The 7 Best Witchy Perfumes Will Help You Welcome An Ethereal-Scented Fall
Are we in our whimsigoth era?
The fall months are officially upon us, and I don’t know about you, but that means Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the December holidays are basically tomorrow. As I prepare for the colder months, my skincare is getting more hydrating, my hair is getting deep-conditioning treatments left and right, and my closet is turning into endless sweaters, cardigans, and fluffy socks. But the most important change happening in my routine? The switch from the clean-smelling, citrusy perfumes that dominated summer to what I call my Witch’s Brew, a.k.a the best witchy perfumes on the market.
Also colloquially known (by me) as the witchiest perfumes available, this fragrance tray will help you channel all your ethereal, dark feminine energy. Think Circe from The Odyssey, Bonnie from The Vampire Diaries, and Prudence from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. That is to say, these scents are earthy, a little mystical, and, well, for the hot, mysterious girls at the function. If that sounds like you (or who you want to be), your search for your fall fragrance can begin with the list below. From the perfume that is inspired by damp Nordic forests to another that smells like the ruins of an old church, keep reading for the perfectly curated fall perfume tray for all the hotties obsessed with everything mythical and magical.
But First, What Is a Witchy Perfume?
You'll notice that quite a few of the best witchy scents have something in common: almost all of them include a woody note. That sexy, mysterious vibe is what the fragrance family is known for, so it’s no surprise it made its way into so many celestial-smelling scents.
“A woody fragrance is all about that warm, earthy, cozy vibe—think of it as the scent equivalent of a cashmere sweater,” content creator and perfume expert Paul Fino previously told MC. “They can feel almost skin-like, intimate, and grounding, and they’re endlessly versatile—there are so many takes on the theme that can completely change the mood of a fragrance.”
One of the best things about woody notes is how perfectly they perform in cold weather (even though, really, they could be worn year-round). Whether you’re a lover of all things magical and otherworldly or your fall style is leaning into the high-fashion macabre and Victorian elements, it’s the perfect perfume note to welcome spooky season, and these fragrances are a shortcut to your new signature scent.
The Best Witchy Perfumes
- Best Witchy Perfume Overall: Andrea Maack Coven Eau de Parfum
- Best Musk Witchy Perfume: Heretic Nosferatu Eau de Parfum
- Best Vanilla Witchy Perfume: Guerlain Cuir Beluga Eau de Parfum
- Best Smoky Witchy Perfume: Santa Maria Tobacco Toscana
- Best Unisex Witchy Perfume: Chloé Atelier des Fleurs Sous Les Pins
- Best Powdery Witchy Perfume: Diptique Orphéon Eau de Parfum
- Best Floral Witchy Perfume: Le Labo Violette 30
Best Witchy Perfume Overall
If you’re obsessed with petrichor (the scent of the earth after it rains), there’s a good chance that you’re going to love Andrea Maack’s Coven. Thanks to notes like whiskey, oakmoss, galbanum, and cedarwood, this perfume gives wet, mossy, and woody. I can almost smell the foggy forest that the local coven resides in if I close my eyes.
Review: “I love Coven! It’s just the right amount of smelling dirt with fresh green shoots coming up. I’m not a clean, fresh-smelling girly, and this is a more natural-smelling scent.” — Scentsplit.com
Best Musk Witchy Perfume
In a similar vein is Heretic’s Nosferatu Eau de Macabre. Notes of lilac, ambergris, and labdanum give it all the ethereal traits that already make a perfume lean more on the supernatural-smelling side of the spectrum, but this one also has orris concrete, which, in my opinion, is the note that gives the perfume that hard-to-describe it-factor. Pick this one up for endless compliments.
Review: “The only one I’ve tried that actually is similar to the smell before/after rain. The scent is fresh but so unique; it doesn’t smell like you're wearing a perfume or cologne; it’s just a unique essence.” — Nordstrom
Best Vanilla Witchy Perfume
A fragrant interpretation of white suede, Guerlain’s Cuir Beluga takes vanilla and amber and wraps it around a delicious patchouli note. So that it doesn’t lean too masculine, floral, aldehydic (or soapy), citrus notes round out the formula. Tack on the beautifully crafted glass bottle that this perfume is housed in, and you’ll quickly see that, witch or not, everyone will be wanting to get their hands on your perfume.
Review: “On my nose and skin, it’s a beautiful dry and somewhat deep smooth vanilla with a hint of spice to it. It’s a beautiful fragrance and very well blended. To me, it only has a slight sweetness compared to Vanille Planafolia; it’s a lot darker vanilla, which is perfect for occasions and events in the evening. Highly recommend; a very easy scent to wear for both men and women.” — Guerlain.com
Best Smoky Witchy Perfume
If you want to smell like an old church, but in a dark sexy way, Santa Maria Novella’s Tobacco Toscana will help you do just that. Leather, birchwood, tobacco, and more are combined to tell the story of the first Toscana cigar introduced in Lucca, Italy, back in the 1800s. However, to me, it smells like old church ruins and almost a little like incense. Perfect for that slightly haunted vibe to pair with your Halloween costume.
Review: “This is really beautiful and sexy in a very charming and cocooning way. Reminds me of Parle Moi’s Milky Musk, with perhaps just a touch more freshness added to the creamy sandalwood notes.” — Luckyscent.com
Best Unisex Witchy Perfume
Pine needle, eucalyptus, and benzoin are notes that don’t usually call to me, but in Chloé’s Sous Les Pins, they just work. Those notes are entwined with others like ambrofix, bergamot, and French cypress for a fresh, woody concoction that neither my husband nor I can get enough of. If you don’t mind sharing, this is one of my favorite unisex scents.
Review: “Sous les Pins is a beautiful, fresh, and uplifting fragrance. It gives vibes of walking through a pine forest in the summertime with a cooling breeze in the air.” — Dillards
Best Powdery Witchy Perfume
If you’re just getting into niche fragrances, almost everyone I know is obsessed with Diptyque’s Orphéon. “Juniper berry, cedar, tonka bean, and jasmine somehow combine to create the most stunning powdery scent for anyone who prefers their perfumes to have a bit more depth. The longer you wear it, the more its almost soap-like facets begin to appear, so not only do you smell like the epitome of a cool girl, but you also smell super fresh, making this a fantastic year-round signature scent option.
Review: “I bought it blindly because of my overall regard for the brand. I was shocked by how good it is, even though the bar was high. This seems more complex and intricate than other Diptyque scents. It is soft but very present and feminine, and can be worn all day and into evening, in my opinion. The marriage of all the scents is so delicate that you cannot pinpoint any individual note, which makes it mysterious and makes me want to smell it again and again. Money most well spent!” — Nordstrom
Best Floral Witchy Perfume
Violet is one of my favorite notes, but Le Labo’s Violette 30 takes the plant's leaf and makes it the star of the show. Cedarwood, orris, tea, and musk are also present in this fragrance, and the contrast is as intoxicating as it sounds. This one sits a little closer to the skin, but if your witchy perfume vibe leans more toward intimacy and sensuality, take this as my very enthusiastic endorsement.
Review: “This is the most addictively beautiful scent and not what you would expect for a perfume with the name Violette. It’s musky and complex. Not sweet at all, which I love, and it dries down gorgeously. This layered with another 13 has become my new signature scent. If you don’t like sweet or too floral perfumes, you’ll love this one.” — Nordstrom
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Meet the Expert
Paul Fino is a fragrance content creator and expert.
