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Bergamot perfume is trending for spring - 8 fresh, vibrant scents that will get you endless compliments
Bright, zesty and oh, so classy
As a beauty editor, my perfume stash actually takes up an entire wall in my bathroom (I’m not kidding). But instead of always reaching for bottles of bold vanillas or floral notes, I actually prefer to keep my signature scent simple – something that just smells like a better version of myself. My favourite note to achieve that effect? Bergamot.
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Bergamot, which sits in the fresh scent family, is bright, zesty and clean-smelling. While it’s often found in crisp, citrusy perfumes, not every fragrance featuring bergamot leans fruity, and it’s actually far more versatile than it gets credit for. Depending on what other notes it’s paired with, it can feel warm, floral, earthy or even woody – which is exactly why we've rounded up the best perfumes with notes of bergamot, for that "your skin, but fresher" spritz.
Whatever your scent preference, these are eight of the best bergamot perfumes, as collated by your resident fragrance-obsessed editors.
You know when you finally find the perfect (but slightly expensive) white T-shirt, and you’re like, "Wow, I’ll wear this all the time and a million different ways?” That’s Retrospect. It’s indulgent, but good for everyday and a clean, skin-like scent that's so easy to wear - whether you’re a perfume novice or full-on nose.
Key notes: Bergamot, pear, jasmine, rose, vanilla, moss
Glowing customer review: "Love this perfume, I always get so many compliments when I wear it! When you apply it’s powdery but wait till it dries down. It is a complex fragrance that can stand on its own (no need to layer) and throughout the day you will get different notes and dries down feminine and sweet!"
Bergamote 22 smells like if you mixed a designer perfume with one of those all-natural cleaning sprays... but like, in the best way? It smells like my most productive Sunday: clean kitchen, fresh sheets, podcast going in the background. The citrus notes are a bit sharper than a usual bright, bursting fruity note, but I actually love it – the vetiver addition makes it a bit spicier and smoother.
Key notes: Bergamot, petit grain, amber, musk, vetiver
Glowing customer review: "Smells like Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue grew up and now having a successful career, married rich and spends summer on her yacht in the Amalfi coast. Summery, vibrant, elegant."
At first spritz, Coco Mademoiselle is fresh and a little fruity without being cloying. Hours later, it settles into a warm, sensual vanilla with slight traces of floral. I’m pretty picky about vanilla perfumes (they can often veer too salty and skin-like for me), but here, the vanilla blends perfectly with the citrus and florals. I know some people may associate Chanel with older, powdery scents (like Chanel No. 5), but Mademoiselle feels ageless.
Key notes: Bergamot, amber, orange, jasmine, patchouli
Glowing customer review: "I love this perfume with its gentle yet complex aroma. It can be worn for any occasion and any time of day. Also, a bottle lasts a long time so it is actually good value for money."
I love DedCool's unique scents, and Red Dakota is a sophisticated take on your classic bergamot note. It's zesty, but doesn't have that overly clean scent thanks to notes of amber, woods, and gardenia that make it undeniably sexy and fresh.
Key notes: Bergamot, clementine, gardenia, wild berries
Glowing customer review: "I’ve never had so many compliments as when I’m wearing this! For me it’s a fruity grapefruit with a fresh laundry, shampoo and clean creamy smell. I’ve had comments from people when I’ve walked past them on the street."
This is my signature scent for brighter seasons. Yes, it's citrusy, but it's also watery and aquatic and green – like stepping foot into a fresh cenote on holiday.
Key notes: Calabrian bergamot, green mandarin, orange blossom
Glowing customer review: "It’s grown up and sophisticated without being stuffy. I have worn it from day to night - and the scent stays. The finish is more floral than citrus but the packaging looks lovely on my shelf."
If you want to smell delectable, like someone could take a bite out of you, spritz on this new scent from Tom Ford. It has notes of mandarin, bergamot and pink pepper to create a scent that's the perfect balance of juicy, citrusy and spicy.
Key notes: Bergamot, fig accord, ylang ylang absolute, vetiver
Glowing customer review: "Opens up green and then boom a bit of sweetness not too much just the right touch. The fig scent continues to linger for an awesome aroma!"
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush Eau de Parfum
Even though it’s a bestseller, the original Good Girl is way too much for me. But this Blush version? Much more wearable, in my opinion. The warm, floral notes feel fresh and approachable, and the stiletto-shaped bottle is absolutely iconic.
Key notes: Bergamot, almond, ylang ylang, peony, vanilla, tonka bean
Glowing customer review: "I smell fresh bergamot and mandarin with a slight almond sweetness, then it becomes more floral with rose. After a while, it turns warmer with vanilla, tonka bean and a light powdery feel. It feels comfortable on my skin and not heavy or irritating."
Victoria Beckham’s Portofino 97 has easily become one of my favourite fragrances in my rotation! It’s bold, sexy, and the epitome of luxury; I’m particularly drawn to it because it feels expensive and androgynous, plus I’m always met with compliments when I wear it.
Key notes: Bergamot, black pepper, amber, geranium, vetiver
Glowing customer review: "The opening note of bergamot gives it a sweet, citrusy opening, but the base notes anchor it to give it depth and sophistication. The longevity to all the VB perfumes are really good, and I can smell it on my wrist the next day."
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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