10 Best Winter Perfumes to Cozy Up With

Winter’s chill offers fragrance lovers a unique opportunity to truly envelope themselves in scent. Frigid temperatures make us all yearn for a sense of snugness—be it layering soft clothing, cozying up by a fireplace, or sipping hot beverages—and the best winter perfumes reflect that desire. “Seasonal shifts impact the ingredients we gravitate to wear as fragrance is the invisible accessory,” The Fragrance Foundation president Linda Levy tells Vogue. “Just as fashion changes, so do fragrance preferences. The attraction to deeper florals and deeper fruity fragrances distinguish the seasonal change.”

Vogue’s Favorite Winter Perfumes

Best Creamy Powder

Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder Extrait

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Best Cozy

Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette

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Scents turn richer and more tactile in the cold, favoring resins, woods, warm spices, and velvety gourmands that seem to cling to wool coats and knit scarves. These bold compositions seem to linger in the dense winter air, unfolding slowly—as opposed to bursting with bright notes in the balmy winter breeze.

Of all the aromas worth cozying up to, we sniffed a bunch to curate this edit. Ahead, a look at Vogue’s favorite winter fragrances, with long-loved picks from editors and experts. There’s a little something for every discerning scent enthusiast; the best of the bunch run the gamut from crowd-pleasing interpretations of tonka bean and leather to on-the-nose odes to a crackling fireplace.

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Best Spicy Vanilla: Diptyque Eau Duelle

• Why We Love It: For an sophisticated wintry scent, Levy taps Diptyque’s best-selling Eau Duelle—a cult-favorite scent inspired by long-distance travel across spice routes. The composition centers on Bourbon vanilla sourced from Madagascar—its darker, more resinous qualities make the scent more rich, less sugary gourmand. Cinnamon and cardamom add a warm, spicy kick; whereas, juniper and musk give it a skin-like finish, rounding out the scent with a sophisticated, earthy warmth.
• Editor’s Experience: “Consider this the most non-gourmand vanilla you’ll ever smell; but if it was a dessert, it would be more spice cake than birthday cake. Best of all, it’s not so heavy or decadent that it can’t be worn in more transitional seasons.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Key Notes: Vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, incense, cardamom, saffron
• This Smells Like: A smokey and spicy vanilla.

Best Cozy: Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace

• Why We Love It: Levy considers Maison Margiela’s By The Fireplace scent one of her favorites for winter; and Sephora’s beauty director Melinda Solares speaks its praises too. “The scent emits the warmth and coziness of a crackling fire while snow falls outside, setting the perfect aromatic atmosphere for the season,” she previously told Vogue. In the mix, orange flower, chestnut, and vanilla add a pleasant balance, so this scent isn’t overpoweringly smoky.
• Editor’s Experience: “I can hear the fire crackling now! Since this scent is an eau de toilette, the smoked spice notes remain surprisingly airy and light—as if the smokey ember smell lingered on your clothing. To wit, its lower concentration isn’t the most-long-wearing. While this pick doesn’t last as long on me, but it’s pleasantly nostalgic from first spritz.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Key Notes: Pink pepper, orange flower petals, clove oil, chestnut accord, cashmeran
• This Smells Like: Cozying up by a crackling fireplace—smokey, woody, but never overpowering.

Best Moody Floral: Chanel Coco Noir

• Why We Love It: When you think of Chanel scents, some of the most popular that come to mind are florals and fruity (think: Coco Mademoiselle and Chance). Coco Noir, however, takes a different approach; instead of sweet and fresh, this is more warm and spice. Debuted in 2012 by perfumers Jacques Polge and Christopher Sheldrake, this scent is inspired by Coco Chanel’s many late night adventures in Venice. Here, bergamot, grapefruit, Venezuelan tonka bean, and Indonesian patchouli create a scent that’s darker and moodier than Chanel typically ventures.
• Key Notes: Grapefruit, Calabrian bergamot, rose, narcissus, rose geranium leaf, jasmine, tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli, white musk frankincense
• This Smells Like: Velvety incense.

Best Leather: Byredo Bibliothèque Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Any bibliophiles here? Byredo’s Bibliothèque’s best-selling candle was in such overwhelming demand that they decided to introduce it as a perfume. As a fragrance, it reads like a well-worn leather binding pulled from a library shelf—but much more alluring, of course. Leather and birchwood blend with cinnamon and patchouli for a lived-in, mysterious scent that has an enticing powdery, almost-sweet quality.
• Key Notes: Plum, cinnamon, leather accord, violet, birch woods, patchouli, vanilla
• This Smells Like: Late night reading amongst flickering candlelight.

Best Boozy: Kilian Paris Angels’ Share

• Why We Love It: Another favorite of Levy’s, boozy and spicy best describe the essence of Kilian Paris’s brown liqueur fragrance. Yes, even the bottle looks like a glass of whiskey—apt as founder Kilian Hennessy hails from a distinguished family of cognac producers (the last name is your glaring clue). Warm and delectable, this alluring gourmand opens boldly with cognac, before settling into cinnamon, tonka bean, praline, and vanilla. Best of all, this perfume is notably long-lasting and projecting, lingering for up to twelve hours on clothing.
• Editor’s Experience: “I received this scent as a Christmas gift years ago, and it’s one I always reach for in chillier months. Utterly cozy, for me, it’s the perfect blend of sweet and spice that leaves behind a delightful fragrance trail. This is another perfume that is a major compliment-collector, and it lingers on my clothes for days after it’s spritzed. For what it’s worth, I do enjoy the occasional glass of whiskey, so I find the bottle adds a charming touch.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Key Notes: Cognac oil, oak absolute, cinnamon essence, tonka bean absolute, sandalwood, praline, vanilla extract
• This Smells Like: A hot toddy made with whiskey.

