The 11 Best Berry Fragrances Are Wildly Underrated
I'm sweet on these scents.
The age-old saying might be “we are what we eat,” but I would argue that another food-related adage is just as true: “we wear what we eat.” Especially today. While there’s long been overlap between our pantries and our perfume vanities—vanilla is surely among the most ubiquitous scents of all time—lately, fine fragrances that incorporate food and beverage notes have been particularly popular. Gourmand fragrances (which include the aforementioned vanilla alongside sweet-treat notes like caramel and coffee) are experiencing "rapid growth,” according to a Fragrance Market International report. But it's the best berry perfumes that are quietely creeping up as the fragrance category to watch.
While berry might not be as buzzy as pistachio or as well-known as spices, its notes are well worth getting familiar with—especially for those who like a little youthful energy to their scents. “Berry fragrances are often described as juicy, vibrant, colorful, and fruity,” explains Gino Percontino, a perfumer at Mane. “There's an inherent liveliness to berry notes,” says master perfumer Honorine Blanc. “Each berry has its own facets: some green, some citrus, some gritty.”
What constitutes a berry note will be pretty familiar to anyone who has ever ordered a parfait. “Common berry notes include raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, [and] cranberry,” says DSM-Firmenich perfumer Erwan Raguenes.
Ready to dive into the myriad ways berries can add color to your fragrance collection? Scroll on for some of the standout fragrances that feature notes of strawberry, blueberry, black currant, and more, broken down by vibe.
Warm and Spicy Berry Fragrances
Percontino says berries complement amber “very well,” and notes that they add “a touch of sweetness to boozy signatures.” Raguenes recommends seeking out spice in your berry fragrances if you’re looking for some added warmth.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Percontino chose amber for one of his own berry creations, Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 76. “Cheirosa 76 is a hypnotic, ambery floral fragrance with a delicious black currant pop on top,” he says. “The currant is very juicy, sweet, and a little bit tart, which adds extra intrigue to the scent.”
Valentino’s Born in Roma Donna Extradose tops rhum accord vanilla with cassis accord—AKA black currant—to create a scent that’s spicy, sexy, and cozy all at once. This is one of my personal go-tos for nights when I feel like channeling my inner disco diva. I find it intoxicating, but with a little bit of levity. (Blanc recommends the OG Born in Roma, which features black currant and vanilla with jasmine.)
With notes including cinnamon, tonka bean, cognac, and raspberry, Kilian Paris’ Angels' Share Paradis Extrait de Parfum might just be the perfect “all the above” option.
According to Raguenes, green notes can add freshness to berry scents, and Percontino says that the fruits “act as a nice contrast to some darker notes like woods and leather.” Jo Malone’s Blackberry Bay Cologne hits on all the above: The woody and dry cedarwood base note brings the fragrance down to earth, while a heart of bay leaves and blackberry top notes lifts things up.
Earthy and Green Berry Fragrances
Florals are like the Grace Kelly of fragrance categories, practically synonymous with soft sophistication (and, for many, associated with a bygone era). For those who find classic florals a bit blasé—or who love the profile, but just want something with a little boost—berry notes are a great option; they can add “color and brightness to floral and musky scents,” per Percontino.
Raguenes says rose, peony, and jasmine complement berry fragrances particularly well. That said, his personal favorite berry-floral contains a different bloom entirely: Marc Daisy Love Eau So Sweet, which includes white raspberries, sugar musks, and the eponymous flower. It “gives me that soft, sugary-berry glow with a fresh, youthful ease,” he says.
On the muskier side of things, Raguenes is a fan of L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Mure et Musc “for its elegant balance of blackberry and musk.”
Blanc says berries can add “indulgence or even a touch of addiction” to gourmand fragrances. For a sweet fragrance that’s still firmly a berry-floral, there’s Miu Miu’s Miutine, which includes brown sugar and vanilla accords alongside wild strawberry. It really does perfectly capture the slightly quirky, high-femme retro spirit of the Miu Miu girl.
Liberty describes Vine Thief as “lush and cheeky.” I would describe it as “a fragrance that makes me feel like I’m an artist wandering through the forest, in search of inspiration, when I come across fresh strawberries and decide to eat a few.”
“Vine Thief holds a special place for me,” says Blanc, the nose behind this fragrance. “The ripened strawberries are vibrant, almost decadent, while smoky leather brings grounded richness, like vines trailing through wild gardens.”
Vibrant and Fruit-Forward Berry Fragrances
Raguenes says berry fragrances “can feel brighter in the spring/summer and moodier in the fall/winter;” these fruit-forward scents are situated firmly in the former category.
Raguenes is a fan of Bath and Body Works’ Strawberry Soda for its "bright, fizzy, and playful strawberry pop." Unfortunately, it isn’t readily available. (Though fansof which there are manysay you can spot it at a semi-annual sale from time to time.) While far from a dupe, to be clear, Phlur’s Strawberry Letter is praised for the same layer-friendly qualities. Pair it with your favorite fresh or citrus scent for maximum fruit salad appeal.
And if you want to explore all three in one juice, Burberry’s beloved Her Eau de Parfum brings together notes of berries, jasmine, and violets over a musky base. It's become a classic pick for those seeking a feminine, sophisticated scent.
Raguenes says “berry fragrances are often complemented by citrus,” such as lemon or orange. I certainly felt that way after a recent Imaginary Authors event, where I fell deeply in love with In Love With Everything. Notes including raspberry, citrus pulp, coconut palm sugar, sandalwood, and tropical punch come together to create what I can only describe as “a fruity mixed cocktail for your wrists.”
If wearing a white sundress on a hot summer day had a scent, it would be this perfume. "With its linen accord and jasmine, it's incredibly light and refreshing, like a breath of fresh air while sitting in the sun," says Associate E-Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenberger. "Every time I spray this scent, I picture a strawberry patch still dewy from the morning mist—it doesn't get much fresher than Strawberry Fields."
How to Pick a Berry Fragrance
Since there are so many options, knowing which berries you like—or at least, which overarching categories you’re drawn to—can go a long way in helping you find a berry scent that you’ll love. “Consider whether you prefer fresh, tart berries or sweet, jammy ones,” recommends Raguenes. “Each berry has its own facets: some green, some citrus, some gritty," Blanc adds.
And as Percontino notes, just because you don’t like the taste of a particular berry doesn’t mean you won’t like it in a perfume or cologne: “Sometimes, the way the fruit is executed in a fragrance could surprise you.” He suggests experimenting “with different pairings and fragrance styles until you find the scent that suits you best.” That includes heading into a brick-and-mortar store or ordering samples so you can test drive a scent: “Most importantly, never forget to wear them on your skin to evaluate how the fragrance reacts,” he says.
You'll also want to ask yourself what mood you're drawn to. Do you want the bright exuberance of fresh fruit, or something layered with darker undertones? Lighter compositions suit warmth and daylight; richer foundations carry you through evening,” says Blanc. “The best choice reflects who you are.”
How We Tested
To select the best berry fragrances, we interviewed professional noses, sourced crowd favorites from the Marie Claire team, and searched online customer reviews. Then, Beauty Writer Eden Stewart leveraged her professional expertise to evaluate the fragrances based on price, longevity, packaging, and smell.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Gino Percontino is a New York-based perfumer with Mane. He has more than 20 years of professional experience.
Erwan Raguenes is a perfumer with dsm-Firmenich.
