This month, we were surprised by the number of rich, complex fragrances (versus the more summery solar scent boom we saw last month). From Gucci's new Gorgeous Gardenia to Prada’s neo-gourmand (the most intense Paradoxe offering yet), these our favorite new fragrances to have on your radar this month.
The Best New Fragrances to Try This Month
The Best New Fragrances in July
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Intense Eau de Parfum (Starting at $118)
If you love floral perfume, and gardenia specifically, this is your new favorite fragrance. The brand describes it as "capturing optimism and the irresistible spirit of femininity...a perfume that glows with a joyful, sensual energy." It has great intensity, lasting power and a sultry, romantic quality as well. "This fragrance is a potion of euphoria: a fruity-floral with a base note of sandalwood essence for a warm feeling," says Danielle Hegarty, marketing director at COTY.
Harlem Perfume Co. Golden Muse Eau de Parfum ($140)
A perfect example of the solar fragrance trend we're loving right now, this warm, sunny scent is "inspired by the spirit of Harlem’s creative muses—a glowing tribute to dreamers who dare to leave their mark." "I wanted this fragrance to be bright and sensual—an expression of femininity through curves and warmth," says perfumer Bérénice Watteau. "Notes of jasmine sambac from India, peach and coconut create a creamy, floral texture that melts into the skin, evoking the feeling of a second skin. Sandalwood adds depth and radiance, wrapping the composition in a gentle heat. The result is a feminine, luminous scent that lingers with quiet confidence and lasting sensuality."
Prada Beauty Paradoxe Radical Essence Eau de Parfum (Starting at $120)
This refillable, floral-ambery-woody fragrance offers the most concentrated version of Paradoxe in Prada's best-selling collection. According to the brand, the signature Paradoxe scent has been "reinvented with a new gourmand dimension," and we're loving the rich, addictive quality. "Our master perfumers Nadège Le Garlantezec, Shyamala Maisondieu and Antoine Maisondieu chose iconic ingredients and reinvented them to reveal new olfactory sensations."
Guerlain Vétiver Fauve Eau de Parfum (Starting at $295)
"A vetiver in the wild; an invitation deep into the heard of a waking jungle" is how the brand describes this fresh scent, which leans more masculine, but I think women will gravitate toward it, too. Though dark and earthy come to mind when thinking of vetiver, this fragrance lends a modern interpretation—think fresh, green and tropical. "I combined the warm, woody essence of vetiver with an accord of green, wet tropical jungle, illuminated by a fruity note of pineapple and fig," says Delphine Jelk, Guerlain perfume creation director and perfumer. "If Vétiver Fauve were a work of art, it would be Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book."
SKYLAR Banana Candy Eau de Parfum ($20)
If you’re part of Skylar’s Scent Club, this is one of the exclusive and limited-edition fragrances you have access to in a convenient rollerball format. Inspired by the iconic banana-shaped candy, this gourmand scent isn't straight banana—it's well-balanced with a bit of a warm tropical vibe for "a sweet escape in a bottle." If you’re not familiar with the brand’s Scent Club but love perfume, it’s worth exploring. For $20 per month, you get a free limited-edition rollerball (the drops are so fun) and tons of discounts.
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Colormania Eau de Parfum ($156)
Jazz up your signature scent for summer with this playful EDP. Carolina Herrera's beloved Good Girl fragrance is back in a vibrant, limited-edition stiletto for the "empowered and unapologetic" woman who loves a rich, amber-forward scent. The brand's creative director Wes Gordon once said, “In a gray, uncertain world, Herrera should be that rainbow in your wardrobe.”
Fulton & Roark Fulton Extrait de Parfum ($205)
Rich and complex with predominant woody and amber notes, this unisex fragrance is an ode to Atlanta. "Gaze upon Atlanta long enough and you'll see she deserves a love song," says cofounders Kevin Keller and Allen Shafer. "Our love song to Fulton County, the home of Atlanta, begins with fresh and elegant notes of amber resin. But, like the city itself, its character lies in the complexity that dwells underneath your first impressions...In the shadows of the rich vanilla orchid and luxurious cistus labdanum, you’ll notice the whisper of smoldering guiacwood, paying homage to the community that emerged from the ashes to form a spirited city full of life and a hopeful future."