Best Earthy: Jo Malone Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense

• Why We Love It: Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing, this fragrance is distinctly earthy and grounding. True to Jo Malone’s naming convention, the key notes are right in the title—hinoki and cedarwood lead, drying down to subtle cinnamon and tonka bean. While this scent can hold its own, the straightforward composition makes it ideal for layering with other scents if you enjoy creating your own custom blends.
• Editor’s Experience: “I was a latecomer to this best-selling scent, and only discovered it in Jo Malone’s most recent Festive Calendar. It’s aromatic, earthy, and surprisingly versatile. In fact, I’ve been layering it with my favorite musky perfume oil (which sadly doesn’t have a perfume version) to expand its projection.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Key Notes: Cinnamon, Hinoki Wood Clove, Cedarwood, Tonka Bean
• This Smells Like: An upstate spa retreat that costs a pretty penny.

Best Body Mist: Phlur Cashmere Skin Body and Hair Mists

• Why We Love It: In the spirit of winter layering, hair and body mists amplify any fragrance profile. Phlur’s best selling Cashmere Skin, is one of the brand’s more understated scents. Light and airy, this creamy musk is just faintly sweet thanks to a blend of almond, santal, and cashmere—like slipping into your favorite sweater, with the faintest lingering of your favorite perfume.
• Key Notes: Almond, cyclamen, cashmere, cream, vanilla, santal, ambrette, musk, Peru balsam
• This Smells Like: A your skin but better scent (think: slipping on a soft cashmere sweater fresh out of the shower).

Best Extrait: Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder Extrait

• Why We Love It: For those who want their perfume to last from morning coffee to after-work drinks, Matiere Premiere’s Vanilla Powder Extrait boasts serious staying power—over 10 hours, to be exact. Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness. Thanks to its high concentration of perfume oils, you’ll leave behind a delicious scent trail wherever you go.
• Editor’s Experience: “When I first spritzed this scent, Vogue’s senior shopping writer Cortne Bonilla instantly swiveled in her chair to face me. ‘Oooh…what is this delicious scent I’m sniffing?’ she asked with perfect comedic timing. It was none other than Vanilla Powder Extrait—this scent is a major compliment collector. A cool girl’s powder perfume, it isn’t objectively sweet, while still projecting a delectable aroma.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Key Notes: Palo santo, coconut powder, Madagascar vanilla absolute, white musk, tonka bean
• This Smells Like: A cool-girl’s powder perfume.

Best Ethereal: Liis Celestial Object

• Why We Love It: Created by French perfumer Jérôme Epinette, Celestial Object is inspired by the stars. The ethereal scent opens with the tart bite of quince (a pear-like fruit) and a kick of pink pepper. Within minutes, it dries down to something powdery and soft thanks to notes of almond and rice paper. Meanwhile, incense adds a hint of intrigue and warmth throughout making it an excellent wintertime pick-me-up.
• Editor’s Experience: “I’ve been a fan of Liis’s Choux Choux for some time, and Celestial Object feels like its lighter, airier cousin. Where the former leans creamy and gourmand, the latter trades richness for a sparkling quality thanks to incense, pink pepper, and rice paper. If you want to smell like you’ve been frolicking through a mystical garden, look no further.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Key Notes: Quince, pink pepper, incense, almond, rice paper, labdanum, tonka Bean
• This Smells Like: The whimsy-goth sister of Liis’s Choux Choux

Best Seductive: Tom Ford Figue Érotique Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Fruit-based fragrances aren’t exclusive to summer. Sweet and seductive, Tom Ford’s latest scent opens with fleshy fig and subtle citrus. Brown sugar and licorice deepen those fresh notes into something that reads more like a decadent liquor. It evokes the same luxurious allure as the jewel-toned velvet hip-huggers from Tom Ford’s iconic 1995 Gucci debut, with a depth that makes a fresh fig frigid-forward.
• Editor’s Experience: “Dare I say this is my new favorite Tom Ford perfume? I reach for it when I can’t decide on a scent profile. I like that it leads with fresh and fruity notes without being overly sweet or earthy. Instead, the muscovado comes to the fore for a cozy touch.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
• Key Notes: Kadota fig accord, vert de bergamote, muscovado accord, fig leaf accord, ylang-ylang absolute, vetiver essence
• This Smells Like: If Gucci A/W 1995 (aka Tom Ford-era) was a scent.

Best Grown-Up Gourmand: Henry Rose Dave

• Why We Love It: Just last year, Michelle Pfeiffer’s clean fragrance brand Henry Rose launched its own take on a vanilla. Dave—endearingly named after Pfeiffer’s husband—features tonka bean layered with neroli, cocoa shells, and pink pepper. It’s decadent and seductive, this rich, grown-up gourmand is more intimate than your standard sweet scent, making it the perfect date night perfume when you want to smell absolutely delicious.
• Editor’s Experience: “This is one of the yummiest scents on my fragrance shelf. Gourmands get a bad reputation for being totally juvenile, but Dave is far from that. The base notes of vanilla here feel more inviting than sickeningly sweet.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
• Key Notes: Tangerine heart, neroli, pink pepper, lavandin, orange flower, almond blossom, vanilla bean chantilly, cocoa shell, tonka bean
• This Smells Like: A non-bakery vanilla—creamy and inviting.

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