October is when our fragrance wardrobes catch up with the weather. As the air turns crisp and the days get shorter, we find ourselves reaching for scents with a little more depth, and this month’s launches deliver on every front. Craving something cozy? Warm gourmands like Commodity’s SPICE ($160) wrap you up like your favorite cashmere sweater. Prefer to keep things fresh? Try a polished floral such as BORNTOSTANDOUT’s Saint Petal ($320). And for those already counting down to the holidays, NEST’s festive new perfume arrives just in time. Here are the best new fragrance launches worth spritzing right now.
BORNTOSTANDOUT Saint Petal Eau de Parfum ($320 for 50ml)
At first spritz, this new extrait from the Korean cult house gives the impression of a polished floral, but there’s a darker, edgy earthiness underneath. Created by perfumer Jordi Fernández, it’s loaded with natural oud. According to the brand, the Extrait Extrême collection has a fragrance concentration of 55–62 percent and is aged for three months in traditional Korean onggi pottery.
Top notes include orange blossom, cumin, bergamot and dust; mid notes are violet leaves, jasmine sambac, coffee, incense and Akigalawood; and base notes comprise amyris, vetiver, cistus, oud and leather.
Commodity SPICE Eau de Parfum ($160 for 100ml)
Think of it as your favorite chai latte, bottled. The brand drew inspiration from the meditative ritual of brewing chai, layering suede-like saffron, aromatic allspice and sweet cinnamon sugar into a long-lasting, warm gourmand. For anyone who gravitates toward cozy, spice-forward fragrances, this is the one to try this season. Top notes include saffron and allspice; the mid note is cinnamon sugar; and the base note is tonka bean.
Juliette Has a Gun Purple Trouble Eau de Parfum ($150)
Juicy blackberry gets an unexpected kick in this fruity, musky fragrance, which balances the sweetness of ripe berries with the subtle heat of red chili pepper. The result is playful but not overly sugary, with a slightly tart opening that gives way to a warmer, more sensual skin scent. The top note is wild blackberry; the heart is red chili pepper; and base notes are ambroxan and musk.
LoveShackFancy Just a Girl Eau de Parfum ($125 for 75ml)
Dessert lovers may find a new signature scent with this decadent, playful gourmand, inspired by a first trip to Paris and a stop at a French patisserie. Top notes include sugared apricot; mid notes are French vanilla and tonka milk; and the base comprises sheer amber. Plus, the metallic pink bottle is topped with a sculptural bow, and once it's empty, the spray top pops off so you can reuse it as a bud vase.
Bvlgari Allegra Baciami Ancora Parfum ($385 for 100ml)
A richer, more enveloping interpretation of the brand’s signature floral-amber scent, this romantic, Italian-inspired fragrance puts gardenia in the spotlight, delivering a creamy, lush floral character with a bit of edge. Created by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier, it’s a great pick for those who love white florals but want something with a richer, sweeter finish. Key notes include gardenia and vanilla.
OUAI St. Barts Solid Eau de Parfum ($34)
The hair-care brand’s beloved vacation-in-a-bottle scent now fits in your pocket. This limited-edition, Sephora-exclusive solid comes tucked inside a ready-to-gift ornament, which makes it an easy stocking stuffer or a little midwinter escape for yourself. Notes include juicy dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, Baltic amber and musk. Swipe it onto your pulse points for a whiff of a tropical getaway.
Oscar de la Renta New York Rendezvous Eau de Parfum ($120)
Inspired by the energy and allure of New York at sunset, this amber-gourmand fragrance combines creamy sweetness with a sophisticated floral heart. It’s dessert-like at first, but then it softens into a sensual warmth that smells so good on the skin. Top notes include Chantilly cream and a subtle citrus lift; mid notes are white jasmine, hedione and almond flower; and base notes comprise vanilla bean, caramelized woods and amber.
NEST New York Wonder Eau de Parfum ($130 for 100ml)
It may only be October, but holiday planning is in full swing for many of us. This festive, limited-edition fragrance turns the brand’s best-selling seasonal home scent into a festive, wearable perfume. It perfectly captures the feeling of the holidays, feeling crisp and cheerful rather than overly sweet. Key notes include grapefruit, winter cranberry and fir balsam.
Véronique Gabai Bonbon d’Azur Eau de Parfum ($290 for 85ml)
Pistachio, vanilla and molten caramel? Sign us up. This warm, unisex gourmand is rich, sultry and lingers long on your skin after you’ve spritzed. Key notes include neroli, pistachio, caramel, vanilla and woods.
