The 15 Best Winter Perfumes That Beauty Editors Swear By

"Vanilla fragrances are huge right now. But this one isn’t your garden-variety vanilla scent. This one combines cedar wood, musk and a hint of bergamot and whenever I wear it, I have the confidence, grace, and sophistication of 1,000 Jackie O’s. Yes, it’s worth the hype." — Deena Campbell, Beauty Director 

Pros: mood-boosting; distinctive; complex

Cons: while it's marketed as unisex, it's a bit more traditionally feminine

Customer Review: "There’s nothing simple, cloying or cheap about it though it is very truly vanilla. The additional notes make this surprisingly unisex, I could see both men and women pulling this off. However this definitely has more dressed up vibes and isn’t a casual vanilla scent. Or maybe it is…if sophisticated is your everyday. Great staple from ADP, I will be purchasing the very large bottle for my entire household’s use." — Nordstrom

"This fragrance is one of the hottest beauty launches of the season. It’s first and foremost a fruity, floral option, with top notes of pitaya pulp, sweet orange, and fruit gummies that immediately hit the senses with a pump of sugar that’s much-needed during the short, often dark days of winter. Meanwhile, the fragrance contains heart notes of jasmine sambac, marigold bloom, and orange flower, and base notes of patchouli prisma, musk, and amber. These last notes not only balance the scent out overall, but they also leave that sense of lasting warmth that many of us look for in our signature winter perfumes." -Gabrielle Ulubay, Beauty Writer

Pros: balanced; bright; mood-boosting; long-lasting

Cons: may be too sweet for those who prefer a warm, musky winter fragrance

Customer Review: "I am in love with this fragrance and it's one of my new favorites. On me, it's a very bright, juicy, fruity floral. I do get the fruit gummy note, and this is what stands out the most to me. Additionally, there is a really pretty freshness that comes through. As for longevity, it is so good when sprayed on clothes. I can still smell it on a shirt I sprayed the other night!" -Sephora

"If I was only ever allowed to wear one fragrance for the rest of my life, it would be Maison Francis Kurkdijan's Baccarat Rouge 540. It's certainly received a ton of hype over the last year, but I promise, it's well deserved. It has a woody base and is balanced by floral notes like jasmine and saffron, which makes for a truly intoxicating scent." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor

Pros: balanced; concentrated, so a little goes a long way

Cons: expensive; some find it too woody

Customer Review: "I absolutely love this scent. I get compliments every time I wear it. It’s a unique fragrance and one hard defined. It’s not fruity or flowery but it’s not vanilla or musk. It’s definitely costly but I’m willing to pay the price." — Nordstrom

"I love when my perfume clings to my clothes for days, and this one from Le Labo does that in the prettiest way. I actually prefer it after I've had it on for a few hours because I catch different notes throughout the day. One spritz lasts all day (and then some), so I've only just began to make a dent in it after having it for almost two years." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: long-lasting; a little goes a long way

Cons: expensive for small bottle

Customer Review: "Divine. smells like a warm hug. this would be a great fall/winter scent but i like it enough to put it in the year-round rotation." — Nordstrom

"In the colder months, I feel like it's totally appropriate to swap out my sweeter, summer scents for something darker and sexier. And if you're looking for dark and sexy, you go to Tom Ford. This perfume blends moodier scents like cardamon, leather, and patchouli. From those notes, I was worried that this perfume would be too intense. On the contrary, it's strangely light, but retains those musky notes. I'm made my friends take a whiff of it, and even people who swear by floral scents are in love with it." — Tatjana Freund, Former Beauty Assistant

Pros: distinctive; unisex; warm; long-lasting

Cons: may not be feminine enough for some users

Customer Review: "You’re gonna smell like no one else. I already purchased my third bottle. It’s amazing and lasts very long."  — Nordstrom 

"A more dark and sexy sister to the original Flowerbomb, this perfume makes me feel like a girlboss in a good way. The fragrance notes include orchid, peach, and vanilla bean and layer perfectly for a floral scent that isn't overbearing. A scent that lingers on your clothes long after the first spritz, this Viktor & Rolf is the personification of confidence, ready to tackle any meeting or dinner date." — Alexis Gaskin, Freelance Beauty Writer

Pros: great for layering; long-lasting; a little goes a long way

Cons: some found it too sweet

Customer Review: "I love this scent! I love the original Flower Bomb scent. This one has that same scent plus a beautiful finishing scent as well with the orchid. Perfect for the winter months! (Def would keep to the original for spring/summer though.)" — Sephora 

"This scent lasts forever on my skin, even in the winter, when I feel like my scents fade the fastest. It smells fresher than most other scents I like—it actually borders on unisex-smelling—thanks to notes like pine needle and rose. It's strong enough that one spritz on my wrists is enough, and isn't sweet-smelling like other options on my vanity this season." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: unisex; fresh scent

Cons: fresh aspect may feel more spring-y than wintery

Customer Review: "Absolutely love this perfume! I would agree with other reviews who say it smells cologne-y, but definitely more so a unisex smell if anything! Very fresh and clean. I cant stop smelling my shirt collar whenever I spritz it on!" — Sephora

"Another smell that's not too sweet, Woodphoria from Boy Smells is one of the longest-lasting options in my collections. sandalwood clings to the skin and makes you feel warm from the inside-out, while sweeter notes like fig and coconut water add body and brightness. This is the kind of perfume that lingers on all my clothes and on my skin for hours—bordering on days—and smells initially heavy before sweetening out over time." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: balanced; vegan; cruelty-free

