“Musks are incredibly versatile, serving as the foundation for many fragrances—from woody compositions to airy skin scents and creamy, lactonic fragrances,” says Keta Burke-Williams, founder of Ourside. “Musks pair beautifully with vanillas and ambers, adding depth and dimension without overpowering. With the growing appreciation for fragrances that feel intimate and effortless, musks create that desirable ‘your skin but better’ effect. Whether clean and powdery or warm and sensual, musks enhance a fragrance’s longevity while adding a sophisticated, lived-in quality.”

Tomáš Ric, founder and CEO of Pigmentarium, loves a skin scent for fall. “Intimate, soft, and understated—they don’t project into the room but rather remain close, like the warmth of sunlit skin.” he says. “These are perfumes designed for the wearer’s comfort and for those within close proximity. They create a sense of closeness and quiet connection, something increasingly valuable in an era of overstimulation and digital noise.”

Maximalist Gourmands

Give in to your sweet gourmand cravings this season and surround yourself in delicious notes of vanilla, chocolate, and pistachio. The gourmand trend isn’t going anywhere; it’s getting even more indulgent and intense.

“Fall is when I naturally gravitate toward deeper, more indulgent fragrance notes,” says Kattan. Kayali’s Oudgasm Chocolate Oud 11 is her top pick for fall 2025. “The contrast of chocolate oud with notes like spiced rum, caramel apple, and incense creates a luxurious gourmand experience that feels perfect for cooler weather,” she explains. “It’s a fragrance that makes a statement while still feeling deeply comforting.” If you like to layer scents, she recommends pairing it with Kayali’s popular Yum Pistachio Gelato 33. “The creamy pistachio, roasted hazelnut, and fluffy marshmallow blend seamlessly with the chocolate and spice, creating a scent that’s incredibly cozy and cocooning.”

Plum Perfumes

If you aren’t quite ready to give up your bright, fruity fragrances, you don’t have to! Plums are at their peak in the early fall, and that juicy sweetness shines through in scent too.

“We’ve seen plum become very popular,” perfume content creator Paul Fino tells Teen Vogue. “[It is] seen in fragrances like Glossier You Reve, Snif Me, Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 40 and Unmute by Noyz. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an explosion of plum fragrances this year.”

Fig Perfumes

Plum isn’t the only underdog fruit enjoying a moment in the scent spotlight. Fig, with its lusciously creamy scent profile, is another fruity fall note having a moment. Fig fans will love Phlur’s Father Figure, which opens with fresh, enveloping notes of fig and water lily. Diptyque’s Philosykos is inspired by the fig tree itself, with woody and green notes blended with juicy, aromatic fig.

Rich Amber

Amber is a mainstay in perfumery, and it especially sings in the fall. The rich, warm note is often added to the middle or base of a scent to ground it and give it depth. Amber is a key note in Kylie Jenner’s popular Cosmic and its sister scent, Cosmic 2.0.

Juicy Apple

Pretend you’re at the apple orchard all day, every day. Apples are at their peak in the fall, and so are apple-centric scents. They’re the perfect way to brighten up a gloomy day with a vivid burst of crisp freshness, but can be combined with other scents too; Kattan likes to layer Kayali’s Vanilla 28 with Eden Juicy Apple 01 for an “apple pie” aroma.

Milky Perfumes

Scent layering has the stamp of approval from Billie Eilish, Leah Kateb, and more. Milk is a popular choice for perfume layering since it can help balance out stronger scents and add a hint of both earthiness and sweetness — and Teen Vogue’s Associate Culture Director Claire Dodson already put the trend to the test with one of Sabrina Carpenter’s perfumes.