The 13 Best Fruity Perfumes, According to Fragrance Experts

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Mango. Strawberry. Pear. Pineapple. This isn’t a recipe for a summer fruit salad or refreshing glass of sangria. It’s the most popular fragrance notes on Google, according to Spate’s 2023 Fragrance Trend Report. Fruity fragrances are trending in a major way, and all you have to do is scan the shelves at Sephora or scroll through #PerfumeTok to see the bounty of berry, citrus, and melon-based scents available to spritz. I’m not talking about body mists, either. More and more luxury fragrance brands are playing in the fruity fragrance space, says Jessica Matlin, director of beauty and home at Moda Operandi and co-host of the Fat Mascara podcast, and they’re doing it in really interesting ways. “Fruity fragrances have always been around but for the longest time they were primarily in the body-splash space — very young, very fruit forward, or very photorealistic,” says Bee Shapiro, founder of Ellis Brooklyn. “Now, you have different ways of approaching fruit, where it’s super obvious [in the scent], and one of our challenges as a brand has been how to elevate it”

There’s no singular reason why you’re suddenly seeing more fruity fragrances. It’s a perfect storm of nostalgic 30- and 40-somethings, a new generation of fragrance lovers, and the simple fact that fruity fragrances are easy to like and easy to wear. “It’s the Y2K nostalgia of it all and fruity fragrances were all the rage in the early 2000s,” says Sable Yong, beauty writer and co-host of the Smell Ya Later podcast. The difference is that unlike capri pants and butterfly clips, fruity fragrances remain a delight to wear. “There’s still a connection to these types of scents because they remind us of that joyfulness from childhood,” says Firmenich perfumer Gabriela Chelariu, the woman behind Kayali Juicy Apple, Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar, and Phlur Strawberry Letter.

But as the fragrance category booms, there’s a new generation of perfumer lovers who didn’t grow up choked in a cloud of Victoria’s Secret Love Spell or Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea. “For an audience that is new to fragrance, which is a huge segment of fragrance lovers, they don’t have that cutie patootie scent memory that a lot of people might be thinking of when they hear ‘fruity fragrance,’” says Matlin. “To them, it’s not retro, it’s totally new.” Gen-Z is also more in tune with notes than most millennials were back in the 2000s. Did you know the olfactory pyramid of Love Spell? Because I definitely can’t tell you. “Ingredients have become so important regardless of whether it's a body wash or a $250 fragrance,” says Ann Gottleib, renowned fragrance developer and the brains behind the Victoria Secret’s and Bath & Body Work scents from the 90s and 2000s. “Consumers want to know what's in those fragrances and will buy because they like what's in them.”

There’s also a simple reason why fruit fragrances are trending again: because they make us feel good. Their familiarity can feel welcoming and comforting, whether they’re bright and sparkly, tart and fresh, or warm and syrupy. “I really think one of the main drivers of the fruity trend is that people want to wear fragrances to make themselves feel delighted, happy, and optimistic,” says Chelariu. Fruity scents do all of the above.

Fruit-forward fragrances have also improved greatly since the synthetic sweetness of the mall era. “We used to exaggerate certain notes in fragrances so they smelled a bit heavy and not so natural,” explains Chelariu. “Over the last 20 years, we’ve evolved towards a much more natural expression of fruity notes so that they smell juicier and more like the way they smell in nature.” This is something you can see across the board in our definitive list of the 13 best fruity fragrances on the market. Compiled by Bazaar’s beauty editors along with our group of experts, this list features fruit fragrances for every taste —whether you prefer pears or pineapples, gourmands or amber florals — and are sure to make you smell (and feel!) absolutely amazing.

Mango. Strawberry. Pear. Pineapple. This isn’t a recipe for a summer fruit salad or a refreshing glass of sangria. It’s the most popular fragrance note on Google, according to Spate’s 2023 Fragrance Trend Report. Fruity fragrances are trending in a major way, and all you have to do is scan the shelves at Sephora or scroll through #PerfumeTok to see the bounty of berry, citrus, and melon-based scents available to spritz.

