Winter perfume: warm scents for the cold months
In winter, warm notes such as vanilla, amber, wood and spices work best. This is why, which notes to look for, and which of our scents suit the cold months: for women, for men and unisex.
In this article
Which perfume do you wear in winter? Choose a scent with warm notes: vanilla, amber, wood or spices. In cold air a perfume evaporates more slowly, so light, fresh scents are less noticeable, while warm notes stay with you all day. Below you can read which notes to look for and which of our scents suit the cold months.
In short
- Warm notes work best in the cold: vanilla, amber, wood and spices
- Love soft and cosy? Choose vanilla or praline
- Prefer depth? Choose amber, incense or smoky wood
- Not sure yet? Start with a travel size of 10 ml for €14.95
- As a gift: the autumn sets with five warm scents for €44.95
Why you wear a different perfume in winter
In summer, the heat lifts a scent off your skin quickly. In winter that happens much more slowly. A fresh citrus scent that fills the room in July can seem to disappear in December. Warm notes are heavier and stay on the skin longer, so they come into their own when it is cold. That is why many people switch to something warmer as soon as the heating goes on.
Which notes suit winter?
| Note | Smells like | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla and praline | soft, creamy and cosy | Cloud of Happiness, Craving Vanilla |
| Amber and tonka bean | warm, round and deep | Holy Amber, Liquid Gold |
| Wood | sandalwood and cedar: dry and calm | Cabin Heritage, Nordic Harmony |
| Spices | cardamom, cinnamon and saffron: warm with a kick | Elysian Sunset, Black Agarwood |
| Musk | soft and clean, like warm skin | Magical Musk, Golden Dust |
Winter scents for women
- Cloud of Happiness: blackcurrant and pear with white flowers, on praline and vanilla. Soft and warm, for women.
- Date Night: pear and pink pepper with coffee and almond, on vanilla and cedar. Warm with a spark, for women.
- Veil of Decadence: iris and peony with apricot and peach, on vanilla and musk. Soft and elegant, for women.
Winter scents for men
- Craving Vanilla: ginger and wood on vanilla. Warm and simple, for men and one of our bestsellers.
- Mysterious Man: lavender and bergamot with cardamom and amber, on vetiver and patchouli. Dark and warm, for men.
- Elysian Sunset: cardamom and pink pepper, pineapple with cinnamon, on chestnut and vanilla. Fresh at first, warm later, for men.
Unisex winter scents
- Cabin Heritage: violet and cardamom on sandalwood and cedar. Warm and woody, unisex and our bestseller.
- Liquid Gold: cognac with cinnamon and tonka bean, on praline, vanilla and sandalwood. Rich and warm, unisex.
- Holy Amber: rum, bitter orange and ginger with a curl of incense, on tonka bean, vanilla and myrrh. New this autumn and unisex.
- Black Agarwood: saffron and bergamot, rose with smoky oud, on tonka bean and amber. New this autumn and unisex.
- Nordic Harmony: pepper and rosewood, sandalwood and vetiver, on tonka bean, vanilla and amber. Calm and woody, unisex.
All these scents come in a travel size of 10 ml for €14.95. You will find more in our collection of winter perfumes.
How to wear perfume in winter
- Spray on your skin, not on your jumper. Your wrists and neck are warm, and that warmth carries the scent.
- Apply it before you put on your coat. Then the scent has time to settle before you go out into the cold.
- Use a little. Our perfumes are extrait de parfum with 25 to 30% perfume oil, so a few sprays are enough, also in winter.
- Take it with you. A 10 ml bottle fits in your coat pocket or bag, so you can refresh the scent later in the day.
Try a winter scent first
A warm scent is more outspoken than a fresh one, so it helps to try it first. A travel size of 10 ml costs €14.95 and lasts about a month. In doubt between two? From two perfumes you pay €11.96 each, and your order comes in gift packaging with a free twist capsule. Our perfume quiz also helps: eight short questions, and you get six scents that suit you.
A winter scent as a gift
Want to give warm scents as a present? These two sets each hold five of them:
- Women's Autumn Set (€44.95): five warm scents, from powdery vanilla and soft musk to candied pear.
- Men's Autumn Set (€44.95): five warm scents, from smoky wood and spiced amber to vanilla.
More ideas per budget are in our Christmas gift guide with perfume.
Frequently asked questions
What is a winter perfume?
A perfume with warm notes such as vanilla, amber, wood and spices. Those notes stay noticeable in cold air, where light citrus scents fade into the background.
Can you wear a fresh scent in winter?
Of course. Wear what makes you happy. Does your fresh scent seem to disappear in the cold? Then a warmer scent is worth trying.
Which winter perfume do you choose for women?
Cloud of Happiness if you love soft and warm, Date Night for a warm scent with a spark, and Veil of Decadence for soft and elegant.
Which winter perfume do you choose for men?
Craving Vanilla for warm and simple, Mysterious Man for dark and warm, and Elysian Sunset if you like a scent that starts fresh and turns warm.
How long does a 10 ml bottle last?
About a month, at five sprays a day. Because it is extrait de parfum with up to 30% fragrance oil, you need very little.
What if the scent is not right?
Test it at home with up to about three sprays. Not the right one? Then it can go back within 30 days. In the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, returns are free.
View all winter perfumes · Take the perfume quiz
Written by Thomas van Oosterom, founder of Sentir Parfum.
