I love the fresh start that comes with a new season, and fall is my favorite. There are so many fun seasonal activities and treats that make this time of year special. One easy way to embrace the season is to adopt a fall fragrance. There are so many to choose from, but scent is extremely subjective. The best way to choose the right fragrance for you is to pay attention to fragrances that you like overall, and find out what their notes are or what scent family they belong to. From there you can identify new perfumes and sprays that contain those notes and give them a try to see how they work with your particular skin chemistry. Make sure you test a fragrance out for hours, don’t judge it by the initial application. The top notes of a fragrance typically wear off very quickly but they make the first impression. The middle notes last longer before giving way to the base notes which can last for hours, so all three layers of a scent should leave a positive impression. Fall fragrances typically fall into the woody, spicy or gourmand categories. I’ve narrowed down some of the top perfumes and sprays that really evoke the season, and matched them to some fun fall activities. This is a fun way to decide if you’re looking for a new fall scent.
If your favorite fall activity is walking through a park to look at the stunning fall leaves, try Maison Margiela Replica Autumn Vibes.
Autumn Vibes is described as “a woody spicy fragrance, slightly resinous and earthy, that captures the feeling of escapism in an autumnal forest.”
Top notes: Pink pepper, cardamom
Middle notes: Carrot seeds, nutmeg, olibanum
Base notes: Cedarwood, Moss, Fir Balsam
If your favorite fall activity is enjoying a cup of coffee and a seasonal treat while reading a novel at a local coffee shop, try Mason Margiela Replica Coffee Break.
Coffee Break is described as “a shot of pleasure, a perfect blend of the aroma of roasted coffee beans and milk mousse, contrasted by a Fougere signature scent to capture the excitement of a modern city.”
Top notes: Coffee, red apple, lemon
Middle notes: Lavender, spearmint, orange flower
Base notes: Milk Mousse, sandalwood, cedarwood
If your favorite fall activity is visiting your city’s fall festival or farmer’s market and sampling seasonal treats and crafts, try Jo Malone London Ginger Beer Cologne.
Ginger Beer is described as “the lively freshness of natural ginger contrasting with the comforting warmth of cinnamon and compelling roasted oak.”
Top note: Ginger
Middle note: Amyris
Base note: Vetiver
If your favorite fall activity is wine tasting or hosting a wine tasting party, try Tom Ford Santal Blush.
Santal Blush is described as “exotic spices enhanced with luxe ylang-ylang, warm cinnamon, and sumptuous woods—seducing with modern, second-skin warmth.”
Top notes: Spices, Cinnamon, Caraway, Fenugreek and Carrot Seeds
Middle notes: Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine and Rose
Base notes: Sandalwood, Benzoin, Virginia Cedar, Musk and Agarwood (Oud)
If your favorite fall activity is attending an art festival before heading to an exclusive restaurant to sample their new seasonal menu, try Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum.
Grand Soir is described as “ambery and woody, vibrant and captivating…an olfactory splendor bursting with sensuality.”
Top notes: Spanish labdanum, orange
Middle notes: Lavender, siam benzoin
Base notes: Amber, vanilla, tonka bean, musk, cedar
If your favorite fall activity is going on an apple picking date with a stop for hard apple cider, try Tom Ford Cherry Smoke.
Cherry Smoke is described as “A smoldering scent fusing dark cherry, florals and woods.”
Top notes: Sour cherry, saffron
Middle notes: Leather, olive, chinese osmanthus, apricot
Base note: Smoked wood
If your favorite fall activity is glamping in the mountains, try Le Labo Santal 33.
Santal 33 is described as “An open fire… The soft drift of smoke… Where sensuality rises after the light has gone.”
Top notes: Violet, cardamom
Middle notes: Iris, papyrus, ambrox
Base notes: Cedarwood, sandalwood, leather
If your favorite fall activity is frolicking on the beach now that tourist season is over, try Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62.
Cheirosa 62 is described as “irresistible and sunny…this iconic fragrance opens with creamy pistachio, while a hint of salted caramel unites with jasmine petals and vanilla.”
Top notes: Pistachio, almond
Middle notes: Heliotrope, jasmine
Base notes: Vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood
Those are my top picks for fall scents matched to a variety of fun fall activities. Have you tried any of these? If there’s another fall fragrance (or year-round fragrance) that you love, let me know in the comments.
Xo,
Courtney
The Real Chic Life 
Leave a comment