The 10 Best Tea Perfumes to Fill Your Cup—And Vanity

No, I won’t spill the tea—that would be a waste of a good fragrance.

Sophia Vilensky#039;s avatar
By
Published In Buying Guides
tea perfumes design with three bottles on a green backdrop with a teapot pouring liquid
(Image credit: Future)
Jump to category:

Besides "I love you" and "Have you seen my lip gloss?", the most commonly uttered phrase in my house is probably "Will you please turn the tea water on?" I have to say it's a genuinely nice place to live, with lots of affirmation, glossy lips, and cup after cup of chamomile.

When I'm away from home, I miss it. Fortunately, I can easily transport myself there with a spritz of one of the best tea perfumes. "Tea's enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke a sense of naturalness and well-being, qualities that resonate deeply with many perfume consumers," explains Amandine Pallez, Bulgari's Global Creative Director. "As the world's second most consumed beverage, tea provides a comforting sense of home and groundedness."

Tea fragrances aren't straight cup-of-Lipton scented, either—although there is something extremely cozy about that. As anyone who's ever stepped into a tea shop can confirm, there are many, many types to choose from.

"This versatility allows perfumers to create scents that feel both comforting and sophisticated, aligning with today’s preference for subtle, elegant, and genderless fragrances," adds Gabriela Chelariu, DSM-Firmenich's principal perfumer. "Beyond scent, tea fragrances evoke mindfulness and well-being—qualities modern consumers increasingly seek in everyday rituals."

Keep reading to fill your cup and vanity with the best tea perfumes on the market, tested by yours truly and backed by Marie Claire editors.

The Best Tea Perfumes

Sophia Vilensky holds a bottle of Dear Polly.

Doesn't the Dear Polly bottle look like it should be constantly bathed in light?

(Image credit: Sophia Vilensky)

A bottle of Memo Winter Palace on a wood table.

A bottle of Memo Paris's gorgeous Winter Palace fragrance. If only this photo was a video, so you could see how the gold label catches the light.

(Image credit: Sophia Vilensky)

Sophia Vilensky holds a bottle of Bulgari Eau Parfumee The Vert.

Bulgari's Thé Vert comes in a classic bottle that looks so regal on your vanity.

(Image credit: Sophia Vilensky)

Sophia Vilensky holds a bottle of Nest Indigo.

To be fair, I would buy a box of tea on sight if it had the same illustration as Indigo's bottle.

(Image credit: Sophia Vilensky)

Sophia Vilensky holds a bottle of Above the Waves.

Above the Wave's bottle doesn't reveal much about the true-tea scent inside. Maybe that's part of its charm.

(Image credit: Sophia Vilensky)

What Should I Look For in a Tea Perfume?

  • Tea Type

According to Chelraiu, a "tea note," from a perfumery standpoint, is an accord that evokes the essence of brewed tea or its leaves. You can go green, black, white, oolong, or otherwise—whatever fills your cup.

These accords are then "blended with nuances of citrus, florals, woods, or musks to mirror the natural complexity of tea itself," she adds. "The result is a scent that feels both familiar and modern, bringing a sense of clarity, calm, and quiet sophistication."

So, just like when you're presented with a menu at the café, choosing your tea type is really about personal preference. "Each tea variety brings its own personality: white tea is soft and calming with a citrus-musk profile, green tea is crisp and energizing, and black tea is rich and woody," says Chelraiu.

  • Other Notes

Marisa Auciello, Europerfumes Senior Vice President, says the best tea fragrances will offer "something old, something new, or something exotic" in their olfactory profiles.

Just like the teas in your cabinet, these notes work exceptionally well with other spices and fruits. You might have noticed that bergamot is a common addition to the above fragrances. Which makes sense, right? It's giving Earl Grey.

"I think there is a tendency to think that tea fragrances are light, fresh, clean, but there is a lot of hidden richness and boldness in a tea scent, matching the wide variety of tea and their unique character related to the way of treating the leaves and their terroir," adds Chelariu. "So we should not be surprised to find fragrances that have rich, leathery, tobacco, smoky, woody effects. These notes occur naturally in teas in the process of transformation from green tea through fermentation or oxidation."

  • Mood

When I think "cup of tea," I usually think "bedtime." (Shoutout to the Sleepytime Bear.)

But what about iced herbal tea on a hot summer evening? A fancy high tea date in the afternoon? An iced matcha to kickstart a perfect morning? The truth is, it's always time for tea. You just need to find a scent that matches the mood you're in at any given moment.

