Intriguing Spring Fragrances For Aromatic Attention Seekers

As once barren plants begin to bloom and the days grow warmer and longer, our fragrance wardrobes undergo a similar shift to that of our sartorial ones; shedding the rich, spicy, warming layers and turning towards something lighter and more optimistic. While a clean scent redolent of showers and crisp white sheets is always a safe bet for spring, this season we’re leaning towards unique, intriguing fragrances. Providing that fresh and intoxicating don’t have to be mutually exclusive terms, these luxurious fragrances span the aromatic spectrum. From niche fragrances to universal crowd pleasers, we’ve put together the best new fragrances for spring. 

Herewith, the 16 best spring fragrances set to garner olfactory attention and perhaps a compliment or two.

The best spring fragrances to wear in 2025

1. Ormonde Jayne Tanger

Price: $275AUD

Lively and sunny, Ormonde Jaybe Tanger epitomises the optimistic spring fragrance. Bright neroli blends with bergamot and ylang ylang, underscored by soft woody and mossy notes. With just a hint of sweetness, it makes for a spring fragrance that’s equal parts fresh and elegant.

What we think: “Bright and sunny, everything about this fragrance is golden. The opening features a touch of earl grey tea with fresh orange, which dries down into a gentle loose leaf tea scent. It might be overplayed, but it does indeed feel like an old money fragrance.” — Arabella Johnson, beauty editor 

Brand: Ormonde Jayne 
Olfactory family: Citrus Aromatic
Scent notes: mandarin, bergamot, ylang-ylang, neroli, cashmere wood, rose, vanilla, amber, moss, resins

2. D.S. & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus

Price: $291AUD

What we think: Eucalyptus trees aren’t native to California (they were introduced to the state by Australians who planted the trees during the California Gold Rush), but we love how the Australian botanical icon and the distinct rugged coastal cool of the Big Sur are interpreted in D.S. & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus. Its verdant notes make it a refreshing way to mark the start of spring.

“Not one for the faint of nose, D.S. & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus opens with an absolute blast of camphorous, minty eucalyptus. The cardamom and rosemary lend an interesting note here, mingling with the eucalyptus to create a scent that’s verdant and slightly medicinal. It settles down into a comfortable woody scent with a bit of minerality that lasts on the skin for hours, with wafts of eucalyptus leaves coming through every now and then.” — Tanisha Angel, editor

Brand: D.S. & Durga
Olfactory family: Woody Aromatic
Scent notes: eucalyptus, lemon, cypress, juniper, pine, oakmoss, sandalwood, cedar

3. Tokyo Milk Wild Whims

niche spring fragrance 2021

Price: $69AUD

What we think: A floral fragrance with a difference, Tokyo Milk Wild Whims combines wildflowers and fragrant sweet grass with cool sage and a touch of bright citron for an alluring yet distinct floral scent.

“This just smells like being outside. Even when you’ve been stuck in an office building all day.” — Henry Blake, journalist

Brand: Tokyo Milk
Olfactory family: Floral Green
Scent notes: sweet grass, clary sage, verdant florals, citron

4. Alfred Sung Shi

Price: from $39.95AUD

The advent of TikTok’s clean girl aesthetic has resulted in the rise of the clean girl fragrance. However, light, fresh scents have always been a thing. Case in point: Alfred Sung’s Shi, which has been doing clean girl before most TikTokers were even conceived. Released at the turn of the millennium, it marked a welcome departure from headier scents of the time and even taps into the wellness fragrance trend of today — truly ahead of its time. Aquatic, fresh, and floral, it sees notes of water lily, rice, and white florals paired with musk and birch leaf. 

What we think: This is a criminally underrated fragrance — but that’s a good thing. It means you can get it at criminally low prices.

“This smells like the essence of cleanliness: think, the first sprinkle of rain on a hot summer’s day, skin after a shower, and freshly washed laundry. It’s super delicate and is one of the few fragrances I can comfortably wear to bed without getting a headache. Almost impossible to overspray.” — Arabella Johnson, beauty editor 

Brand: Alfred Sung
Olfactory family: Floral Fruity
Scent notes: water lily, rice leaf, mandarin orange, orange blossom, frangipani, birch leaf, musk

5. 27 87 flâneur

niche spring fragrance 2021

Price: $297AUD

Vibrant bergamot and honeyed linden blossom get a twist courtesy of a light note of green and faintly bitter absinthe. A warm base of woods, amber, and earthy vetiver lingers on the skin, making for a dry yet fresh fragrance.

