Fragrance trends in 2025 are shifting towards lighter, modern profiles that prioritize subtlety and versatility. Here’s what to expect:
Sheer Florals: Rose and jasmine are evolving into airy, dewy versions, shedding their traditional powdery image. These scents pair well with tea, basil, or musks, making them ideal for year-round wear.
Green and Herbal Notes:Tomato leaf, tea, and basil are gaining traction for their calming, skin-close effect. These notes are perfect for both warm and cool seasons.
Modern Gourmands: Rice and lighter vanilla are redefining edible scents, offering comforting yet nuanced profiles. They blend well with woody or herbal accents.
Soft Woody Notes: Oud and sandalwood are being reimagined as lighter, more approachable scents, suitable for both casual and formal occasions.
Everyday Scents: Citrus, marine accords, and airy musks dominate as fresh, understated options for daily wear.
To explore these trends without committing to full bottles, try decants (2–8 ml sizes) to test how these fragrances evolve on your skin. Building a fragrance wardrobe with 4–6 curated scents - florals, gourmands, woods, and fresh notes - can cover all seasons and occasions.
Rose and jasmine are stepping into 2025 with a completely new vibe. Gone are the days of heavy, powdery florals. Instead, perfumers are creating dewy, light versions that feel modern and fresh. As one fragrance expert told , rose is set to "take center stage" in 2025, but in "fresher, more natural forms, shedding its traditional powdery image." Jasmine and tuberose are also evolving, adopting "lighter, transparent qualities" that resonate with contemporary tastes.
This shift aligns with broader trends shaped by identity, wellness, and even digital culture. People now gravitate toward scents that are calming and personal, rather than overpowering. Sheer florals like rose and jasmine fit perfectly into this mood, offering minimalist, genderless compositions. These fragrances often pair with woods, musks, or unexpected notes like tea or soft vanilla, making them versatile and suitable for any season.
Perfect for All Seasons and Occasions
Sheer rose and jasmine are surprisingly adaptable, working beautifully across different seasons. In spring and summer, rose shines when paired with citrus, green notes, or tea - combinations that stay light and refreshing in warmer temperatures (70–90°F). For fall or mild winters, jasmine layered with soft woods or a touch of vanilla creates a cozy, inviting feel, ideal for indoor gatherings or casual evenings. Their transparent quality makes these florals perfect as everyday go-to fragrances, whether you’re heading to work, brunch, or a relaxed date night.
Exciting New Blends
Beyond their classic appeal, rose and jasmine are being reimagined in unexpected ways. Sheer rose, for instance, is now paired with notes like tea, tomato leaf, basil, and airy musks, creating a green and subtly savory profile that feels fresh rather than sweet. Jasmine, on the other hand, is being blended with clean musks, light woods, and even neo-gourmand touches like puffed rice, soft vanilla, or milky accords. These combinations strike a balance between comfort and modernity, seamlessly integrating into wellness-inspired or gourmand fragrances while maintaining their delicate charm.
Ideal for Layering and Wardrobing
If you enjoy experimenting with layering or building a fragrance wardrobe, sheer rose and jasmine are incredibly versatile. Rose pairs effortlessly with green herbs and tea for breezy daytime scents, while jasmine blends beautifully with soft woods, mineral notes, and airy musks for a more polished, evening-ready finish. To explore these combinations without committing to a full bottle, try smaller decants - available in sizes like 2 mL or 8 mL. This way, you can find your perfect match without the pressure of a larger purchase.
2. Quiet Freshness: Green Herbs, Tea, and Tomato Leaf
Fits 2025 Trend Predictions
The 2025 fragrance landscape is embracing a softer, more intimate approach with scents that stay close to the skin and exude a sense of calm. This "quiet freshness" revolves around green herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary, paired with tea accords - green, white, or matcha - and the earthy crispness of tomato leaf. Together, these notes create a naturally refreshing effect that resonates with wellness-focused and climate-conscious sensibilities. The result? A subtle, spa-like aroma that feels both modern and soothing.
Tomato leaf, in particular, is stepping into the spotlight as a bold alternative to overly sweet mainstream fragrances. One standout example from Esxence 2025 in Milan is Astrophil & Stella’s Chromodoro, which pairs tomato leaf and basil with gin and absinthe for a crisp, herbaceous profile brimming with optimism. These green, herbal scents also tend to be unisex, moving away from traditional gendered labels and leaning into personality-driven creations. Their versatility makes them a natural fit for a variety of seasons and occasions.
