Eve biting into the forbidden fruit. Kitschy apple decor marking the start of a new school year. Snow White narrowly cheating death after her stepmother tricked her with a poisoned apple. The iffy but well-meaning proverb that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” We’ve had a cultural obsession with apples for literal centuries, and now, I’m watching in real-time as apple surpasses both strawberry perfumes and cherry perfumes as the most popular fruity scent for fall 2025. “It's a natural follow-up to the cherry trend,” says fragrance historian Jessica Murphy. “While cherry perfumes can lean a little too sweet for some people, apple notes feel more crisp.” There are sugary red apple interpretations sweetened with vanilla; cozy sandalwood-and-apple pairings that are as comforting as tossing on a chunky knit sweater on the first day of fall, and nostalgic green apple mists that serve all the Y2K vibes. Just look at Phlur’s freshest release, which takes clear inspiration from the candy apple-scented DKNY Be Delicious, released in 2004. Why are apple perfumes trending? Fun fact: In the early 2000s, there were several notable releases that featured an apple note; most famously, DKNY Be Delicious and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue (2001). “They were both really straightforward, and I think that quality might have attracted younger customers who were ready to purchase a more ‘adult’ perfume, but still wanted something in their comfort zone,” says Murphy. In the case of Be Delicious, she says, the apple-shaped bottle that denoted the fresh apple scent inside made the fragrance an easy pick, one that “must have removed a lot of pressure and confusion for someone shopping at a perfume counter circa 2004.” Fast forward to the fall of 2025, and we’re seeing the note swing back into the trend cycle. According to DSM-Firmenich principal perfumer Clement Gavarry, it makes sense for apple notes to gain traction specifically among Gen Zs and young millennials, who tend to favor “fun, expressive, and playful fragrances.” “Apple’s bright, juicy profile fits perfectly into mood-enhancing fragrances, offering a sense of energy, optimism, and cleanliness,” he says. Apple is also a scent that we associate with comfort and nostalgia, whether that be in the fruity body mists that Murphy mentioned, the shine of an apple on a teacher’s desk, or the heavenly aroma of a homemade pie in the oven. Finally, we can’t ignore the fact that apple perfumes conjure up serious fall vibes. “Apple harvest peaks in late summer to early fall, and the ingredient is a seasonal marker that bridges summer freshness with autumn depth,” says Gavarry. What do apple perfumes smell like? “Olfactively, the signal of a crisp, juicy, and slightly sweet or tart character makes an apple note,” says Gavarry. “Apple notes typically have a subtle sugary undertone, especially in red apple interpretations. On the other hand, green apple notes tend to be more acidic and sharp.” Apple notes are very versatile, Gavarry points out. “They can be paired with pretty much any other olfactive category. Floral notes like rose and jasmine; other fruits like pear, peach, and berries; woody notes like cedarwood and sandalwood.” Many perfumers pair apple with other notes reminiscent of fall, like caramel, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. The result? Cozy, mouthwatering gourmands that feel like they were concocted from a family recipe. Perfumers might also add a boozy note to emulate a steaming mug of spiced cider. At DSM-Firminich, Gavarry likes to work with the company’s proprietary Red Apple SmellTheTaste™ because it feels “most true to nature” and “embodies the experience of going to the orchard and picking delicious red apples.” For this story, I tested apple scents that ranged from cozy gourmands to light, sparkling freshies and juicy fruity-florals. What are the best apple perfumes? Apple perfumes feel like a no-brainer as the weather starts to get chillier and the leaves turn golden. “In warmer compositions, apple lends a flirtatious, fun, and approachable energy,” says Gavarry. “For more aromatic or watery compositions, apple notes bring a crisp, tart, and invigorating feel, evoking clarity and a sense of movement.” You don’t have to wait for the official start of fall to find an apple perfume you love—we did all the picking for you, minus a trip to the orchards. Below, find the crisp, cozy, and flirty apple scents we’re taking home this season. By Rosie Jane BIRTHDAY SUIT body + hair perfume mist Birthday Suit is what every fruity body mist wishes it could be—sorry, I said what I said! It’s light, joyful, and flirty, like the scent equivalent of falling in love in the spring and going into summer with someone who gives you