What we think: As the brand puts it, it’s “contemporary, visionary, and just a tad melancholic.” Emphasis on the melancholic. It’s masculine leaning due to the heavy woods, but can be worn by anyone.

Brand: 27 87
Olfactory family: Woody Aromatic
Scent notes: bergamot, linden blossom, absinthe, almond, iris butter, cashmere wood, grey amber, vetiver

6. Parfums de Marly Delina

Price: $498AUD

What we think: An unapologetically princessey fragrance, Parfums de Marly Delina sees a vibrant opening of bergamot, lychee, rhubarb, and nutmeg surround a jammy heart of Turkish rose, vanilla, and peony. One of the prettiest fragrances for spring you can wear — even Snoop Dogg is a fan (brb, referring to perfumes as “some smell good” from here on out).

“It’s hard to find fresh scents that also boast good silage and longevity, but Delina manages to do it. The rose feels modern and skin to Turkish delight and the lychee gives it a fresh, juicy quality.” — Tanisha Angel, editor

Brand: Parfums de Marly
Olfactory family: Floral
Scent notes: lychee, rhubarb, bergamot, grapefruit, rose, peony, vanilla, musk, cedarwood, cashmeran, vetiver, incense

7. Aesop Karst

niche spring fragrance 2021 aesop

Price: $240AUD

One in a trio of sensory brand Aesop’s Othertopias range, Aesop Karst is fresh with a hint of melancholy, underscoring bright, verdant notes of bergamot, rosemary, sage, and pink pepper with vetiver and woods. A light mineral accord runs through the entirety of the fragrance, redolent of the seaside after a storm.

Brand: Aesop
Olfactory family: Aromatic Aquatic
Scent notes: juniper, pink pepper, bergamot, rosemary, sage, cumin, vetiver, sandalwood, cedar

8. By Rosie Jane Leila Lou

Price: $138AUD

What we think: An olfactory encapsulation of a breezy spring day when the weather is just right (i.e. sun shining, but not too hot), By Rosie Jane Leila Lou pairs fresh cut grass with nectarine, pear, jasmine, and vanilla.

“Leila Lou is an easy throw-on-and-go perfume. An optimistic spring fragrance, the grass note is bright and verdant while the jasmine is more creamy and lactonic. While it doesn’t smell like shampoo, it reminds me of freshly washed hair.” — Esmé Duggan, journalist

Brand: By Rosie Jane
Olfactory family: Floral Fruity
Scent notes: grass, nectarine, pear, jasmine, musk, vanilla

9. Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia

niche spring fragrance 2021

Price: $265AUD

A sweet, joyful spring fragrance, the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is built around—you guessed it—the gardenia flower, blending the white floral with vibrant pear and sweet brown sugar for a fresh, happy scent.

What we think: Florals will always be in for spring, overcooked The Devil Wears Prada quote aside. Gorgeous Gardenia mightn’t be groundbreaking, but she is invariably lovely. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

Brand: Gucci
Olfactory family: Floral Fruity
Scent notes: blossom accord, mandarin, red berries, white gardenia, jasmine absolute, frangipani flower, patchouli, brown sugar accord

10. Laboratory Perfumes Amber

niche spring fragrance 2021

Price: $165AUD

What we think: A slightly headier, sensual spring fragrance, Laboratory Perfumes Amber evolves with its wearer throughout the day. Verdant grassy and forestial notes eventually make way for deep, rich spice which is complemented by a base of warm wood and ambergris notes.

“Is it possible to say a fragrance smells like wet dirt and have that be complimentary? Who knows, but Laboratory Perfumes Amber manages to make it beautiful, evoking the smell of damp soil after the rain, with its eponymous amber note lending warmth.”

Brand: Laboratory Perfumes
Olfactory family: Amber Woody
Scent notes: green, ambergris, spices, woods

11. Prada Paradoxe

Price: from $140AUD

What we think: Proof that fragrances don’t always need to be doing the most to be good, Prada Paradoxe balances citrus and creamy white florals with a surprisingly sweet gourmand base that sees notes of vanilla and caramel enter the fray. It’s lovely and attractive in a girl next door kind of way. If you like Muger Alien, you’ll likely enjoy Prada Paradoxe.