Cons: some users find it fades during the day

Customer Review: "My favorite scent I’ve tried in a long while. Love the wood notes, as it dries down it gets a bit sweeter. This is comforting and cozy scent to me, like cuddling up by the fireplace and reading a book." — Sephora 

"If you love vanilla fragrances that don't smell like something you would buy for a child, this one is a great option. I've never thought of myself as someone who wears overly-sweet scents—vanilla normally gives me a headache—but this one has more body to it than others on the market. Notes like musk and cashmere round it out so it's not too sweet, and it lasts forever—like, days forever." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: long lasting; balanced; not too sweet; distinctive

Cons: expensive

Customer Review: "I am a convinced vanilla lover and this fragrance is just beautiful. It smells of vanilla with a hint of musk, but the combination is a very happy one (and oh so sweet!). It smells sweet but not in a bad way. It has something really special in its smell and I highly recommend you test it, if you love vanilla." — Nordstrom

"I'm not really one for changing scents depending on the season—I like to have my signature scent and stick to it year-round. That being said, I think my current go-to fragrance is especially nice for the winter months. When I think of winter, I think of staying warm and cozy by the fireplace and holiday baking. This scent from The 7 Virtues is peak warm and cozy to me. With notes of vanilla, caramel, and amber, this fragrance is sweet without being too overbearing, with a hint of spiciness." — Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow

Pros: clean; vegan; cruelty-free; unisex; hypoallergenic

Cons: strong—some found it overpowering

Customer Review: "This is one of the only perfumes I’ve ever repurchased (aside from Clean Reserve Skin). it’s so cupcakey yet balanced, and doesn’t have that artificial vanilla that a lot of vanillas have! it’s sweet without being overly gourmand, and such an elegant scent! will repurchase many times!" — Sephora 

"Green Cedar is my ultimate winter scent. It uses a combination of two cedarwoods—a densely rich Cedar wild harvested on the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and a crisp Sauna-vibe Cedar grown and twice distilled in Texas. Combined with rich magnolia and fragrant cardamom, this a warm, comforting scent reminiscent of a deep inhale in a misty forest—I’ve been told by more than one person it’s addictive and I agree!" — Francis Shoemack, Abel Founder

Pros: expert-approved; unisez

Cons: not very complex

Customer Review: "As it sounds. Fresh, green and cedary. One of the best realised of Abels range if a little one dimensional (I feel like mixing it with others - maybe their golden neroli or pink iris to make it more interesting). I've not found a problem with longevity. I've recently been trying out a lot of Floris fragrances and compared to some of them most Abel's do well. Certainly lasts quite a few hours on me at least." -Fragrantica

"Call me basic, but I'm a Santal 33 loyalist year-round. I've been told how good I smell by friends and strangers alike (direct quote: "You smell expensive!"), thanks to this alluring, woody scent that somehow never gets old as the years go by." —Rachel Epstein, Former Editor

Pros: classic; smells expensive

Cons: strong—some found it overpowering

Customer Review: "Not like any fragrance I've ever had. I loved it so much I had to have the lotion too. It smells amazing. I get asked all the time what I'm wearing and I love that everyone around me isn't wearing the same. It has great staying power. Not a fruity or floral scent like the typical every person scent these days. It's just perfect sexy scent. I won't ever change fragrances again. This is it for me!! Worth every penny!" — Nordstrom

"With loads of light citrus notes, this perfume is an evergreen scent that serves as an immediate mood booster come wintertime. Crafted to embody the intoxicating aromas of blossoming orange trees, 19-69 Capri is fresh and spicy, but never overpowering. Catch a whiff of it and you'll find yourself transported to an Italian terrace by the sea."  — Sara Holzman, Style Director

Pros: complex; mood-boosting;

Cons: none found

Customer Review: "I don't usually love citrus-focused perfumes, but this one is so beautifully nuanced with heady orange blossom and fresh green notes It's not acidic at all.. I have had this one for a few years--before the brand was available at Sephora--and it is still my favorite for warm weather. I'm so happy to see their offering here! Unlike many designer fragrances, which can be overpowering and too intense for me, this has a freshness that lasts but doesn't attack your senses." — Sephora 

"During the cooler months I tend to do away with the whimsical sweet florals in exchange for the more sensual and cozy scents. The fresh woodsy vibes of Jo Malone’s Cypress and Grapevine Cologne has been my latest obsession. It’s a unisex fragrance with enveloping notes of cypress, grapevine, moss, amber, and cedarwood. Just one spritz of this gem behind the ear and I immediately feel a sense of warmth." — Chelsea Hall, Former Assistant Fashion and Beauty Editor

Pros: great for layer; complex; unisex

Cons: some users report it's not long-lasting

Customer Review: "I’m obsessed with this fragrance!! It smells rich and warm, lasts for hours! Highly recommend!!" — Sephora

"While some people might associate Glossier's signature fragrance with summertime, I love wearing in the colder months. It clings to my knits in a really nice way which makes it last just a little longer, too. It's comprised of notes like pink pepper and amber for a balance of spice and woody warmth. It's subtle, easy to wear, and doesn't give me a headache even after hours of wear." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: complex; great for layering; warm; subtle; vegan; cruelty-free; affordable

Cons: none found

Customer Review: "I don’t really consider myself a perfume girly nor do I wear a lot of perfume. But when I smelled this beauty at my BFF’s house, I was in LOVE. I knew I had to get a bottle for myself and from a girl who only sticks to body spray, this is a must have! It’s also great for layering and it’s such a warm but spicy smell." - Sephora