As a perfume-obsessed beauty journalist, I take curating my seasonal fragrance wardrobe very seriously. This is especially true when it comes to fall perfumes. In fact, I would venture to say that this is my favorite season. It’s that time of year when warm, comforting scents (scents that envelop you like a warm, heated blanket) are welcomed.
And while for most people, the more expected choices usually fall into milky scents or gourmet perfumes, I’ve found myself reaching for certain categories that feel a little more unique and appropriate to wear during the “pumpkin spice” season.
Ginger perfumes are a category of fragrances that take traditional gourmet scents to an instant cool and sophisticated. All of them are warm and delicious, but they are characterized by a spicy, almost sparkling touch.
What does ginger perfume smell like?
According to Jun Lim, founder and creative director of a Korean fragrance brand BornToStandOutGinger adds sparkle to the perfume. “It feels like electricity running through your skin. It has a bright, spicy, slightly citrusy scent with a tang that awakens the senses.”
“It gives movement to the scent, a little jolt that makes you bend over for a second sniff. In a world full of intense sweetness, ginger is an opening, a hint, a surprise,” he added.
“For gourmand or boozy styles, richness keeps it from becoming obnoxious; with woods and musk, it adds clarity; and with florals, prettiness turns into something youthful,” says Jun.
In other places, Dimitri Weberfounder of Australian fragrance brand Goldfield & Banksexplains, “Ginger possesses a rare and exotic appeal, combining spicy, tingly and uplifting qualities that immediately appeal to the senses.”
“In the perfume industry, ginger often acts as a top note, providing a vibrant and energizing introduction to perfumes. In well-crafted compositions, ginger increases the longevity of perfumes and the longevity of their scent,” he says.
What notes go best with ginger?
“and Citrus perfumes such as bergamot and mandarin, and ginger can be effervescent.” rim.
“Light floral scents like orange blossom or jasmine will feel bright rather than sharp. Woody scents like cedar or sandalwood will feel clean and modern. Gourmet scents like maple, vanilla, and tonka will cut through the sugar and make the blend addictive rather than heavy,” he explains.
meanwhile, weber “Ginger pairs beautifully with spices such as pepper, fresh citrus, rich woods, and warm amber to create a harmonious, layered scent that embodies sophistication and sophistication.”
Top 7 best ginger perfumes
1. Goldfiend & Banks Ingenious Ginger
goldfield & banks
Ingenious ginger eau de parfum
Important note: Ginger, Bergamot, Mandarin, Magnolia, Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood
This perfume is the only reason I’m obsessed with ginger perfumes, and for good reason. Some ginger perfumes have a more gourmand heft to them, but this one has a fresher, brighter touch. It has a floral and amber aroma that is expertly balanced with a bright citrus note on top. Of course, the ginger is the star here, but it doesn’t come across as too strong. As it dries, it reveals a pleasant base of vanilla and woody notes that gets warmer the longer you wear it. If anything, its uplifting properties allow you to keep wearing it well past fall.
2. Rare Beauty Rare
rare beauty
rare eau de parfum
Important note: Caramel, pistachio, ginger, vanilla, sandalwood, pink pepper, musk
When someone asks me about my favorite new fragrances of 2025, I’m pretty sure they hear me raving about the latest Rare Beauty fragrances. To be honest, when I first read the olfactory notes, I wasn’t particularly excited to smell what I thought was “yet another gourmand.” But it actually managed to surprise me from the first spray.
Indeed, its dessert-like nature is very evident. The resinous tendencies of caramel, the creamy touch of pistachio, and the enveloping effect of vanilla are very present. However, it’s not so sweet that it makes you feel nauseous. It has a balanced profile (like wearing a warm cashmere knit) with spicy touches of ginger and pink pepper, and the addition of musk and sandalwood.
3. Orebella Nightcap
Orebela
nightcap eau de parfum
Important note: Ginger, Cardamom, Guaiac Wood, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Patchouli
Ever since I first sprayed it on my wrist, this Orebella perfume has become my go-to fragrance at night, and it’s no wonder. It’s a bit boozy, but just enough to add a cool, sensual edge. Elsewhere, this blend is truly aromatic, comforting, comforting, and comforting, like drinking a warm chai latte on a cold night. There is a hint of ginger at the beginning along with cardamom, followed by a heart of vanilla. And when it lingers on the skin, it dries down to a slightly darker base with the earthy nature of patchouli and a touch of sandalwood (which is exactly what makes it a great nighttime scent). I didn’t expect anything less from Bella Hadid.
4. Born to Stand Out Drunk Lovers
BornToStandOut
drunk lovers eau de parfum
Important note: Bergamot, Red Berry, Grapefruit, Brandy, Ginger, Pepper, Cypress, Amber, Sandalwood
“In Drunk Lovers, a tingly hint of ginger cuts through the citrus on top, while a heart of cognac and brandy creates a sweet note and sparkling tension. It’s both comforting and thrilling,” he says. rim. It begins with bright citrus and fruity notes, slowly developing into a boozy, smoky ensemble centered around ginger. It’s like a ginger cocktail you’d drink in a dimly lit bar. And the drydown reveals amber, wood, benzoin, vanilla, cinnamon, and a touch of patchouli. Personally, this is one of my absolute favorites in the entire BornToStandOut lineup (and an instant compliment-drawer).
5. Byredo Eyes Closed Eau de Parfum
Byredo
eyes closed eau de parfum
Important note: Cardamom, cinnamon, carrot, ginger, orris butter, papyrus, patchouli
Please hear my opinion. I think this is one of the most underrated and unique Byredo fragrances. Equal parts cozy and spicy, with an earthy feel. In the opening, cinnamon and cardamom meet, and both go hand in hand, instantly drawing you in with their enveloping warmth. Then comes the twist. Hints of ginger and carrot add a delicate freshness, like cool air blowing through a woolen sweater. As it settles, orris butter and papyrus give it a creamy, earthy depth that feels grounded yet incredibly sophisticated.
6. Jo Malone London Ginger Biscuit Cologne
jo malone london
ginger biscuit cologne
Important note: Ginger, roasted hazelnuts, tonka bean
I know, I know, but this fragrance itself isn’t exactly a fall perfume (considering it literally smells like gingerbread cookies). Still, I think it’s a timeless perfume, perfect for getting into the festive mood towards the end of November. It has the warmth of a “baked cookie” with a touch of brown sugar and a spicy kick from ginger. In this ensemble, the ginger has a zesty, lemony quality, adding brightness to the gourmand-heavy blend. I like that it doesn’t have any “too unpleasant” scents at all, unlike the predictable sweet scents I’ve smelled. The hazelnut core adds a creamy, nutty edge, while the tonka bean at the root provides a soothing comfort as it dries down. Truly one of my favorite Jo Malone London scents.
7. Mizencil Eau de Gingamble
Mizencil
Eau de Gingamble Eau de Parfum
Important note: Bergamot, ginger, neroli, fig leaf, cypress oil, white wood
Eau de Gingenbre is ginger in its purest form, with a bright, clean aroma and a slightly green color. It opens with a burst of bergamot, ginger, neroli, and petitgrain, then softens to notes of fig leaf, cypress, and smooth white wood. It’s like mixing lemon-flavored carbonated water with grated ginger, and it’s fresh without a sharp taste, and it’s tingling, refreshing, and uplifting.
Sure, it might not pack as much of a punch as the other perfumes in this edit, but by the same token, that’s part of the charm of this perfume. I love spraying it on in the morning when I want a light, sophisticated and effortless feel. It’s the kind of scent that instantly wakes you up and makes you feel more put together.
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