Brand: Prada
Olfactory family: Oriental Floral
Scent notes: pear, tangerine, bergamot, orange blossom, neroli, jasmine, vanilla, amber, musk, benzoin

12. Juliette Has A Gun Pear Inc.

Price: $175AUD

Clean and sweet, Juliette Has A Gun Pear Inc. is a refreshing shower scent; ideal for balmy spring and summer days. Juicy pear blends with Juliette Has A Gun’s signature note of ambroxan, for a fruity fragrance that’s light on the skin.

What we think: Despite literally having pear in the name, this smells like both green pear and green apple to us. A straightforward, linear fragrance, it’s inoffensive and works well on warm days.

“It reminds me a little of a supermarket shampoo I used to use as a kid. Not every fragrance needs to be a dramatic statement maker, and as someone who is prone to headaches from certain scents, I appreciate having a few safe fallbacks that are light and enjoyable.” — Tanisha Angel, editor 

Brand: Juliette Has A Gun
Olfactory family: Floral Fruity
Scent notes: green pear, ambroxan, musk

13. Le Labo Thé Noir

Price:  $355AUD

What we think: Let the locals have Santal 33. Le Labo Thé Noir is for the thinking (wo)man, with our journalist Henry Blake citing it as his favourite fragrance from niche perfume brand Le Labo. Unlike other interpretations of black tea, Thé Noir doesn’t leave out the tannins, complementing their astringency with fig and bergamot and underscoring it with the warmth and richness of cedar and tobacco.

Brand: Le Labo
Olfactory family: Aromatic
Scent notes: fig, bay leaf, bergamot, cedar, vetiver, musk, tobacco, hay

14. Hermetica Greenlion

Price:

A verdant, woody, spicy, and slightly sweet scent for a stronger take on a classic green aromatic. Woods provide a soft base for bright and spicy juniper, cardamom, and basil.

What we think: A gorgeous fresh fragrance that’s simultaneously strong and safe. It’s inoffensive enough to wear to work, but also stands out in a sea of samey green scents.

“Very fresh and aromatic, it smells like the olfactory interpretation of Hermetica’s signature green bottle. There’s a slight mintiness that gives it a purifying quality…it makes me feel like the colour green; down to earth yet aloof, comforting yet sensual, and somehow just…smarter.” — Esmé Duggan, journalist

Brand: Hermetica
Olfactory family: Aromatic Green
Scent notes: basil, rosemary, juniper, cardamom, amber, woods, vanilla, leather

15. Aerin Lilac Path

Price: $225AUD

What we think: A photorealistic lilac fragrance, Aerin Lilac Path is akin to walking by a lilac bush in full bloom. It’s joined by jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossom to create a positively narcotic spring fragrance. One of the best lilac perfumes for those who aren’t into overly powdery lilacs. Simple and elegant.

Brand: Aerin
Olfactory family: Floral
Scent notes: lilac, jasmine, angelica, honeysuckle, orange blossom, galbanum

16. Goldfield & Banks Southern Bloom

Price: $286AUD

Goldfield & Banks Southern Bloom features the boronia flower; a native Australian floral that blooms in September, in Tasmania’s Bruny Island. A distinctly opulent scent, Southern Bloom blends bright florals like boronia, iris, jasmine, and cassis with fresh vetiver and heady woods for a sophisticated yet sexy spring fragrance.

What we think: With so many fragrance houses looking to far-flung continents for inspiration, we’ve long been fans of the way Goldfield & Banks brings Australian stories (and ingredients) to the forefront in its olfactive storytelling. While there aren’t violets in this fragrance, the boronia note combines with the iris to deliver a similar powdery floral vibe, with creamy coconut and sandalwood combining to lend Southern Bloom a lush, velvety quality.

Brand: Goldfield & Banks
Olfactory family: Woody Floral
Scent notes: boronia, jasmin, cassis, vetiver, ylang ylang, coconut, iris, sandalwood

What fragrance is best for spring?

When it comes to selecting the right perfume for spring, it’s important to look at the olfactive notes. Forget what a certain oft-quoted fictitious magazine editor once said: florals—both white florals and rose—will always be in for spring. Jasmine, mimosa, orange blossom, tuberose, gardenia, and neroli work particularly well in warmer weather, as do fresher, less creamy interpretations of rose.

While we like wearing tropical notes like coconut, mango, and pineapple during humid summer weather, fruity notes like raspberry, pear, apple, and citrus (particularly lemon and bergamot) work well in fragrances for spring. It’s also important to consider olfactive notes that speak to the growth and renewal of the season, with fresh notes of dew, rain accords, grass, and spices like cardamom perfectly capturing the scent of spring.


Words by T. Angel