A new pair of jeans or heels is nice, but nothing puts quite the same pep in my step as a brand-new perfume. From the ritual of that very first spritz to the boost in confidence to the influx of comments and compliments, a new perfume can't be beat. But as we all know, finding a perfume that you love unconditionally can be harder than finding a needle in a haystack. There are plenty of classics that are hard to go wrong with, but I also love smelling fresh and not like every other person in the bar or subway. And that's where new, yet-to-be-discovered and now-mainstream perfumes come in.
Even though new perfumes launch practically every day, not all of them are created equally, and not all of them are worth your hard-earned money. Below, I'm breaking down the new perfumes that have my nose's discerning seal of approval, plus a few other oldies-but-goodies that I just couldn't stop myself from including. Keep scrolling! The best perfumes we think you'll go nuts for are just below.
1. Jo Loves Fig a Fragrance Body Mist
Key notes: ripe fig, sweet cassis, amber
Jo Loves (the founder behind Jo Malone) has just launched this beautifully scented body fragrance. If you love fig fragrances, then you'll love the mix of sweet fig and fresh green leaves.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: Fig leaf, coconut, cedar, fig tree bark, green leaves, blossom, fig
2. Jennifer Meyer Eau de Parfum
Key notes: cranberry, strawberry, coconut water, waterlily, fig leaves, neroli blossoms, white floral accord, sandalwood, crystal musk
For those who favor fresh scents that veer subtly fruity and floral, we recommend fine-jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer's first-ever fragrance debut. It's meant to invoke Meyer's childhood memories of growing up in Malibu, and the creamy, airy mix of coconut water, fruits, and breezy florals will make you feel like you're at the beach with sand between your toes regardless of the time of year. (Although, of course, we especially love it in the summer months.)
But you'll also love:
Key notes: sparkling bergamot, mara strawberry, pink pepper, jasmine petals, jasmine lactone captive, woodland greens, cedarwood, oakmoss, captive musks, orris root
3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Damascena rose, orange, violet, magnolia blossom, musk accord, woody cedar
This modern-day take on rose is so refreshing. Citrus notes of orange mingle with Damascena rose, violet and magnolia blossom. Think of a refreshing take on rose perfumes, and you have this.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: Centifolia rose, Sicilian lemon, musk, patchouli, peony, rhubarb
4. Costa Brazil Aroma Eau de Parfum
Key notes: white jungle flora, Brazil orange oil, pink pepper, grapefruit zest, geranium bourbon, nutmeg oil, clear wood, myrrh, cedarwood atlas, vetiver, plant-based musks, amber, cypriol, patchouli
This brand-new (and first-ever) perfume from skincare brand Costa Brazil has been generating so much buzz amongst the beauty and fashion set that we dedicated an entire review to it. Imagine swirling palo santo through the air of a Brazilian rain forest when the floor is still dewy from a recent shower—that's exactly what this smells like.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: water, passionflower, bergamot, jazmin yucateco, sambac, clove, snake plant, vetiver, copal
5. Byredo Vanille Antique Night Veils Perfume Extract
Key notes: freesia, plum, amber, cashmere woods, Madagascar vanilla beans, cistus oil
As the newest addition to Byredo's mystique-filled Night Veils Collection, this rich take on vanilla is unlike any other vanilla perfume you've smelled before. Byredo founder and Creative Director Ben Gorham envisioned a smoky vanilla bean charged with history and character, ultimately resulting in a more nuanced, far-from-saccharine take on the classic scent. "The expected sweetness of vanilla is cut through by textures of earthiness and darkness, a warm mix of cashmere wood, ciste, and musk coalesce to form an intoxicating ambrosia," the brand details on its website.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: blackcurrant, saffron, incense, rose, ambrette seeds, patchouli
6. Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Mimosa Eau de Parfum
Key notes: grapefruit, mimosa, tuberose
Aerin's best-selling Mediterranean Honeysuckle perfume (see below) gets reimagined with a little more fizz and shimmer. One spritz and the radiant addition of the mimosa flower will take you to the bright blue skies and undulating waves of the Mediterranean coast. It's the next best thing to an actual vacation.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: Italian bergamot, honeysuckle, grapefruit
7. Parfums de Marly Oriana Eau de Parfum
Key fragrance notes: mandarin, bergamot, grapefruit, orange blossom, blackcurrant, raspberry, marshmallow, ambrette, chantilly cream, musk
I will never deny (or be ashamed of) my love for sweet perfumes. These days, however, I favor elevated takes on my sugared-up faves circa the early 2000s (you know all the ones I mean), and Oriana is one such example. Obviously, the brand is known for its eye-catching bottles, which drip with unparalleled vanity appeal, but the French-made formulas hold their own, too. The addition of chantilly cream is the real star in my eyes, and according to the brand, the perfume can be described as a "gourmand, floral and fruity fragrance designed entirely as a variation on texture."
But you'll also love:
Key notes: red currant, Bulgarian rose, transparent white flowers, plum accord, mimosa absolute, plumeria, petalia, sandalwood, tonka beans, vanilla pod
8. Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Eau & Magnolia Eau de Toilette Intense
Key notes: neroli, bergamot, magnolia, rose, sandalwood
Don't sleep on the latest perfume drop from Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake. According to a press release from the brand, key notes of magnolia, bergamot, and sandalwood leave a tender, musky scent on the skin, and the fragrance also utilizes Aquozone, "an innovative synthetic that deploys a faceted fragrance, at once floral and aquatic, delicate and powerful—like velvety dewdrops, held by the juicy spark of bergamot softened with neroli." Sign me up.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: cyclamen, freesia, lotus flower, rose water, carnation, lily, osmanthus, peony, woods, amber, musk
9. Boy Smells Italian Kush Eau de Parfum
Key notes: pomelo, limoncello, black peppercorn, basil, patchouli, sandalwood, agarwood, labdanum, rhubarb, mimosa, cannabis leaves, pistachio, cypress
Boy Smells is still a relatively new member of the world of fine fragrances (the brand's first-ever spread launched earlier this year), and the newest arrivals, three iterations of Kush inspired by the brand's best-selling candles, have kept the momentum of excitement going. I love Italian and Cashmere best, but Cowboy is fab, too.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: rhubarb, pink peppercorn, fresh aldehydes, powdered musks, cashmere woods, ambroxan, pot flower, tulip, wild orris, heliotrope, vetiver
10. The Harmonist Yin Transformation Parfum
Key notes: Calypso orchid, mandarin, Bulgarian rose, almond milk, ylang-ylang, iris, white musks, sandalwood, benzoin
The Harmonist is truly one of the most unique and innovative perfume brands on the market. The fresh, water-inspired Yin Transformation is the latest debut amongst the line's family of holistic fragrances that embrace aspects of the yin and yang dualities and the five elements of Feng Shui: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth. Each scent is also carefully made with sustainable, ethically sourced, natural ingredients, that can be traced back to their country of origin, and are OPUR certified.
But you'll also love:
Key notes: Hawaiian pomelo, Bulgarian rose, saffron, cardamom, incense, organic honey, sandalwood, benzoin, musks
Up Next: These Fragrance Discovery Sets Ensure You'll Never Have Perfume Buyer's Remorse
