The 8 Hottest Perfume Trends of 2025
Darling fragrance aficionados, it is a new year full of possibilities and, of course, perfume trends. Sure, we see some trends reappear in one form or another every year but we made sure to deliver THE list, full of the hottest trends that you can look forward to the next 12 months. So, come hop on the bandwagon and explore these 8 hot trends with us!
Purple flowers
Purple rain, purple…blossoms? This year, the fragrance world is getting a whimsical twist with iris and violets – our beloved florals known for their vintage, powdery charm – being reborn into something utterly fresh and fabulously modern. Perfume brands like Penhaligon and Guerlain are leading the way in ushering in a purple renaissance by daringly mixing these alluring and severely underestimated florals with exhilarating notes that traditionally haven’t waltzed with our purple beauties before.
Perfumers are breaking free from the usual scent scripts. Picture this: delicate iris blending with rich vanilla, or playful violets flirting with woody notes and fresh greens. And then, there’s the tantalising twist of citrusy oranges, mysterious smoky incense, and grounding earthy vetiver, all mingling with iris or violets to create a scent that’s bursting with personality, zest, and versatility
But it does not stop there. Some perfumes are taking it to the next level. Boujee Bougies’ Eau de Boujee Queen combines violet leaves with unique elements like jam tarts and black tea for a psychedelic undertone, giving us yumminess and trippines all in one bottle. No matter your fragrance family preference, this purple floral trend promises to delight your senses, so get ready to indulge in this purple paradise!
Lychee
Do we have Kayali to thank for this trend? While we can’t say for sure, one thing is crystal clear: lychee, the exotic fruit heralding from China and parts of Southeast Asia, is swiftly becoming the darling of the perfume universe, enchanting a devoted fanbase. Sweet yet tart, much like its irresistible taste, lychee is now the star of the show in the latest perfume releases, embodying romance and love in each delicate note.
Lychee has captured the hearts of style-savvy young women who crave something uniquely fresh and exhilarating. Just one spritz, and you’re enveloped in the fruit’s sweet, slightly floral embrace, a dance of fruity notes with a whisper of roses and perhaps a hint of pear. It’s a symphony of modern elegance, brimming with freshness and youthfulness – so captivating, it’s almost addictive.
And here’s the best part: lychee perfumes strike a delightful balance by being sweet but not too sugary. They are undoubtedly a versatile choice for any setting, be it the office, the quiet of classrooms, or the freedom of the great outdoors. If you’ve ever found yourself in a floral or fruity perfume dilemma, lychee perfumes might just be the perfect choice for you.
The Unconventionals
2025 is going to be the year of more weird, unconventional, daring, and downright quirky scents. It is about experimenting, standing out and pushing the envelope. Perfume brands have figured out that not only have we become more open to buying perfumes with risky scent profiles, they also need to compete better for our attention and money.
Some of the unconventional standouts that have started making a splash in 2023 and will definitely be living rent-free in our minds this year are Diptyque’s L’Eau Papier, which is a foray into the unexpected with its unique blend of rice and sesame notes; By Far’s Daydream of Hopscotch, which smells uncannily like the beloved Play-Doh of our childhood; and L’Objet’s Oh Mon Dieu, which will have you enveloped in the essence of the classic red lipstick.
If you are a gourmand gal, fret not, Snif’s Crumb Couture smells like warm croissants from a French patisserie. However, if that is not your cup of tea, you can always go for 5 Sens’s LIT, which offers a daring twist with its hemp leaf scent, enhanced with fresh green and citrus notes.
Should the smell of gasoline float your boat, do not miss Snif’s Dead Dinosaur and Comme des Garçons’s Series 6 Synthetic. However, if you thought that smelling like gasoline is already pushing it a bit too far, then let us introduce you to Strangers Parfumerie’s Sombre. It is a bizarre and truly unconventional blend of notes such as vomit, mould and nocturnal animals – accords that will either haunt your dreams or excite your heart this 2025.
More edible gourmands
This might be surprising but despite the many viral gourmand perfumes we have had in 2023, the love for anything that smells sweet and edible is not going away anytime soon. In fact, there is a greater demand for gourmands but not just any gourmands. Perfume-lovers are eager to see some unique and novel gourmand creations in order to stand out from the rest of the crowd.
The pistachio-philes will continue to love on their existing choices of pistachio perfumes like DS & Durga’s Pistachio, Pistaché’s Pistachio Biscotti Perfume or Italian Kush by Boy Smells but they will want something sweeter, creamier, lactonic or honeyed just like Navitus’s Baklava Royale or Le Monde Gourmand’s Pistachio Brûlée.
The biggest winners this year, however, will be perfumes with yummy notes such as whipped meringue, cotton candy, lollipop and even boba tea. Expect more perfumes that will ensure you smell like baked goods like a lemon-vanilla pound cake – think Bake by Akro.
This trend will, of course, include scents that smell like mouth-watering desserts in the style of Floral Street’s Ylang Ylang Espresso, which smells like heavenly tiramisu; or 7 Virtues’ Cherry Ambition, which reminds us of a sinfully delicious cherry pie. Undoubtedly, it will be one heck of a tasty year!
