New year, new perfume trends! If you've got the urge to hit refresh and update your perfume rotation for 2026, there are a few exciting trends on the horizon that you'll want to tap into ASAP.
Perfume trends are quickly rising in popularity and becoming just as important as fashion trends. For many, outfits simply aren't complete without a spritz of perfume to complete the look. Fragrance can add another layer of storytelling, like a smoky, woody scent paired with a worn-in vintage leather jacket or a light, fruity floral with a sundress.
If it feels like you're seeing a lot more perfume content on your TikTok FYP or Instagram scroll, it's because you are! More and more people are tapping into a passion for perfume and learning the language of fragrance. There are also way, way, way more brands to choose from these days.
“The proliferation of perfume education and the wide availability of materials means that there are more independent perfumers and brands,” explains Joey Rosin, a perfumer who has worked on scents for Troye Sivan's line Tsu Lange Yor, among others. You've got your big-name houses like Gucci, Prada, and Chanel, of course. Perfume-first brands like Byredo, Phlur, Le Labo, and Boy Smells also got really popular, really fast, paving the way for more indie and niche brands, which Rosin says are generally “more experimental” than more mainstream brands. “In a quest to smell like nobody else, we have more choices than ever to achieve that mission.”
The scent trends of 2026 have a more personal, experimental vibe. “People today are choosing fragrances that truly connect with how they want to feel, whether that’s comfort, confidence, calmness, or simply a moment of joy in their day,” says Mona Kattan, founder of Kayali. “We’re also seeing a new generation of fragrance lovers who are incredibly curious, experimental, and intentional. They enjoy building their own scent identities, playing with layering, and discovering blends that feel personal and authentic to them.”
According to Kattan, trends that offer “versatility and room for creativity” will be popular for fragrance experts and newbies alike. “Fragrance has become a form of self-expression and storytelling, and I think that’s such a beautiful evolution. The trends emerging for 2026 give people the freedom to explore, to create, and to express who they are through scent.” Octavia Morgan, fragrance expert and founder of OCTAVIA MORGAN Los Angeles, agrees. “In 2026, fragrance is less about announcing yourself and more about expressing your mood, your softness, and your inner world,” she says.
We checked out trending notes across beauty stores and social media and asked experts in the industry all about the hottest new scents we can expect to smell this year. Scroll on to see the best fragrance trends for 2026 and shop our editors’ picks.
1. Juicy Floral Perfumes
Fragrance is about having fun, and nothing says fun like a sweet, bright, juicy floral. “Juicy florals come from a shift toward optimism and color,” says Morgan. “They’re youthful but not childish, and they tell a story of softness and emotional revival.” Look for blends like fresh rose paired with apricot, peach, or pear.
2. Soft Cashmere Perfumes
Inspired by the luxuriously soft texture of a cashmere sweater, cashmere scents are similar to skin scents with a rich plushness. If you're not quite ready to give up your favorite skin scent, consider looking for one with cashmere notes to make it stand out from the crowd while still feeling like, well, you.
3. Cozy Cardamom Perfumes
Scents that convey warmth, comfort, and coziness with a sprinkle of spice will continue to resonate in 2026. Spicy notes like ginger and cardamom elevate a classic gourmand by adding a hint of peppery heat. We're all about the sugar-and-spice blend in Selena Gomez's new Rare Eau de Parfum, which blends caramel and vanilla with a snappy ginger.
Cardamom, a complex spice blend that's has similar echoes to ginger, mint, and cinnamon, is another way to cozy up your fragrance game. “What I love about cardamom is the balance it brings," shares Rosie Johnston, founder and CEO of By/Rosie Jane. Johnston used cardamom in her new scent Remi, pairing it with bright citrus notes for a “beautiful contrast” of fresh and warm notes.
4.Matcha Perfumes
Tea scents are having a moment, whether that's green tea, white tea, or especially, matcha. “I’m seeing so much excitement around creamy musks, soft woods, and matcha-inspired greens, and our recent launch of Freedom Musk Matcha really affirmed this shift,” says Kattan. “Matcha, in particular, brings this beautifully serene, almost meditative quality to a scent, and when you pair it with musks or soft woods, it becomes incredibly versatile and perfect for layering.”
5. Fruit Perfumes
Fruity, fresh fragrances are due for a comeback! These cheery, juicy scents practically beg you to take a bite of tropical fruits like passion fruit and guava.
The entire fruit section of the grocery store is up for grabs when it comes to 2026 perfume trends, too! “The fruit notes I’m seeing are getting more specific,” notes Rosin. “Even banana could become a trend and I wouldn’t be phased!”
6. Very Berry Perfumes
Seriously, if there's ever been a time to lean all the way in to berry notes, it's this one! “This year, berries—raspberry, strawberry, blueberry—along with peach and pear take center stage, shaping a fresher, more vibrant story in scent creation,” says Mary Testa-Gough, Associate Vice President Product + Fragrance Development at Bath & Body Works. “Through the synergy of perfumers and flavorists, fruit notes are evolving beyond simple sweetness into visceral, textural expressions of nature. Advanced techniques and innovative captives allow us to capture the authentic burst of freshness, delivering a fragrance experience that feels juicy, pulpy, and mouthwatering—as if biting into ripe fruit.”
7. Vanilla Perfumes (With a Twist!)
Don't worry—you don't have to give up your favorite vanilla scent! “Edible comforts are tied to the return of cozy luxury,” says Morgan. “Consumers want scents that hug them: warm, creamy, and nostalgic but with a modern, elevated twist that fits a more sophisticated lifestyle.”
Testa-Gough pinpoints coffee and chocolate as new ways to experiment with gourmands. “They add depth, texture, and a sense of artisanal luxury to modern fragrance,” she says. “It’s not just about sweetness or bitterness; it’s about layers of texture: flaky and roasted for a dry, aromatic crunch; melted and whipped for creamy indulgence; and smoky, toasted nuances for depth and a new point of view.”
8. Less Sweet, More Savoury Perfumes
Rosin predicts that gourmands will continue to evolve over the course of the year. “I think we’re about to see a lot of fragrances boasting edible notes, but not outright sweet notes,” he explains, adding that notes like steamed rice and coconut cream will pop up in fragrance versus more “traditional" gourmand notes like cotton candy and sugar. “People are leaning harder into huge edible notes in a way that would make someone blush ten years ago.”
9. Functional Fragrances
Functional fragrance is designed to help shift or enhance your mood, similar to aromatherapy. “Another trend I see growing is a movement toward emotion-led perfumery: fragrances designed to comfort, uplift, and create a sense of well-being,” shares Kattan. “People are choosing scents the same way they choose wellness rituals, and ingredients that feel soothing, serene, or joyful will continue to resonate.” This could be as simple as looking for lavender notes to promote a feeling of calm or choosing fragrances that instantly transport you to a place of happiness or nostalgia.
10. Scent Layering Perfumes
Scent layering has the stamp of approval from Billie Eilish, Leah Kateb, Bella Hadid, and more, and it also landed a spot on Pinterest's 2026 Pinterest Predicts reports. Layering is all about customization, whether you craft your own bespoke scent with oils and lotions, top your go-to signature scent via body cream, perfume, and hair mist to make it last and move with you, or just mix two complementary scents together as you're heading out the door.
Originally published on Teen Vogue.