Works for Different Seasons and Occasions
Green herbs and tea-based scents offer year-round appeal, adapting easily to seasonal shifts. In spring and summer, notes like basil and tomato leaf bring a garden-fresh coolness that’s perfect for humid weather. As the temperature drops in fall and winter, tea accords - whether black, oolong, or with a smoky twist - can be layered with woody or resinous notes to create a warm, cozy vibe. These combinations work wonderfully for daytime settings, from office environments to casual coffee meetups or even travel.
For those looking for understated elegance, these compositions are ideal for everyday wear. Their subtle, skin-close nature makes them perfect for campuses, workplaces, or daytime outings. For evening occasions, pairing tea and herbal notes with soft musks or light woods adds a touch of refinement and sophistication.
If you’re curious about experimenting with these blends, starting with smaller decants - like 2 mL or 8 mL sizes - can be an affordable way to explore without committing to a full bottle.
Offers New Note Combinations
The creative possibilities of herbal and tea notes are expanding, with niche brands exploring innovative pairings that reflect the evolving trends of 2025. For instance, the neo-gourmand movement is inspiring perfumers to incorporate herbal nuances into edible-inspired scents. Matcha or green tea may be combined with creamy, milky, or nutty undertones, adding complexity without leaning into sweetness. Similarly, herbs like rosemary or thyme are being paired with citrus and wood elements, creating a Mediterranean freshness that feels both elevated and familiar.
Pairs Well with Other Scents
Tea and herbal notes are incredibly versatile and work beautifully with a range of other fragrance families. When combined with woods or resins, they soften sharper edges and add an airy, translucent quality, making richer notes like oud, sandalwood, or incense feel more wearable in warmer climates or daytime settings. Paired with musks, these notes enhance the clean-skin effect, aligning with the minimalist aesthetic many are drawn to today.
For a more adventurous twist, herbal and tea notes can balance neo-gourmand compositions. Tomato leaf or green tea, for example, can cut through the density of edible accords - like rice, creamy milky tones, or light vanilla - resulting in fragrances that feel sophisticated and well-rounded rather than overly sweet.
If you’re eager to explore these fresh combinations, Scento‘s curated collection of designer and niche fragrances offers an easy way to sample and discover how these scents transform on your skin throughout the day.
3. Modern Gourmands: Rice and New Vanilla
Fits 2025 Trend Predictions
As green notes bring a fresh, herbal charm to 2025’s fragrance landscape, modern gourmands step in with a cozy, warming contrast. These "neo-gourmands" introduce edible notes like rice - evoking a creamy nostalgia - and a reimagined vanilla that’s lighter and more nuanced. Rice adds a comforting, starchy quality reminiscent of rice pudding or milky cereals, while the new vanilla offers a milky, airy twist that enhances complexity without being overly sweet.
Perfumer Swarbrick highlights a growing trend of savory elements in gourmands, such as roasted nuts and creamy dairy notes. These scents balance familiarity with a creative edge, tapping into a post-pandemic desire for both comfort and novelty. This evolution paves the way for unexpected combinations that redefine the gourmand category.
Offers New Note Combinations
Modern gourmands bring surprising pairings to the table. Rice notes are blended with green herbs or tomato leaf for a savory freshness that balances their creaminess, while the new vanilla finds harmony with woody accents, florals, or even unconventional edibles like popcorn and roasted nuts.
Take, for example, Phlur‘s Cherry Stem, launched in fall 2025. It combines black cherry, plum, brandy, ebony, and leather to craft a dark, layered profile that adds depth to fruity gourmand tones. Similarly, savory twists are gaining momentum. Fragrances like Ellis Brooklyn‘s Vanilla Salt and Heretic Black Salt integrate salty notes into vanilla-based scents, offering what fragrance experts Alexandra Pauly and Mancini describe as:
a lil extra bite
that pushes the boundaries of the gourmand category into more artistic territory.
Works for Different Seasons and Occasions
One of the strengths of these modern gourmands is their versatility. Creamy rice notes feel comforting in fall and winter but can also refresh in spring when paired with herbs. Meanwhile, the new vanilla transitions effortlessly between day and evening wear, making it a year-round staple.
In December 2025, Scento spotlighted "Lira", a gourmand featuring burnt caramel, blood orange, and lavender, as "The Scent Winter Was Made For." This highlights how these profiles can be tailored for specific seasons while maintaining their universal appeal.
Pairs Well with Other Scents
Rice and new vanilla are excellent foundations for layering within a fragrance collection. They add warmth and depth to sheer florals like rose or jasmine, while also enhancing fresh notes such as green tea or herbs for a balanced, multidimensional effect. When paired with soft woody accords like sandalwood or oud, they smooth out sharper edges, creating a cozy and wearable blend. These layered gourmand profiles effortlessly complement the airy and fresh notes explored in the next section.
