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Strawberry perfumes are trending for summer 2025, here are 10 of the best that won't sour quickly
Move over cherry, strawberry is the new It Girl of the fragrance world
Fruity fragrances are nothing new. I spend more time than I'd like to admit wandering Sephora's perfume aisles, where I always find a wide range of fruity scents packed with notes like citrus, pear, apple, and cherry. Even though there's no shortage of fruit-forward options, I noticed strawberry notes were difficult to come by... Until recently.
All of a sudden, fresh strawberry scents have been appearing left and right – by my tally, five have launched so far this year – and it seems like the berry has become the bona fide 'it girl' of the perfume world. What gives?
"Strawberry is having a total renaissance in fragrance," says Gustavo Romero, founder of the Fragrance Alliance Network. "We’re in this wave of nostalgic, playful beauty—think TikTok’s obsession with coquette aesthetics and the collective craving for dopamine-inducing scents after years of minimalist 'clean girl' perfumes. Strawberry fits right in. It's fun, recognisable, and instantly mood-boosting," explains Romero.
Why have strawberry perfumes gained popularity?
Strawberry scents have technically been around for years. I even grew up dousing myself in a candied strawberry mist from Bath & Body Works. That said, perfumers have finally found a way to make strawberry smell greener, juicier, and more life-like, which gives the note newfound sophistication. The process hasn't been simple or straightforward, mainly because strawberries don't produce essential oil. "Perfumers have to build their scent profile using a cocktail of aroma molecules," explains Romero, and he says there's a very fine line between producing the scent of vine-ripe berries versus a scratch-and-sniff strawberry sticker.
When I spoke with Phlur's creative director, Chriselle Lim, at the launch of Strawberry Letter last year, she told me the perfume took years to develop due to the berry's finicky nature. "Strawberry is a beautiful, vibrant note, but it can be tricky to get just right," she says. "It has a natural tartness that can lean too sharp or sour if it’s not balanced properly. The key is in the layering, you have to pair strawberry notes with ones that enhance the fruit's juiciness without overpowering it."
Romero emphasises the fact that it's not just a matter of engineering the perfect strawberry note. "If you don’t balance the tartness with something creamy or warm, it can lean sharp or sour," he says. "On top of that, strawberry is volatile—it smells juicy and delicious at first, but it can fade quickly on the skin if other ingredients do not support it."
And now that perfumers have started to master that delicate balancing act, we're seeing more strawberry scents that are bright and airy, as well as some that are jammy and rich rather than perfumes that are nothing more than syrupy sweet.
What does strawberry smell like on skin?
"Strawberry notes are often sweet and colourful on the skin, reminiscent of a natural strawberry," says DSM-Firmenich perfumer Berenice Watteau. "Some can have a jam-like and appetising effect, while others could be a bit fresher and slightly tart, like an apple." It all depends on your body chemistry—remember, all scents will smell a little different on everyone, as well as the other notes that make up the finished perfume.
"When mixed with vanilla, strawberry becomes creamy, sensual, and totally addictive," explains Watteau. "As for florals, strawberry can either amplify the flower's natural sweetness or add a touch of bright, fruity colour to the overall scent." Strawberry can even take on a more sultry identity when paired with warm woods or spices, like oud and pink pepper.
The best strawberry perfumes:
Research shows that people continue to look for fragrances that feel nostalgic, comforting, and joyful. "Humans are naturally drawn to scents that make them feel good, and strawberry, with its inherent sweetness and joy-evoking qualities, perfectly fits that role," says Watteau.
Lucky for you, the best strawberry perfumes are ripe for the picking just in time for spring. Whether you want to smell like a blooming strawberry field or a succulent strawberry shortcake, you'll find your perfect strawberry match below.
Le Monde Gourmand Fraise Fouettée Eau de Parfum
As a beauty journalist, I try, test and review products, like the above Le Monde Gourmand perfume, on a daily basis. And when Fraise Fouettée Eau de Parfum first landed on my desk a couple of weeks back, I fell in love with its scent; the cocktail of vanilla cream, whipped sugar, and fresh strawberries really does smell good enough to eat.
Naturally, I then looked up the price of said product and was stunned at just how affordable it is. I mean, £25?! You have me sold! So much so that blind testing, I would have bet money on this being a luxe £60+ fragrance, which IMO, says it all, really.
Key notes: Fresh strawberries, whipped sugar, vanilla cream
Sizes: 30ml
Glowing customer review: "I LOVEEEE this! It’s like the FlowerKnows strawberry cupid perfume (strawberry milkshake) but sweeter on me! I smell like strawberry milk candy!"
