I’m a Perfume Pro and I Predict These 5 Fragrances Are Going to Rule 2026

As Editorial Assistant Courtney Mason previously reported, gourmands dominated 2025 and they will continue to well into the new year. However, you can expect to skip the toothache, as the sweet fragrance family is getting a bit more sophisticated in 2026. While caramel proved this theory back in September, I predict other key notes are going to take its place. For instance, I’m already seeing pistachio, a nutty scent known for its slightly sweet, yet warm finish, pop up on my feed. I’ve also spotted traditionally sweet notes evolve into warm, smoky bases, like burnt marshmallow, toasted vanilla and roasted hazelnut.

While going down a Reddit rabbit hole, I found that many fragrance fanatics are anticipating oud to become a popular scent in the first half of the year. It’s derived from resinous wood and often stands apart from other fragrances due to its complexity. It comes in different versions ranging from sweet to smoky to musky. The buzzy fragrance also pairs well with other classic notes like rose, leather and amber to give your signature scent more depth. So if you’re looking to make a statement and sport a long-lasting fragrance, you should consider adding oud to your rotation. 

Are you sensing a theme here? We’ve been deep into our goth girl era, from vampy makeup to dark romantic fashion—so it’s about time we dive into woody, spicy and overall richer fragrances in 2026. Sweets and florals had their moment, but now we’re tapping into our dark sides. I anticipate blends with bolder scent notes like patchouli, clove, frankincense, saffron, black cardamom and cinnamon, to name a few. 

Fruity fragrances are often associated with the warmer months, but when it comes to winter 2026, I believe we’ll be getting a whiff of darker fruits (like pomegranate, black cherry and raspberries) in our perfumes—and Fino agrees. “Raspberry is about to steal the spotlight. It’s always been lurking in the background, but now it’s ready for its solo moment,” he shares. “Sweet, tart, juicy—it hits that perfect ‘I want to bite it’ energy. After a year (or two) of heavy gourmand aromas, perfumers are craving something that’s mouthwatering without feeling like dessert. Raspberry is that natural next step.” And although the saying goes, “the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice,” expect the trendy notes to feature more depth, warmth and intensity. 

But don’t put away all your sweet scents just yet. According to Fino, there are three fruit notes that are going to be huge next year: peach, pear and watermelon. “Peach, pear and watermelon are quietly creeping back, and I can feel it. Brands are moving away from vanilla-heavy scents and diving back into fruitiness. Bright, fresh, playful... but never sticky sweet,” he explains. A fragrance fruit salad, coming right up.