9 best fabulously fruity fragrances from indie brands

Mmm, fruit. Honestly, I’ve met very few people who don’t enjoy fruit, so is it any wonder we also love fruity fragrances? Juicy, bright, and often mouthwatering, they can be a brilliant mood booster.

What are the fruity notes in fragrances?

If you can think of a fruity smell, chances are you can find it in a fragrance. Whether you’re drawn to bright, sparkling citrus notes, maybe softer, rounder berry notes, or perhaps the mouthwatering richness of tropical fruits, there are plenty to choose from.

I’ve chosen my favourite 9 fruity perfumes for your delight and delectation here. Covering lots of different categories of fruity notes, they’re all very well balanced with a fresh brightness too, so not sugary sweet at all.

So, if you’re looking for a good fruity perfume, read on…

As usual in my fragrance blog posts, I’ve written wee scent stories to give you the impression of a perfume. Wearing perfume is often about how it makes you feel, and what emotions and memories it might evoke. How do you want to feel today?

If you’re interested in the specific fragrance notes stated by a brand, feel free to click on the name of the perfume and that’ll take you to their website or a stockist’s website.

Fragrance notes are very subjective. So don’t worry if you smell things that a brand doesn’t mention—there are no right or wrong answers. And the same goes if you don’t smell what a brand lists as the notes. Your experience is as valid as anyone else’s.

Infleurno – Eau de Boujee – passionfruit

Have you ever been to a super fancy cocktail bar? You know the ones where they have ingredients like damp distillate, saffron smoke and cocoa husk milk? They’re a lot about the drama and flamboyance of top end cocktail making, but choose well, and some undoubtedly have the expertise to back up the showmanship.

Well, Infleurno smells like one of those cocktails. All with eye-watering price tags to be sure, yet after the first sip, you know you’ll be hooked. But which one to choose?

Bittersweet scorched grapefruit and luscious passionfruit tango across your tongue. Your glittering glass is adorned with opulent osmanthus and seductive jasmine flowers. Sashaying up to your table, a mixologist flashes a cheeky grin as they set light to a glistening nugget of resin in the saucer.

Breathe in, lean back and be dazzled. 

Gorseland – Jorum Studio – pineapple

Neon bright, flashing light

Gold, green, then gold again

Sweet, sharp, fruity, juicy

Toasted coconut warms light vanilla

Bright, fresh, sappy

Sugared pineapple cubes

Refreshing rhubarb, tart gooseberry and bright green apples

Gardenia sighs into jasmine’s ear

And a scrunch of crisp green salad leaves

Russian Tea – Masque Milano – raspberry

Rounded, chunky logs stacked closely build a snug winter cabin. The low pitched roof has a sturdy chimney which puffs a steady thread of blue smoke. Slender birch trees crowd close in a protective embrace, and there are intermittent flumps as snow slithers off their graceful branches. 

Inside, all is warm and bright from the light of burning birch logs, hissing and crackling softly. A huge fireplace dominates one wooden wall, with a chunky sleeping platform above. Thick woollen blankets glowing in cheerful colours soften the blunt and simple lines of the cabin.

Gleaming in the firelight is a hefty table, made from a slab of timber, polished and burnished from years of use. An old samovar, dented and pitted, shines brightly next to sparkling glasses in intricate metal holders. Dishes of ruby raspberry jam and emerald mint leaves sit next to them.

Puffs of steam herald the readiness of the strong, black tea. Fragrant wisps fill the cabin. Will you add jam or mint to yours—or perhaps both?

Mausam – Kushbu – mango

Golden sun dances coins of light on the winding jungle path. Fresh and brightly juicy fruit dangles from dewy, luxuriant foliage—smoothly rounded fantasy versions of rhubarb and mango. Warm cinnamon, pepper and clove scatter through the treetops and settle on velvety peridot moss. 

Nabati Oud – Astrophil and Stella – black cherry

Early evening, and the light is fading fast. Vivid coral streaked with amber slides into dusky lilac as the sun dips behind the dunes. A whispering wind dances as you ease your aching body down from the saddle onto soft sand.

Gasping with thirst, you pull a flask of succulent black cherry juice from your saddle bag. Sweet, juicy and refreshing, it cascades down your throat. Your spirits lift as you gaze at the rapidly emerging stars, gratefully stroking your horse’s nose.

You chat quietly with your companions as you put up your heavy canvas tents. Someone lights a fire and the fragrant smoke weaves around your face as you drag your saddle into your tent. Flickering spices pop in a hot pan.

A long day. A huge adventure. But the promise of good food, easy company and a warm bed tonight.

Votadini – Wales Perfumery – dried fruit

Feast day is here at last. Huge fire blazing in the hearth, mud floor worn smooth by dancing feet, and rough wooden tables groaning with food. Broad grins on everyone.

Goblets splashing spiced red wine. Loud bursts of laughter. Gleaming earthenware platters heaped with dates. 

The hall heats up, with ancient timbers sweating in the warmth. Elbows bump as whirling dancers spin. It’s been a good year.

Note de Yuzu – Heeley Parfums -yuzu

Heat haze covers the city. A fuzzy, clammy blanket of thick, oppressive air. There’s no breeze at all, not even on the balcony of your smart high-rise apartment. 

In desperation, you open your fridge and peer at the contents, relishing the icy blast on your bare stomach. Grabbing some fruit, you take a small knife and a smooth wooden chopping board. You press the sharp tip of the blade and plunge it into the bumpy skin of a grapefruit.

Zingy, tangy, mouthwatering pearls of freshness exuberantly bounce over your kitchen counter. You breathe deeply and sigh in relief. Squeezing the shells of the fruits into a frosted glass, you close your eyes, tilt your head back and gulp the fragrant juice. 

Eyes still closed, you picture freshly picked herbs falling from the sky. A twist of lime and a sprig of mint. Tiny white flowers tumble.

Sometimes we just need a moment’s respite.

Pony Boy – Jorum Studio – rhubarb

Pony Boy is a perfume of contradictions. Initially bright and juicily sharp with rhubarb and pink grapefruit zest, then it puffs soft white flowers at you, trailing ribbons of musk, vetiver and cedar.

Like eating the most mouthwatering and refreshing fruit salad while lounging on lusciously squidgy down-filled cushions covered in crisp white linen, gauzy muslin curtains wafting in the gentle sea breeze and filtering the dazzling summer light.

Tropica – Maya Njie – peach

Languid days on soft, silver sand. Stretched out and deliciously idle on a sun lounger, golden light bouncing joyously through the emerald fronds of an overhanging tree. Your companion saunters towards you bearing a platter of fruit, so you ease yourself upright to see what they’ve brought.

Warm, fuzzy-skinned peaches nestle close to juicy pineapple. Slices of fresh coconut, glistening with milk. A centrepiece of basil gelato softens in the heat of the day, so you take the proffered spoon and dive in before it melts completely.

When can you wear fruity fragrances?

Any time you choose! There are no rules when it comes to wearing perfumes. All that matters is you wear something that you love.

Maybe you’ll reach for a fruity fragrance when you need a pick-me-up after a difficult day, or perhaps to remind you of a fabulous holiday.

Citrus, and tropical fruit perfumes can be very uplifting when winter skies are grey, and energy levels are low.

How about taking a peek at some juicy perfumes for summer or some radiant perfumes for winter, if you’d like more inspiration.

Need some help with your perfume copywriting?

Are you struggling to find time to write for your indie perfume brand? Running your own business is hard, isn’t it? Would handing over your perfume copywriting to me help?

Feel free to get in touch!