One of my favorite compliments is being told I smell good, and that’s because the scent is so much more than just a pleasant aroma—it’s a memory in the making. So as I refresh my wardrobe and home decor this Fall, my signature scent deserves some love, too. A new scent is the perfect finishing touch to my seasonal updates, ensuring I feel as fresh and renewed as the spaces around me. After all, there’s something super empowering about stepping out in a fragrance that is unique to me, making an impression long after I’ve left the room. Since scent and memory are so deeply linked, choosing a fragrance that reflects my personality helps me stay on everyone’s mind.
The best part of creating a signature scent for Fall is experimenting with different scent combinations. However if you like to play it safe, a couple of classic combinations to go with are, “ vanilla, resins, and bergamot; rose and patchouli; or herbs with citrus,” says Faith Xue in Byrdie. With such a wide variety of fragrances available, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect match, but understanding the keynotes makes the process easier. There are about nine fragrance families to choose from, and the most popular types during the Fall are sweet gourmand, woodsy, floral, fruity, and spicy notes.
So, if you want to make a memorable impression this season, here are essentials rules for creating your signature scent for Fall:
- Three scents maximum. Remember, good things come in threes.
- Choose scents with common fragrance notes or within the same fragrance family. They don’t have to be twins but they can be cousins.
- The formula is one complex (multiple scents) plus one simple (one scent).
Here are a couple of my (and the internet’s favorites) that made the list.
Vanilla is Worthy of All its Hype
People often dismiss vanilla-scented perfumes as too common when they should really appreciate is that it’s a timeless fragrance, that evokes warmth and nostalgia. Some may even call vanilla perfumes basic or uninspired but in reality, they embody a classic elegance that never goes out of style.
This Fall, spray on the viral TikTok perfume, Phlur Vanilla Skin Eau de parfum, which features notes of Cashmere Wood, Sugar Crystals, and Vanilla. This perfume smells like a creamy vanilla cupcake you can’t put down.
Want to emphasize the vanilla notes of Phlur Vanilla Skin even more? Try pairing this scent with Commodity Milk+ Bold Eau de Parfum.
You can even pair it with the Cashmere Vanilla by EOS lotion to lay a base layer for your vanilla dream. This luxurious formula absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling silky, smooth, and beautifully scented. The warm vanilla notes from the lotion enhance the sweetness of Phlur Vanilla Skin and Commodity Milk+ Bold Eau de Parfum perfumes, creating a harmonious blend that gives you an irresistible aroma all day long.
Floral Scents are In All Year Round
Floral scents are often tied to spring, but pairing rose with something more decadent, like patchouli, breathes new life into it for Fall. The patchouli adds a warm, spicy, earthy touch to the sweetness of the rose, creating a balanced and grounded feel.
Rihanna, artist and entrepreneur, is famous for her music and style and for always smelling incredible. Whether she’s gracing the red carpet or just out and about, people constantly talk about the unforgettable scent she leaves behind. Her signature fragrance is part of what makes her extraordinary, adding to her allure in every setting.
You deserve to feel just as unforgettable, which is why the bold Bulgarian rose note in Fenty Eau de Parfum by Fenty Beauty, Rihanna’s own scent, is a must. This perfume smells like luxury, I couldn’t put it down when testing it in Sephora.
If you want to take the perfume’s scent to the next level, pair it with the Fenty Parfum Body Crème, which enhances the fragrance and deeply hydrates your skin. They create a luxurious, long-lasting bouquet that will leave you smelling divine. Need a second opinion? Listen to beauty creator @ehlieluna give the perfect description to the scent-sational perfume.
Want to highlight the rose floral scent in the Fenty Parfum? Pair it with EXALTÉ by Fumi Monet for a combination that will leave all eyes on you in every room you enter. The top notes include pink peppercorn and lemon, and the middle features the Turkish rose.
Fruity Scents Still Hold Their Weight in The Fall
For those who prefer something more playful, fruity notes are always a good choice. Think of crisp apples and ripe pears, perfectly capturing the essence of a Fall orchard. A scent like this feels perfect for pumpkin patch visits or sipping cider on the balcony.
EDEN JUICY APPLE by Kayali is a match made in scent heaven for those who love the smell of apples. This unisex perfume features top notes of Juicy Red Apple, Wild Berries, and Jasmine.
While researching this perfume, the comments were all about how you’ll be drowning in compliments this Fall!
“Such a sweet scent of apples and berries. I can also smell the jasmine in it. It lasts long too. This fragrance tends to last almost all day on your skin AND clothes. I have worn this once, ONCE. And I have received so many compliments from it.” says Gu4d4lup3
Looking to elevate this fragrance to a more gourmand dessert vibe? Blend it with Angels Share Eau De Parfum by KILIAN Paris, where the rich notes of Cognac, Tonka Bean, and Oak Wood steal the spotlight. Angels Share is said to smell just like a fresh apple pie out the oven. The combination of these two perfumes creates a warm, indulgent experience perfect for those cozy evenings or a date night out with bae.
Keep It Warm With Woodsy Notes
On the other hand, Woodsy scents bring to mind crisp walks through the forest, with leaves crunching underfoot, and the smell of pine and cedar hanging in the air. I love pairing cedarwood with something light and fresh, like bergamot, for a woodsy vibe. The wood’s warmth balances the citrus’s brightness, making it a perfect blend for those early Fall days when it’s chilly in the morning but still warm by the afternoon.
If you want to capture the essence of an enchanted forest that you never want to leave, reach for APRÈS Eau de Parfum by Ellis Brooklyn. With notes of Juniper Berries, Bourbon, and Cedarwood, this fragrance evokes the feeling of crisp air on a beautiful Fall day.
But with so many perfume combinations to try, it’s easy to overspend. That’s why I recommend mini perfume sample collections as the perfect way to explore a variety of scents without breaking the bank. They let you experiment and find your signature scent or discover new notes without the commitment. With so many options available, these samples make it easier than ever to find a fragrance that truly fits you.
As we embrace the cozy charm of Fall, it’s important to remember how a signature fragrance can elevate our personal expression. By exploring and layering fragrances that resonate with our tastes, we can create a signature scent that leaves everyone obsessed. Every season deserves its own unique signature scent—one that lingers in the minds of those around you long after you’ve walked away.
