It’s amazing how so many scents are tied to nostalgic, feel-good memories: Vanilla from your grandmother’s homemade cookies, freshly cut grass from days at summer camp, coconut from your last tropical trip (which seems like forever ago). Smell and memory seem to be so closely linked because of the brain’s anatomy, according to The Harvard Gazette. It’s why fragrance makes such a good gift time and time again. It’s personal (they’ll be reminded of you every time they spritz), it’s beautiful (they dress up any vanity or bathroom shelf), and there are plenty of options and price points to choose from.
However, as the person gifting a fragrance, the number of options could be an overwhelming situation. So instead of spending time deciphering TV commercials for fragrances, you’ll be happy to find out that your giftee’s new perfume is written in the stars. Below, we got Maressa Brown, astrologer and writer to share which perfume notes jive with their particular zodiac sign, plus the fragrance pairings that’ll fit perfectly with their personality.
Aries (March 21 — April 20)
“Because the Mars-ruled fire sign hates to be bothered with anything too fussy, they’re likely to appreciate a clean, super easy to wear, versatile scent,” says Brown. Try a minimalist fragrance with one note, like Solinotes Pomelo Eau de Parfum (a juicy, cheerful citrus scent that can be mixed and matched with other single-note fragrances from the brand) or Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume, which features one spicy, yet versatile, base note: cetalox.
Taurus (April 21 — May 20)
“This romantic Venus-ruled earth sign is all about luxury and comfort, so they’re all for wrapping themselves in a sweet scent that makes them feel warm and fuzzy,” she says. Think of cashmere-based scents (like David’s Perfume #01: Amber & Cashmere or Clinique My Happy Cocoa and Cashmere) that’s the next best thing to getting a real hug. Or, a nostalgic vanilla fragrance like Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Toilette, which also features hints of a warm cup of cappuccino.
Gemini (May 21 — June 20)
“Curious, communicative Geminis, ruled by messenger Mercury, pride themselves on being trendsetters, so they’ll appreciate the latest offering from a buzzy brand. They’re drawn to playful, youthful notes,” she says. Consider Ouai North Bondi Eau de Parfum (the brand founded by sought-after celeb stylist Jen Atkin), which transports you right to the beachy, Australian escape. For packaging that brightens up their vanity game, you can’t go wrong with Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so Fresh Daze — a cheerful blend of peaches and orchard blossoms.
Cancer (June 21 — July 22)
“Ruled by the sentimental, intuitive moon, water sign Cancers would be comforted by scents that remind them of the ocean. Complement their personality with notes of sea salt and driftwood,” she says. Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum hits the spot with a scent that smells like beach hair and that warm, salty skin you get when you emerge from a dip in the ocean.
Leo (July 23 — August 22)
“The confident sun rules this charismatic fire sign, so they’ll gravitate to sunny, bold, memorable scents that have a sexy, summery vibe. Think along the lines of blood orange, bergamot, jasmine, ylang-ylang,” she says. Try Atelier Cologne Lemon Island Cologne Absolue, the brand’s newest creation that feels like you’re getting sun-kissed with every spritz thanks to lemon from a hidden island in the Indian Ocean, jasmine from India, and soothing vanilla from Madagascar.
We also can’t get enough of Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic, a sparkling blend of mandarin, basil, and aniseed — so energizing and fresh it’s almost good enough to drink.
Virgo (August 23 — September 22)
“Ruled by communicator Mercury, detail-oriented, pragmatic Virgos love a scent that feels classic, clean, and romantic. Pink grapefruit, white musk, and a bit of a fresh green or grassy note would be good for their earth sign soul, too,” she says. By Rosie Jane James Perfume is inspired by the last days of summer after a rainstorm — making it a perfect earthy scent for the Virgos in your life.
Libra (September 23 — October 22)
“Air sign Libras, ruled by beauty-loving Venus, are all about balance and romance. They might love a soft, subtle, but the super-feminine floral scent that makes them feel like they’ve been cast in their very own fairy tale. They’ll love notes of rose accord, peony, violet leaves,” she says. Fresh Rose Morning Eau de Parfum captures that dewiness from garden roses opening up first thing in the morning. For another romantic option, Maison Francis Kurkdjian À la Rose Eau de Parfum is dreamy and magical: Two hundred and fifty freshly bloomed roses from Grasse, France captured in a bottle for the ultimate soft, feminine scent.
Scorpio (October 23 — November 22)
“Water sign Scorpios, co-ruled by sexy Mars and transformative Pluto, are innately comfortable with the darker, more passionate side of life, making them perfect candidates for sultry, dramatic, heady scents. Notes to look for: Black currant, cinnamon, tobacco, and leather,” she says. Byredo Tobacco Mandarin offers that unexpected touch with smoky tobacco that’s juxtaposed with mandarin, coriander and cumin, plus a dash of leather.
Sagittarius (November 23 — December 21)
“Ruled by expansive Jupiter, free-spirited fire sign Sagittarians are adventure-seekers who are most at home while seeing the world. They’d most love a scent that takes inspiration from a faraway land, like a Japanese scent inspired by cherry blossoms,” she says. Aqua di Parma Sakura or Dior Sakura feels like a sensorial escape to Japan as if you’re strolling through their iconic cherry blossoms at the beginning of springtime.
Capricorn (December 22 — January 19)
“An earth sign ruled by taskmaster Saturn, Capricorns are traditionalists with a taste for all things classic and timeless. They’re also extremely driven and value success, so they might be apt to the most iconic perfumer: Chanel. They’ll jive with earthy and floral notes like rose or lily of the valley with a base of woods/oak,” she says. You can’t go wrong with Chanel No.5 Eau de Parfum Spray (a bouquet of rose and jasmine) for your Capricorn. Or try a slight twist on a classic earthy fragrance with a mix of vanilla, rose, and oud wood (one of the oldest essences in perfume) found in Diptyque’s Oud Palao Eau de Parfum.
Aquarius: (January 20 — February 19)
“Ruled by gamechanger Uranus, quirky, eccentric air sign Aquarians fight convention as a rule. They’ll gravitate towards notes that are totally out of the left-field, like cannabis, seaweed, or olive,” she says. Demeter fragrances sell over 200 types of “every day” scents that you won’t find anywhere else: Crayon, Clean Windows, and Popcorn are just a few of their quirky fragrances.
Pisces (February 20 — March 20)
“An empathic, even a bit psychic, a water sign ruled by dreamy Neptune, Pisceans are complete romantics and artists at heart. They’ll gravitate to scents that feel like poetry in fragrance form — something that tells a story. Waterlily, iris, soothing lavender could serve to calm and center an emotionally drained Piscean,” she says. L’Occitane Lavender Eau de Cologne is light and breezy and captures the care-free feeling of walking through the famous French lavender fields. If this doesn’t immediately send them into a calm, zen state, we don’t know what will.
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