Whether or not you’re extra of a Sensible Magic inexperienced witch girlie or a goth glam fan of The Craft, there’s no denying that fall is the witchiest of seasons. And because the summer season warmth lastly loosens its grip and we flip towards our autumn perfume wardrobe, we will discover some unbelievable scent inspiration by turning to the spell-casting, potion-brewing aesthetics of the standard (or not so humble) witch. From the natural and purifying to the darkish and smoky, there’s a witchy perfume on the market for each type of girl. So, curl up together with your black cat, gentle your candles and incense and let’s brew up your new favourite witchy scent!
Featured Specialists Isaac Lekach is co-founder and CEO of Flower Store Perfumes Kara Kowalski is head of product improvement for Snif Alina Gliwinska is a perfumer at Lush What’s a Witchy Fragrance?
There’s a notable dedication to scent within the witchy aesthetic. Trendy witchcraft is considered one of many teams to undertake the traditional indigenous observe of “smudging,” the place ritual smoke is wafted via an area with the intent to cleanse the surroundings. Then there are the candles, potions and stove-top potpourri, making a haze of natural, contemporary and floral scents, offset by tinges of smoke and earth. Mixed with these real-world influences, popular culture has had a huge effect on how we view witches, resulting in extra scent associations like foggy nights, graveyards and crisp fall leaves.
For scent specialists, which means there are dozens of the way a perfume can seize a witchy vibe.
“I like to think of the scent notes that a witch might use when mixing a potion or spell,” says head of product improvement for Snif, Kara Kowalski. “Love potions might take you to an enchanted forest, where jewel-toned fruits or blood-red berries can be the perfect starting point. Moss notes take you to the forest floor, and florals like night-blooming jasmine and moonflowers are most fragrant at night, providing a moonlit feeling.”
And as Halloween approaches, a witchy scent could lean deeper and darker.
“A witchy Halloween perfume works best with dark, resinous notes,” explains Lush perfumer Alina Gliwinska. “Smoky myrrh, labdanum, earthy patchouli, damp moss, black pepper and a hint of incense create the Halloween atmosphere. To add a twist, spice notes like anise and clove can be layered with green herbs such as sage or rosemary.”
How Do Witchy Scents Really feel?
“A witchy scent suited to Halloween…leans into the eerie side of the holiday,” says co-founder and CEO of Flower Store Perfumes, Isaac Lekach. “It ought to feel otherworldly, arcane and mysterious to the wearer.”
Different portrayals of witches emphasize the sensual, addictive energy that magic offers. The impact is confidence-boosting, however with a gothic twist.”After I consider a scent with a witchy vibe, I consider one thing darkish, mysterious and alluring,” Kowalski says. “Something that’s intoxicating, addicting and bold.”
What Notes Make a Scent Really feel Witchy? Spice and Smoke
“To capture a true witchy feel, dark resins and spices are the ideal starting point,” explains Gliwinska. “Myrrh, clove, benzoin and cinnamon build a rich, atmospheric base. Earthy roots and herbs such as patchouli, vetiver, sage and thyme add depth and a natural, slightly mysterious edge.”
Darkish Fruits
With a base of spice and smoke, Lekach suggests searching for “an unexpected fruit to play the foil, offsetting those more resinous notes.” And Kowalski names raspberries, blackberries, cherries and plums as glorious additions to a witchy scent.
Seasonal Favorites
“Since it’s autumn, sweet-and-spice combinations also work well,” Gliwinska provides. “Notes like tonka, vanilla or benzoin layered with cardamom, cinnamon or anise add warmth and comfort while keeping the scent seasonal.”
Our Favourite Witchy Perfumes to Welcome Fall
1 / 10
Gliwinska calls this the “ultimate choice” for a witchy fragrance, best for the season. “Its peppery patchouli-vanilla balance, enriched with labdanum resin, makes it a natural fit for Halloween,” she says.
KEY NOTES
Pepper, Patchouli, Vanilla
2 / 10
A perfume we’re certain the Sensible Magic girls would adore, this sheer, clarifying perfume combines the holistic, refreshing notes of clary sage with the ritualistic scents of patchouli and incense.
KEY NOTES
Clary Sage, Frankincense, Patchouli, Sandalwood
3 / 10
For the backyard witch, this fragrance wraps the tender and luxurious scents of Jasmine petals round an ethereal and mineral coronary heart, constructing out depth with cedarwood and musk notes that create a grounded, earthy expertise that also feels gentle and crisp.
KEY NOTES
Chamomile, Musk, Cedarwood, Sandalwood
4 / 10
If there’s a scent that makes you are feeling like a witch dancing below the total moon, it’s Underneath the Stars. Bringing out the extra primal and sultry elements of the witch aesthetic, this perfume depends on spiced leather-based and pepper notes to move you to an open, huge sky.
KEY NOTES
Oud Infusion, Leather-based Accord, Black Pepper
5 / 10
Leaning into the sultry, Darkish Is Night time combines witchy favorites like patchouli and vanilla bean with grounding notes of inexperienced grass and vetiver for a decadent and woody feeling.
KEY NOTES
Inexperienced Grass, Vetiver, Patchouli, Vanilla
6 / 10
With smoke at its coronary heart, this perfume expertly blends darker, extra mysterious scent notes with addicting honey and vanilla absolut, capturing the bewitching temper of the season.
KEY NOTES
Cedarwood, Incense, Honey, Vanilla Absolute
7 / 10
When you’re extra of a Charmed One than a Sanderson Sister, PHLUR’s Father Determine is for you, delivering a stability of lush fig and jasmine dew with earthy patchouli for a wearable, contemporary tackle witchy.
KEY NOTES
Fig, Iris, Jasmine Dew, Sandalwood, Patchouli
8 / 10
One other deeply sensual perfume, Deep Darkish Vanilla offers an enriching inexperienced floral, wrapping the wearer in vines and delicate florals, earlier than plunging right into a toasted, comforting expanse of vanilla.
KEY NOTES
Orchid, Vines, Cypress Root, Vanilla Absolute, Darkish Patchouli
9 / 10
Recent and grounding cedarwood is made delicate and heat by three completely different infusions of vanilla for a decadent tackle autumn.
KEY NOTES
Cedarwood, Vanilla Infusion, Vanilla Absolute, Vanilla CO2 Extract
10 / 10
“This is a great option for those that want something sophisticated and mysterious,” Kowalski says. “There’s a freshness to the bergamot on top which blends seamlessly with this forestry fir balsam giving it the perfect unisex signature and white moss to anchor the back.”
KEY NOTES
Juniper, Bushman’s Candle, Patchouli