4. Soft Woody Notes: Oud, Sandalwood, and Resin
A Fresh Take on Woody Notes for 2025
Woody fragrances are stepping into a new era in 2025, with perfumers reimagining classics like oud and sandalwood into lighter, more modern profiles. Perfumer Matthew Swarbrick describes these updated woods as "airy yet rich", appealing to a wider audience while still retaining their luxurious essence. This evolution mirrors the global fragrance market’s shift toward premium offerings, which is expected to hit $53 billion by 2025.
Oud, a staple in luxury perfumes, is being paired with unconventional notes to create fresh, everyday-friendly scents. This transformation opens up exciting opportunities for inventive combinations that feel both familiar and unexpected.
Creative Pairings Redefine Woody Scents
Perfumers are exploring bold new ways to pair woody notes. Oud is now often blended with smoked woods, roasted nuts, and spices like saffron. A standout example is Maison Crivelli‘s Oud Maracujá, which combines the richness of oud with tropical passionfruit, resulting in an elegant fruity-woody hybrid that feels both modern and refined. Similarly, sandalwood and resin are being paired with sheer florals and airy musks to craft scents that balance edible warmth with woody depth.
Year — Round Appeal for Every Occasion
These softer interpretations of woody notes shine across all seasons. Light oud and sandalwood provide warmth during colder months while their airy adaptations feel refreshing in spring and summer. Their balanced sillage and lasting power make them ideal for both daytime and evening wear.
Resin, when combined with smoked woods, offers a cozy and grounding effect, seamlessly transitioning from casual settings to more formal occasions. This versatility taps into the growing desire for fragrances that deliver personal and multi-sensory experiences.
Perfect for Layering and Customization
Soft woody notes are excellent foundations for layering. They add depth to sheer florals, bring creamy warmth to gourmand profiles featuring vanilla or rice, and create balanced, wearable scents that feel uniquely tailored. Resin, for instance, pairs beautifully with green herbs or citrus for a fresh, grounded vibe, while sandalwood combined with airy musks creates a sophisticated yet effortless everyday fragrance.
To explore these possibilities, try sampling 8ml decants of lighter woody scents. Experiment with layering resin-based fragrances with citrus for a crisp finish or add sandalwood to musks for a polished, versatile scent that works for any occasion. These combinations allow for endless creativity and a truly personalized fragrance experience.
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5. Everyday Scents: Citrus, Marine, and Airy Musks
Aligns with 2025 Fragrance Trends
Citrus, marine, and airy musks are stepping into the spotlight as go-to everyday scents for 2025, reflecting a growing preference for light, natural-smelling fragrances. According to fragrance expert Matthew Swarbrick, airy musks stand out for their
airy yet rich profiles
that appeal to a broad audience. Supporting this, Spate Global Trends data highlights these notes as a key force in the market. The focus is shifting from dense, heavy aromas to more understated, elegant scents that feel effortless and wearable throughout the day. This trend is not just aesthetic - it’s also driving premium growth in the industry. These fresh, modern profiles are perfect for a wide range of climates and occasions.
Versatile Across Seasons and Occasions
These fresh notes offer exceptional adaptability, making them suitable for various seasons and settings. Citrus delivers a zesty, crisp brightness that’s perfect for spring and summer or professional environments, while marine notes evoke a refreshing ocean breeze, ideal for transitional weather. Airy musks, on the other hand, provide a subtle, long-lasting diffusion that works beautifully for all-day wear. This flexibility aligns with today’s fast-paced lifestyles, where people seek scents that transition effortlessly between different moments of their day.
New Combinations Redefining Freshness
The evolving fragrance landscape for 2025 is bringing fresh and exciting combinations to the forefront. Pairing citrus with airy musks creates a skin-like freshness that feels intimate yet modern. Meanwhile, marine notes, when blended with herbaceous accents, add an aquatic lightness with a touch of greenery. These blends cater to a growing demand for fragrances that not only smell great but also evoke a sense of calm and balance. They also open up new possibilities for layering, enhancing the overall fragrance experience.
Perfect for Layering
Airy musks are a dream for layering, acting as a neutral yet sophisticated base under sheer florals like rose or jasmine, adding texture without overwhelming. Citrus, with its vibrant brightness, pairs beautifully with soft woody notes like sandalwood or light oud, while marine notes bring a refreshing twist to gourmand accords. For a seamless day-to-night transition, try layering citrus with airy musks on pulse points. Opt for 8ml decants to experiment and find the combinations that resonate with your style.
Perfume Trends 2025 - popular notes, fragrance brands that will go viral and more gourmands?
