As the winter is finally subsiding, and the cold chills are replaced by the waking nature from the long-awaited hibernation, every pore in our body wakes up with her. Choosing the best spring fragrances for women, picked by a man was no easy task, but it was fun nonetheless.
From time to time, I’m no stranger to trying perfumes marketed for women on my skin, nor do I particularly of will I smell like a “lady“.
Here are the things you’ll learn about in this article:
- perfume tips & tricks, and more
- getting alternative options about perfume recommendations that come from a man
According to L’Occitane: “Spring is the time for light, green and floral fragrances. It’s a season when you can finally say goodbye to the winter and start feeling sunny and bright again.”
Just as I did with my men’s edition of the best spring fragrances, the early spring is still tricky when it comes to the temperature, and it’s not strange to see days when it’s still very cold, so you’ll also see a couple of winter fragrances to fill this gap.
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Professional perfume tips
Writing a list of perfumes is possibly the easiest thing one can do, but creating something more around it to make a full and complete experience is something else.
That’s why I always strive to give you more than “just” a list of perfumes you should check out. All of these themes have been already covered on the Scent Grail website, and here, you can experience them in compact form with the ability to expand your knowledge and check out the full and expanded versions at the end of each chapter.
These next chapters are ideal for perfume beginners or enthusiasts who want to learn more about the world of perfume.
Fragrance families
What are fragrance families? Fragrance families are a classification system used by the perfume industry in order to place different scents into olfactive groups.
Some are traditional like single floral, and woody, while others are modern such as green, and gourmand.
Besides olfactive groups, in the perfumes word, we also have two other terms:
- Notes
- Accords
A note is a perfume term for ingredients used in perfumery. Sometimes notes are also called accords which are actually a blend of different perfume notes mashed up together to form a singular note such as amber and leather.
Notes and accords are separated into three different classes known as the perfume pyramid:
- Top Notes
- Middle Notes
- Base Notes
Each of the separate note stages is carefully created by perfumes to evaporate accordingly.
For example, top notes such as citruses evaporate faster than for instance, Cedarwood and Vetiver found in the middle or base stage of the perfume.
In modern perfumery, accords are a vital part of creating a harmonious blend of two or more notes into a distinctive smell.
Most common spring perfume notes:
- Lemon
- Bergamot
- White musk
- Neroli
- Petit Grain
- Vetiver
- Jasmine
- Rose
- Mandarin
- Lavender
- Sandalwood
- Rosemary
- Clary Sage
Spring Fragrances are defined by their lively scent profile, airy structure, and vibrant performance. Your spring fragrance choice should be as the spring itself. Blooming and fresh.
The fragrance wheel is a great tool to determine what kind of scents you may like. As you can see, colors blend into each other, and opposite colors clash.
The groups bordering one another tend to share common scent characteristics, similarities, and differences in their odor profile.
The main groups of Oriental, Floral, Woody, and Fresh and also divided into sub-groups and it is a great place to start for perfume beginners.
For example, woody and oriental families share the common warm and dry theme, while fresh and florals are sparkly, powdery, and airy.
Read more about fragrance families and fragrance wheel here.
Fragrance strengths & perfume concentrations
Fragrance strengths and perfume concentrations refer to raw material oil concentration and affect sillage and projection.
All perfume products fall into these main categories:
- Eau Fraiche 1-3%
- After Shave/Mist/Splash 1-3%
- Eau de Cologne 2-4%
- Eau de Toilette 5-15%
- Eau de Parfum 15-20%
- Pure Parfum/Extrait de Parfum 20-40%
For an easy way to visual guide to see the concentration differences, check out the infographic below.
Read more about this topic here.
How to wear perfume
If you have ever wondered why your perfume may only last about an hour or two, the reason may be that you are not wearing your perfume the best way.
Here are five top tips on how should you wear perfume:
- Find your favorite perfume – it’s important to test potential perfume many times before purchasing. Always spray the perfume on the skin when testing.