I’m not talking about body mists, either. More and more luxury fragrance brands are playing in the fruity fragrance space. “Fruity fragrances have always been around, but for the longest time, they were primarily in the body-splash space—very young, very fruit forward, or very photorealistic,” says Bee Shapiro, founder of Ellis Brooklyn. “Now, you have different ways of approaching fruit, where it’s super obvious [in the scent], and one of our challenges as a brand has been how to elevate it."

Looking to add a fruity new fragrance to your perfume wardrobe? The 13 picks ahead were compiled by Bazaar’s beauty editors along with scent experts. Ahead, find a fruit fragrance for every taste—whether you prefer pears or pineapples, gourmands or amber florals.

Fruto Oscuro Eau de Parfum

Fruto Oscuro, or “dark fruit” in Spanish, is in a category of its own. Inspired by the brand's Latin heritage, Mexican perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux incorporated sweet-smelling stone fruits like capulin (Mexican black cherry), zapote, and mamey, which are all native to Mexico and Central America. These fruits are rich, juicy, and deeply intoxicating, especially when blended with the spicy woody notes incorporated throughout.

NOTES: Capulin (Mexican black cherry), zapote, pink pepper, quince jam, mamey, clove stem, black pepper, frankincense, upcycled patchouli heart, guaiacwood, blackberry

What the experts say: “Fruto Oscuro is one of my favorites and an elevated way to wear fruit,” says Jessica Matlin, director of beauty and home at Moda Operandi and co-host of the Fat Mascara podcast. Personally, I find it smells unlike any fruit-based fragrance I’ve ever spritzed. Rich and syrupy, it’s also earthy, spicy, and inexplicably light—not what you’d expect from a perfume that includes quince jam, clove stem, frankincense, and patchouli. “This perfume, although luscious and mouthwatering, doesn’t really fall under a gourmand category,” Flores-Roux wrote on his Instagram about the scent. “It’s much more than that.”

Mood Ring Eau de Parfum

Mood Ring uses fruity notes and a fruit-gummy accord to create a bright, bold, juicy fragrance that starts off sweet and then mellows to something soft and dreamy. The combination of white flowers in the heart and the transparent musk and amber in the base give the fragrance an unexpected skin-like quality that’s incredibly addictive when blended with all that sugar.

NOTES: Pitaya pulp, sweet orange, fruit gummies, orange flower, jasmine sambac, marigold bloom, patchouli prisma, glazed musks, transparent amber

What the experts say: Clean and sparkly, I love how the white florals subdue the intense fruitiness of the top notes and how it really melds with my skin as it dries down. The ultimate mood-booster, you feel happier from the moment you spray it on (my guess is that’s how the scent got its name). And it’s an undisputed crowd-pleaser. From Uber drives to my Pilates instructor, I get compliments everytime I step out of the house wearing it.

Miami Nectar Eau De Parfum

Founder Bee Shapiro wanted the fragrance equivalent of a summer banger—she got it with Miami Nectar. It’s currently Ellis Brooklyn’s most popular launch yet, and it's not hard to see why. Juicy, sparkly, optimistic fruit note? Check. Tropical, hot, creamy white florals? Check. Yummy, warm vanilla? Sounds delicious. Blend those all together in a really fresh and unexpected way, and you will have a surefire summer fragrance hit.

NOTES: Pink pineapple, coconut water, wild jasmine, plumeria, vanilla, sweet amber, salted woods

What the experts say: With a brief to capture the bright colors and sunny vibes of Miami, Firmenich perfumer Gabriela Chelariu paired pink pineapple with coconut water and white flowers to create a fruity gourmand that’s creamy and tropical. The pink pineapple is key in this composition. “Pink pineapple is less tart than yellow pineapple and has almost a berry-like effect,” says the perfumer. “It’s much juicier and more complex, which brings a lot of fun into the fragrance.”

