Woodsmoke, damp earth and vanilla. These are autumn in a bottle.
As the mornings start to get a little crisper, it is time to swap out light, citrusy summer scents for something with a bit more depth. Autumn fragrances lean into earthy notes like sandalwood, frankincense and vanilla, which feel grounding and sophisticated.
I have put together a list of my favourite natural perfumes for the cooler months. They are all made with pure essential oils and botanical extracts, and they wear beautifully as the weather turns.
1. Vanessa Megan Harvest
A warm, spicy blend that smells like a golden autumn afternoon.
If autumn had a signature scent, it would be this one. The Vanessa Megan Harvest opens with sweet orange and lavender for an initial brightness, before settling into a warm heart of Peru balsam and cacao absolute. The base is a rich blend of sandalwood, vanilla bean and patchouli that lingers on the skin for hours. It feels exactly like wrapping up in your favourite knit jumper.
2. Vanessa Megan Aether Natural Perfume
A serene, calming scent for unwinding in the evening.
As the season changes and life gets busier, this has become part of my evening wind down. The Vanessa Megan Aether Natural Perfume combines juniper berry, neroli and rosewood to create a peaceful atmosphere that feels like a deep breath of fresh air. The vanilla base adds a lovely warmth without being overly sweet. It is a beautiful, grounding scent for early evenings.
3. Salt + Glow Restored Elixir Oil
A balancing roll-on elixir for busy days.
This roll-on oil is based on traditional aromatherapy principles, with a frankincense base, which has been used for centuries in meditation practices. The Salt + Glow Restored Elixir Oil blends chamomile, lavender, ylang ylang and rose geranium for a touch of floral elegance. The roller ball bottle fits in any handbag.
4. Black Chicken Remedies Essential Oil Perfume #1 Transcendence
A complex, evolving scent with deep earthy notes.
Crisp days suit this one. The Black Chicken Remedies Essential Oil Perfume #1 Transcendence begins with calming lavender, then unfolds to reveal warming nutmeg and sensual ylang ylang. It eventually settles into deep base notes of patchouli and sandalwood, which is exactly what you want when the weather starts to turn. Sandalwood has been used for thousands of years to promote mental clarity.
5. Kimono 100% Natural Perfume
A sophisticated, exotic musk for evening wear.
This gold medal-winning natural perfume feels like wrapping yourself in silk. The Kimono 100% Natural Perfume blends exotic musky notes of blue lotus, pink lotus and vanilla, a sense of mystery suited to autumn evenings. It's very feminine with depth and sophistication, plus it comes wrapped in a vintage silk kimono fabric.
6. Lavanila Healthy Fragrance Roller Ball in Pure Vanilla
A rich, authentic vanilla that lasts all day.
When the weather cools down, vanilla is pure comfort. The Lavanila Healthy Fragrance Roller Ball in Pure Vanilla takes the note to sophisticated new heights with rich Madagascar vanilla, while tonka bean adds a warm, almondy depth. Research shows the scent of vanilla can have a calming effect.
7. Vanessa Megan Wild Woud
A deep woody blend that smells like a forest after rain.
The woodiest scent on the list. Wild Woud opens with bright bergamot before settling into a heart of cedarwood and patchouli, while sandalwood and vetiver ground the base. There are little surprises through the blend too, black pepper, cardamom and a touch of tobacco leaf, which give it a smoky edge that suits cooler days. It is made in Australia, and it comes in a 10ml size if you want to test it on your skin before committing to the full bottle.
8. Metamorphosis Formë Aromatherapeutic Perfume
A natural floral with enough depth for cooler weather.
Most floral fragrances can feel a bit too light for autumn. The Metamorphosis Formë Aromatherapeutic Perfume has enough depth to carry you through the seasonal shift. This incredible blend opens with Bulgarian lavender and rose absolute for a sophisticated floral note, while the vanilla, sandalwood and frankincense base gives it the warmth needed for cooler days. I love this one so much I wrote a whole blog about Formë.
What Is the Best Way to Wear Natural Fragrance?
Autumn scents tend to have more presence than light summer spritzes, so a little goes a long way.
Step 1: Dab. Oil-based perfumes go on pulse points, the wrists, behind the ears and the base of the throat.
Step 2: Walk through. For spray perfumes, spray into the air and walk through the mist for a subtler effect.
Step 3: Let it settle. Natural fragrance interacts with the body's own chemistry, so it smells a little different on everyone. The skin makes it your own.
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