- Choose the scent for the right occasion/season – The daytime fragrance is usually lighter, citrusy, effervescent, and lasts less while nighttime fragrances are stronger and denser with “heavier” notes. That’s why it’s important to consider what kind of perfume you want before buying and choosing the right perfume for particular occasions and seasons. This also applies to your job and your lifestyle.
- Spray perfume on the skin – The ideal way of wearing the perfume is by applying it directly to the skin. Perfume products are made to best interact with our skin and our body heat.
- Don’t rub your skin – Instead of rubbing the perfume into the wrists, after spraying the perfume, you can gently dab the wrists a couple of times, and keep this habit without affecting the perfume.
- Spraying less is often more – Many people overspray their perfume, and block their scent receptors. To avoid this happening to you, do not spray more than 2 to 4 sprays maximum.
Additionally, here’s how you can store and extend the life of the precious perfumes:
- Store perfume in a dark and dry place at a consistent temperature – Perfumes are made of perfume oils in an ethanol/water mixture, which makes them highly volatile in composition. Keep your fragrances away from places such as bathrooms and basements, and keep them somewhere dark and dry like your cabinet drawers.
- Avoid shaking perfume bottle – shaking your perfume bottle won’t “reactivate” molecules inside, and will only make more air get inside which is a big no-no. Keep away from this habit.
- Decant only poor-performing perfumes – I only recommend decanting poor-performing perfumes, so that you do not expose them to oxidation if you don’t have to. Decants last less than perfumes with industrially placed atomizers since the decant bottle atomizers are prone to letting unnecessary air inside.
Read more about wearing perfume here.
The best spring fragrances for women: The List
I’m always considering wearability when I do this kind of perfume list. I mean…what’s the point of perfume if the only place you can wear it is your apartment.
I know I know….you might be one of those gals who doesn’t care about what other people think about what you smell like, and hey, that’s also fine.
I myself, sometimes also wear those big and bulky fragrances that I personally enjoy and no one else likes. But, when it comes to the majority of perfume consumers and hobbyists, enjoyment and wearability and two different sides of the same coin.
And, as I get older, I find that “easier” fragrances seem to fit my taste more and more. By easier, I certainly don’t mean compromised quality. When it comes to the quality of the perfume, I want the best for you and me.
Let’s see which perfumes I have included in this year’s edition of best spring fragrances for women.
Byredo Pulp
Why have I picked Pulp: Pulp smells like homemade jam made in the early Spring when the mornings are cold, and the days are not too hot.
The mix of ripe fruity notes dominated by fig, and black currant, blended with florals coming from the peach blossom and a touch of damp woods leave an unforgettable fresh and sparkly scent trail.
The rich composition of Pulp works equally well on younger as on older ladies, with some saying about it being the best fruity perfume on the market.
- Perfumer: Jérôme Epinette
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Fruity
- Release Date: 2008
- Most dominant notes: Black Currant, Fig, and Apple
- Age Group: 20+
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Occasions: Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with great projection
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 9/10
Juliette Has A Gun Sunny Side Up
Why have I picked Sunny Side Up: creative directors at Juliette Has A Gun hit a home run with Sunny Side Up by combining the most obvious notes of sandalwood and coconut milk, a combination that makes creamy sandalwood even richer.
I find this fragrance so beautiful with no single note being sharp or feeling synthetic. Sweet and subtle musk of gourmand florals(vanilla, jasmine, and coconut), and woods.
If you are afraid of wearing very woody perfumes, don’t be since they soften up in the drydown. This whole combination may sound strange so some that are not “adjusted” to niche smells, but in reality, I get the feeling of smelling like the most expensive sunscreen oil on the market.
- Perfumer: Romano Ricci
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Woody
- Release Date: 2017
- Most dominant notes: Sandalwood, Coconut, and Iso E Super
- Age Group: 20+
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 6 – 8 hours
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis
Why have I picked Pomelo Paradis: the fragrance starts with the natural burst of citrus combination coming from sweet Florida grapefruit, and Calabrian mandarin/orange blossom that is also fresh and airy.