Pulp Eau de Parfum

In its typical rebellious fashion, Byredo takes the idea of a fruity fragrance and strips it down to its very essence. There’s nothing juicy, floral, or sugary sweet about Pulp. Instead, it’s tart and every-so-slightly citrusy, perfectly capturing the smell of ripe, mashed fruit.

NOTES: Bergamot, blackcurrant, cardamom, fig, red apple, tiare, cedarwood, peach flower, praline

What the experts say: “If anyone's going to do an interesting take on fruit, Byredo would be the one,” says Sable Yong, beauty writer and co-host of the Smell Ya Later podcast. Pulp is a polarizing scent, with many fans warning against buying this one blind. It’s not bright or sparkly or the least bit sweet. In fact, it errs on the bitter side of the fragrance spectrum. Commenters on the r/fragrance subreddit (which boasts 1.2 million subscribers) describe it as smelling like overripe fruit, with my favorite review coming from user Return2scentr who describes it as “sangria that’s been allowed to warm to room temperature.” Not for everyone, but Pulp’s loyal fans can’t get enough.

EDEN JUICY APPLE

Chock full of fruit, Eden Juice Apple contains blackcurrant, pink grapefruit, lychee, wild berries, and the red apple it’s named after. You’d think all that fruit would smell overpowering, but instead, the scent, while undeniably sweet, is also crisp and sparkly.

NOTES: Juicy red apple, pink grapefruit, lychee, wildberries, jasmine, vanilla flower, sugared moss, sensual musk

What the experts say: Juicy Apple is a nod to the fruity fragrances of the ‘90s and 2000s—the fragrances Kayali founder Mona Kattan grew up with, looking at it through a grown-up lens. “We wanted to capture this feeling of joyfulness and fruitiness, but in a very elegant, sparkling way,” says Chelariu, who was also the perfumer here. The secret? Moss. Yes, the stuff that grows on rocks. “It’s quite interesting because when you combine moss with sweetness, it accentuates the sweetness but also gives it a beautiful elegance," she continues. "That synergy results in a much more exciting, complex, and faceted fragrance.”

Pear Jam Eau de Parfum

Meant to smell like a bag of ripe pears, Nette’s latest scent perfectly captures the fruit in all its complexity—the fresh, green smell when it’s not yet ripe, the sweet, juicy quality of ripe pear, as well as the comforting warmth of cooked pear thanks to the touch of vanilla at the base. Bright and jammy, Nette claims the fruity floral is scientifically backed to boost feelings of joy and positivity.

NOTES: Koji pear, raspberry pulp, rosewater, ambrette seed, white peach

What the experts say: “This is like a grown-up version of your nostalgic, pear-scented body sprays from the mall era,” says Yong. Pear Jam is the second fragrance on this list by perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux, who described his creation as “luscious and nectary” on his Instagram. A favorite of #PerfumeTok, many reviewers are impressed by Pear Jam’s longevity, with @oliviaolfactory claiming she could smell it on her skin seven hours later.

Mango Skin Eau de Parfum

Blackberries and black pepper ensure Mango Skin smells more like a ripe, pulpy mango from the farmer’s market and less like a smoothie from Jamba Juice. Fruity and sweet at first spritz, the dry down brings to mind a bowl of mango ice cream with an herb garnish.

NOTES: Blackberries, mango, black pepper, wild orris, black lotus, jasmin, patchouli, vanilla, pink sugar

What the experts say: Vilhelm Parfumerie takes mango—a note we’re used to seeing in sugary body splashes—and elevates it to something way more complex. There’s a ton of hype around this scent on #PerfumeTok, but it’s important to note that if you’re expecting something bright and sparkly, this is not it. Mango Skin smells humid, sticky, and hyper-realistic—like how a real, ripe mango smells and tastes.

Hermès Eau de Mandarine Ambrée

Warm and citrusy, Mandarine Ambrée smells like a sunlit orchard. With zero florals, you get the pure, sparkling juiciness of the mandarin and the passion fruit, which is then mellowed out by the smooth powderiness of the amber.

