I need to live my perfume truth and get something off my chest: I hate smelling like other people, so I'm always on the hunt for the best fresh perfumes. Believe me, I know how ridiculous that sounds. First of all, when someone asks me what perfume I’m wearing, I am, of course, undeniably flattered, but that feeling soon evolves into sheer annoyance. With every ask after my perfume, the less of a secret my signature scent becomes. And the more popular a perfume gets, the less I want to wear it.
You see, for me, perfume is so much more than just a daily spritz to lift my spirits; it is memories, emotion and a core part of my identity. So when I smell someone else wearing the same perfume as mine or see someone frivolously dousing themselves in one of my go-to scents, I feel as though I’m losing a little part of myself. It might sound dramatic, but it’s real, even though I wish it weren’t. I have passed on one too many much-loved perfumes in my time simply because I can’t learn to share.
And this has been exceptionally hard for me, as the fact of the matter is, I like universally crowd-pleasing, fresh smells. Sure, there is a place in my collection for deep, heady scents, but day to day, I find myself reaching for light, fresh smells that evoke joy and happiness with just a single spray.
As a result of my snobbery and selfishness, my job (which involves recommending new beauty products to the masses and sharing my daily favourites) has become increasingly more difficult when the topic of fragrance arises. I have made it my mission to create a perfume wardrobe full of unique scents, and sharing them with the rest of the world seems counterintuitive. However, I know that I am far from alone in my want for unique, niche scents, and I have spent many years hunting high and low for bright and breezy perfumes that stand out from the crowd.
So, because I am kind and I’m trying to work on overcoming my stunted attitude toward perfume, I think it’s only right I share my findings. Keep scrolling for the 22 best fresh perfumes around, ideal for those that like something a little different.
The Best Fresh Perfumes
- The Best Overall Fresh Perfume: Diptyque Philosykos Eau De Parfum, £160
- The Best Floral Fresh Perfume: Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne, £118
- The Best Niche Fresh Perfume: Valmont Palazzo Nobile Fizzy Mint, £136
- The Best Rose Fresh Perfume: Estee Lauder Rose De Grasse Pour Filles, £90
- The Best Aquatic Fresh Perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Celestia Eau De Toilette, £185
1. Diptyque Philosykos Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Cedar, fig tree, fig leaf and black pepper
If you have ever had the joy of experiencing a Diptyque perfume, you'll know that talking about specific notes doesn't really help in describing the overall scent. Diptyque has a way of blending notes to create something entirely new and indescribable, but I'll do my best. Coconutty and exotic but far from sweet, it has an earthy but milky freshness that can't be compared to anything else out there.
2. Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne
Key notes: Orris, white lilac, balsamic vetiver, orange blossom, water lily and clementine flower.
It's rare that you come across a perfume that smells as good as it looks. I'm a big fan of citrus scents, so I was instantly drawn to this. Like fresh orange juice but with a warmth to it that gives off a sort of sun-cream scent, it's the most delicious citrus I have come across in some time. It's one of the best orange blossom perfumes around.
3. Parfums de Marly Valaya
Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, nympheal, vetiver, akigalawood, ambrofix, musk
"Valaya is one of the most stunning fresh perfumes I've tried," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden of the Parfums De Marly scent. "To me, it's the embodiment of spring, with citrusy mandarin and bergamot paired with soft, juicy white peach. It's a fruity-floral that never fails to make me feel ethereal. It's easily my most complimented perfume ever."
4. Aerin Rose De Grasse Pour Filles
Key notes: PearPear, fresh rose and musk
I'm not a huge fan of rose perfumes. I'm attracted to the freshness of them, but I don't like the powdery headiness. If you can relate, can I please turn your attention to this new launch from Aerin? It was blended with a younger wearer in mind, so it's light, soft and full of happiness.
5. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Celestia Cologne Forte Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Black current blossom, jasmine, hedione, mimosa, lily of the valley and musk
I am a big fan of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's iconic Baccarat Rouge 540, which is warm, floral and a little bit spicy. So it's safe to say I was shocked when the brand launched this fresh spritz inspired by the beach, sea and summer, and I actually liked it. It has the familiar notes of lemon, mint and lime, but when combined with a bouquet of florals and musk, it becomes an intoxicating dose of fresh sea air that has you longing to jump on a plane to the lush marine coastlines of the Mediterranean with a one-way ticket.
6. Aesop Eidesis
Key notes: Petitgrain, black pepper, frankincense and cedar
Eidesis requires an equally open mind. On first sniff, the notes of black pepper (it's a strong hit of spice) smack you straight in the face. But finding unique notes that might not be typical of luxury fragrance and spinning them in a way that makes you weak at the knees is exactly what Aesop does best. It's totally unconventional, but after a few minutes, it starts to grow on you. It paints a picture of country walks, lazing in fields of the British countryside with the sun beating down on your skin and an all-encompassing carefree nature. It's not for the faint-hearted, but it's wonderfully unique.
7. Acqua di Parma Buongiorno
Key notes: Lemon, spearmint, rosemary, basil, petitgrain, lavandin, mandarin leaves, cedarwood leaves, amber, white musk
"Acqua di Parma's latest launch smells like breathing in fresh morning air in Tuscany," says Eleanor. "It's fresh, herby and a little soapy. If you like fresh, aromatic scents and want to feel like you've stepped foot in a luxe, Italian spa, then you'll love this."
8. Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline EDT
Key notes: Pear, bamboo accord, white peony and musk
I shouldn't like a single thing about this, but I do. First of all, the aesthetic is not something I usually champion in my perfume bottles. Second, it's floral in every single sense of the word—like a strong bouquet of every flower you've ever come across. However, it has a richness to it that leaves you smelling, well, rich. It's sure to be my go-to for long party-filled nights (hopefully) spent out on the town.
9. Zara Amalfi Coast
Key notes: Apple, pink grapefruit, white floral
This Zara perfume is freshness in a bottle. Its name couldn't be more apt. Crisp and crunchy, it has a light, fragrant payoff that will keep you coming back for more. And the price is rather attractive too.
10. Maison Margiela Lazy Sunday Morning Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Lily of the valley, pear, aldehydes and patchouli
You've just pulled your crisp, white linens out of the wash, and you're hanging them on the line to dry in the spring breeze. Lazy Sunday Morning is the epitome of a crisp-white-shirt perfume.
11. Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche EDT
Key notes: Citron, jasmine and teak wood
Okay, I know this is not a unique perfume, but Chance Eau Fraiche goes totally unrivalled when it comes to luxe freshness. It's botanical and rich and makes me go all fuzzy whenever I smell it on someone. It showcases the brilliance of perfume in a way that only Chanel can.
12. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, warm amber, tiare flower, vanilla combined and coconut.
Again, a popular choice, but Bronze Goddess can't be ignored when it comes to the most beautiful fresh perfumes around. It smells like liquid gold glimmering under tropical sunshine. To me, it's reminiscent of summer holidays in Greece and carefree relaxation.
13. Jo Loves Cobalt Patchouli & Cedar Fragrance
Key notes: Vetiver, patchouli, cedarwood, geranium and grapefruit
I don't particularly like giving fragrances genders, but I can't ignore that certain notes are more prominent in male colognes. So, for the sake of painting a picture (which we're going to have to rely on until smell-o-vision exists), this is light and uplifting and harnesses traditionally masculine notes.
14. Miller Harris Lumière Dorée
Key notes: Bergamot, petitgrain and neroli
If you ask me, no notes are fresher than those of orange and neroli. This perfume is essentially neroli in a bottle. Zesty and orangey but with musk that makes it smell clean and crisp, it's mouth-wateringly yummy.
15. Ex Nihilo Fascinate Perfumed Hair Mist
Key notes: Pink pepper, rose, cedarwood and vanilla
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about hair perfumes, but this stuff is an exception. With rose and vanilla, it just smells fresh. For days when I don't much fancy making a statement, a light misting of this through my lengths has me wafting a sense of expensive freshness all day long.
