When the chill sets in and you find yourself swapping lightweight sweaters and trench coats for bulky jackets, don’t forget to give your fragrance shelf a seasonal refresh, too.
Winter fragrances often lean richer, warmer, and more enveloping — think amber, spice, woods, and heady florals that wrap around you like a cozy, knitted blanket.
Business Insider spoke with three perfumers about which scents they love for winter and why. From narcotic florals to warm ambers, here’s what they said about their seasonal favorites.
Warm yourself up with amber.
Amber fragrances provide some coziness in cold weather.
Dana Schmitt, New York City-based perfumer at the fragrance company Givaudan, said that one of her longtime favorites is Chanel Coromandel, a soft yet luxurious scent. It’s a plush, amber perfume anchored by patchouli and frankincense.
Another staple she recommends is REPLICA’s Jazz Club, a classic scent built on rich, spicy, and woody notes.
It evokes the feeling of settling into a dim jazz lounge on a chilly winter night in the city — making it perfect for a romantic date night.
Just like in the fall, gourmand scents continue to stay popular.
Gourmands — including vanilla, caramel, and honey — are just so cozy for winter, bringing warmth and comfort when the temperatures drop.
Bryson Ammons, New York City-based perfumer and founder of The Alloy Studio, likes to push the category a bit further by incorporating a bit of spice.
He really enjoys Amphora Parfum Honeycakes, a sweet yet savory scent that feels both nostalgic and surprising. “It’s like a spiced coffee — a very sticky, syrupy fragrance,” he said.
For something more amber-forward but still gourmand, Schmitt points to Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum, a sweet, praline scent that also features signature notes of patchouli and bergamot.
Narcotic, headier scents are the way to go.
Winters can be cold. When it’s under 30 degrees, New York City-based independent perfumer Asia Grant likes leaning into narcotic, smooth fragrances that feel like wrapping yourself in cashmere and tucking into a dim, cozy library.
Rich musks and heady florals really come alive in cold weather, and also add a brooding, dark-academia vibe that pairs well with chunky sweaters and penny loafers.
Grant recommends Dominique Ropion’s Carnal Flower, an intoxicating, full-bodied fragrance that features notes of melon, tuberose, and white musk.
Because it’s so highly concentrated, she often likes layering it with lighter, fresher scents to balance it out.
Brighten up the chilly weather with citrusy scents.
Lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits might make you think “summer,” but they’re technically winter-blooming fruits, which makes them a natural fit for cold-weather fragrances, said Ammons.
They also add a bit of brightness and zing to the chillier months.
Bring the outdoors in with a fresh, woodsier scent.
Although spicy and ambery scents are a given for winter, Ammons likes to shake things up with fresh, woodsy one. Think: light florals, clean laundry, freshly-fallen snow, and a wisp of smoke.
One of his go-tos is Aesop’s Rozu Eau De Parfum, which pairs notes of rose and bergamot with sandalwood and musk.
“There’s something clean and kind of chic about it,” Ammons said.
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