6 aromatic, spicy perfumes to make you feel all warm and cosy this season
With earthy patchouli, rich cinnamon and fragrant cardamom, these spicy perfumes are complex in the best possible way


While delicate florals and fresh citrus scents will always be timeless picks, sometimes our senses crave an altogether headier aroma, like these spicy perfumes...
The list of best long-lasting perfumes caters for every preference, whether you're a lover of juicy fruit notes or creamy vanilla blends. But, it's also home to several spicy and aromatic signatures - the sort that leave a trail of sultriness behind you and envelope your skin in intimate, peppery warmth. A spicy perfume, by its very definition, captivates the senses and is perfect for autumn and winter spritzing. That said, if don't tend to gravitate towards traditional floral fragrances and gourmands, you can of course dose yourself with notes of cardamom and cinnamon year-round.
So, if you're on the hunt for a nuanced blend to add to your collection, we've rounded up six spicy scents we love. From popular to underrated blends, every one of these is guaranteed to attract compliments...
6 spicy perfumes that are so perfect for this season
A spicy perfume can encompass anything from a heady, leathery blend to a floral musk. They're versatile, with classic spice notes like clove and star anise pairing harmoniously with woods, florals and even fruity accords. What distinguishes these scents is their recognisable warmth and complex allure, which - like fig perfumes and sultry cherry scents - is proving to be very popular this season.
To that end, we've rounded up an array of fragrances from the likes of Diptyque and Le Labo to help spice up your life...
RRP: from £170 for 50ml | Notes: Violet accord, cardamom, iris, papyrus, ambrox, cedarwood, leather and sandalwood
A favourite of Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson, Le Labo's iconic Santal 33 combines spicy cardamom with leathery facets, for a signature that is both warm and musky. The addition of violet and iris also offers a flattering powderiness to the scent that is just so cosy.
Who should buy it: those seeking a unisex cosy perfume that is timeless and effortlessly chic.
RRP: £10 for 100ml | Notes: Bergamot, cardamom, lemon, orange flower, cedar and amber
Touted as the best high-street spicy scent on woman&home's list of best perfumes for women, M&S' Spice Bergamot is refreshingly affordable and minimalistic. It combines the citrusy freshness of bergamot with warm cardamom and amber, as well as delicate white florals. It's musky and soft, with its £10 price tag making it the perfect everyday signature.
Who should buy it: those seeking an affordable spicy citrus scent that they can spritz generously.
RRP: £60 for 30ml | Notes: Black pepper essence, cinnamon leaves, cypriol, Virginian cedarwood, labdanum resinoid, oud Infusion and leather accord
If you're a lover of the best oud perfumes, this newer addition to the Maison Margiela Replica perfume family might be right up your alley. It's described as being warm and leathery, with opening hints of tingly black pepper and comforting cardamom and cinnamon. There's also a smokiness afforded by labdanum and oud, to recreate the feel of stargazing in the nighttime air.
Who should buy it: lovers of smoky and leathery oud scents.
RRP: £115 for 50ml | Notes: bergamot, rose, jasmine, neroli, cardamom sandalwood, cedarwood and clove
Blending a rich base of sandalwood, cedarwood and clove with delicate but luxe hints of rose, jasmine and neroli, this scent is the epitome of warmth. The mix of spices makes this a very captivating and distinctive signature that is as chic as it is alluring.
Who should buy it: those seeking a long-lasting and individualistic signature.
RRP: £150 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, Sichuan pepper, wild fig, carrot seeds, rum, cashmere wood and tonka bean
Captivating and dark, Byredo's Eleventh Hour marries citrusy bursts of bergamot and spicy Sichuan pepper with a silky base of cashmere wood and tonka bean for a scent that is designed to capture, "a journey to the end of time." It is bold and tells a story when you wear it, rather than simply making a chic impression - and it's a favourite of woman&home's Digital Beauty Editor, Fiona McKim.
Who should buy it: those who are seeking an incense-like scent that is bold and unusual.