This natural-smelling and high-quality perfume stays mostly the same until the dry down with mint, black currant, and vetiver noticeable in the background giving the perfume a rich and tasteful blend.
I would recommend Pomelo Paradis to anyone who can’t get enough of citrus fragrances in the spring and loves natural-smelling scents The performance is ok, and the sillage is better than on most perfumes of this type.
- Perfumer: Ralf Schwieger
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Floral
- Release Date: 2015
- Most dominant notes: Florida Grapefruit, Calabrian Mandarin, and Orange Blossom
- Age Group: 20+
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 9/10
The Different Company Rose Poivree
Why have I picked Rose Poivree: No matter how much I like fragrances such as Moschino’s Toy Boy that try to do spicy rose perfumes and succeed at most points, Rose Poivree is on another plane of existence.
This is not surprising at all since each bottle of Rose Poivree contains at least 200 petals of Damascena rose and the Centifolia rose inside the composition to give structure to the floral base.
The pepper is strong and deep. The spicy note of coriander with the combination of woods and musk gives it a mature touch while still being gentle and feminine. You’ll hardly find a better rose-based perfume on the market. What’s even better, rarely anyone talks about it.
- Perfumer: Jean-Claude Ellena
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Spicy Floral
- Release Date: 2000
- Most dominant notes: Rose, Coriander, and Pink Pepper
- Age Group: 30+
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Occasions: Leisure and Night Outs
- Longevity and Sillage: 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Le Labo Santal 33
Why have I picked Santal 33: From this perfume, I get a lot of sandalwoods, mild leather, cedarwood, and something almost fresh green probably coming to form the papyrus that reminds me of the same note found in the long-gone Gucci Pour Homme 1.
It is not sweet, and even if you don’t like it at first, it grows on you after repeated wearing. There is something quite tranquil about this kind of ethereal woody perfume that seems to work on anyone, especially in the spring when nature is just waking up.
The dry down in Santal 33 is nice and gets more feminine with the mix of iris, woods, and a touch of powdery amber. Thus, it’s no wonder that Santal 33 is one of the most desired perfumes from the 2010s.
- Perfumer: Frank Voelkl
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Woody
- Release Date: 2011
- Most dominant notes: Sandalwood, Leather, and Papyrus
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 24+ hours with great projection
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 9/10
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense
Why have I picked Light Blue Eau Intense: A new take on an iconic fragrance that lasts very long, still present even after you take a shower.
It smells bright, happy, and blue, just as the name suggests. You’ll detect feminine and sweet notes of apple, lemon, and woods with the undertone of a clean musk that smells like clean laundry.
This is like 90% of the original but with amped-up longevity and projection. In my opinion, the better version of the male counterpart. Wear it when it’s hot outside to get the best of it.
- Perfumer: Olivier Cresp
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Musk
- Release Date: 2017
- Most dominant notes: Lemon, Apple, and Musk
- Age Group: 20+
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 10 – 12 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Tom Ford Metallique
Why have I picked Metallique: This one’s for ladies with an acquired taste, and for those who want more from the perfumery in general.
Metallique ain’t your simple oriental perfume, but let me tell you a little secret. Once you get what this perfume is trying to do, I can almost guarantee you that you’ll fall in love with it like with no other perfume out there.
Yes, it has a “metallic” aroma surrounding the floral gourmand composition, but it works, and it works better than you can imagine. Very rich, sophisticated, and mouthwatering vanilla cookie with touches of heliotrope. Metallique is a beautiful and tranquil aldehydic gourmand scent everyone should have in their collection.
- Perfumer: Antoine Maisondieu
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Floral Oriental
- Release Date: 2019
- Most dominant notes: Vanilla, Aldehydes, and Ambrette
- Age Group: 30+
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Occasions: Leisure and Night Outs
- Longevity and Sillage: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 9/10
Tom Ford Velvet Orchid
Why have I picked Velvet Orchid: Yet another Tom Ford perfume makes this list, and it’s none the other than the flanker of one of the best perfumes of all time – Black Orchid.