"The world of tea fragrances is remarkably diverse—there truly is something for everyone. Green tea notes tend to feel crisp, fresh, and slightly citrusy; black tea leans rich, woody, and occasionally smoky; and white tea stands out for its airy softness and citrus-musk warmth, often elevated by delicate floral nuances. White tea, in particular, embodies a 'quiet luxury' feel—it’s fresh yet comforting, subtle yet memorable," says Chelriau. "With so many tonalities to explore, tea-based fragrances can appeal across seasons, styles, and moods, making them universally wearable and deeply personal."

The History of Tea Fragrances

Though the tea note is a relatively recent addition to the perfumer's palette, it has evolved significantly since its introduction.

"Initially, lacking real tea essences, perfumers skillfully combined various ingredients to capture the desired tea nuances. This versatility is now showcased in the spectrum of real tea essences available today, from the smoky depths of black tea to the refreshing brightness of green tea," explains Pallez.

Actually, Bulgari is an interesting case study in how tea fragrances have developed over time: "Tea, alongside musk, has become integral to Bulgari's olfactory DNA. Following the very distinctive Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert in the '90s, a true essence of Darjeeling tea was introduced, inspiring perfumer Jacques Cavallier to create our iconic signature Pour Homme in 1996 and further solidifying tea's place within Bulgari's perfumery heritage," the expert explains. "Then, Jacques Cavallier crafted Eau Parfumée au Thé Blanc in 2003, which today features a new white tea extract found only in Bulgari fragrances…and the tea story was on its way."

Why Is Tea Fragrance Trending?

It's no secret that tea fragrances are trending. But why now? Auciello thinks it might be our current hyperfixation with all things wellness. It's common knowledge that the sense of smell significantly impacts how the world is experienced, so it's natural to search for comfort via perfume. (I also don't know a single person who is not trying to plan a trip to Japan.)

"Coffee fragrances have had their moment. I think tea is going to be 2026’s coffee replacement," she says. "Sometimes you want a mood booster, and sometimes you just want zen. Tea has a strong scent association. You're going to immediately feel a sense of calm."

How We Tested

Marie Claire is a perfume authority, having tested over 500 fragrances for the Marie Claire 2025 Fragrance Awards. We have reviewed every fragrance family, reported on fragrance trends, and are constantly staying up to date on emerging notes and innovations.

To compile this list of the best tea fragrances, contributing beauty writer Sophia Vilensky revisited her favorite tea perfumes and asked the Marie Claire team and other fragrance experts to share their favorites as well. Then, she got to testing, spritzing each perfume repeatedly in various settings, alongside many different cups of actual tea. For each perfume she tested, she assessed the fragrance's notes, longevity, sillage, and overall scent as the day (and night) went on.

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

Amandine Pallez poses for a headshot.
Amandine Pallez

Amandine Pallez, a 46-year-old Frenchwoman, earned a master’s degree from IPAG Paris business school before she began her career in the beauty business in 1996. With more than 20 years’ professional experience, she has specialised in both make-up and luxury fragrances. She has held ever-increasing responsibilities in Marketing, growing the business sector she was responsible for. Amandine began her career working for the German group Wella in its Prestige branch, Cosmopolitan Cosmetics, in Paris, in the make up marketing department, and was then assigned in 2002, the mission of growing their masculine fragrances segment. She joined Procter and Gamble in 2003 after the Wella take-over, and continued working as a marketing manager both in make-up and fragrances until 2005. In 2006, she joined Bulgari Parfums in Switzerland as Strategic Marketing Manager in charge of half of the portfolio, leading to a 42% growth in 4 years the brands she was responsible for. In January 2010, she was given responsibility for the creative department, leading the perfume product creative process as well as the olfactory design, closely collaborating with the master perfumers. In August 2013, she was appointed Creative Marketing Director and developed the high-end perfume segment of the brand. In May 2014 until October 2015, she added strategic marketing management to her creative responsibilities, leading a global marketing team and building a long-term brand vision to grow the business. Since November 2015, she is the Bulgari Parfums Creative and Heritage Director, in charge of defining and implementing a daring creative vision for the brand, enhancing its unique DNA.

Gabriela Chelariu poses for a headshot.
Gabriela Chelariu

Gabriela Chelariu is a renowned perfumer currently associated with Firmenich, one of the leading fragrance and flavor companies in the world. She was born and raised in a small town in Romania, where the changing seasons and the scents of nature inspired her to pursue a career in perfumery. As she recalls, "Spring was a mixture of the freshness of the lingering snow, with new shoots of vegetation and the humid earth. In June, the linden flower would bloom; I knew summer was approaching. And in winter, I remember my mother’s scent when she came in from the cold musky and cool."

Marisa Auciello poses for a headshot.
Marisa Auciello

With over a decade of experience, Marisa Auciello serves as Senior Vice President of Europerfumes, developing and scaling luxury perfume brands across North America.

Explore More
Sophia Vilensky
Sophia Vilensky
Freelance Writer

Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.