NOTES: Mandarin, passion fruit, amber

What the experts say: Mandarine Ambrée is the quiet luxury of fruit fragrances. It doesn’t scream “fruit” but rather takes juicy mandarin and smoothes it with the powdery warmth of amber. It’s an incredibly simple composition but one I find impactful and subtly hot. It’s also just one of Hermès’s many standout, fruit-centered fragrances. Eau de Pamplemousse (grapefruit), Eau d’Orange Verte (orange), Un Jardin Sur Le Nil (green mango), and Un Jardin Sur Le Toit (apple tree and pear tree) are all fresh, airy scents that hero fruit notes in really elegant and luxurious ways.

Blackberry & Bay Cologne

Blackberry & Bay is unique in that its herbaceous take on a fruity fragrance. It brings together fruit (sweet-but-tart blackberries) with earthy, grassy notes (bay leaf and vetiver) and woodsy cedar.

NOTES: Blackberry, bay leaves accord, lily of the valley, cedarwood

What the experts say: With this fragrance, you close your eyes, and you’re transported to the English countryside, picking berries and picnicking in the grass. It’s pure romance, but not in a sultry, passionate way. It’s the romance of a Jane Austen novel—tender, charming, and beautifully bucolic.

Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum Fragrance

When Tom Ford does fruit, he does it the only way he knows how— with a heavy dose of hedonism. Lost Cherry blends three different types of cherry notes: black cherry, cherry liqueur, and sour cherry, and blends it with bitter almond, making it less wholesome cherry pie and more sipping boozy, syrupy cherry liquor in a smoky room.

NOTES: Black cherry, cherry liqueur, bitter almond, sour cherry, rose, jasmine sambac, sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood

What the experts say: “Tom Ford should really get the fruity pin,” says fragrance developer Ann Gottlieb. “He has managed to marry different fruity notes to enough of a unisex background in order to make scents that are extraordinarily wearable across the board.” Lost Cherry is no exception in a long list of fruity hits (Bitter Peach, Electric Cherry, Cherry Smoke). It avoids going into synthetic cherry Chapstick territory — a tricky feat when there are so many different types of cherry in one scent — and instead infuses it with his signature hot energy to create something decadent and delightful. Another scent people have strong feelings about; there’s one thing everyone can agree on: this fragrance seriously lasts.

Debaser Eau de Parfum

Inspired by summers listening to the Pixies, Debaser smells most like the luscious, dewy grass you might have been laying on in 1989, listening to music on their Walkman. Ethereal and effervescent, there’s a youthful optimism to this scent, coupled with a hot, figgy sweetness that makes this fragrance as romantic as it is fresh.

NOTES: Bergamot, pear stem, fig, coconut milk, blonde woods, and tonka bean

What the experts say: “Debaser is such a great ‘for people who hate fruit scents’ because it’s fig (unexpected fruit!) and coconut in a confusingly refreshing way,” says Yong. “This scent is also known as compliment bait—for me and lots of people I know who wear it.”

Dior Privée Collection Rouge Trafalgar Eau de Parfum

Halfway through his runway shows, Christian Dior loved to send out a model in a vivid red dress, treating the front row to a sudden, energizing jolt of color. He called this his “coup de Trafalgar," and the practice continues today during the house’s haute couture shows. Rouge Trafalgar is like an olfactive “coup de Trafalgar.” Raspberry, cherry, and strawberry smell vibrant and juicy and literally make you think of the color red (because of the berries), while the citrusy notes infuse the scent with a bright, sudden burst of energy.

NOTES: Raspberry, cherry, strawberry, blackcurrant leaf, grapefruit, patchouli, musks

What the experts say: They come with a hefty price tag, but I stand by the fact that Dior’s La Collection Privée is full of standout scents across every category. Rouge Trafalgar is the fruitiest of the range, although this is fruit done the French way. The juiciness is subtle, the sparkliness is refined, and the musk-laced base adds an underlying elegance. Altogether, the result is an effortlessly pretty scent that can be worn day or night all year long.

