We’re halfway through the year, and just like fashion and beauty, fragrance trends evolve with the seasons. If you’re looking for your next signature scent or simply curious about what’s trending, consider this your fragrance cheat sheet for the rest of 2025.
A scent forecast may not be the first thing that comes to mind when discussing beauty trends, but it’s essential information. Fragrance preferences aren’t just shaped by seasons or branding — they’re driven by data. Every perfume purchase, product search, and editorial mention shapes what’s next in scent trends. While it’s easy to assume that luxury brands dictate what we wear, the reality is that consumers drive the demand.
This makes the idea of a data-led scent forecast especially relevant for the remaining half of 2025. Perfume, while deeply personal, is also influenced by wider cultural factors, emotional needs, and even weather. Tracking those patterns through data presents a clearer view of what scents people want to wear and why.
Perfume is big business. Reports estimate that, as of 2024, the global perfume market is worth nearly $40 billion. This figure continues to grow steadily every year. Apart from being fuelled by rising disposable incomes, particularly in emerging economies, the powerful influence of social media contributes to the surge. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have reshaped how consumers discover and engage with fragrance. Perfume launches have become viral events, positioning niche and limited-edition scents as must-haves. In today’s landscape, digital buzz is as crucial as the scent itself.
That’s why Olamide Adigun’s research-led take on fragrance trends caught my attention. “I couldn’t resist diving into the numbers behind 2025’s biggest perfume note trends,” she said. A data analyst and scent enthusiast who shares insights on beauty, fragrance, and data through a tech-lens on social media, Olamide’s scent forecast is based on beauty editorials, consumer search data and global trend reports. It offers a clear view of what we’ll be wearing for the rest of the year.
If you’re ready to refresh your fragrance stash or simply love to stay ahead of the curve, this scent forecast is your guide for the rest of 2025. Let’s dive into the six notes worth knowing.
Read also:A breath of flowers: The lightest, warmest, and most elegant floral perfumes
Olamide Adigun’s scent forecast
Cherry: The it-girl note
Cherry has always had a bit of a playful reputation, the kind of note you’d expect in sweet, flirty fragrances. But the 2025 scent forecast so far shows cherry is having a grown-up moment. It’s deeper, bolder, and wrapped in unexpected layers. Think boozy infusions, spicy backnotes, and smoky finishes that feel far more sultry than sweet.
Olamide Adigun says, “The success of fragrances like Tom Ford Lost Cherry and Kayali Lovefest Burning Cherry helped cherry cross over from girly gourmand to sophisticated statement.” The numbers back her up. Google Trends data shows a steady rise in cherry perfume searches since 2022, with noticeable spikes each fourth quarter. It’s not just a passing obsession, it’s a note with staying power. Most especially during the festive and cooler seasons when we lean into warmer, richer profiles.
I’ve also noticed cherry popping up beyond perfume aisles; from cherry cola-toned lipsticks to cherry blossom blushes on runways. It’s become a full-blown aesthetic. Cherry feels nostalgic yet elevated. Now, according to data, in 2025, it’s no longer an accessory to your scent; it’s the main character.
Milky lactonic notes: The soft power of scent
There’s a quiet revolution happening in fragrance, one that whispers instead of shouts. According to the 2025 scent forecast, milky, lactonic notes have been having a major moment since the beginning of the year. Think steamed milk, coconut cream, rice water, even cereal accords, all blended into delicate, comforting compositions that feel like a warm hug on your skin.
This shift aligns perfectly with the broader wellness movement. Five years post-pandemic, there’s a universal craving for calm, and fragrance has become a surprisingly intimate way to deliver that. These milky notes don’t just smell good, they feel good. They’re often paired with musk or skin-like accords to create what are now being called “skin scents”. Fragrances that cling close to the body and exude quiet luxury.
Olamide Adigun breaks it down further: “Searches for terms like ‘skin scent’ and ‘milky perfume’ increased by over 80% between 2024 and 2025. Minimalism and softness are resonating more than ever.” Fragrances like DS&Durga’s Pistachio and Phlur’s Missing Person are just a few examples leading the charge. Whether niche or mainstream, brands are tapping into our desire for something that’s less statement and more soul-soothing, and clearly, it’s working.
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Back to earth: The rise of moss, minerals, and green notes
Still recalibrating from the chaos of recent years, fragrance is taking us back to our roots, quite literally. One of the biggest trends in the 2025 scent forecast so far is a return to earthy, grounding notes. Moss, mineral, and forest notes are quietly replacing the sugary florals, offering a more nature-inspired healing and elegant alternative.
Olamide Adigun notes that this isn’t just a style shift, it’s a mood shift. “In post-pandemic perfumery, ‘back to earth’ isn’t just metaphorical. These notes symbolise authenticity and mental wellness,” she explains. The appeal lies in their ability to anchor the senses. Oakmoss, patchouli, vetiver, and herbaceous greens mimic the scent of damp forests and fresh-cut grass. It’s the kind of quiet, grounded luxury we’ve come to crave.