Building Your Fragrance Collection
Crafting a thoughtful fragrance wardrobe doesn’t mean you need dozens of bottles. A well-rounded collection can be built with just 4–6 carefully chosen scents, each serving a distinct purpose. Think of it like curating a capsule wardrobe for your senses. For example, you might include: an everyday skin scent like airy musks or tea notes, a signature floral such as a modern rose, a comforting gourmand featuring hints of rice, vanilla, or coffee, a subtle woody scent like sheer oud or sandalwood, and a fresh reset with bright citrus or marine accords. These categories align with emerging fragrance trends for 2025, making them both practical and stylish choices.
To refine your collection further, consider the seasons and occasions. In spring, lean toward dewy florals and green-herbal notes that evoke renewal and crisp mornings. Summer calls for light, heat-friendly options like citrus, marine accords, and airy musks. As fall arrives, reach for cozy gourmands and soft woods that pair beautifully with knitwear and warm drinks. Winter, on the other hand, is the perfect time for richer, layered scents - think light oud, creamy sandalwood, or incense. For specific occasions, choose quiet, fresh scents (tea, green herbs, musks) for the office, sheer florals for intimate gatherings, and deeper woody or gourmand fragrances for evening outings. This seasonal and situational strategy ensures your collection stays versatile and practical.
When starting or expanding your collection, sampling is key to avoiding expensive mistakes. Decants, such as Scento’s 8 ml vials, are a smart way to test fragrances. Each vial provides about 120 sprays - enough for roughly a month of use - so you can truly experience how a scent evolves over time and across different conditions. This method allows you to try a sheer oud or a modern vanilla without committing to a full bottle. Once you’re confident a fragrance fills a meaningful gap in your lineup, you can upgrade to a larger size.
To keep your collection organized, store decants in labeled trays based on categories like "Spring/Summer Fresh", "Fall Gourmands", or "Evening Woods." Always keep vials upright and away from heat to preserve their quality. Maintaining a simple digital log can also be helpful - track each scent’s name, key notes, ideal season, and occasion, as well as your purchasing decisions. This approach transforms your collection into a functional, well-curated wardrobe that’s easy to manage.
Finally, layering and rotation can breathe new life into a smaller collection without requiring constant new purchases. For example, try layering a sheer floral over an airy musk, or add a soft woody base to a modern gourmand for a more complex, personal blend. If you want to stay on top of trends, Scento’s optional 8 ml subscription offers a cost-effective way to explore new releases monthly. By combining thoughtful organization, sampling, and layering, you can build a fragrance wardrobe that feels fresh, dynamic, and uniquely yours.
Conclusion
A compact, well-chosen fragrance collection can effortlessly keep your scent wardrobe aligned with current trends while staying personal to your tastes. You don’t need shelves full of bottles to cover every mood, season, or occasion - just a thoughtful selection across key scent families.
Sampling is the smartest way to explore trends before committing to a full bottle. Blind purchases often lead to regret, but trying smaller amounts first can save you from disappointment. For instance, an 8 ml decant offers about a month’s worth of wear, giving you time to see how a rice-infused gourmand or a delicate oud interacts with your skin in different settings. As Elena R., a satisfied customer, shared:
"I used to buy full bottles and regret them after a week. Now I get to date the perfume before I marry it."
Scento’s decant-first approach eliminates these risks. With sizes like 0.75 ml, 2 ml, and 8 ml, you can experiment with curated designer and niche fragrances without overspending on bottles you might not finish. Their optional 8 ml subscription service lets you refresh your collection monthly, ensuring it stays dynamic and reflective of emerging trends. Once you’ve identified your go-to scents, you can confidently invest in full bottles, knowing they’re perfect for you.
FAQs
What’s the best way to explore 2025 fragrance trends without committing to full bottles?
Exploring 2025’s trending fragrance notes doesn’t have to mean committing to full-sized bottles right away. Sampling smaller quantities, like decants, is a smart way to experiment. Scento provides curated options, including 8ml decants, allowing you to try both designer and niche perfumes. It’s a perfect way to uncover scents that resonate with you before deciding on a larger investment.
Why are sheer floral notes like rose and jasmine perfect for year-round wear?
Sheer floral scents, like rose and jasmine, are perfect for wearing throughout the year. Their light, airy nature strikes a balance between freshness and sophistication, making them just as fitting for a sunny summer afternoon as they are for a crisp winter evening.
These fragrances work effortlessly across occasions - whether you’re heading out for a casual day or dressing up for a formal event. Their timeless charm ensures they remain a go-to choice, no matter the season.
What sets modern gourmand fragrances apart from traditional sweet scents?
Modern gourmand fragrances have expanded far beyond the traditional sweet, dessert-inspired notes. They now feature surprising ingredients like savory spices or even hints of umami, crafting scents that feel more refined and multi-dimensional. This shift offers a well-rounded and intricate aroma, perfect for those who appreciate depth and complexity in their perfumes.
