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Fruity fragrances are nothing new. I spend more time than I'd like to admit wandering Sephora's perfume aisles, where I always find a wide range of fruity scents packed with notes like citrus, pear, apple, and cherry. Even though there's no shortage of fruit-forward options, I noticed strawberry notes were difficult to come by...until recently.
All of a sudden fresh strawberry scents have been appearing left and right—by my tally five have launched so far this year—and it seems like the berry has become the bonafide 'it girl' of the perfume world. What gives?
"Strawberry is having a total renaissance in fragrance," says Gustavo Romero, founder of the Fragrance Alliance Network. "We’re in this wave of nostalgic, playful beauty—think TikTok’s obsession with coquette aesthetics and the collective craving for dopamine-inducing scents after years of minimalist 'clean girl' perfumes. Strawberry fits right in. It's fun, recognizable, and instantly mood-boosting," explains Romero.
Why have strawberry perfumes gained popularity?
Strawberry scents have technically been around for years. I even grew up dousing myself in a candied strawberry mist from Bath & Body Works. That said, perfumers have finally found a way to make strawberry smell greener, juicier, and more life-like, which gives the note newfound sophistication. The process hasn't been simple or straightforward, mainly because strawberries don't produce essential oil. "Perfumers have to build their scent profile using a cocktail of aroma molecules," explains Romero, and he says there's a very fine line between producing the scent of vine-ripe berries versus a scratch-and-sniff strawberry sticker.
When I spoke with Phlur's creative director, Chriselle Lim, at the launch of Strawberry Letter last year, she told me the perfume took years to develop due to the berry's finicky nature. "Strawberry is a beautiful, vibrant note, but it can be tricky to get just right," she says. "It has a natural tartness that can lean too sharp or sour if it’s not balanced properly. The key is in the layering, you have to pair strawberry notes with ones that enhance the fruit's juiciness without overpowering it."
Romero emphasizes the fact that it's not just a matter of engineering the perfect strawberry note. "If you don’t balance the tartness with something creamy or warm, it can lean sharp or sour," he says. "On top of that, strawberry is volatile—it smells juicy and delicious at first, but it can fade quickly on the skin if other ingredients do not support it."
And now that perfumers have started to master that delicate balancing act, we're seeing more strawberry scents that are bright and airy, as well as some that are jammy and rich rather than perfumes that are nothing more than syrupy sweet.
What do strawberry scents smell like on skin?
"Strawberry notes are often sweet and colorful on the skin, reminiscent of a natural strawberry," says dsm-firmenich perfumer Berenice Watteau. "Some can have a jam-like and appetizing effect, while others could be a bit fresher and slightly tart, like an apple." It all depends on your body chemistry—remember, all scents will smell a little different on everyone—as well as the other notes that make up the finished perfume.
"When mixed with vanilla, strawberry becomes creamy, sensual, and totally addictive," explains Watteau. "As for florals, strawberry can either amplify the flower's natural sweetness or add a touch of bright, fruity color to the overall scent." Strawberry can even take on a more sultry identity when paired with warm woods or spices, like oud and pink pepper.
The best strawberry perfumes:
Research shows that people continue to look for fragrances that feel nostalgic, comforting, and joyful. "Humans are naturally drawn to scents that make them feel good, and strawberry, with its inherent sweetness and joy-evoking qualities, perfectly fits that role," says Watteau.
Lucky for you, the best strawberry perfumes are ripe for the picking just in time for spring. Whether you want to smell like a blooming strawberry field or a succulent strawberry shortcake, you'll find your perfect strawberry match below.
Pros
Joy in a bottle- Truly smells like vine-fresh strawberries
Cons
- No notes, this is the perfect strawberry scent
Imagine waking up on a breezy summer morning to sun rays peeking through the window and the faint scent of fresh strawberries wafting into your room. Sounds blissful, right? This newcomer to the strawberry scene beautifully embodies that slow-living feeling—and one spritz envelops me in calmness. Sweet sun-ripened strawberries intertwine with clean linen for a delicate, cozy aura. Then jasmine petals, orchid blossoms, and a touch of white musk add a freshness that smells so lifelike that you might actually convince yourself you're running through a wildflower (or strawberry) field when you close your eyes.
- Key notes: Wild strawberry, jasmine petals, white musk
- Sizes: 2 oz, 1 oz
2
Best Sexy Strawberry Perfume
Commodity Juice+ Bold Eau de Parfum
Pros
- This is a total compliment magnet
- Richer and more robust than other strawberry scents
Cons
- Might be too strong for sensitive noses
If you think strawberry scents are juvenile, one whiff of Juice+ Bold will change your mind. Yep, strawberries can be sophisticated, sexy, and edgy. The strawberry and raspberry notes in this are lush (and dare I say, erotic?) because instead of freshly picked berries, the vibe is richer and more jammy. Paired with a hint of tart rhubarb, blooming roses, and a mix of warm amber and patchouli, the result is an attention-grabbing potion that will put anyone under your spell. Seriously, men flock to me when I wear this scent...and I may or may not have gotten lucky on my last date because of it.
