6 aromatic, spicy perfumes to make you feel all warm and cosy this season
With earthy patchouli, rich cinnamon and fragrant cardamom, these spicy perfumes are complex in the best possible way
While delicate florals and fresh citrus scents will always be timeless picks, sometimes our senses crave an altogether headier aroma, like these spicy perfumes...
The list of best long-lasting perfumes caters for every preference, whether you're a lover of juicy fruit notes or creamy vanilla blends. But, it's also home to several spicy and aromatic signatures - the sort that leave a trail of sultriness behind you and envelope your skin in intimate, peppery warmth. A spicy perfume, by its very definition, captivates the senses and is perfect for autumn and winter spritzing. That said, if don't tend to gravitate towards traditional floral fragrances and gourmands, you can of course dose yourself with notes of cardamom and cinnamon year-round.
So, if you're on the hunt for a nuanced blend to add to your collection, we've rounded up six spicy scents we love. From popular to underrated blends, every one of these is guaranteed to attract compliments...
6 spicy perfumes that are so perfect for this season
A spicy perfume can encompass anything from a heady, leathery blend to a floral musk. They're versatile, with classic spice notes like clove and star anise pairing harmoniously with woods, florals and even fruity accords. What distinguishes these scents is their recognisable warmth and complex allure, which - like fig perfumes and sultry cherry scents - is proving to be very popular this season.
To that end, we've rounded up an array of fragrances from the likes of Diptyque and Le Labo to help spice up your life...
Leathery & floral
RRP: from £170 for 50ml | Notes: Violet accord, cardamom, iris, papyrus, ambrox, cedarwood, leather and sandalwood
A favourite of Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson, Le Labo's iconic Santal 33 combines spicy cardamom with leathery facets, for a signature that is both warm and musky. The addition of violet and iris also offers a flattering powderiness to the scent that is just so cosy.
Who should buy it: those seeking a unisex cosy perfume that is timeless and effortlessly chic.
Spicy citrus
RRP: £10 for 100ml | Notes: Bergamot, cardamom, lemon, orange flower, cedar and amber
Touted as the best high-street spicy scent on woman&home's list of best perfumes for women, M&S' Spice Bergamot is refreshingly affordable and minimalistic. It combines the citrusy freshness of bergamot with warm cardamom and amber, as well as delicate white florals. It's musky and soft, with its £10 price tag making it the perfect everyday signature.
Who should buy it: those seeking an affordable spicy citrus scent that they can spritz generously.
Smokey & comforting
RRP: £60 for 30ml | Notes: Black pepper essence, cinnamon leaves, cypriol, Virginian cedarwood, labdanum resinoid, oud Infusion and leather accord
If you're a lover of the best oud perfumes, this newer addition to the Maison Margiela Replica perfume family might be right up your alley. It's described as being warm and leathery, with opening hints of tingly black pepper and comforting cardamom and cinnamon. There's also a smokiness afforded by labdanum and oud, to recreate the feel of stargazing in the nighttime air.
Who should buy it: lovers of smoky and leathery oud scents.
Woody floral
RRP: £115 for 50ml | Notes: bergamot, rose, jasmine, neroli, cardamom sandalwood, cedarwood and clove
Blending a rich base of sandalwood, cedarwood and clove with delicate but luxe hints of rose, jasmine and neroli, this scent is the epitome of warmth. The mix of spices makes this a very captivating and distinctive signature that is as chic as it is alluring.
Who should buy it: those seeking a long-lasting and individualistic signature.
Distinctive & Incense-like
RRP: £150 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, Sichuan pepper, wild fig, carrot seeds, rum, cashmere wood and tonka bean
Captivating and dark, Byredo's Eleventh Hour marries citrusy bursts of bergamot and spicy Sichuan pepper with a silky base of cashmere wood and tonka bean for a scent that is designed to capture, "a journey to the end of time." It is bold and tells a story when you wear it, rather than simply making a chic impression - and it's a favourite of woman&home's Digital Beauty Editor, Fiona McKim.
Who should buy it: those who are seeking an incense-like scent that is bold and unusual.