Chanel Chance Eau de Tendre Eau de Toilette

This ultra-pretty fragrance adds a splash of citrus with sweet grapefruit and a touch of jamminess with quince and removes the spicy patchouli and pink pepper from the original Chance scent. The result is a classic in its own right—a transparent, sparkly, happy fragrance that dries down to a delicate, rosy floral.

NOTES: Grapefruit, quince, rose accord

What the experts say: The first word that comes to mind when spraying Chance Eau Tendre is “clean.” A great choice for people who like soft, pretty, easy-to-wear fragrances, the fruity notes give it a whisper of sparkly juiciness that makes it such a pleasure to wear. "I love it as a light, spring scent perfect for daytime," Lisa Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation, previously told Harper’s Bazaar. “I have fond memories of its iconic campaign for all of Chance."

Why are fruity fragrances so popular right now?

There’s no singular reason why you’re suddenly seeing more fruity fragrances. It’s a perfect storm of nostalgic 30- and 40-somethings, a new generation of fragrance lovers, and the simple fact that fruity fragrances are easy to like and easy to wear. “It’s the Y2K nostalgia of it all—fruity fragrances were all the rage in the early 2000s,” says Yong. The difference is that unlike capri pants and butterfly clips, fruity fragrances remain a delight to wear. “There’s still a connection to these types of scents because they remind us of that joyfulness from childhood,” says Chelariu, the woman behind Kayali Juicy Apple, Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar, and Phlur Strawberry Letter.

But as the fragrance category booms, there’s a new generation of perfumer lovers who didn’t grow up choked in a cloud of Victoria’s Secret Love Spell or Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea. “For an audience that is new to fragrance, which is a huge segment of fragrance lovers, they don’t have that cutie patootie scent memory that a lot of people might be thinking of when they hear ‘fruity fragrance,’” says Matlin. “To them, it’s not retro, it’s totally new.”

There’s also a simple reason why fruit fragrances are trending again: because they make us feel good. Their familiarity can feel welcoming and comforting, whether they’re bright and sparkly, tart and fresh, or warm and syrupy. “I really think one of the main drivers of the fruity trend is that people want to wear fragrances to make themselves feel delighted, happy, and optimistic,” says Chelariu. Fruity scents do all of the above.

How do perfumers capture fruity notes for fragrances?

There are two main ways perfumers create fruity notes. “We have much more knowledge about the natural composition of fruit nowadays,” says Chelariu. “We can extract their headspace—so we analyze the air above the fruit —to identify the molecules and recreate that smell, allowing us to create a very close representation of how that fruit smells naturally.” Those are called nature prints, but there is a different category of fruity notes called “Smell to Taste” or STTs. “These are developed by a flavorist who has experience of creating flavors for food. She translates these flavors into ingredients that we can use in perfume,” explains Chelariu. “We use both nature prints and STTs depending on the sensation that we would like to create. STTs tend to bring an indulgent, addictive quality without being heavy while nature prints are more fresh, juicy, and wet.”

Fruit-forward fragrances have also improved greatly since the synthetic sweetness of the mall era. “We used to exaggerate certain notes in fragrances so they smelled a bit heavy and not so natural,” the perfumer continues. “Over the last 20 years, we’ve evolved towards a much more natural expression of fruity notes so that they smell juicier and more like the way they smell in nature.”

Shop more fragrance picks from our editors:

• The 10 Best Strawberry Fragrances to Spritz This Summer

• The 17 Sexiest Fragrances of All Time

• The 11 Best New Fragrances of 2024 (So Far)

• The 14 Best Summer Perfumes to Help Beat the Heat

• The 7 Best Pheromone Perfumes That Shake Up the Laws of Attraction

Meet the Experts

• Jessica Matlin is the director of beauty and home at Moda Operandi and co-host of the Fat Mascara podcast

• Sable Yong is a beauty writer and co-host of the Smell Ya Later podcast

• Bee Shapiro is the founder of Ellis Brooklyn

• Gabriela Chelariu is a perfumer at Firmenich

• Ann Gottlieb is a renowned fragrance developer

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