- Key notes: Strawberry, rhubarb, patchouli
- Sizes: 3.4 oz, 1 oz, 0.33 oz
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Pros
- The freshest strawberry scent you'll find
- Also comes in a perfume oil
Cons
- Doesn't have the best longevity (but that's expected from a mist)
Out of all the fragrances on our list, this body mist features the most realistic strawberry aroma—it's as if the perfumers plucked the juiciest strawberry right off the vine and squeezed it directly into the bottle. I consider this to be the ideal summer perfume due to its airy vibrancy. Strawberry certainly serves up main character energy, but the mist wouldn't be nearly as captivating without pink peonies and bright solar woods that uplift and warm. Also, I love how Nest pays homage to Santa Barbara, which happens to be one of the top strawberry producers in the country (the more you know!).
- Key notes: Strawberry, pink peony, solar woods
- Sizes: 4.2 oz
4
Most Viral Strawberry Perfume
PHLUR Strawberry Letter Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Beautifully blends fresh strawberry with comforting vanilla
- The bottle is a statement!
Cons
- Lacks serious lasting power
The scent that truly re-ignited the strawberry craze, Strawberry Letter is wildly loved and, according to Watteau, incredibly addictive. "It's one of those comfort scents that feels both sensual and instantly pleasing," she says. The complex perfume opens with a burst of ripe strawberry before a bouquet of wild lilies, red poppies, and apple blossoms peek through. As it wears, Strawberry Letter deepens with sugared amber, earthy woods, and a touch of tonka bean. "It's undeniably sexy and wearable," says Lim.
- Key notes: Strawberry gariguette, red poppy, sugared amber
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 0.32 oz
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5
Best Sweet Strawberry Perfume
Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow | 81 Eau de Parfum Intense
Pros
- A sparkling, unique take on a gourmand
- Seriously delectable
Cons
- This will definitely be too sweet for some
Calling all the sweet tooths: Yum Boujee Marshmallow is what sugar-coated strawberry dreams are made of. Decadent layers of pink marshmallow, strawberry, and coconut create a mesmerizing sugar rush. Things get even sweeter with whipped vanilla and raspberry sugar, but not in a headache-inducing way. This sweet perfume maintains a refined elegance that reminds me of the most perfectly baked strawberry shortcake. Fair warning, though: It will make others want to take a bite of you.
- Key notes: Pink marshmallow, strawberry, whipped vanilla
- Sizes: 3.4 oz, 1.7 oz, 0.3 oz
6
Best Fresh Strawberry Perfume
MALIN+GOETZ Strawberry Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Equal parts sweet and fresh
- Lays close to skin for those who like a delicate scent
Cons
- Has a very strong alcohol aroma at first
Malin+Goetz launched Strawberry long before the note was trending. Plus, it was one of the first scents that showcased strawberry's versatility. "This perfume flips the script on what people expect from a strawberry fragrance," says Romero. "Instead of being sugary and loud, it's fresh, airy, and slightly musky—like biting into a sun-warmed strawberry with the leaves still attached." I call it the 'clean girl' of strawberry perfumes, and the bottle totally matches the aesthetic, too.
- Key notes: Strawberry, jasmine petals, cedarwood
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 0.3 oz
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7
Best Splurge Strawberry Perfume
Cartier L'Heure Convoitee II Eau de Parfum
Pros
- V romantic perfume
- The bottle is a work of art
- Delicate yet captivating
Cons
- The longevity and sillage leaves a little to be desired
A little spritz of this strawberry perfume will amplify the playful flirty vibes on your next date. Cartier's luxe, velvety scent features an unexpected fusion of strawberries and roses, along with a tinge of powdery iris. It feels mature—not in a grandma way, but in an 'I'm-a-woman-who-knows-what-she-wants-and-what-she-wants-is-you' sorta way. I do wish it had a stronger sillage, but since it lies close to skin it gives you an excuse to pull your date in closer to catch a whiff...and fall in love.
- Key notes: Iris, rose, strawberry
- Size: 1.7 oz
Pros
- Feels oh so sophisticated
- The bottle is hefty and a work of art
- Has the most satisfying spritz
Cons
- It's more floral than full on strawberry
For those who aren't quite sure how they feel about strawberry scents, this is a great introduction to the fruity note as it has more of a supporting role rather than being the main attraction. "This isn’t your typical strawberry fragrance. It ditches the candy-coated sweetness for something elegant, dewy, and effortlessly chic," says Romero. "Imagine biting into a fresh strawberry in the middle of a lush Parisian garden—juicy, slightly green, and kissed by soft florals. With its airy rose and musky dry-down, it feels polished yet playful, like silk and sunshine on bare skin."
- Key notes: Strawberry, Turkish rose, musk
- Sizes: 3.4 oz, 0.3 oz
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Meet the Experts:
- Gustavo Romero is a fragrance consultant and founder of the Fragrance Alliance Network.
- Chriselle Lim is the creative director of Phlur.
- Berenice Watteau is a dsm-firmenich perfumer.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Mary Honkus is a contributing beauty at Cosmopolitan with over six years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including unpacking the difference between perfume and body spray and testing out Glow Recipe's entire line. She’s an authority in all beauty categories but an expert when it comes to fragrance. Her scent wardrobe is ever-expanding and she regularly rotates through a collection of over 200 perfumes (including all of the options in this article). For this story, she spritzed and sniffed an array of strawberry scents and spoke with fragrance experts to learn more about the strawberry trend and bring you the freshest picks.
Mary Honkus
Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.