16. Juliette Has a Gun Pear Inc. Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Green pear, ambroxan and musk
If you don't like the fresh, fruity scent of pear, it's worth noting that you probably won't like this. At first, I was a little worried it might smell a bit fruity and cheap, but wow was I wrong. Yes, it's pear-like on first sniff, but it leaves a lingering scent on the skin all day long that leaves you smelling like you have just stepped out of the shower after a long day at the beach.
17. Byredo Mojave Ghost
Key notes: Magnolia, cedarwood, vetiver and musk
This floral-sweet scent with a combination of woodiness and ambrette is a middle passage scent for those of us who prefer our florals with a bit of a bite. There are also notes of powdery violet and crisp amber and with a sandalwood finish for balance. A lesser-known scent from the cool girl brand, spritz this Byredo scent for the ultimate 'spring in the city' vibe.
18. Mugler Alien Goddess
Key notes: Bourbon vanilla, jasmine and coconut water
Flirty, feminine and oh-so-sweet are probably the last words you would associate with both Mugler (and a scent name with nods to E.T.). However, this is otherworldly as this scent leans on jasmine and vanilla along with Italian Bergamot to deliver a sensually scented spritz. *Adds to date night rotation*.
19. Marc Jacobs Daisy Drops Eau So Fresh
Key notes: Grapefruit, pear, wild rose, apple blossom and musk
With notes of grapefruit and pear, this is a fresh, uplifting take on the Marc Jacobs classic. What's more, these perfume capsules are perfect for topping up fragrance while on the go.
20. Ormonde Jayne Osmanthus
Key notes: Pomelo, artemisia, pimento, osmanthus, water lily, jasmine sambac, musk, vetiver, cedar, and French labdanum
Whereas most scents would lean either floral or citrus, this is an evenly balanced bright and vibrant blend of both citrus and floral notes.
21. Creed Virgin Island Water
Key notes: Coconut, lime, white bergamot, mandarin, ginger, ylang-ylang, jasmine, hibiscus, white Rum, sugar cane, and musk
The perfect summer holiday scent—Virgin Island Water was inspired by a sailing trip near Ginger Island in the Caribbean. It's fresh and uplifting, but with hints of sweetness and spiciness.
22. The Nue Co. Us Pheromone+ Functional Fragrance
Key Notes: Juicy pear, warming ambrofix, creamy cedar wood, fresh bergamot
"Ask anyone with a commitment to smelling clean and fresh, and they'll tell you that fragrance is only one part of their routine," explains SEO Writer, Ava Gilchrist. "The Us Pheromone+ scent from The Nue Co. embraces this ethos by offering a holistic approach to perfume," she adds. "The smell itself is a borderline gourmand, thanks to the rounded top notes of lush pear and vibrant orange that envelop you from the outset, but is quite transformative through the addition of Italian bergamot and Indonesian patchouli. Transcendent and bright, with a focus on functional beauty? Sign me up."
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
-
Not Red, Not Brown: This "Moody" Blush Shade Is Proving Autumn’s Most ElegantI've been wearing it for years.
-
My Friends Always Ask Me How I Get My Hair So Glossy—This Shine Treatment Is the KeyGlass hair in a bottle.
-
If You Hate Smelling Predictable, You Should Opt for One of These 7 Sophisticated PerfumesUnique, grown-up scents that last.
-
Scandi Women Know How to Smell Good—6 Perfume Brands You'll Find on Their Dressing TablesFrom Byredo to Bibbi.
-
It's Official: This Is the Chicest Nail Colour of All Time, and These Looks Confirm ItWe're seeing red.
-
You Don’t Need to Go to Paris—These Are the 17 French-Pharmacy Beauty Products I'm Buying on AmazonPsst…they are currently on sale.
-
I've Tried Thousands of Luxury Perfumes—Nothing Is as Timeless as This £30 FragranceAnd it's currently on sale.
-
If You Want to Smell Next-Level Expensive, You Should Probably Know About These PerfumesThey're adored for a reason.
