via a convenient rollerball and priced at a more affordable $115 for 10 mL (a 50 mL bottle, on the other hand, costs $390). Below is a rundown of my personal favorite, Cosmic Cowboy. However, Perfumehead also launched these potent and portable roller balls for its scents: Canadian Tuxedo, Room No., and Reine des Anges.
Notes: cinnamon bark, lavender, tobacco leaf, tonka bean, cacao blanc, suede, black musk
Wear it when…you want to be the most memorable presence at the party.
Glossier You Doux Eau de Parfum — $78.00
I was almost hesitant to give one brand two spots on this list, but the contrast between Glossier’s duo of seasonal launches is noteworthy enough to warrant the separation. With Doux, the warm, tranquil scent welcomes you with open arms on a journey to a secret woodsy spot for your eyes (and unique body chemistry) only.
Notes: sweet violet, palo santo, frankincense, myrrh, ambrette, ambrox
Wear it when…your hybrid work schedule is driving you nuts and you need the aromatic equivalent of smooth jazz to mellow you out from commute to lunchtime, all the way through your long journey home.
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid — $168.00
One of Gucci’s latest fragrances is a fresh, bright surprise that prominently features a note not typically associated with florals: vanilla. Along with base notes of cool ozonic accord, this elegant gourmand is housed in a beautiful canary-yellow bottle embellished with the house’s famed Flora illustration.
Notes: vanilla duo, vanilla orchid, marine ozonic accord
Wear it when…it finally gets chilly outside and you’re yearning for spring.
Tom Ford Eau d’Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum — $160.00
The newest iteration of Ombré Leather, Tom Ford’s latest fragrance launch, exudes the cool, dry mood of nighttime in the desert. It balances earthy, spicy elements (amber, patchouli, vetiver) with rich notes (leather, vanilla), accented by delicate florals (jasmine sambac).
Notes: black leather, amber, patchouli, vetiver, jasmine sambac, vanilla
Wear it when…the road starts calling you to take a liberating drive (or bike ride!) to nowhere in particular.
Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight — $165.00
Noted by Yong as a recent launch she loves, the cozy Afternoon Delight addition to Maison Margiela’s beloved Replica line offers a warm, woody blend of vanilla and almond. If you aren’t sure whether this type of comforting gourmand scent is for you, pick up the 0.3-ounce size for $35. Unless you’re especially heavy-handed with your spritzes, the smaller tube will likely last through the winter—plenty of time to decide if you want to invest in a larger bottle.
Notes: bitter almond essence, angelica roots essence, carrot heart, Heart of New Caledonia sandalwood, Madagascar vanilla pod, musks
Wear it when…you’re sitting at an outdoor cafe, enjoying a hot latte and flaky almond croissant.
Phlur Coconut Skin — $38.00
It may seem contrary to the overall vibe of these cold-weather months, but there’s a counterintuitive dreaminess to pairing your coziest sweater with a spritz of summer’s favorite fragrances. While Phlur’s wide-ranging lineup offers many wintry ingredients—citrus, fig, and sandalwood, to name a few—I prefer the new (and unexpected) Coconut Skin, which features warm, inviting notes of coconut, palm leaf, caramel, and white floral over a velvety base of sandalwood and salted amber.
Notes: palm leaf, caramel gelato, coconut, jasmine absolute sambac, liquid sandalwood, salted amber
Wear it when…you could seriously use a piña colada.
Lush Vegan Leather Jacket — $65.00
You don’t need to be a vegan to appreciate Lush’s new woody, rich fragrance. Notes of tonka give the scent a mild sweetness (think: espresso with a small spoonful of sugar, not a frappuccino), while clove accents its tobacco notes—the result: a mysterious, alluring fragrance to wear with your darkest denim and smokiest smoky eye.
Notes: leather, tobacco, tonka, clove
Wear it when…you’re hitting that super-secret speakeasy for an evening of cocktails (or high-end mocktails, befitting of the “faux” theme) and solo journaling.
Vacation The Royal Pine Deluxe Candle — $36.00
While it’s not the type of fragrance you can spray on your wrists and neck, the newest launch from the brand behind “the world’s best-smelling sunscreen” (a title, while likely bestowed upon the brand by itself, that I deeply agree with). Vacation partnered with perfumer Carlos Huber to design a pine-scented candle—which has notes of balsam pine accord, Siberian pine needle, and Norwegian spruce—capable of adding coziness to any living room, all through the winter 2024 season.
Notes: balsam pine accord, Norwegian spruce, Siberian pine needle
Light it when…you hand-write personalized holiday cards to your nearest and dearest loved ones.
Le Labo Cyprès 21 Classic Candle — $87.00
Another brand-new candle from a brand with a huge fan base, the Cyprès 21 candle by Le Labo makes for a smart, sophisticated addition to your home during the holidays, bringing together a blend of woodsy cypress, spicy aromatics, and warm patchouli and incense.
Notes: cypress, juniper, clove, star anise, incense, patchouli
Light it when…you’re sipping the perfect cup of tea after coming in from the cold on an early winter day.
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