Everything feels better when spring comes, from my mood to the air on my face when I leave the house. I start to use all of my happy scents around this time of year. These are the scents that smell fresh, bright, and are sure to make me smile. Winter is nice in some ways (like crackling fires and warm knits), but one of the best things about life is being able to open the window and let in a cool breeze. It’s like stopping to smell the flowers on your block or smelling the floral notes coming from your loved ones’ pulse points because they have great taste in seasonal scents.
No matter if you’re counting down the days until summer days by the pool or (and you’re brave for this) would be happy to stay winterized all year long, no one can deny the magic of springtime—perfumers included. This is the time of year for hope: scents that smell like light flowers, airy musks, soft citruses, and skin that has been warmed by the sun.
When I need a little sunshine or a reminder that warmth can come in many forms, I always reach for happy scents. They smell soft and fresh or bright and happy, and they make the start of sunny days so exciting. Here are 10 of the best happy scents to spray right now. Then, watch as the scent makes you smile.
Favorites by Season
These are the scents I go back to when the weather gets a little warm. I know it’s a phrase that’s been used too much, but they really are “springtime in a bottle” for me and many others.
Issey Miyaké wanted to make a scent “as clear as spring water,” so this one came out in 1992. The mood board had a waterfall spray, flowers, and a springtime forest, which makes sense because the first word that comes to mind when I think of L’eau D’issey is “misty.” If you don’t live near a lily pond, you might find this aquatic scent at your local florist. It smells like freshly cut lily stems in water. It smells clean and musky, too.
The Tulip, or La Tulipe, is a beautiful flower, as its name suggests. That’s how strong the first flowers of the season are. This beauty starts off with notes of rhubarb, cyclamen, and freesia. The middle note is all tulip, and the base is made up of blonde woods and vetiver.
A New Beginning
I like making New Year’s resolutions, but spring is when I really feel like starting over. These perfumes smell fresh, and they also have that same “opportunity awaits” energy that comes with a new season.
Orphéon Eau de Toilette starts off very green and citrusy, with hints of green tangerine and fresh Japanese yuzu. When you first put it on, it smells like an aperitif, but then it turns into a blooming floral heart and a lively, woody base. The Eau de Parfum version of Orphéon is already a favorite, but this new, lighter version is what I’m going to wear this spring. It’s named after the founders of Diptyque’s favorite jazz bar in Paris. The brand says it “captures pure energy and balance in every breath,” and that’s how I’m trying to get through the season.
If you like things a little spicier, take this party-in-a-bottle (and party-of-a-bottle) out for a spritz. Or, use it as the starting point for a whole new look. Ultra-cool Discotheque made this aptly named perfume to capture the vibe of LA in 1986. It’s perfect for a night out but also great for everyday use. Think of palm trees, a sweet breeze, people talking too much, and “sandalwood embers in warm amber sunsets.” People, the snow has melted. Does anyone want to go for a drive?
Let the Sun Shine
Everyone can agree that feeling the sun on your face is nice, especially after feeling it on your legs when you wear shorts for the first time in a few months after only wearing wool pants. These happy smells are like pure sunshine. SAD, go away.
When I first wore Solar Drip, my fiancé said it made her feel like she was at a “urban picnic.” How perfect is that? Spreading out in a city park is the best thing to do in the spring, and I wish I could do it all the time, especially when the sun comes out again. The first thing that came to mind when I smelled Solar Drip was “candy,” but there’s a freshness to it that makes it really great (solar?). You can smell pomelo, mango, orange blossom, fresh linen, and solar musk.
Another important spring moment is driving with the windows down and putting your arm out the window to get some warmth. This new citrus scent (which you could also call a tea scent) is exactly what it says it is. The clean, clear bottle has bright grapefruit and bergamot notes, as well as a hint of Earl Grey tea. Yes, I have sunshine on a cloudy day. You’ll find it in my fragrance cabinet if you need some.
Great Flowers
We’re not doing anything new here. And why would we? The flowers are doing that for us! We just had to plant the seeds. In this case, the seed is a casual comment to a loved one that you really, really need a new floral scent.
Athénaïs has a sweet smell (it’s an amber floral scent), but it’s not too sweet. The newest Parfums de Marly scent, on the other hand, will help you get used to the season of flowers on a soft, calm breeze. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. This scent is full-bodied and well-balanced because of it. I love her more than anything else, and I would like some roses that are the same color as her bottle. Thank you.
All of Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria scents smell happy and warm, but this one, which was inspired by a walk through a field of wildflowers, really sets the mood. The gentle Eau de Toilette has a soft, fruity, and floral smell. Its top notes are violet and watermelon, its middle notes are jasmine, wildflower accord, and orange blossom, and its base notes are white musk and iris. That light purple bottle is also a perfect pastel color.
Put It Forward
A really good rainstorm comes every spring and makes everything green. These scents perfectly capture the fresh, juicy, dewy, and finally lush feel.
Since my last trip to Mexico City, I’ve been taking care of a sample of XINŪ’s Monstera. I promised that when I got back, I would have a full bottle waiting for me. This scent is said to be “astonishingly juicy and lush, like a leaf that has been snapped open, letting droplets of the plant juice seep out.” It was inspired by the jungle.
Let’s go to Paris now. Sisley’s famous Eau De Campagne has a chypre base and notes of basil, wild herbs, and lemon. It was made to “symbolize the French art of living” with a “fresh and invigorating bouquet that inspires a feeling of well-being and elegance.” Spring! I love you.
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