Linked to this trend is the rise of genderless scent profiles. Earthy fragrances feel modern and inclusive, breaking free of “his” or “hers” labels. Scents like The Nue Co Forest Lungs and Frédéric Malle Synthetic Jungle offer something more enduring. These notes remind us that nature, in its purest form, remains timeless.
Salt in the air, sand on the skin: Aquatic freshness gets an upgrade
There’s something about salt in the air and sand beneath your feet that lingers, not just in memory, but now, in perfume.
In a world where everyone seems to be longing for an escape, it’s no surprise these fresh, salty scents are making waves. They don’t just make you smell good; they make you feel you’ve stepped into your dream holiday. The ultimate luxury.
One of the most evocative trends in the scent forecast is the rise of sun-warmed aquatics. But don’t expect a throwback to the chilly, sharp freshness of 90s cool-water colognes. These new scents are deeper, moodier, and more textured. They smell like salty skin after a swim, warm drifting under the sun, and the soft breeze of the sea.
As a Pisces, a true water sign, nature’s softest elements have always attracted me. There’s an emotional undercurrent to the ocean that feels both expansive and intimate. This explains why aquatic scents like DS&Durga Rockaway Beach and Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk speak to my soul.
Olamide Adigun explains the shift clearly: “Gen Z and millennial buyers are increasingly drawn to experiences, and fragrance houses are bottling vacation nostalgia — literally.” These scents tell stories of coastlines, barefoot walks, and slow-living. They’re also aligned with sustainability, tapping into the clean, mineral-rich, and air-light elements of eco-conscious perfumery.
Read also: Going green: Here’s our guide to understanding sustainability
Yuzu & bright citrus: The zesty reawakening
Citrus that has always signalled freshness, but in 2025, the bright fragrance trend is branching into unexpected territory. Think: Japanese yuzu, Sicilian blood orange, and bitter mandarin; fruits with punch, personality, and a bit of complexity.
As a lover of scent nuance, I’ve watched how citrus went from overlooked to overused, and now to elevated. Today’s citrus-forward perfumes aren’t just top-note teasers. They linger and pair beautifully with warm spices, airy musks, and translucent florals. Yuzu, in particular, is leading the pack. It’s sharp, sunny, but grounded with heritage. Its rise speaks to the influence of Japanese ingredients across beauty and wellness, a shift that’s also apparent in skincare and holistic routines. Scents like Acqua di Parma Yuzu and Diptyque’s Oyédo are not just scents, they’re a lifestyle.
According to Olamide Adigun, mentions of Japanese beauty and wellness ingredients are up across both fragrance editorials and consumer searches. “It’s cultural and sensory — people are chasing scents that feel globally inspired but emotionally grounding,” she explains.
So, if you’re ready for a citrus moment, it’s time to embody this movement.
Nutty gourmands: The delicious grown-up scent
There’s a fine line between playful and sophisticated, and nutty gourmand perfumes walk it beautifully. This scent forecast sees gourmand fragrances evolve beyond sugary vanilla and caramel into more layered, nuanced territory. Think hazelnut, almond, pistachio, and even peanut. These edible notes now bring richness, creaminess, and a warm, roasted charm to everything from florals to woods.
Today’s biggest fashion and beauty trends, along with boutique perfumeries, reflect this trend. Think quiet luxury wardrobes in caramel and oat, the latte makeup revival with bronzy hues, and the glazed skin aesthetic.
Olamide analyses that this trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward quiet luxury and intentional softness. It resonates especially with millennial and Gen Z consumers who crave comfort but won’t compromise on sophistication. “We’re seeing a clear shift in consumer preference — people want warmth, comfort, and familiarity, but they also want elevation.”
Fragrances like Maison Tahité ‘Cacao2 and Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 reflect the soft, indulgent and intimate scent buyers crave. “Retail data from beauty platforms and even TikTok shows that almond, pistachio, and hazelnut perfumes are driving massive interest, especially in Q1 and Q4,” Olamide says.
Make no mistake: this isn’t your body spray era of teenage sugar highs. Today’s nutty gourmands are luxe and perfect for year-round wear. They’re the quiet luxury of the scent world. Think cashmere sweaters in fragrance form.
Why the scent forecast matters
Understanding this scent forecast offers more than just insight into what’s trending. It reveals the deep ties between both data and desire with fragrance. “As someone who works with data every day, I find it fascinating that scent, something so emotional, is also driven by hard numbers,” says Olamide Adigun. From viral TikTok favourites to seasonal launches, fragrance is one of the most data-led categories in beauty today.
I see fragrance as both a mirror and a mood. It doesn’t just reflect how I feel; it helps uplift my mood. Whether it’s a deep woody note on days I need confidence, or a milky scent when I feel soft, I choose fragrances that transition properly. This scent forecast tells us something powerful: we’re craving authenticity, comfort, and character. And that’s been the real essence of 2025 so far.
