With the departure of “fake spring” and temps above 50, it seems spring is finally rearing its sunny, flowery head. Whether or not you still get a “spring break,” the concept keeps us going through the tough transitional months. Channeling that spring breaker energy at this time of year is essentially an act of self-care. We’ve got you covered if you don’t have a spring break vacation planned. An easy way to evoke those happy, beachy memories is through scent. We’ve got the inside scoop on all things spring break fragrances.
While we may first think of florals for spring (groundbreaking), Ildiko Juhasz, Assistant Professor of cosmetics and fragrance marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology, explains that the fragrance notes for spring break scents are much more nuanced. “There is a reason people put so much care and effort into choosing the fragrances they take with them on vacation,” Juhasz explains. “It’s an easy way to create memories of your vacation that you can recall with just one spritz, long after you have returned.”
What do these scents smell like?
In terms of what makes a good spring break fragrance, Juhasz says, “Fragrance notes to evoke the vacation feeling can range from fresh and aquatic to the sweetness of a tropical beach party.” Juhasz highlights coconut, fruity notes like pineapple, mango and orange blossom, and marine notes like sea salt and ocean water as key factors in the ideal spring break fragrance. Ahead, some of the best perfume options to pack in your toiletries bag now.
The 9 Best Spring Break Fragrances to Pack Now
1 / 9
The perfect option for a beachy yet fresh scent, Skylar’s Coconut Cove combines the quintessential spring break note of coconut with bergamot, jasmine and gardenia for a bright, intoxicating fragrance.
2 / 9
Inspired by the rich, southern France beach town, Chanel’s Biarritz is another great option for a spring break fragrance, featuring a “lively” blend of notes that is “as refreshing as a splash of sea spray,” the brand says.
3 / 9
If you’re intrigued by the idea of your spring break fragrance having you smell like a fresh piña colada, PHLUR’s Coconut Skin Hair and Body Mist is a must-try, melding coconut, frangipani and salted amber for a sweet yet musky scent.
4 / 9
Pretty much the epitome of what Juhasz would classify as a spring break fragrance, Ellis Brooklyn’s Miami Nectar features notes of pineapple, coconut water and sweet amber for a perfume that encapsulates the energy of “A hot Miami summer, the beach at sunset, art deco pools and neon lights.”
5 / 9
REPLICA fragrances are known for memory-sparking scent profiles, and the Never-Ending Summer scent is the perfect option for tying your spring break mems to a summery, citrusy, fruity fragrance.
6 / 9
If you’re looking for a fruity scent that’s not too sweet, BYREDO’s Pulp is the spring break scent for you, featuring notes of fig, red apple, peach flower, bergamot and cardamom for a dynamic, summery fragrance.
7 / 9
Burberry’s Her Eau de Parfum features notes of blackcurrant, jasmine, white woods, musk and dry amber, effortlessly evoking that bonfire on the beach, sunset after a long day of tanning energy.
8 / 9
If your ideal spring break fragrance skews more on the saltier, aquatic side of the spectrum, Ellis Brooklyn’s Salt Eau de Parfum is the perfect pick, “capturing the essence of salty skin, the creamy heat of the sun and a whiff of tropical florals,” the brand says.
9 / 9
Another fruity, fresh scent perfect for transporting you to a tropical island, Chloé’s Rose Tangerine EDP features notes of tangerine essence, rose absolute and blackcurrant absolute for a scent that smells like sunshine.