Velvet Orchid is recommended for those still cold spring days when the mornings and nights are cold, and days are mild. Words alone cannot describe just how good this twist on the original formula with touches of booziness coming from rum and the additional sweetness of honey and vanilla.
A complex and beautiful, stunning woody floral perfume that is very unique. Lovers of the amazing myrrh note, pay attention, it’s there just waiting for you to find it. With so many good offerings coming from the Tom Ford brand, it’s no wonder that many claim them as the best modern perfume house.
- Perfumer: Yann Vasnier, Calice Becker, Shyamala Maisondieu and Antoine Maisondieu
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Floral Oriental
- Release Date: 2014
- Most dominant notes: Orchid, Rum, and Honey
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring, Fall, and Winter
- Occasions: Business and Night Outs
- Longevity and Sillage: 12 – 16 hours with great projection
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Intense
Why have I picked Libre Intense: A new kid on the block from the precious house of Yves Saint Laurent. Those who liked the equally popular original will love the Intense version even more, and it is a great upgrade that feels deeper.
Sweet, but in the right amounts, warm, and smooth like butter. Once the initial sweetness settles down, the base pays homage to fougere perfumes from the past, lavender and other florals being the most prominent notes.
Compared to the original Libre Eau de Parfum, Intense is more sensual and lingers closer to the skin, but lasts longer. Also, I get touches of Guerlain Mon Guerlain here, so, if you like that perfume, you’ll like Intense even more.
- Perfumer: Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaim
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Oriental Floral
- Release Date: 2020
- Most dominant notes: Lavender, Vanilla, and Tonka Beans
- Age Group: 20+
- Seasons: Spring, Fall, and Summer
- Occasions: Leisure and Night Outs
- Longevity and Sillage: 10 – 12 hours with great projection
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 9/10
Acqua di Parma Magnolia Nobile
Why have I picked Magnolia Nobile: No spring or summer list can be made or finished without at least one perfume from the house that makes the best fresh perfumes on the planet – Acqua di Parma.
A citrus floral formula targets ladies who adore magnolias surrounded with citruses. I find it floral, mature, and elegant. Very natural smelling and luxurious.
Magnolia Nobile is not a simple sweet floral – the bright citruses are slightly bitter, and there is a hint of herbal touches coming from the background, also found in Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo line. If you are the kind of person that loves to smell like magnolias, Magnolia Nobile is the best of its kind.
- Perfumer: Antoine Maisondieu
- Perfume Oil Concentration: EDP
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Floral
- Release Date: 2009
- Most dominant notes: Magnolia, Citron, and Lemon
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 9/10
Conclusion
I hope you have found a great fragrance for yourself in my latest best spring fragrances for women list.
What are your favorite spring perfumes? Did I miss any of your favourite fragrances? Let me know in the comment section below.
To make sure that you are making a good decision before you are purchasing a perfume, check out my S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide. It is the easiest and the most relevant fragrance buying guide on the web.
Find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists, and other helpful reviews via links below:
REVIEWS
- Guerlain Shalimar
- Chanel No 5
- Hermes Concentre D’Orange Verte
- Histoires De Parfums Fidelis
- Montblanc Explorer
- Lalique Encre Noire A L’Extreme
PERFUME LISTS
- Most Important Fragrances That Got Me Into Perfume Hobby
- My 10 Most Worn Perfumes Of 2020
- Youtube Fragrance Reviewers That I Still Watch
- Best Men’s Fragrances Of All Time
- Best Books About Perfume
- Sexiest Men’s Fragrances
SCENT GRAIL LEARNING CENTER
- History Of Perfume
- Fragrance Addiction
- How To Find Your Signature Scent
- Designer Vs Niche Fragrances
- Best Fragrance Discounters
- How To Start A Perfume Collection
Until next time, have a great time and keep smelling like a million bucks!
Best, Marin!
#scentgrail #scentgrailtribe
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– Marin Kristic
