12 Warm Fragrances ELLE Editors Will Be Spritzing All Winter Long

Key notes: orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, praline, musk

Smells like: If you like your liquor dark and smokey, Althair is the fragrance equivalent. The base is vanilla, but Althair is more mysterious and deeper than sweet. The gourmand foundation swirls with bourbon and cinnamon and sets the stage for a strong musky edge.

An ELLE editor says: “As far as my fragrance palette goes—the bolder the scent, the better. I attended a basketball game, and a little girl next to me tapped me to tell me, ‘You smell so good,’ and I immediately knew Althair was leveling up to my top-five scent lineup. It almost feels like the scent equivalent of a Hot Toddy—toasty, spicy, and invigorating.”—Nerisha Penrose

Key notes: blueberry, tangerine, Bulgarian rose, geranium, patchouli, magnolia, musk

Smells like: No, this isn’t inspired by the Kilian scent Rihanna is said to be obsessed with, but it's an amalgamation of the mogul’s favorite notes: magnolia, musk, blueberry, tangerine, patchouli, and more. Grown, sexy, and memorable, the blueberry note stands out most to make this scent a sure-fire conversation starter in any room you enter.

Our expert reviewer says: “I’m wearing this scent as I type this review—as soon as the weather got cooler, this sweet, musky fragrance has been in constant rotation. It smells like luxury and gives off grown and sexy vibes. I like to pair it with the matching body créme for a scent that lasts all day—no reapplying needed!” —Danielle James, beauty expert

Key notes: Wild strawberry, red velvet rose, cedarwood

Smells like: Strawberry makeup lovers now have an equally sweet and mesmerizing fragrance to compliment their beauty look. Coach Love props up the strawberry note with woods and a hint of florals that feel like a walk through a strawberry field on an autumn afternoon.

An ELLE editor says: “If you think love smells sweet with a hidden depth, this is the scent for you. I was scared off by this scent’s initial note of strawberry, but the woods balances it out nicely. Try this if you want something with a similar scent profile to Baccarat, but different.”—Kathleen Hou

Key notes: Honey, caramel, cocoa, almond, vanilla, tonka bean

Smells like: One spritz is all you need to close your eyes and transport to a cozy bakery in a small town blanketed by snow. Villa Isar feels like the olfactory equivalent of your favorite holiday Lifetime movie, enveloping you in toasty, creamy notes typically found in a tasty treat but way more sophisticated and elegant for daily wear. Caramel, cocoa, almond, vanilla, and tonka bean tickle your nose with comfort.

An ELLE editor says: “I sprayed this perfume once, and that was all I needed to add it to the top spot of my winter perfume lineup. I detest gourmand scents that are too playful and cloy, but Villa Isar is a gourmand delight that feels sexy yet not too serious. If I were snowed in, tucked away in a cabin with just one scent to last for my entire getaway, it would be this one.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Key notes: Cinnamon, tobacco, cardamom, sandalwood, patchouli, bourbon vanilla

Smells like: Centaurus is primed for those who like their sweetness with a smoky edge. This perfume smells like bourbon and tobacco-soaked cherries toasting on a fire in the woods; its dark and intimate yet still striking enough for a passersby to take a double whiff.

An ELLE editor says: “Jazz clubs are my favorite outings these days, and Centaurus reminds me of a quaint, dimly lit jazz club covered in plush velvet with bourbon-tinged drinks by the boatload. Thanks to cinnamon, cardamon, bourbon, and vanilla, this perfume is sexy and alluringly mysterious. It’s the type of perfume that deepens as it settles.”—Nerisha Penrose

Key notes: ginger oil, Tunisian neroli oil, orange oil, Italian bergamot, geranium, musk, vanilla

Smells like: Despite the title, this scent leans more orange than purple. One spritz of this perfume smells like the tangy juices of a freshly bitten orange lingering on your skin. The dry-down reveals another burst of citrus and faint whispers of musk.

An ELLE editor says: “The ELLE Beauty neck of the office is an aromatic haven of possibly every fragrance you can think of. So when an editor sprayed this scent nearby, the citrus notes wafted toward my desk and mesmerized me. I love anything that reminds me of lemons and oranges. Purple Noon smells like a medley of tangy fruits bathing in the sun.”—Nerisha Penrose

Key notes: Yuzu lemon, peony, musk

Smells like: It’s hard to nail down a true winter scent, as most cold-weather perfumes go the warm, gourmand, or spicy route. Bright Crystal is a welcome diversion from the frosty scents out there, thanks to a medley of fresh fruits, like pomegranate and lemon, and bright florals.

