Even in the midst of winter, I still find myself yearning for a little sunshine, a warm breeze, and, most importantly, the smell of fresh flowers on a daily basis. (I’m a born-and-raised California girl if you couldn’t tell.) Although I’m fully aware that we don’t experience a true winter here in Los Angeles, it can still get chilly enough not to want to venture outside for a casual stroll. Because this is actually one of my favorite things to do, I guess instead I’ll just bust out one of my favorite warm floralfragrances to pretend that I am.
Spritzing on one of these scents makes me feel light, refreshed, and invigorated on any given day. So of course, since I knew I wasn’t the only one, I enlisted the help of my fellow editors to hone in on the best ones. We’ve come to the consensus that everyone deserves at least one. If you’re a fan of the heat and radiance such a scent can bring, scroll through below for the best warm floral perfumes, as decided by our editors.
Key notes: oleander, cabreuva rouge, grapefruit pith, white lily cream, Egyptian jasmine, alabaster violet, liquid ambrette seed, vanilla, fog. I’m not normally a fan of overly fruity perfumes, but this lovely scent fuses the genre so perfectly with floral elements that I really can’t complain. It’s a beautifully crafted fragrance with notes of grapefruit, white lily, jasmine, and even vanilla. It’s so well-balanced, and I could literally wear it 24/7.
Key notes: lavender, orange blossom, vanilla extract. I love that this fragrance is floral but has a bolder aroma to it thanks to the notes of lavender and vanilla extract. It packs just the right amount of punch, and I love to bust it out once the weather heats up to put me in the mood for more outdoor activities.
Key notes: jasmine, tuberose, ylang-ylang, bergamot, pink pepper. Sometimes, you just want a straight-up gorgeous-smelling scent that feels like a fresh bouquet of flowers has just been delivered to your door. This is definitely that fragrance. It basically has all my favorite florals mixed into one scent with notes of bergamot and pink pepper for a bit more earthiness.
Key notes: black orchid, black truffle, patchouli. “To me, this is the ultimate warm floral. I’ve written before about how I would literally bathe myself in Tom Ford’s Black Orchid if I could. This is the first ‘grown-up’ perfume that I ever wore, and I’m never going to stop wearing it. It’s deep and mysterious and makes me feel like the most confident version of myself.”
Key notes: ylang-ylang, Tahitian tiare, ambergris. “I spritz on this perfume when I wish I could be transported to a long, lazy beach day. It smells like foamy waves lapping at your heels, salty skin, and Tahitian tiare, which lends a tropical, floral note. I swear that smelling this instantly lifts my mood.”
Key notes: jasmine, gardenia, orange blossom, ambroxyn, tobacco, cedarwood, oakmoss, marigold, ambergris. “This is such a special perfume, and I’ve gotten many friends and co-workers hooked on it. There are notes of jasmine, gardenia, cedarwood, and marigold—it’s basically like spritzing yourself with a big warm hug. It sounds so silly, but it honestly just makes me happy whenever I get a whiff.”
Key notes: grasse rose petals, Sambac jasmine, tuberose, cedar, moss. “Close your eyes, and imagine yourself walking through the most magical floral market in Paris on a breezy spring day. You’re being hit with smells of freesia, sambac jasmine, and tuberose, and you really just feel like a peaceful ball of happiness. That’s this.”
Key notes: orange, patchouli, Turkish rose. “I wear a flurry of fabulous perfumes yet rarely get compliments on them. This all changed when I made Coco Mademoiselle my signature summer fragrance. Even in crowded rooms, I’ve had people come up to me because they noticed my fabulous scent. I felt so honored! Since it’s been such a great conversation starter for me, I can happily report that it was worth every penny.”
Key notes: Rose de Mai, Bulgarian rose, Sichuan pepper. “While the above was my favorite scent for summer, I love this moodier take on warm florals for the colder months. It has a bit of a kick to it, which is why the word prick is cheekily added to the title and also makes it a better choice for late nights and colder days. I also just found out that it was inspired by Tom Ford’s private rose garden, which is so cool.”
Key notes: Damask rose, Centifolia rose, chamomile, litchi, artichoke. “I got this scent as a gift a few years back and have been wearing it 24/7 ever since. It’s super subtle, yet it’s noticeable throughout the day and into the evening. I don’t like a fragrance that’s overpowering, so this is perfect.”
Key notes: neroli, Sicilian bergamot, magnolia oil, Damask rose, lily of the valley, coconut milk, amber, vanilla, musk. “I’m a huge fan of Ellis Brooklyn’s scents, and this one is the perfect sunshiny floral fragrance to brighten your day and mood. It kind of gives off tropical vibes with coconut, citrus, and neroli notes. Reviewers say it reminds them of summer in a bottle, and I definitely agree with that—it’s so fun, sweet, and carefree!”
Key notes: jasmine, tuberose, jasmine bud extract, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, sun-drenched wood accord, orris concrete, benzoin, musk. “Since my travels are at a minimum these days (thanks, Omicron!), I like to savor the few trips I do go on by buying a specific scent for my journey. When I went to Mexico last October, I picked up this version of Gucci Bloom and instantly fell in love. I sniffed travel-size fragrances in Sephora for what seemed like an eternity before settling on this one. I guess it was the ylang-ylang and jasmine tones that gripped me—I’m a jasmine stan, BTW—and every time I roll it on my wrists, I feel like I’m transported back to the clear, warm waters of Puerto Vallarta.”
Up Next: When I Wear This Perfume, I Might as Well Be on the Amalfi Coast
