Wintry fragrances always run the risk of being a bit too holiday heavy. Too many notes like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla can make you smell like a cookie exchange rather than a serious person. There's one note, in particular, that can make you smell like the inside of a snow globe if it's done wrong: pine.
Pine scents can get a bad rep for being too holiday-centric. It makes sense. When we think of pine trees, we often think of everything they're associated with. That means Christmas trees, ski lodges, and cloying candles. If pine is done right, however, it can transform a scent into something woodsy, mysterious, and unique.
Below, find the absolute best pine-scented fragrances on the market. Don't worry—you won't smell like Buddy the Elf threw up on you. These scents are all refined and subtle and can even be worn outside of the colder months.
Key notes: juniper berries, bourbon, cedar, evergreen
This perfume is aptly named—it wouldn't be out of place in a ski lodge after a day on the slopes. With notes like bourbon, cedar, and juniper berries, it's cozy, outdoorsy, and warm.
Key notes: vetiver, cedar, benzoin, pine, patchouli, bergamot
Every time I smell this fragrance, I'm instantly transported to a crisp December morning in the Rocky Mountains. It's earthy and airy, and it boasts de-stressing properties thanks to replicating phytoncides, the molecules that are thought to be responsible for forest bathing's health benefits.
Key notes: bergamot, lemon, pepper, juniper berries, incense, pine needles, orris, amber, vanilla, sandalwood
Gypsy Water evokes campfires, wide open air, and hiking through a forest. Notes like bergamot, lemon, and amber keep it interesting and balanced.
Key notes: aquatic accord, rose petal, pine needle
Replica did something incredibly special and unique with When the Rain Stops. This fragrance perfectly encapsulates the bright, slightly aquatic smell after a rainstorm in a way that's endlessly wearable.
Key notes: pink pepper, bitter orange, banana leaf, tuberose, rose, ginger, nutmeg, vetiver, tobacco, mineral, moss, white musk
As a Colorado native, this homage to my home state is one of my favorite pine-forward scents. It's like a drive through the snowy mountains in a bottle but has a fresh twist thanks to notes like banana leaf and vetiver that give it some edge.
Key notes: cypress, lemon, oak, evergreens
Tom Ford takes evergreens and melds them perfectly with notes like cypress and lemon to create a Mediterranean escape in a bottle. It's deep and woodsy but has just the right dose of brightness.
Key notes: violet, pine, heliotrope, musk, sandalwood
This is one of the most alluring skin scents out there. It's perfectly balanced thanks to a mix of florals, woods, and musk.
Key notes: bergamot, lavender, clary sage, saffron, cedar, praline, oud, patchouli, vetiver, musk, leather, agarwood
This leathery, mysterious fragrance feels just like being in a cocktail lounge. It's herbal and warm and has just a hint of spice.
Key notes: red cedar, aldehydes, frankincense, cypress root, black pine, cascarilla bark, incense, Spanish cade, birch tar
This fragrance sounds like it might be hard to wear—it's based on the rituals of a 13th-century death cult. Out of the bottle, though, this scent is woodsy, smoky, and perfect for adding just a bit of mystery.
Our favorite pine-scented candles that are complex, not cloying:
Key notes: pine, lavender, musk, amber
Key notes: pine, resin, cedar
Key notes: dwarf pine, Douglas fir, spruce, spices, Austrian pine, amber
Key notes: cypress, pine needle, black pepper, orange, fir balsam needle, cardamom, rosemary, clove leaf, ciste labdanum, olibanum, cedarwood, tonka bean, patchouli, vanilla
Key note: evergreens