Perfume oils
Perfume oils are having their well-deserved moment and this trend will continue in 2025 because we simply love a potent, uncut, concentrated and natural fragrance that projects super well. But what are they exactly? Perfume oils are a luxurious blend of pure perfume and a neutral carrier oil, such as coconut or sweet almond oil. This combination offers the most intense and authentic fragrance encounter possible.
In the Middle East and Asia, perfume oils have been a part of daily life since ancient times. Interestingly, the West hasn’t always shared this long-standing tradition of embracing perfume oils, but that’s rapidly changing. More and more fragrance enthusiasts in the Western world are discovering the unique charms of these oils. But what sparked this growing fascination?
Without a doubt, we may have the internet to thank for that. We are deeply interconnected that being online has provided us a window in perfumery traditions of the East. We have suddenly come to appreciate how perfume oils are incredibly long-lasting, not alcohol-based, natural, skin-friendly, eco-friendly and sustainable. These are qualities that Eastern perfume connoisseurs have always appreciated.
What sets perfume oils apart, and what’s truly captivating Western audiences, is their remarkable versatility. Western fragrance influencers and their following are now exploring the art of scent layering with perfume oils. These oils create a robust, fragrant foundation that enhances and prolongs the scent of additional fragrance layers applied on top.
Personalising one’s use of perfume oils has become such a fun part of our perfume routine. It is now hard to imagine how we can ever part from these little vials of luxury and decadence!
Hair perfumes
We all crave that enchanting scent from head to toe, don’t we? Traditionally, we’ve been spritzing our favourite perfumes into our beautiful tresses to ensure they smell as divine as the rest of us. But here’s the catch – regular perfumes, with their high alcohol content, can be a bit of a naughty villain to our precious hair, leaving it dry and damaged over time.
Fast forward to 2025, and scent-savvy people are riding the wave of a fabulous trend: the rise of hair perfumes, aka hair mists. These beauties are specially concocted with lower alcohol levels, making them a hair’s dream come true. Imagine your locks indulged in fragrances that not only smell heavenly but are also infused with natural oils and conditioning ingredients, nourishing every strand.
The cherry on top? Hair mists are all the rage this year for being long-lasting and for being packed with nutrients and heat protectants. They’re like little guardians, shielding your hair from the awful side effects of styling tools and environmental nasties. So, let’s bid adieu to hair woes and say hello to lusciously scented, pampered locks!
Wellness fragrances
In this whirlwind world of late-stage capitalism, our nerves are often frayed. We all seek that elusive oasis of calm, be it through yoga, meditation, a blissful tech detox, or perhaps a dreamy retreat to exotic, distant lands. But for us, the perfume-lovers, who cherish simplicity and local charm, our sanctuary lies in a much more fragrant form – wellness fragrances in a bottle.
This year, get ready to immerse yourselves in a blossoming trend where the art of perfumery lovingly intertwines with the soul-soothing magic of aromatherapy. Envision fragrances that don’t just grace your skin but also elevate your mood, whisking you away to a haven of zen. Keep your eyes (and noses) peeled for scents laced with calming chamomile, dreamy lavender, and refreshing eucalyptus notes. Picture this: unwinding after a long day with a steaming cup of herbal tea, your favourite journal, and these serene scents enveloping you in tranquillity.
Aromatherapy is an age-old ritual, cherished across cultures for its uplifting embrace. Now, the cosmetic world is spinning this ancient wisdom into the very essence of perfumes. Imagine fragrances that not only delight your senses but also open your chakras, body mists that double as heavenly pillow sprays, and “feel-good” scents bursting with zesty citrus notes.
As we navigate our bustling urban jungles, often feeling a world away from nature’s soothing touch, our souls yearn for a moment of spiritual peace and relaxation. This is where the botanical notes of sage, palo santo, and frankincense become our saviours. They’re more than just scents; they’re a heartfelt connection to our inner selves, offering an “earthy” embrace that lovingly links us back to Mother Nature.
Genderless fragrances
It comes to no one’s surprise that despite most perfumes being labelled as either feminine or masculine-leaning, there is a growing number of perfumes that are made intentionally genderless. And we simply love to see it!
This gender-neutral fragrance trend reflects a broader societal change where fragrance choices are increasingly seen as a personal expression rather than being confined by gender norms. The feminine/masculine distinction is becoming less relevant. More and more brands are offering fragrances that appeal to all genders, without adhering to the conventional notions of femininity and masculinity that defined previous generations.
The rise of genderless or gender-neutral fragrances is not just about breaking down gender barriers but also about offering a more nuanced and diverse range of scent profiles. These fragrances blend traditionally masculine and feminine notes, creating unique scent experiences that appeal to individual tastes rather than societal expectations.
Let’s be real: the move towards gender-neutral scents is not merely a trend at this point. Instead, it is an indication of a changing landscape in the world of perfumery. The concept of choosing a fragrance based solely on one’s sex or gender is becoming outdated, making way for a more inclusive approach. With the growing popularity of genderless fragrances, this trend is expected to continue and expand in the coming years, making perfumes more accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
Perfume besties, what did you think of our trends list? Which of these trends excites you the most? Or do you think there’s a trend we’ve overlooked? We’d love to hear your thoughts! We sure hope that our list is getting you excited for what this new year has to bring. We will be curiously watching with popcorn in hand as these and other trends unfold, making our perfume world even more exciting than it already is!
