Casablanca – What if your next favorite fragrance smells like your favorite dessert? Or perhaps a cup of matcha, a juicy fruit, or a hint of oud? Perfume trends are taking inspiration from some unexpected places, and 2026 has plenty of interesting scents to explore.
A report by trend-forecasting platform Spate points to the growing appetite for gourmand fragrances, with consumers gravitating toward comforting, edible-inspired notes.
A sweeter side of perfumery
Pistachio, caramel, and marshmallow are among the notes attracting attention. And if the idea of smelling like your favorite dessert sounds appealing, there are plenty of ways to explore this trend.
Pistachio, for instance, has moved beyond the dessert menu and into perfume collections. Paris Corner’s Khair Pistachio is one of the fragrances driving online searches, while marshmallow-inspired perfumes are taking the sweet side of the trend further, with searches ranging from toasted marshmallow to vanilla marshmallow scents.
But gourmand fragrances do not have to smell like a bakery. Perfumers can pair edible-inspired notes with other ingredients to create more layered compositions, giving these familiar scents a different character.
So, if you usually avoid overly sweet perfumes, you might still find a version that suits your taste.
Fresh notes for a different mood
Not everyone is in the mood for something sweet, though. Matcha, guava, and yuzu are also gaining attention, offering alternatives for those who prefer greener or fruitier scents.
Matcha is particularly interesting because it does not follow just one direction. Some fragrances give it a gourmand touch, while others lean into its fresh, earthy character. Le Labo’s The Matcha 26, for example, is among the products attracting searches, while fragrance creators are introducing audiences to different interpretations of the note.
Guava and yuzu are also making their way into the conversation. Spate points to growing interest in guava perfumes and body mists, including Pacifica’s Hawaiian Ruby Guava.
The note also appears in fragrance recommendations alongside layering suggestions, giving perfume lovers more ways to experiment with it.
Arabian fragrances get their moment
Arabian fragrances are gaining wider attention, too. Spate’s report points to growing interest in brands such as Lattafa and Arabiyat Prestige, with consumers drawn to scents that offer a luxurious, niche-inspired feel without the traditional luxury price tag.
Arabiyat Prestige’s Nyla and Marwa, for example, show that the appeal goes beyond sweet fragrances. Nyla has a fruity-floral profile, while Marwa combines amber and spice. Lattafa, meanwhile, continues to attract attention across fragrance communities, where creators share reviews, recommendations, and comparisons with other perfumes.
For anyone who enjoys exploring different scent profiles without spending a fortune on every new bottle, these brands are worth keeping on the radar.
Oud, with a lighter touch
Oud remains part of the fragrance conversation, with Spate recording a 14% rise in interest over the past year. Known for its distinctive woody character, the note can be an acquired taste, and fragrance lovers do not always agree on it.
That has not stopped perfumers from exploring different interpretations. Spate notes that professionals are introducing fresher, lighter takes on oud, giving people more ways to experience the ingredient.
If you have always associated it with particularly intense fragrances, these interpretations may offer something different to try.
Making fragrance your own
Beyond individual notes, the way people wear perfume is changing, too. Rather than relying on a single fragrance, more enthusiasts are experimenting with layering, combining products such as shower gels, body mists, hair perfumes, oils, and their favorite eau de parfum.
The idea is to build a scent that feels personal. You might start with a scented body wash, add a mist, and finish with a perfume, or combine two fragrances to create a blend you will not find in a bottle.
Spate also points to social media creators sharing their routines and suggesting combinations, making fragrance discovery part of the fun.
And perhaps that is what makes this year’s fragrance trends interesting. Whether you reach for pistachio, matcha, guava, or oud, there is more room to experiment with what you wear and how you wear it. Your signature scent does not have to come from one bottle.
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