The Best Perfume Trends and Must-Try Scents of 2023
Explore the top fragrance trends and the most sought-after perfumes shaping 2023, featuring expert insights and standout recommendations.
From nostalgic blends and cozy gourmands to bold statements and innovative textures, 2023 is a watershed year for fragrance. Dive in as we unpack the year’s biggest perfume trends and the most beloved scents, as chosen by editors and industry insiders. Whether you’re updating your signature scent or looking for the next viral bottle to add to your collection, here’s everything you need to know about the evolving world of fragrance this year.
2023 Perfume Trends: What’s Defining the Year in Scent?
This year, fragrance houses and indie perfumers alike are breaking new ground with unexpected ingredient combinations, innovative textures, and highly personal approaches to scent. Here are the core trends ruling 2023:
- Nostalgic Notes: Fragrances evoking childhood memories or retro classics are seeing a revival, with updated twists on powdery florals, musks, and aldehydes.
- Gourmand Evolution: Sweet edible-inspired scents aren’t just about caramel and vanilla. 2023 brings tangy and sophisticated twists, like fresh strawberry, raspberry, or unique citrus blends.
- Skin Scents: Extra-subtle, “my skin but better” perfumes with clean musks, sheer woods, and soft florals for those who crave intimacy and minimalism.
- Maximalist Layering: Scent layering has gone mainstream, with brands offering built-in combinations and influencers sharing daily mixes for customized smells.
- Visible Collections: Beautiful bottles and limited-edition packaging transform perfume collections into home décor centerpieces.
- New Texture Experiences: Oil-based fragrances, balms, and mists are gaining fans for their longevity and sensorial impact.
- Mossy & Green Accords: Classic chypres and fougères are finding a new generation of fans with moss, green tea, or leafy heart notes, often paired with florals or sandalwood.
How Editors Picked the Best Perfumes of 2023
Cosmopolitan’s beauty team and expert perfumers spent months researching, testing, and reviewing more than 100 different fragrances. Here’s what they looked for:
- Longevity: Scents that linger beautifully on the skin for hours.
- Scent Profile: Well-balanced, sophisticated, and memorable notes.
- Packaging: Eye-catching bottles worthy of display.
- Price Point: Options for every budget, from luxe to affordable.
- Uniqueness: Fragrances that feel fresh or offer a new take on familiar notes.
After extensive testing and debate, 26 perfumes—ranging from niche launches to global bestsellers—emerged as the absolute standouts of 2023.
Top Perfumes of 2023: Editor Favorites and Iconic Bottles
Below you’ll find editor favorites that define this year’s olfactory landscape, from refreshing green scents to irresistible gourmands and everything in between.
Most Complimented: Worthy Eau de Parfum by MOODEAUX
Blending woody notes, white tea, musk, and green leaves, Worthy is an effortless, universally flattering option. Its beauty is in the way it melds with your body chemistry, evolving differently on everyone for a signature touch. Editors loved its ability to feel both fresh and sweet—never overpowering.
- Key Notes: Woody, white tea, musk, green leaves
- Best For: Everyday wear, unique chemistry
Editor’s Icon: Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Universally loved for its airy, earthy freshness, this Jo Malone classic brings together sea salt, sage, and a just-breezy-enough aquatic note. It’s a unisex scent that suits every mood and season—subtle, clean, and endlessly wearable.
- Scent Family: Fresh, aquatic, woody
- Best For: Light, everyday freshness
Sexiest Bottle: Carolina Herrera Good Girl
Instantly recognizable with its stiletto-shaped bottle, Good Girl delivers addictive layers of almond, coffee, jasmine, and cocoa. The sweet-meets-spicy blend is both glamorous and bold, making it a perennial favorite among those who love making a statement.
What others are reading
| Key Notes | Almond, coffee, tuberose, jasmine, tonka bean, cacao, vanilla, amber, cinnamon, cedar |
|---|---|
| Scent Family | Gourmand |
- Best For: Nights out, confidence boost
Best for Layering: Kayali Vanilla 28
This layering-friendly fragrance is a cult-favorite blend of vanilla orchid, tonka, and brown sugar. It amplifies other scents or stands alone for a cozy, enveloping finish. The packaging even suggests combinations for a bespoke smelling experience.
- Key Notes: Vanilla orchid, brown sugar, tonka bean
- Best For: Scent customization, layering
Fresh-Forward Fragrance: Maison Margiela Replica When the Rain Stops
Capturing the soothing smell after a spring shower, this Replica scent features rain accord, rose petals, and patchouli, delivering a wet, dewy feel balanced with gentle florals and woods. The result is as comforting as it is invigorating.
