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Spring is upon us, bringing with it blooming flowers, fresh air, and longer, sunlit days. It’s also my favorite time to switch up my fragrance rotation, moving away from the deep, heavy gourmands of winter, and instead embracing soft florals, crisp citrus notes, and airy, uplifting scents.
While in previous years, many perfume fans have opted for a ‘signature scent’, according to this year’s Boots Beauty Trends Report,‘Moodscaping’ – the practice of curating scents to shape your emotional state and evoke specific feelings – is on the rise, reflecting a broader movement towards more personalised and versatile fragrance experiences.
As such, in 2025, more people are embracing the concept of fragrance wardrobes, with the hashtag #FragranceWardrobe soaring to over 150 million posts on TikTok last year. These personal collections of scents are curated to suit different occasions, moods, and elements of their personality or style. My own collection currently stands at around 50 bottles of 10ml or more, with dozens of mini travel scents I’m making my way through, too.
I’ve trawled through my haul of perfumes and have picked out my favourite bright and uplifting scents for the spring season. Whether you’re looking for something to wear for Sunday coffee runs, spring wedding invites, romantic date nights or something for everyday wear, here are my top perfume picks for spring.
Floral Street – Wonderland Peony
I’m a sucker for peonies. And when they’re in season from late spring and into early summer, I’m forever buying bunches for the house, while tending my own plants in the garden, which seem to get better each year. And Wonderland Peony from Floral Street – a brand that converted me to floral fragrances – is a sweet floral fragrance that’s stuffed full of them.
Playful and airy, Wonderland Peony is light, fruity and sweet but maintains an air of sophistication. My colleague, Eve, waxed lyrical about this scent and when I tried it for myself, it was easy to see why it was one of her favourites.
It bursts open with juicy guava and pink berries, but as it settles, delicate peony and violet bring a softness to the overall profile. Pink candy floss and vanilla add a youthful element, balanced out with cedarwood and vetiver. For me, this is my go-to fragrance when I want to feel joyful and lighthearted.
Scent Notes: Guava, Peony, Pink Berries, Violet
Perfect for: Brunch with friends, spring picnics, or a spontaneous day out.
Shay and Blue – Blood Oranges
I love Shay and Blue’s fragrances and have amassed quite the collection, from Blackberry Woods which lends itself beautifully to the autumn season, to the smokey Blacks Club Leather or sweet Salt Caramel. Their genderless fragrances never fail to impress, and for the spring season, it is the zesty freshness of Blood Oranges that I find myself reaching for.
The cruelty-free, vegan brand uses real fruit and flowers in their creations, so it makes sense that, with blood orange being in season from December to May, that it feels perfect for this time of year. The star is a burst of tart Sicilian blood orange, balanced with warm musk and leather in the dry-down, giving it a rich and sensual finish. It’s vibrant without being too sweet, giving me a refreshing lift on bright spring mornings – much like a glass of freshly-squeezed juice.
Scent Notes: Blood Orange, Musk, Leather
Perfect for: Morning coffee runs, weekend markets, or anytime you need an energy boost.
Gucci – Mémoire d’une Odeur
If you’re looking for something crisp and clean smelling, then Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur could be your new go-to. It’s not your typical spring floral – it’s soft, powdery and herbal, as well as being unisex, said to be ‘unassigned with a gender or a time’.
Blended by master perfumer Alberto Morillas, it sees top notes of soothing chamomile and bitter almond, which give way to coral jasmine, jasmine petals and musks that add depth. The base notes are my favourite, pairing vanilla with cedarwood and sandalwood, which bring an almost chocolatey property to the perfume, which is what really makes it stand out.
For me, this is a really intimate fragrance that is subtle and comforting, reminiscent of spring air rolling through a garden – calm, cool and airy. It lasts beautifully throughout the day, too, and isn’t distracting or overpowering, making it a lovely choice for days spent solo.
Scent Notes: Chamomile, Jasmine, Musk
Perfect for: Quiet mornings, nature walks, or an afternoon spent reading in the sun.
M&S – Soft Iris
Soft, powdery florals are perfect for spring, and Soft Iris from M&S is such an affordable gem. The high street retailer’s Discover range is known for its purse-friendly prices and their likeness to bigger, more expensive names, with Soft Iris bearing somewhat of a resemblance to Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle.
The reason for their similarities is a few choice fragrance families, with both of the scents being quite citrusy, with base notes of amber and patchouli. Each of them also features bergamot and orange blossom, as well as aromatic vetiver. While Chanel pairs notes of jasmine and rose, the M&S Soft Iris sees jasmine teamed with iris, so while it’s not exactly a ‘dupe’, you can see how they might be compared to one another.