For some, sweet-smelling perfumes can sometimes be a little sickly. So, if you're one of those people, look no further than Coach's Love.
The fruity floral fragrance opens with an invigorating wild strawberry note (think: it's high summer and you're berry picking in a local farm), but is then balanced by a warm heart note of red velvet rose, before drying down to warm cedarwood. All in all, it's bright and playful, yet super sophisticated.
Top tip: Layer a few spritzes of this with Glossier You for the ~ultimate~ fragrance cocktail.
Key notes: Wild strawberry, red rose, cedarwood
Sizes: 30ml, 50ml, 90ml
Glowing customer review: "This Coach Love perfume is so luxe. The packaging is elegant and functional. I really like the twist-and-lock top, and the gold heart keychain is so cute. The scent has light, sweet notes of wild strawberry."
Clean Classic Strawberry Fields EDP
Imagine waking up on a breezy summer morning to sun rays peeking through the window and the faint scent of fresh strawberries wafting into your room. Sounds blissful, right? This newcomer to the strawberry scene beautifully embodies that slow-living feeling—and one spritz envelops me in calmness. Sweet sun-ripened strawberries intertwine with clean linen for a delicate, cozy aura. Then jasmine petals, orchid blossoms, and a touch of white musk add a freshness that smells so lifelike that you might actually convince yourself you're running through a wildflower (or strawberry) field when you close your eyes.
Key notes: Wild strawberry, jasmine petals, white musk
Sizes: 30ml
Glowing customer review: "I love gourmand scents and this scent form Clean Classic is wonderful. It is fruity with a subtle floral scent that is not too overpowering. It comes in a super cute rollerball that is easy for applying."
If you think strawberry scents are juvenile, one whiff of Juice+ Bold will change your mind. Yep, strawberries can be sophisticated, sexy, and edgy. The strawberry and raspberry notes in this are lush (and dare I say, erotic?) because instead of freshly picked berries, the vibe is richer and more jammy. Paired with a hint of tart rhubarb, blooming roses, and a mix of warm amber and patchouli, the result is an attention-grabbing potion that will put anyone under your spell. Seriously, men flock to me when I wear this scent...and I may or may not have gotten lucky on my last date because of it.
Key notes: Strawberry, rhubarb, patchouli
Sizes: 10ml, 30ml 100ml
Glowing customer review: "Just wow!! I get so many compliments when I wear this. People have literally stopped me on the street and told me that they have to know what I’m wearing because it smells so good. Commodity fragrances are slept on"
NEST New York Santa Barbara Strawberry Perfume Oil Body Mist 125ml
Out of all the fragrances on our list, this body mist features the most realistic strawberry aroma—it's as if the perfumers plucked the juiciest strawberry right off the vine and squeezed it directly into the bottle. I consider this to be the ideal summer perfume due to its airy vibrancy. Strawberry certainly serves up main character energy, but the mist wouldn't be nearly as captivating without pink peonies and bright solar woods that uplift and warm. Also, I love how Nest pays homage to Santa Barbara, which happens to be one of the top strawberry producers in the country (the more you know!).
Key notes: Strawberry, pink peony, solar woods
Sizes: 6ml, 30ml, 125ml
Glowing customer review: "As someone who's been searching for that perfect 'sweet scent', this was an absolute delight. The vibrant top notes of strawberry with honeysuckle coming through on the skin, it's not overwhelming but a brilliantly balanced scent that lasts all day! The atomizer releases a delicate misty spritz with no chunky drops or leakage, ideal for a full coverage. This is now my signature scent and for anyone looking to wear a naturally sweet smelling berry scent, I would look no further, this is it."
The scent that truly re-ignited the strawberry craze, Strawberry Letter is wildly loved and, according to Watteau, incredibly addictive. "It's one of those comfort scents that feels both sensual and instantly pleasing," she says. The complex perfume opens with a burst of ripe strawberry before a bouquet of wild lilies, red poppies, and apple blossoms peek through. As it wears, Strawberry Letter deepens with sugared amber, earthy woods, and a touch of tonka bean. "It's undeniably sexy and wearable," says Lim.
Key notes: Strawberry gariguette, red poppy, sugared amber
Sizes: 9.5ml, 50ml
Glowing customer review: "I love Strawberry Letter! Its sweet in the beginning but settles into a musky vanilla sweetness! I can not get enough of it. I get lots of compliments. In the summer I combine with beach skin or vanilla skin! LOVE!"