- Key Notes: Rain accord, rose petals, patchouli
- Best For: Nature lovers, rainy days
Best Unisex Scent: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
Beloved by fragrance connoisseurs, this viral favorite features saffron, cedarwood, ambergris, and oak moss. Its blend of sweet, woody, and slightly medicinal notes makes it a conversation starter and a signature for many.
- Key Notes: Saffron, cedarwood, ambergris, oak moss
- Best For: Unisex wear, bold statements
Rising Stars: New Scents & Niche Must-Tries
A new generation of indie and designer fragrances is shifting the narrative with challenging, unconventional blends. Here are a few of the breakout hits:
- Phlur Tangerine Boy: A playful fusion of citrus and soft woods, perfect for daytime and uplifting moods.
- Matiere Premiere Radical Rose Extrait: A maximalist rose that boasts powerful sillage and longevity, championed by the rise of fragrance “extraits.”
- Xerjoff Lira: Blends caramel, vanilla, and blood orange for a bold gourmand impression that commands attention.
- Louis Vuitton Imagination: Unique for both its scent and show-stopping bottle design, blending citrus, ginger, and tea notes.
How to Choose (and Layer) Your Signature Scent
With so many choices, picking the right fragrance can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to approach it:
- Identify Your Scent Family: Do you gravitate towards florals, gourmands, woods, greens, or aquatics?
- Test on Your Skin: Body chemistry transforms how a scent wears over time—try before you buy.
- Consider Longevity and Sillage: Decide if you prefer long-lasting scents or something more subtle and personal.
- Layer for Customization: Start with a base (like a skin scent or oil), then add complementary spritzes for a unique profile. Experiment with combinations to find what feels most “you.”
Don’t forget: perfume is personal, and the best scent is one that makes you feel confident and inspired every time you wear it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What perfume trends are dominating 2023?
A: Nostalgic notes, evolved gourmands, skin-like musks, scent layering, visible bottle collections, textured fragrance formats like oils, and mossy accords are prominent this year, reflecting a shift toward both maximum impact and personal subtlety.
Q: Is perfume layering effective, and how do I do it?
A: Yes—layering fragrances lets you tailor your scent and create something uniquely yours. Begin with a base note scent (like a skin musk or vanilla), and add a contrasting or complementary fragrance on top. Popular pairings include vanilla with fresh florals, or musks layered under citrus or woods.
Q: Which fragrance is best for making a statement?
A: Iconic choices include Carolina Herrera Good Girl for bold sweetness or Baccarat Rouge 540 for a complex, attention-grabbing woody-amber profile. Maximalist scents like Matiere Premiere’s Radical Rose also deliver strong projection and lasting power.
Q: What makes a perfume ‘skin scent’?
A: Skin scents are typically soft, clean, and subtle, often built around musk, sheer florals, or barely-there woody notes. They’re designed to evoke a “my skin but better” vibe, lingering close rather than making a bold statement.
Q: Are all perfumes gender-specific?
A: Increasingly, fragrance is seen as genderless. Many beloved scents from brands like Jo Malone and Maison Francis Kurkdjian are designed for anyone to enjoy, regardless of traditional gender marketing.
Editor Tips for Scent Success in 2023
- Refresh your collection: Try at least one new release or trending note each season.
- Display your bottles: Beautiful packaging is part of the experience—let your collection enhance your vanity or décor.
- Explore formats: Consider oils, balms, and mists for longer wear and easy on-the-go touch-ups.
Summary Table: 2023’s Standout Perfume Picks
| Perfume | Key Notes | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MOODEAUX Worthy | White tea, musk, green leaves | Everyday freshness |
| Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt | Sage, sea salt | Unisex subtlety |
| Carolina Herrera Good Girl | Almond, coffee, tonka bean | Bold nights out |
| Maison Margiela When the Rain Stops | Rain accord, rose, patchouli | Nature lovers |
| Baccarat Rouge 540 | Saffron, amberris, moss | Unisex statements |
| Kayali Vanilla 28 | Vanilla, brown sugar | Layering, comfort |
With scents ranging from subtle and nostalgic to bold and boundary-pushing, 2023 is all about personal expression and curated discovery. The perfect perfume for you is waiting—so get spritzing, layering, and most important, enjoy the journey!
References
- https://moodeaux.com/blogs/featured-press/best-perfume-trends-2024
- https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/2025-fragrance-trends/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g26477382/best-perfumes/
- https://www.whowhatwear.com/beauty/fragrance/best-perfumes
- https://www.harlembrands.com/blogs/press/cosmopolitan-7-best-perfume-trends-of-2024
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pYYPL_MeKw
- https://www.zinio.com/publications/cosmopolitan-uk/5519/issues/587832
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