At £6 for 30ml, it’s a seriously inexpensive choice, but that doesn’t make it a ‘cheap’ scent. It’s got a gorgeous, classic powdery softness, while a subtle woody base keeps it grounded, making it understated and elegant. It may not have the same longevity as pricier perfumes, but you can afford to reapply throughout the day for a fresh burst of fragrance.
Scent Notes: Iris, Patchouli, Tonka Bean
Perfect for: Spring weddings, garden parties, or any occasion that calls for subtle elegance.
Marc Jacobs – Daisy Wild
Daisy Wild sees Marc Jacobs once again reinvent his classic fragrance and give it a new, fresh feel. While the original Daisy’s key notes comprise of wild berries, white violet, jasmine and sandalwood, Daisy Wild offers a much different profile. While it still has jasmine and sandalwood, they’ve been paired with sweet and fruity banana blossom, which is rarely used in premium perfumery, alongside notes of warming macadamia and vetiver des sables. Fresh and green, the overall profile has a breezy, just-bloomed quality.
Perfect for day or night, it’s got a really fresh scent that reminds me of wildflower bouquets, and the bottle is – as is always the case with Marc Jacobs – absolutely gorgeous with pink and green signature flowers around the cap. It’s the first time a Daisy fragrance has been fully refillable, with the brand taking a more sustainable approach, which ties in nicely with the fragrance’s theme that encourages wearers to ‘reconnect with nature and embody your young, free-spirited self’.
Scent Notes: Banana Blossom, Jasmine, Sandalwood
Perfect for: Outdoor adventures, springtime road trips, or lazy Sunday afternoons.
Gucci – Gorgeous Orchid
For a springtime fragrance that feels both luminous and indulgent, Gucci Gorgeous Orchid is a perfect match. Launched in 2024, it’s the first Ozonic gourmand floral fragrance to join the iconic perfume line up – and boy, does it make its mark.
It marries fresh aquatic floral fragrances with a warm and comforting vanilla. It’s not too sweet, nor too overpowering, it’s light yet rich and completely addictive. It’s the kind of fragrance you can wear right the way through the warmer months and into autumn, too, but with Vanilla Orchid season falling around April/May, it lends itself best to these months in particular. To sum it up, it’s effortlessly chic, floral, and fresh with just a touch of sweetness.
Scent Notes: Vanilla Orchid, Orange Blossom, Ozonic
Perfect For: A sunny spring brunch or garden party, daytime dates or leisurely spring strolls
Kayali – Eden Juicy Apple
If spring were bottled, it might just smell like Eden Juicy Apple. This fragrance is bright, youthful, and insanely juicy, bursting with crisp red apple and berry notes. It’s like a cold glass of freshly-pressed juice, with those fruity notes front and centre of the fragrance, making it smell good enough to eat.
It manages to steer clear of a potentially child-like territory with a delicate floral heart of rose and jasmine which softens the fruitiness, while the vanilla and sugared musk in the base add a light, creamy warmth. It’s an easygoing, cheerful scent that feels effortless yet irresistible – perfect for adding a little playfulness to your fragrance wardrobe, and great for layering.
Scent Notes: Juicy red apple, wild berries, vanilla flower
Perfect For: Casual daytime wear, from coffee runs to picnics in the park and those who love fruity, juicy scents with a fun, flirty vibe
Clinique – Happy
A true classic, Clinique Happy has been putting smiles on faces for decades – as long as I’ve been alive, actually, having been released in 1997 – and for good reason. This sparkling citrus-floral blend captures the joy of spring, opening with a burst of grapefruit, mandarin, and bergamot.
The heart is a delicate bouquet of freesia and lily of the valley, giving it an airy, floral freshness. A touch of mimosa and musk in the base keeps it soft and well-balanced. It’s clean, fresh, and effortlessly uplifting and 97% of people surveyed said they feel happy when they smell it. Moodscaping is very much at play here, and I’m all for it.
Scent Notes: Ruby red Grapefruit, Bergamot, Freesia
Perfect For: Brightening up your mood on a crisp spring morning or a feel-good, everyday scent that’s fresh and uplifting
These are the fragrances I’m going to have on rotation throughout the coming months. Fresh, juicy and floral, they really embody everything I love about the season. What are your favorite fragrances for spring? Share your signature scents and let’s celebrate the season together.
