Honey Fragrances Are on the Rise—These Are Our Favorites

Although much of the Northeast has been covered in snow, spring is just around the corner—and with the new season comes fresh scent trends that lean into earthy, bright and floral notes. Spate recently predicted that honey will be a popular fragrance note in 2026, with data showing searches for honey scents spiked by more than 1,000 percent year over year. Honey has plenty of nuance: Of course, there are the sticky-sweet, confectionery facets, but the fragrances poised to be popular this year reveal a far more sophisticated depth.

Featured Experts

• Douglas Little is the founder and perfumer of Heretic Parfum
• Bee Shapiro is the founder of Ellis Brooklyn
• Kara Kowalski is the Head of Product and Scent Development at Snif
• Dimitri Weber is the founder and CEO of Goldfield & Banks

Why Honey Is Trending in Fragrance

Founder and perfumer of Heretic Parfum, Douglas Little, predicts “honey is trending because people are craving comfort with substance, warmth that feels embodied and real.” With gourmands dominating fragrance for years, Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro says it makes sense that people are beginning to explore other “yummy notes” in more nuanced ways. “It makes sense that honey would become more popular here as it’s not your typical sugar note.”

Many experts say honey also adds a distinctive texture to scent. Kara Kowalski, head of product and scent development at Snif, notes that the spike in interest signals a shift toward natural sweetness and tactile fragrance experiences. “I always felt honey in fragrance does more for the feel than the scent,” she says. Shapiro agrees: “There is a texture to the smell of honey that is fun to play with and adds another dimension to the scent.”

What Honey Smells Like in Modern Fragrance

There are many interpretations of honey depending on how perfumers use the note. “Honey, for me, is not the syrupy, synthetic fantasy that dominates modern perfumery,” says Little. “If I’m working with honey, it’s beeswax absolute—the material that smells like the hive itself: warm comb, crushed pollen, sun-heated wood and a faint leathery hum of something alive.”

Founder and CEO of Goldfield & Banks, Dimitri Weber, describes honey as an addictive, grounding note. Kowalski says today’s honey scents lean golden, skin-like and slightly sensual. “Think less candied, more golden glow,” she says. Shapiro agrees, noting that honey is a sophisticated way to add a touch of sweetness to fragrance.

The Best Honey Fragrances to Try in 2026

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This recent launch from Dolce&Gabbana is described as solar and sensual. The composition pays tribute to Sicilian honey, the fabled nectar of the gods. Sandalwood and amber mingle with honey to create an indulgent, golden scent.

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Shapiro says Ellis Brooklyn’s QUEENS CARAMEL is a beautiful example of a fragrance where the sweetness feels balanced. “The blend of honey, caramel and maple makes it interestingly sweet, but not in a toothache- or headache-inducing way,” she says.

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Killian Hennessy crafted this scent as a celebration of love. At its heart is honey from Provence, layered with orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla absolute, incense and oak moss for a rich, dynamic finish.

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Kowalski says Honey Suite captures honey beautifully. “It is rich and enveloping, but not sticky or floral. It’s paired with other notes like hay and lavender flower for a luxe sophistication instead of going too literal,” she adds.

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Honey-kissed tobacco creates a vibrant, sensual fragrance experience. Notes of amber, vanilla, tonka bean, sesame, oud, sandalwood and clove round out the full-bodied scent.

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Honey pairs beautifully with second-skin notes in Souk Honey. Orange blossom, neroli nectar, cardamom, dates, amber and sandalwood surround the star—manuka honey—to create a warm, uplifting fragrance that captures the feeling of golden hour.

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For something more casual, try this honey-scented hair and body mist. “Listen, Honey is a warm, golden sunset at a luxe resort—and you know we’re ordering dessert first,” says NOYZ. With a zing of ginger and pink pepper, the sweetness of caramel and vanilla bean and the earthiness of patchouli, the scent feels warm, balanced and easy to wear.