RRP: £153 for 75ml | Notes: Ginger, sandalwood, cedar, cypress and coriander
Ranked among the best Diptyque perfumes, Tom Dao offers a velvety blend of warm woods and rich spices. It's creamy and aromatic thanks to its hint of sandalwood, cypress and ginger, and affords a lingering impression that is timeless and effortlessly chic.
Who should buy it: unisex fragrance fans who are seeking a creamy, almost milky signature with a spicy edge.
What are spicy perfume notes
Popular spice notes include the likes of cardamom, star anise, pink and black peppercorn, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. They're often used to ground a scent, offering a warm and lasting base. That said, notes such as pink pepper can also be found as opening 'top notes' in spicy perfumes, to afford a perfume an immediate powdery muskiness - scents like Glossier You and Diptyque's Fleur de Peau, are very chic examples of this.
As for what a spicy perfume smells like, there is no one answer. They tend to be on the earthy side, with a smokiness that lingers and clings to the skin. The overall impression depends on what other notes the spices are layered with because as mentioned, you can find the likes of cardamom blended with cedarwood - for a very warm, earthy scent - or, bursts of zingy ginger paired with citrus hints, for a fresh and summery signature.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.

Naomi is a Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she covers everything from makeup to skincare but specialises, particularly, in fragrance and nail trends. Through her work, Naomi shares her trend expertise and personal product recommendations. She is also a judge for woman&home's annual hair, skincare and beauty awards.
Previously, she worked as a Lifestyle News Writer for My Imperfect Life magazine, where she used her savvy for TikTok to bring readers the latest beauty buzzwords, fashion movements and must-have products.
Before that, Naomi split her time between both GoodTo and My Imperfect Life, whilst training for her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ, for which she earned a Distinction. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied Illustration at Plymouth University but leapt into the media world in 2020, to pursue her passion for writing. Now, when she isn’t reporting on the best perfumes and latest beauty releases, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee and probably online shopping...
-
We adore this spring weather, but a jumper is still essential - Sienna Miller's pastel pink knit is the dream
It's undeniable that spring has arrived, but sunny April weather can still come with a chill. We're taking inspiration from Sienna Miller's pastel pink knit.
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse
-
Is a silk pillow better than a silk pillowcase? I swapped mine out and saw some impressive results
I tested The Fine Bedding Company's Boutique Silk Pillow, which is designed for hair, skin, and cooler sleep. Is it worth switching out your silk pillowcase for?
By Laura Honey
-
Budget to Blowout: The only three cleansing shampoos I rely on to keep my greasy hair at bay
These three deeply cleansing formulas do a stellar job at prolonging the time between each hair wash
By Sennen Prickett
-
Claudia Winkleman uses this nifty fake tan to unlock her recognisable bronzed holiday-like glow
The presenter surprisingly relies on these clever self-tan wipes for her bronzed complexion
By Sennen Prickett
-
A glossy shine was never possible on my dyed blonde hair, until I tried this £17 spray - now my strands glisten
Offering silky-softness and instant shine, this easy-to-use blow-dry treatment has transformed my frazzled, faux blonde lengths...
By Naomi Jamieson
-
We were fully ready to embrace pastels until we saw Sarah Jessica Parker's liquorice manicure
Liquorice nails for spring? Groundbreaking
By Naomi Jamieson
-
Jennifer Aniston's stylist uses these two shampoos to maintain her iconic, glossy strands
And he's shared a helpful washing trick that keeps her hair cleaner for longer...
By Sennen Prickett
-
Charlize Theron would want SPF, moisturiser and lip balm on a desert island, and so would we
We couldn't help but wonder: What are our beauty team's desert island picks?
By Naomi Jamieson
-
Judi Dench's makeup artist uses this lightweight anti-redness cream instead of foundation
This pistachio-hued formula neutralises a rosy skin tone and is a favourite of our beauty team
By Sennen Prickett
-
If you only wear one nail colour this spring, let it be essie’s Atelier At The Bay
Has a pastel yellow manicure been calling your name this season? Essie has the perfect buttery hue...
By Naomi Jamieson