butterflies. And while I’ve spritzed this before plenty of warm-weather dates these past few months, it’s not strictly a summer scent. If you ask me, the musky amber base keeps it grounded enough to spray on and reminisce all year long. Key notes: Tangerine water, skin musk, sweet apple Sizes: 3.9 fl oz. KAYALI Eden Juicy Apple Gavarry co-created this fragrance with fellow DSM-Firminich principal perfumer Gabriela Chelariu. Together, the duo paired mouthwatering red apple with “blooming florals and sugary vanilla notes to infuse color, joy, and juicy fun.” Of all the apple scents I tested for this story, this is the one that reminds me most of taking a bite of a fresh, juicy red apple plucked straight from the tree. Red berries, jasmine, and vanilla add a sultry and sophisticated spin to the drydown. This one’s a gem, just like its bottle! Key notes: Juicy red apple, lychee, wild berries, jasmine Sizes: .34 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz. PHLUR Mrs Smith Body & Hair Fragrance Mist Calling all diehard sweet tooths: This mist will instantly transport you to a stand at the county fair, tempting you with its display of glossy, green candy apples. It's not exactly nature’s candy, but that ups the fun and nostalgia factor. A sugared violet note makes a guest appearance within the first thirty minutes of wear, but for the most part, the juicy green apple and watermelon top notes stay front-and-center. P.S. If you loved the concept of Phlur’s gummy-bear-scented Mood Ring EDP but wished the candy note was more prominent, this launch is calling your name. Key notes: Granny Smith apple, pear, apple blossom, watermelon, violet Sizes: 3 oz., 8 oz. DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum Be Delicious was one of the original clean girl perfumes, thanks to its juicy, energizing, and effervescent scent profile. I’m obsessed with everything about this iconic scent, from its apple-shaped bottle to the too-cute-for-words fruit sticker on the silver atomizer. Breezy cucumber notes make it the perfect choice for misting on after a shower or before you hit the gym. Key notes: Apple, cucumber, magnolia, sandalwood Sizes: .5 oz., 1 oz., 3.4 oz. Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love Eau de Parfum On first spray, this fragrance is red apple all the way. Give it a minute or two to dry, though, and you’ll be met head-on with a vanilla confectionary delight. Sugary, creamy, and sweet, it’s like if a vanilla cupcake was cut in half to reveal a delectable apple filling. Before you start thinking it’s too sugary, though, notes like plum blossom, muguet (aka lily-of-the-valley), and soft sandalwood give it a surprising level of sex appeal. Wear this on your next date night, and you’ll smell good enough to eat. Key notes: Red apple, sugar cane, vanilla Sizes: .34 oz., 1.7 oz. Gabar 05 (LUDLOW) Lull Eau De Parfum Lull is a cocoon of black tea and sandalwood, cradling the lush fruitness of cherry and red apple notes. Sandalwood can smell wildly different depending on what kind is used and what it’s paired with, but here, it’s a decadent coconut cream that I wish I could take a bath in. If you’re fan of snuggling up with milky fragrances, skin scents, or even certain soft gourmands, this might just become your new signature. Key notes: Black tea, red apple, cherry, sandalwood Sizes: .67oz., 1.7 oz. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette The original Light Blue launched in 2001, and since then it’s been a bit of a superstar in the fragrance world. In anticipation of its 25-year anniversary, the scent received an ANTM-style makeover by two perfumers: Olivier Cresp (who created the original) and Alberto Morillas. The citrus and green apple DNA stayed the same, but otherwise it’s like the perfumers turned up the volume on every single note. The green apple feels even more dewy and crisp, the lemon more punchy, and the florals more varied, like a bouquet you want to bury your nose in for hours. My grandma wore the original, so to me, this scent feels like a hug. For my partner, it’s a fresh, energizing reach that makes them feel the excitement of “getting ready for a first date” with every spray. Key notes: Sicilian lemon, apple, cedarwood Sizes: .33 oz., 1 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.3 oz., 6.7 oz. Fine'ry. Flower Bed Growing up, I was constantly tearing out magazine samples of Marc Jacobs Daisy. The day my mom gifted me a travel-size bottle is still such a monumental moment in my budding beauty-writer psyche. Flower Bed smells strikingly similar, with a fresh, sparkling apple note and a shower of soft pink peony petals. Now that I’m well into my mid-20s, this fragrance feels like a gift to my inner child. :) Key notes: Peony, green apple, bamboo leaf Sizes: 2 oz.
