This Unexpected Perfume Note Is My Secret to Smelling Chic and Delicious This Summer

As a fragrance-obsessed beauty editor, there's nothing I love more than when an under-the-radar perfume note starts to get the attention it deserves. Take milk perfumes, for example. These sweet, creamy scents grew in popularity at the start of the year thanks to milk's warming, comforting aroma. However, it seems that there is a new scent in town, and it's just as sweet and delicious. That's right, I'm talking about honey perfumes.

I noticed searches for honey perfumes increasing on Google Trends and I was immediately intrigued. It's no secret that I love a gourmand fragrance, so I already knew that these scents would be right up my street. In fact, it turns out that I already had lots of honey perfumes in my collection without even realising. Therefore, I thought it was only right that I shared my top recommendations with you, so that you can experience just how good these scents are for yourself...

What Does Honey Smell Like In Perfume?

Before we get into that, I thought it would be helpful to explain a little bit about honey perfumes for those of you who aren't familiar with this note. Much like the taste, this note can smell deliciously sweet. As you'll see below, it is often paired with floral, fruity notes and makes for a perfect spring or summer fragrance.

That being said, it can also smell incredibly warm and comforting, which means it also works well when paired with cosy, autumnal notes such a tobacco and dark rum. Whatever your preference, there is definitely a honey perfume out there for you.

The Best Honey Perfumes to Try Now

1. Best fresh honey perfume: Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne
2. Best honey hair perfume: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
3. Best warm honey perfume: Ellis Brooklyn Bee Eau de Parfum
4. Best affordable honey perfume: Nuxe Reve de Miel Delectable Fragrant Water
5. Best long-lasting honey perfume: Byredo Casablanca Lily Perfume Extract
6. Best luxury honey perfume: Dior Tobacolor Eau de Parfum
7. Best sweet honey perfume: DKNY Nectar Love Eau de Parfum
8. Best intense honey perfume: YSL Exclusive Libre Le Parfum
9. Best light honey perfume: Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Nettare Di Sole Eau de Toilette
10. Best youthful honey perfume: Marc Jacobs Honey Eau de Parfum

1. Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey

Jo Malone London

Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne

£118

Key notes: Cassis, acacia honey and peach

First up is an absolute classic, and a beautiful choice for spring and summer thanks to its fresh, fruity scent. Jo Malone London's Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne is an uplifting fragrance with notes of juicy peach and sweet, smooth acacia honey. Cassis adds to the sweet, fruity, floral aroma making this smell almost good enough to eat. Trust me, this perfume will earn you endless compliments.

2. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume

Gisou

Honey Infused Hair Perfume

£34

Ok, I know this is a hair perfume, but it smells so good that I skip my normal perfume altogether when I wear this. If you didn't know, the brand was founded by Negin Mirsalehi, and the perfume is enriched with Mirsalehi honey from the Mirsalehi bee garden. It has a beautifully sweet, fresh, floral scent that lasts all day long. The perfect pick-me-up for in between washes.

3. Ellis Brooklyn Bee

Ellis Brooklyn

Bee Eau de Parfum

£125

Key notes: Dark rum, davana, honey, bran absolute, cinnamon, sandalwood, vanilla bean and cocoa absolute

For something a little bit warmer, I highly recommend Bee from Ellis Brooklyn. Although this is a gourmand scent, it has a spicy hint to it thanks to notes of dark rum and cinnamon. To me, it smells like cosying up in a cabin with a warm cup of honey tea in hand. Delicious.

4. Nuxe Reve de Miel Delectable Fragrant Water

Nuxe

Reve De Miel Delectable Fragrant Water

£33

Key notes: Citrus, orange blossom, honey, sandalwood and tonka bean

Nuxe do some of the best affordable fragrances, and Reve De Miel is no exception. It opens with fresh, citrusy notes before sweet, smooth honey takes over. Finally, it settles on warm tonka bean and woody sandalwood. If you're looking for a scent to take on holiday, this would be one of my top recommendations.

5. Byredo Casablanca Lily Perfume Extract

Byredo

Casablanca Lily Perfume Extract

£280

Key notes: Plum, gardenia, carnation, Indian tuberose, rosewood and honey accord

If you want a honey perfume that's going to last all day, say hello to Byredo's Casablanca Lily Perfume Extract. This fragrance is part of the brand's Night Veils collection which feature a higher oil concentration. It's a rich, floral scent that will definitely turn heads.

6. Dior Tobacolor

Dior

Tobacolor Eau de Parfum

£125

Key notes: Tobacco, honey, amber and white florals

Dior has created the most luxurious honey perfume, with a warm, smoky base of tobacco that is lifted by sweet honey and sensual amber. If you want to smell sophisticated, this is the fragrance to go for.

7. DKNY Nectar Love

DKNY

Nectar Love Eau De Parfum

£31£26

Key notes: Yellow freesia, orange citrus, honeycomb, neroli, mirabelle plum and beeswax

First of all, how sweet is this bottle? Much like the packaging, this is a sweet, youthful fragrance with gourmand notes of honeycomb, fruity plum and floral freesia. I can't imagine anyone not liking this scent.

8. Yves Saint Laurent Exclusive Libre Le Parfum

Yves Saint Laurent

Exclusive Libre Le Parfum

£80£64

Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, ginger, saffron accord, orange blossom, lavandin heart, vanilla burbon, honey accord and vetiver

A more intense take on YSL’s signature scent, this fragrance is bound to turn heads. It features spicy notes of ginger and saffron accord, bringing the perfume to life in a new, exciting way. Don't worry though, it still has a smooth, deep base of vanilla and honey.

9. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Nettare Di Sole

Guerlain

Aqua Allegoria Nettare Di Sole Eau De Toilette

£89£76

Key notes: Magnolia, rose, bergamot, sambac jasmine and honey

If you want to be transported to fresh, sunny, vibrant gardens filled with open water, I suggest spritzing this Guerlain perfume. The beautiful, delicate scent combines fresh, aquatic notes with inviting florals and warm honey for a truly exquisite finish.

10. Marc Jacobs Honey

Marc Jacobs

Honey Eau De Parfum

£97£49

Key notes: Pear, mandarin, orange blossom, peach nectar, honeysuckle, honey, vanilla and smooth woods

I think this is one of the first honey perfumes I ever had, and it truly made me fall in love with these sorts of scents. This fragrance definitely has a youthful feel to it thanks to fruity notes of pear and peach nectar, while honeysuckle, honey and vanilla add a sweet, delicious edge.