Creamy
RRP: £153 for 75ml | Notes: Ginger, sandalwood, cedar, cypress and coriander
Ranked among the best Diptyque perfumes, Tom Dao offers a velvety blend of warm woods and rich spices. It's creamy and aromatic thanks to its hint of sandalwood, cypress and ginger, and affords a lingering impression that is timeless and effortlessly chic.
Who should buy it: unisex fragrance fans who are seeking a creamy, almost milky signature with a spicy edge.
What are spicy perfume notes
Popular spice notes include the likes of cardamom, star anise, pink and black peppercorn, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. They're often used to ground a scent, offering a warm and lasting base. That said, notes such as pink pepper can also be found as opening 'top notes' in spicy perfumes, to afford a perfume an immediate powdery muskiness - scents like Glossier You and Diptyque's Fleur de Peau, are very chic examples of this.
As for what a spicy perfume smells like, there is no one answer. They tend to be on the earthy side, with a smokiness that lingers and clings to the skin. The overall impression depends on what other notes the spices are layered with because as mentioned, you can find the likes of cardamom blended with cedarwood - for a very warm, earthy scent - or, bursts of zingy ginger paired with citrus hints, for a fresh and summery signature.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Naomi is a Digital Beauty Writer from woman&home, where she covers everything from skincare to fragrance but specialises, particularly, in makeup and nail trends. Through her work, Naomi gets to share her trend expertise and share her own shopping recommendations and product reviews. Previously, she worked as a Lifestyle News Writer for My Imperfect Life magazine, where she used her savvy for TikTok to bring readers the latest beauty buzzwords, fashion movements and must-have products.
Before that, Naomi split her time between both GoodTo and My Imperfect Life, whilst training for her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ, for which she earned a Distinction. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but leapt into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing. Now, when she isn’t reporting on the best perfumes and latest beauty releases, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping...
-
I finally found a travel hair dryer that's easy to pack and powerful enough for a shiny blow-dry
Considering buying the Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer? A beauty editor shares her thoughts
By Emma North Published
-
"I was terrible at asking for help, I just didn’t know how to do it," Miranda Hart says as she speaks candidly about her struggles with chronic illness
Miranda Hart's new memoir candidly details her struggles with chronic illness
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
These nifty £3 nail tabs helped us achieve a flawless 7-day manicure in minutes
Forget trips to the salon, these jelly nail tabs are the easiest way to DIY a fuss-free instant manicure...
By Sennen Prickett Published
-
Sam McKnight shows us the easiest hair volumising trick on Susannah Constantine
The legendary hairstylist lifts the lid on ‘one of the oldest tricks in the book’ for giving flat roots a boost
By Sennen Prickett Published
-
Claudia Winkleman's signature scent is this musky classic that 'smells like sex'
Adding warmth and spice to soft florals, Claudia Winkleman's perfume of choice is effortlessly sexy (and a bit of a throwback)
By Naomi Jamieson Published
-
We've discovered the secret behind Victoria Beckham's sculpted and glowing skin
Acting as a workout for your face muscles, Victoria Beckham swears by this cult classic face roller to achieve her toned and radiant glow
By Sennen Prickett Published
-
Chanel's best-selling makeup buys for a chic 'French-girl' look, tried and ranked
From creamy bronzers to signature lipsticks, Chanel makeup products are highly coveted, so I've put six popular staples to the test...
By Naomi Jamieson Published
-
We can't get enough of Trinny's natural curls - or her under-£30 hair serum pick
Trinny's curly hair routine is a masterclass in shine and strength-boosting buys, including this JVN serum
By Sennen Prickett Published
-
Louise Redknapp just revealed how she creates her simple party-ready makeup look - her go-to products are some of the best out there on the market
Louise Redknapp's berry pink lipstick, flawless foundation and simple eyeshadow look is a failsafe makeup look we're going to recreate all through the festive party season
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Our whole beauty team swears by this multi-tasking blush that will not budge
With their fun packaging and impressive staying power, our team can't get enough of these Milk Makeup Jelly tints...
By Naomi Jamieson Published