I love being nose-deep in the best fragrances, documented monthly on our fragrance channel; I am lucky enough to try almost all of the new arrivals, which leads me to the trends for 2024. Right now, fragrance is having a big moment. Where once upon a time, we used to be all about finding our signature scent — today, our choices are driven by mood, the occasion or the fashion we choose to wear. If the saying 'fragrance is the ultimate invisible accessory’ is true, 2024 will be a game-changer for your perfume wardrobe. From intense iterations of designer brands to niche scents hitting all the right notes, sweet florals, sexy vanillas, and skin-like aquatics, here is what 2024 might smell like for you.
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Sunshine scents
Stacked with a bed of white florals, including tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, gardenia, and lilies, sunkissed scents are simple and elegant. The addition of citrus and creamy vanilla gives them complexity and longevity. These breezy, nature-inspired scents were made to wear with white linen or a floaty floral dress.
NEW Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold Eau de Parfum Intense, 75ml $278.
The freshness of citrus is perfectly balanced by spicy pink pepper. Highlighted by Turkish rose oil and orange flowers with jasmine, those notes are given instant depth by orris butter, patchouli, warm woods, and pink sugar. There are three sizes, 30ml, 50ml, and, pictured here, $75ml.
Sugar and Spice
These scents belong to the Gourmand family of fragrances and suit those seeking warmth, reassurance, and comfort from their scent. Vanilla is the hero ingredient in this collection so that the scent will envelop your body like a cosy knit sweater. These scents are delightfully edible and sugary with aromas of baked cookies - which is why they appeal to a younger crowd. However, this scent family has pivoted to include smokey notes of bourbon and nose-tingling spices, giving them a sultry, grown up edge.
D.S. & DURGA Pistachio EDP, 50ml $281.
An independent perfume house has the freedom to experiment – something David Seth Moltz of D.S & Durga is famous for. Pistachio is an ode to pistachio ice cream with a curious spicy twist thanks to cardamom and marzipan. There is also a 100ml.
Exotic Fruits
The popularity of fruit fragrance is going nowhere. It's as moorish as the first bite of juicy summer fruit. This scent family includes zesty citrus to tangy berries or sparkling tropical fruits. Freshness also factors with fruit-based fragrance, thanks to the base of citrus from orange to lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin; these scents are ideal when temperatures rise, and to ensure longevity, many are spiked with sandalwood and musk.
Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love Eau De Parfum, $173.
With the tangy crunch of a freshly picked apple, this scent transforms into a dreamy blend of mandarin, peach, lily of the valley, plum blossom, and candy cane. Then, after a few hours, the waft of vanilla and musky sandalwood arrives; it’s genius.
Skin to Skin
Airy, subtle, yet unforgettably striking, these scents kiss the skin with a fragrance that is not overbearing but smells like clean laundry after it's been dried in the hot sun. Similar to skin tints vs foundations that create "your skin but better", these second-skin fragrances enhance your body chemistry to unveil a gentle, natural scent heightened by aldehydes, rose, iris and warm creamy woods.
NEW DIPTYQUE Do Son EDT, 50ml, $168.
The perfect summer scent, the brand says, is “A union of a brisk sea breeze and spicy tuberose, inspired by the picturesque Vietnamese seaside resort of Do Son.” Enhanced by African orange blossom, rose and jasmine with pink pepper, benzoin and musk. It does smell like delicately scented skin.
Golden amber
A classic perfumery note, amber is created from a blend of woods such as Labdanum (a sticky, woody resin) and benzoin (another resin from tree trunks). Once these woods are blended with vanilla and patchouli and new synthetic elements to mimic the scent of smoke or salt - you have a perfume with a significant wow factor.
NEW CALVIN KLEIN MY EUPHORIA EAU DE PARFUM, 50ml, $115.
This ambery scent is bolstered by a smoky yet sweet blend of orchid flambé accord to give softness, while toasted black sesame adds the fiery element. Oud, bamboo, and sandalwood round out this rich, warm scent that leaves a subtle floral trail thanks to the addition of my favourite flower, tuberose. There’s a 30ml and 50ml, pictured here.
The latest rosy designer scent.