If you’re anything like me, apple probably isn’t the first fruit that comes to mind when choosing one of the best perfumes. I’m far more easily tempted by addictive citrus blends (such as my all-time favourite Diptyque Eau des Sens), or the creamy, modern interpretations of fig that have become so popular in recent years.
Yet, when done well, apple can bring something entirely different to a scent: crispness, freshness and a subtle juiciness that makes you want to keep going back for more.
Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street, tells me that apple fragrances are finding popularity again as they tap into the nostalgia of the late ’90s and early 2000s, when crisp, fruity scents were everywhere. “As Y2K beauty continues to make a comeback, apple fragrances are enjoying a revival too,” she explains. “Apple is also a familiar note in shampoos and haircare, giving it a clean, just-washed feel that many people naturally associate with freshness.”
When it comes to perfume, Feeney tells me that as a note, apple is also incredibly versatile, working just as well in bright, everyday scents as it does in more floral, woody, or even gourmand creations. And if the thought of an apple fragrance conjures up images of overly sweet, synthetic body sprays, it’s worth reconsidering. After testing over twenty apple perfumes, I’m happy to announce that today’s apple scents range from crisp and green to creamy, woody and sophisticated. Here are my top picks…
What Is an Apple Fragrance?
While apple is often associated with sweetness, its versatility makes it far more interesting than you might expect. “Apple is a fruity fragrance note that can smell crisp, juicy, tart or subtly sweet, depending on the composition. It’s most commonly found in the fruity fragrance family, but it also adds a fresh, playful touch to floral, woody, green and gourmand scents,” reveals Feeney.
How to Choose the Right Apple Fragrance
The first thing to do is think about the vibe you’re after. “If you love crisp, refreshing scents, look for apple paired with citrus or green notes,” advises Feeney. Think rose, jasmine and cyclamen. “These help give the floral bouquet a bright, modern feeling while softening some of the sharper green notes,” she adds.
If you’re drawn to light, pretty fragrances, apple and florals are a beautiful match. “The apple adds brightness, while notes like peony, rose or jasmine keep the scent soft and airy. For something cosier, look for apple blended with woods or vanilla,” explains Feeney.
The Best Apple Fragrances, Tried & Tested
- Best Apple Perfume Overall: Floral Street Almond Blossom Eau de Parfum, £78
- Best Floral Apple Perfume: Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede, £125
- Best Gourmand Apple Perfume: Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love Eau de Parfum, £126
- Best Affordable Apple Perfume: Phlur Mrs Smith Hair and Body Mist, £39
- Best Luxury Apple Perfume: Byredo Pulp Eau de Parfum, £225
1. Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom
Best Overall Apple Perfume
Key notes: Pomelo, apple blossom, vanilla, sandalwood, tonka bean, almond, matcha tea.
If crisp linen and freshly baked apple pie had a fragrance baby, I imagine it would smell something like Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom. It has that irresistible contrast between clean, airy freshness and warm, comforting sweetness that makes you want to inhale it and also tell everyone “here, smell this!” Utterly addictive, I found this to be the softest and most inviting, with a polished quality that makes it incredibly easy to wear.
2. Phlur Mrs Smith
Best Affordable Apple Perfume
Key notes: Apple blossom, violet, Pink Lady apple, pink praline, musk nectar.
Phlur’s Mrs Smith is a little more understated, but that’s exactly what I like about it. It has the freshness of a crisp, freshly cut apple, with a soft, clean quality that could never be OTT. It’s light, airy and just a little bit fruity, rather than sweet or syrupy. It’s the kind of scent I’d mist through my hair before heading out, when I want to smell fresh without feeling overly perfumed. Perfect for hot days in the city or beach holidays.
3. Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede
Best Floral Apple Perfume
Key notes: Red apple, peony, rose, honey.
This Jo Malone London perfume has been a firm favourite in my fragrance wardrobe since it launched in 2013. The red apple is crisp and juicy when it first hits the skin, but it quickly softens into a lush mix of peony, rose and jasmine. For me, the suede is what makes it really shine. It gives the florals a soft, velvety warmth, while the apple keeps everything feeling fresh and juicy. It’s less apple perfume and more like a beautiful peony bouquet with a crisp bite of red apple. It’s romantic, pretty and a stellar choice for wedding season.
4. DKNY Be Delicious
Best Y2K Apple Perfume
Key notes: Apple, cucumber, grapefruit, magnolia, violet, rose, sandalwood, white amber.
One of the most iconic apple fragrances, this is often the first scent people think of when they think of an apple perfume. If you’ve never tried it, or were perhaps too young in the early 2000s, then I highly recommend seeking it out. Its fresh, crisp green apple signature helped redefine fruity fragrances and has made it a longtime favourite.
5. Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love
Best Gourmand Apple Perfume
Key notes: Apple, peach, muguet, plum blossom, sugar cane, sweet vanilla.
If you’re a fan of rich, appetising gourmand scents, look no further. Apple Love opens with a burst of juicy apple before melting into a smooth blend of peach, plum blossom and sweet vanilla. Endlessly moreish, it reminds me of the kind of glossy fruit tart you’d find in a bustling Manhattan bakery, as it’s warm, indulgent and impossible to resist. I also love the way the subtle sweetness of sugar cane rounds everything out, leaving a beautifully balanced, lingering finish.
For fellow fragrance junkies, there’s also another reason to love it, as Apple Love has a more thoughtful side, incorporating upcycled ingredients alongside its luxurious formula. Cruelty-free, paraben-free and vegan-friendly, this is a gourmand that feels as considered as it does decadent. For me, every spray captures a little of that unmistakable New York magic.
6. Maison Noir Icarus 347
Best Sophisticated Apple Perfume
Key notes: Green apple, red apple, patchouli, raspberry, tonka bean, moss, ambroxan.
If you want a sophisticated apple fragrance, this one is definitely worth a try. It opens with a juicy mix of melon, green apple, raspberry and red apple, giving me the impression of fizzy apple sours, only much more elevated. As it settles, the sweetness gives way to a warmer, more refined base of tonka bean, ambroxan and patchouli, adding depth without losing that fresh, fruity character.
7. Byredo Pulp
Best Luxury Apple Perfume
Key notes: Blackcurrant, bergamot, cardamom, fig, red apple, tiaré flower, cedarwood, peach blossom, praline.
Like all Byredo scents, this has an edge. Yes, it’s juicy and fruity, but there’s something darker and more grown-up running through it, which stops it from feeling too sweet. The apple has a ripe, almost overripe quality, layered with other fruits and a touch of fig that gives it a wonderfully fleshy, jammy feel. It gives me slightly boozy apple martini vibes.
8. Vyrao The Sixth
Best Herby Apple Perfume
Key notes: Apple, basil, cypress, patchouli, juniper, rosemary, peppermint, cedarwood, fir balsam, angelica, fennel, wormwood.
This conjures up thoughts of walking through a herb garden after it’s rained, as it’s cool, leafy and slightly earthy, with the apple adding just enough freshness to keep it from feeling too savoury. As it dries down, cedarwood and patchouli give it a warmer, more grounded feel. It’s not your typical pretty, sweet apple pie perfume; it’s much greener and more characterful, which is exactly why I love it.
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