KAYALI Yum Boujee Marshmallow | 81 Eau de Parfum Intense 50ml
Calling all the sweet tooths: Yum Boujee Marshmallow is what sugar-coated strawberry dreams are made of. Decadent layers of pink marshmallow, strawberry, and coconut create a mesmerising sugar rush. Things get even sweeter with whipped vanilla and raspberry sugar, but not in a headache-inducing way. This sweet perfume maintains a refined elegance that reminds me of the most perfectly baked strawberry shortcake. Fair warning, though: It will make others want to take a bite of you.
Key notes: Pink marshmallow, strawberry, whipped vanilla
Sizes: 10ml, 50ml, 100ml
Glowing customer review: "I purchased the 100 ml as a “blind buy” a few days ago and I received it in the mail last night. I am in love with it! I will be purchasing this again."
Malin+Goetz launched Strawberry long before the note was trending. Plus, it was one of the first scents that showcased strawberry's versatility. "This perfume flips the script on what people expect from a strawberry fragrance," says Romero. "Instead of being sugary and loud, it's fresh, airy, and slightly musky—like biting into a sun-warmed strawberry with the leaves still attached." I call it the 'clean girl' of strawberry perfumes, and the bottle totally matches the aesthetic, too.
Key notes: Strawberry, jasmine petals, cedarwood
Sizes: 9ml, 50ml
Glowing customer review: "This is such a unique, gorgeous scent. Smells like if you were picking strawberries from a field - leaves, dirt and all. It smells super fresh and inviting. The dry down is a soft mix of cedar and musk. Boyfriend enjoys it as much as I do. Will be great for spring/summer and going to the office."
CARTIER Les Heures de Parfum L'Heure Convoitée eau de parfum 75ml
A little spritz of this strawberry perfume will amplify the playful flirty vibes on your next date. Cartier's luxe, velvety scent features an unexpected fusion of strawberries and roses, along with a tinge of powdery iris. It feels mature—not in a grandma way, but in an 'I'm-a-woman-who-knows-what-she-wants-and-what-she-wants-is-you' sorta way. I do wish it had a stronger sillage, but since it lies close to skin it gives you an excuse to pull your date in closer to catch a whiff...and fall in love.
Key notes: Iris, rose, strawberry
Size: 75ml
Glowing customer review: "beautiful fragrance! a long lasting trail of strawberry/carnation/iris reminiscent of "L'air du temps".One of my favourite carnations EVER. long lasting and with a perfect projection. A masterpiece."
BDK Parfums Bouquet de Hongrie Eau de Parfum 100ml
For those who aren't quite sure how they feel about strawberry scents, this is a great introduction to the fruity note as it has more of a supporting role rather than being the main attraction. "This isn’t your typical strawberry fragrance. It ditches the candy-coated sweetness for something elegant, dewy, and effortlessly chic," says Romero. "Imagine biting into a fresh strawberry in the middle of a lush Parisian garden—juicy, slightly green, and kissed by soft florals. With its airy rose and musky dry-down, it feels polished yet playful, like silk and sunshine on bare skin."
Key notes: Strawberry, Turkish rose, musk
Sizes: 10ml, 100ml
Glowing customer review: "This is absolutely beautiful. I smelled the fruits first, sweet without smelling sugary or artificial. To me, the fruit notes in this present as slivers of fruit flesh as they would be presented in fine dining--not the experience of eating the fruit whole. This is fruit without the syrup, peel, and seeds, simple slivers of flesh left to rest on the tongue. The florals come next, so beautifully balanced between the jasmine and rose that I couldn't distinguish between the two. "
Meet the Experts:
- Gustavo Romero is a fragrance consultant and founder of the Fragrance Alliance Network.
- Chriselle Lim is the creative director of Phlur.
- Berenice Watteau is a dsm-firmenich perfumer.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Mary Honkus is a contributing beauty at Cosmopolitan with over six years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including unpacking the difference between perfume and body spray and testing out Glow Recipe's entire line. She’s an authority in all beauty categories but an expert when it comes to fragrance. Her scent wardrobe is ever-expanding and she regularly rotates through a collection of over 200 perfumes (including all of the options in this article). For this story, she spritzed and sniffed an array of strawberry scents and spoke with fragrance experts to learn more about the strawberry trend and bring you the freshest picks.
Lia Mappoura is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. With over three years under her belt, over three different roles at Cosmo (intern, assistant and now, writer), as well as a year prior interning at magazines including Grazia, Dazed Beauty and Glamour, she has learnt a lot about what makes for a good great beauty product. I mean, she has been a judge in over seven seasonal beauty awards... which includes having to test over 100 skin, makeup, hair and body products for each. Someone's gotta do it!
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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