An ELLE editor says: “This perfume isn’t a new release but has new popularity because K-pop star Beomgyu named it one of his favorite things. In contrast to the other perfumes on the list, it’s lighter and not as musky as what you would expect for a cold-weather perfume. But it’s a classic all-year-round smell, that’s citrusy, bright and smells like teenage hopes and aspirations.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director

Key notes: Pink peppercorn, iris, ambrox

Smells like: If warm and powdery is what your heart desires, You by Glossier won’t disappoint. Pink pepper is the MVP of this make-up and melts into a creamy, powdery swirl that pulls different notes to the forefront, depending on who's wearing it. It’s a scent made for you, even if you don’t know your taste yet.

An ELLE editor says: “I joined the You bandwagon late because I wasn’t convinced this universally-loved fragrance was worth all the hype it receives. Trust me, it’s worth every praise and accolade it’s garnered over the years. I love how soft it settles on my skin and how easily it melds with my other scents. She's a team player and enhances any scent layering combo.”—Nerisha Penrose

Key notes: Warm resin encens, honeyed ambrox, cedarwood.

Smells like: Your memory of Governor’s Island probably isn’t linked to a particular scent. Whether you visited for a festival or a glamping retreat, Governor’s Island could never smell as good as Bond No. 9’s iteration. Since the grounds are covered in grass, this scent evokes the earthy and woody notes that you’d encounter on a walk around the island.

A Bond No. 9 reviewer says: “A wharf on a warm sunny day, with the fresh sea air surrounded by that heavy, sappy dock wood. It’s comforting and warm, but can definitely be worn casually throughout the day. However, it is also a bit sexy. Super different. Smells great on both sexes. I really cannot describe this but regardless, it is a year-round staple for me.”

Key notes: Schisandra berry, mulberry, lily of the valley, plum blossom, honeysuckle, white amber, sandalwood, musk

Smells like: Elorea’s approach to fragrance is fresh, bright, and straight to the point. Inflorescence is aquatic, fruity, and floral, giving each layer room to shine. White flowers soften the musk and earthy notes to create an invigorating morning scent.

An ELLE editor says: “Inflorescence is my favorite desk scent. Whenever I need a mid-day pick-me-up, this is the scent I reach for. I know what it smells like—ever smelled a fresh, wet bouquet of flowers?—but each day unveils a new layer that makes me fall in love with the scent over and over again.”—Nerisha Penrose

Key notes: Red apple, sugar cane, vanilla Madagascar

Smells like: If you’re not paying attention, apple picking season can pass you by in the blink of an eye. Luckily, Apple Love by Ellis Brooklyn smells exactly like a fun day at an orchard, walking through a wet field doused in juices from the fallen fruit.

An ELLE editor says: “A perfume for your Fall apple picking fantasies and Gilmore Girls marathons. Unlike a lot of apple scents which can smell juicy and very sweet, this smells more crisp and warm, like a cup of apple cider by a fire. Definitely try this if you don’t love a sweet scent but do like fruity perfumes.”—Kathleen Hou

Key notes: jasmine and saffron, cedar wood, ambergris

Smells like: If “you can’t sit with us” was a scent, it would be Baccarat Rouge 540. The scent is as sophisticated and sexy as the bottle it’s packaged in and lingers for hours. Baccarat 540 takes you on a ride up through bright florals and down to woods.

An ELLE editor says: “Chances are that even if you don’t know what Baccarat smells like, you’ve smelled it. This fragrance was released several years but took off on TikTok because of its unique and polarizing sweetness and smokiness. You either love it or you hate it, but you won’t forget their smell (it also happens to be one of the most long-lasting perfumes.)”—Kathleen Hou

Key notes: Moss, citrus, musk, florals

Smells like: The winter white bottle leads you to believe it’s a frosty scent, but Aurum Winter is a musky-gourmand delight that deepens the longer you wear it. Plus, it lasts all day long and sticks to your clothes for hours.

An ELLE editor says: “If I could get the body wash and body oil equivalent to this scent, I’d spend my last dime on it. Aurum Winter has a luminous composition, but the musk is what truly stands out.”—Nerisha Penrose

Key notes: Orange blossom, diva lavender, white lavender

Smells like: Often, floral scents can be faint and subtle. Make no mistake: there’s nothing subtle about libre Absolu Platine. Taking the Libre range up a notch, Absolu Platine glistens with white florals and lavender that’s anchored by a bold swing of orange blossom.

Our expert editor says: “I’m a floral girl through and through and this scent does not disappoint. The lavender and orange blossom mix gives it a light, airy, smell—but as it dries down, you pick up the musk, for a sensual finish.”—Danielle James