If there's one thing we love about autumn, it's the excuse to get outside. Finally, we beat the heat for another year, and the great outdoors is no longer a one-way ticket to heat exhaustion. It's no surprise then to see the sudden rise of forest fragrances. From scents of enchanted woods, the perfect hike on a clear day, an afternoon apple picking or a cozy evening with open windows, forest fragrances are the perfect way to capture the season.
What Are Forest Fragrances?
With a focus on wood scents from tree bark, resin and mosses, forest fragrances are all about delivering the earthy, open outdoors. You're likely to find consistent favorites in the woodsy scent family. Sandalwood, cedarwood, birch and vetiver are standard inclusions in this fragrance family.
You may notice that this scent family is often associated with unisex or masculine scents. These are typically bolder and dip into spicy complements like musk and amber. But those don't have to be the primary scents. These notes can be complemented by brightening florals for a light, fresh combination that's akin to the air of fall. On the other hand, spicier notes of amber combine with woodsy scents to create a darker and more mysterious finish.
The Top Scents of the Season
If you take a look at the best-selling fragrances right now, you'll start to see a pattern. Rich vanilla and intoxicating smoky scents are everywhere. These complementary scents envelop us in a sweet, savory mix that screams fall. And as we transition away from summer scents, the comforting notes of gourmands and woods are back in action.
Cozy coffeehouse scents like vanilla, caramel and sugars help create the warm, sweater-wearing environment of a lovely fall day. At the same time, the more outdoorsy scents of sandalwood, moss and amber bring that crisp, clear air. Whether you want to smell like an apple-picking day outside or a warm skin evening by the fire, fall is the perfect time to branch out into warm and fresh scents.
Shop Forest Fragrances
Forest Fragrances Bring the Fairytale to You
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Bright bergamot and leathery saffron accords wrap you in a warm embrace, before grounding themselves in creamy sandalwood and spicy amber. Cozy, warm and undeniably sexy.
BUY ON SEPHORA - $99
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $99
2 / 14
Future Society used cutting-edge technology to revive the extinct Shorea cuspidata, a towering tree endemic to Borneo whose branches once reached up to 45 meters. Floral, woody, aquatic and bright, this is meditation in a perfume.
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $98
BUY ON FUTURE SOCIETY - $98
3 / 14
Designed to be as energizing as the forest itself, this vitality-infused, emotion-boosting scent is a balance of earthy, woody and sweet notes that radiates energy and grounding.
BUY ON SEPHORA - $150
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $150
4 / 14
Inspired by forest bathing in Japanese Hinoki forests, this clean and aromatic woody scent delves into the fresh woods. The cologne is created with hand-harvested fallen branches that are then processed by local artisans in the same Japanese village. The scent honors the traditional integrity of the Hinoki while transporting you to a peaceful place of rest.
BUY ON SEPHORA - $160
BUY ON NEIMAN MARCUS - $160
5 / 14
This classic woody scent is a perfect balance between strong and soft. Its strength lies in the rich sandalwood and raw, burly cedar. Softness comes through in supple fig leaves and soothing, ripe coconut.
BUY ON SEPHORA - $98
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $98
6 / 14
This functional fragrance is designed to give you that much needed breath of fresh air. The fragrance consists of olfactory chemistry and patented ingredient technology to simulate phytoncides, which are produced naturally by trees. This scent provides positive health benefits associated with forest bathing including stress reduction, anxiety reduction, boosting the parasympathetic (rest) nervous system and supporting immune function.
BUY ON AMAZON - $140
BUY ON DERMSTORE - $140
7 / 14
A fragrance gentle enough to wear on every inch of skin, this scent is reinforced with red algae and glycerin for maximum hydration. Australian sandalwood, cedar and vetiver make up the heart of this fragrance, bringing you right to the center of an old growth forest.
BUY ON AMAZON - $45
BUY ON SEPHORA - $45
8 / 14
Inspired by the image of a writer in a glass house overlooking a forest, this woody fragrance dives deep into the comforting scents of cedarwood, sandalwood and heartwood.
BUY NOW - $120
10 / 14
Don't be afraid to cross the aisle for your ideal forest fragrance. This traditionally masculine scent features fresh top notes of grapefruit, coriander and basil, a warm heart of cardamom and ginger and a deep base of tobacco, amber and cedarwood.
BUY ON AMAZON - $110
BUY ON SEPHORA - $110
12 / 14
Cool cucumber and delicate white musk introduce this seemingly soft scent. Cardamom and earthy Indian sandalwood glow at the heart of Twin Flame, pulling you into its cool, woody and spicy embrace.
BUY NOW - $65
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Explore an urban forest after the rain has lifted with this delicate scent. Hermes combines the power of a bouquet of fresh herbs, the texture of a pear granita and the liveliness of a high-tech molecule, Physcool®.
BUY ON AMAZON - $147
BUY ON NORDSTROM - $155
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Every Storm a Serenade opens with a burst of refreshing sea air, reminiscent of a storm brewing on the horizon. The addition of spruce and eucalyptus brings you to a sea-side forest instantly.
BUY NOW - $111
