Like the air after a downpour, these rainy perfumes are fresh, earthy and seriously autumnal
For those seeking a chic and earthy signature, there's a high chance of rain fragrances being a hit...
While many of us probably wouldn't claim to love the rain, few can deny that there's something very refreshing and grounding about the smell of it, and these rainy-day fragrances bottle it up beautifully.
Among the list of long-lasting perfumes, you'll find all the usual suspects: your rose perfumes, woody blends and heavier ouds, but outside of the traditional olfactory families, there's plenty of other stylish and modern genres to consider. Rain-inspired scents, for one, are proving to be very popular autumn fragrances, as they evoke thoughts of splashing through puddles and over sodden leaves - and what could be more on theme for the season? There's something very refreshing and distinctive about the smell of rain, and it does actually have a name.
Petrichor is the aroma that emanates as raindrops hit the soil and pavement. More specifically, that earthy, almost metallic smell we detect is actually caused by a molecule called geosmin, which is released into the air when it rains. We're very sensitive to the scent, hence why it's become such a popular perfume note. So, if you're indeed in the market for a fragrance that smells refreshing, naturalistic and a little moody, like the air after a rainstorm, these are the eight scents to shower yourself with.
8 rainy day fragrances that smell chic, fresh and earthy
RRP: from £62 for 30ml | Notes: bergamot oil, vegetal accord, pink Pepper essence, aquatic accord, Isparta rose petal essence, jasmine grandiflorum superinfusion, pine needle oil, patchouli bali essence and moss accord
"As someone who typically opts for woody scents, it’s no surprise that When The Rain Stops is my favourite of Maison Margiela’s fragrance lineup," says Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett. "It’s a unique, unisex blend that is equal parts woody and aquatic, with notes of dewy florals, earthy pine needle oil and fresh aquatic accord. It boasts an incredibly versatile aroma, which I would say lends itself to a variety of different scent preferences. Not to mention, it is truly perfect for the autumn season transition."
RRP: £120 for 50ml | Notes: Blackcurrant bud, Galbanum, Wild Fig, Green Tea, Orris, Jasmine, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Tonka, Amber, Musk
Gabar's Swim smells like luscious green, waxy leaves covered in raindrops. It's splashy and incredibly dewy, with notes of galbanum bringing this bitter, resinous burst, while wild fig and green tea bring an intense, earthy freshness. As you wear it, the crispness softens into a woody, musky base that really adds to that rain soaked wilderness-y feel that this fragrance seeks to create. It was, after all, inspired by the jungle region of Hpa-An, Myanmar and truly captures a snapshot of such a green, sprawling landscape in its blend.
RRP: from £21 for 10ml | Notes: muguet, pepper, incense and cedarwood
Korean perfume brand Anillo's Shower Time scent has swiftly become a new favourite in my collection. It's musky but dewy all at once, with watery notes of muguet clashing with spicy pepper and incense. It's warm and woody, and while technically inspired by hot showers and steam rising from a bath, it also reminds me of the rain and the smell that fills the air as the street around you, as well as your hair and skin, get drenched in drizzle. It's alluring and quite soft compared to some of the others in this list. In fact, I would describe it as a bit of a rainy skin scent, which might appeal to fans of subtle, musky signatures. The 10ml bottle is also just £21 if you're looking for a chic perfume under-£30.
RRP: from £172 for 50ml | Notes: Dry juniper berry, patchouli, ambrox, cade and musk
Described by the brand as having the 'crisp, wet, drenched effect that water gives to the earth after the rain,' Baie 19 was inspired by petrichor and the ozone in the air. It marries dry juniper berries with green leaves and patchouli. It's rich and grounding, the epitome of a fresh, green fragrance that uplifts and energises.
RRP: £295 for 100ml | Notes: pink pepper, bergamot, benzoin, Virginian cedarwood, incense, amber, patchouli and white musk
New to LOEWE's fragrance line, Smoky Rain takes inspiration from summer storms. It's warm and spicy, with notes of pink pepper, incense, amber and white musks swirling around woody cedarwood and resinous benzoin. It is indeed smoky, which feels very fitting for an autumn/winter perfume.
RRP: from £72 for 50ml | Notes: rain, grapefruit, pollen, mimosa, peony, lilac, oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli
"Uni’s ‘Rain’ scent is fresh, earthy and addictive, capturing the feeling of the calm after the storm," says Sennen. "It combines notes of rain, soft florals and woods for an aroma that lingers hours after first spritzing it. To me, it feels like a true coastal fragrance that is salty, beachy and versatile. As someone that is prone to getting headaches, I can also appreciate that this perfume is water-based and free from alcohol, meaning it’s designed to be kinder to those who experience perfume-triggered migraines and dryness."
RRP: £165 for 50ml | Notes: bergamot, mandarin, iris absolute, orange flower absolute, ylang ylang, angelica, jasmine, vetiver, vanilla bourbon and white musks
For our floral fragrance fans out there, seeking a rainy sort of scent, Perfumer H's aptly named Rain Cloud parfum is a lovely place to start. It's cool and invigorating, layering soft white flowers with white musks, amber and green notes of vetiver and angelica grain. It's powdery and airy, with a cooling freshness that mirrors the splash of raindrops on your skin.
RRP: £85 for 50ml | Notes: rain accord, lilac and sandalwood
A lovely example of an aquatic floral perfume, A Drop D'Issey is like a spring shower misting over fresh blooms. The blend boasts a specifically formulated rain accord, which lends a dewy, marine-like quality to the powdery notes of lilac and soft sandalwood. It's subtle and unique, but like the rest of Issey Miyake's perfumes, it offers impressive staying power.
If you gravitate towards fresh, airy perfumes over floral ones, for example, a rainy fragrance is a lovely option for you, as aside from boasting that familiar petrichor note, it can also smell very green and dewy.
Perfumes like Anillo's Shower Time also blend that rainy quality with musky-woody notes and spices, offering a very cosy and chic scent that feels perfect for the colder months.
What makes a 'rainy' perfume?
According to master perfumer and our Home eCommerce Editor, Laura Honey (who is also a former Penhaligon's Fragrance Consultant), "Petrichor is a beautiful fragrance to bottle up, but it’s also quite tricky. The scent itself is a delicate blend of some more unusual essential oils. Geosmin is the molecule that gives that natural, earthy smell, but it needs to be balanced carefully with smoky notes, woodiness, and some green accords too.
"I always look for violet leaf, because that’s a great note for getting a 'fresh green' smell and iris or orris are also good to keep an eye out for because their powdery scent is brilliant for an air of sophistication and softness."
As for who might like a scent inspired by showers and rain-drenched leaves, Honey notes that, "If you already love woody or earthy perfumes, petrichor is a beautiful blend to try. They’re brilliant for giving you a fragrance that smells natural, earthy, and fresh, making them an easy spritz for anyone who wants more of an organic and mineral version of popular aquatic and fresh perfumes."
