The Best Spicy Perfumes That Always Get Compliments, According to Fragrance-Obsessed Beauty Editors
If you wanna smell like confidence in a bottle, spray one of these.
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A spicy perfume is the epitome of allure in a bottle. It’s my favorite scent category thanks to its effortless ability to draw people in with warm, sensual notes—and to leave behind a trail of compliments with just a few sprays. Some of the most recognizable notes in spicy scents include cardamom, pink pepper, saffron, and cinnamon, but don’t worry: this fragrance family is anything but one-dimensional.
Spicy perfumes can lean sweet and floral, earthy and woodsy, or land anywhere in between, offering versatility and undeniable appeal no matter your fragrance preference. Whether you’re searching for a sexy date-night scent or an everyday, layerable staple, a spicy spritz works for any occasion.
Ahead, the best spicy perfumes, according to Cosmo’s team of fragrance-obsessed beauty editors.
Best Deal
One Cosmo editor says: “It's hard to put into words how warm, regal, spicy, and beautiful this fragrance smells. It also lasts all day on both my skin and clothes, so I don’t need to worry about reapplying it after a long work day. And for a luxury perfume, it’s pretty decently priced too.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Key notes: Berry, butterfly lily, oakwood, patchouli
One Cosmo editor says: “Delina smells like classic femininity—but not in a powdery kind of way. The florals are juicy and fresh, and I thought I hated florals before I finally tried Delina, but now it's one of my go-to scents. And gosh does it last. One single spritz on each wrist and I'll get sweet and spicy whiffs all day long."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Key notes: Lychee, bergamot, rose, vanilla, musk, cashmeran
One Cosmo editor says: "Glossier pretty much changed the perfume game forever with the launch of Glossier You. The skin-adapting scent is fresh, spicy, layerable, and most importantly, so unique that it smells slightly different on every person. Their subsequent floral and sweet takes on the original are just as addictive."—JH
Key notes: Pink pepper, iris, ambrox
One Cosmo editor says: "If you wanna smell delectable, like someone could take a bite out of you, spritz on this new scent from Tom Ford. It's got notes of mandarin, bergamot, and pink pepper to create a scent that's the perfect balance of juicy, citrusy, and spicy."—JH
Key notes: Fig, bergamot, pink pepper, vetiver, ylang ylang
One Cosmo editor says: "I first sniffed Maison Louis Marie Bois de Balincourt in the form of a candle years ago, and ever since it’s been one of my favorite scents ever. It’s woody and earthy, thanks to sandalwood and amber, which usually isn’t my vibe, but it’s got some sweetness and spice from cinnamon and nutmeg that makes it smell more fresh and universal. Whether I'm dousing this on as a perfume or burning it in my home, the creamy fragrance is just so comforting."—JH
Key notes: Sandalwood, vetiver, amber wood, cinnamon, nutmg
One Cosmo editor says: "I carry the 12:00 solid perfume basically everywhere I go. The scent is subdued but sexy and comforting. It pairs well with basically every other scent I own (which is a lot), making it perfect for layering."—BG
Key notes: Pink pepper, saffron, raspberry, ambroxan
One Cosmo editor says: "This mouthwatering scent combines smooth and spicy notes for a warm and sensual effect. It's one of the few spicy scents that I can easily wear for any occasion—and it layers beautifully with my vanilla body lotion too." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Key notes: Citrus, apricot, vanilla, amber, sandalwood
One Cosmo editor says: "Disfruita is basically the fragrance form of a spicy margarita, with notes of juicy passionfruit settling into a warm, smoky mezcal. (And as someone who loathes tequila, I was surprised to love this.) It’s cozy but unexpected, ideal for night out when you want something a little flirty and spicy."—JH
Key notes: Passionfruit, cedarwood, agave, mezcal
One Cosmo editor says: "I go feral for fig notes in a perfume, so I'm not shocked that this spicy, black-tea fragrance is one of my top favorites from Le Labo. It's fresh and crisp, thanks to the bergamot and fig, but has a smooth, warm depth from musk and cedar. And ooooh, the tobacco note gives it a deep, smokier finish. I wear this when I wanna be wrapped up in a cozy cashmere blanket (or smell like I'm at the Edition—IYKYK)."—BG
Key notes: Fig, bergamot, musk, tobacco, cedar
One Cosmo editor says: "This fragrance is, quite literally, unforgettable. Its notes are the epitome of alluring, with spicy cinnamon, fizzy cola, and warm cedarwood creating a sexy, spicy scent. It's a modern, masculine fragrance that smells like a spicy night out in a bottle, and will make you (or your partner) the best smelling person in any room."—JH
Key notes: Cinnamon, cola, cedarwood
One Cosmo editor says: “What can I say, I’m a sucker for a spa-like scent. And this one from Moroccanoil resembles the spicy yet calming fragrance of their famed shampoo, making my whole body smell like I just walked out of the hair salon.”—BG
Key notes: Violet, citrus, velvet woods, vanilla, musk, amber
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, and the beauty team spends all year testing and sniffing hundreds of perfumes. For this story, they rounded up the best perfumes to help you smell spicy and unforgettable.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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