What’s that Smell? Our Top Perfumes of 2023
By Alex Marek
March 14, 2023
Image Credit: Valeria Boltneva for Unsplash
It’s almost spring and for college students that means switching things up! Time to upgrade your spring and summer wardrobe, ditch the winter boots and find a new signature scent! With thousands of perfumes on the market it can be hard to know which one to buy that will perfectly match your warm weather aesthetic.
I’ve asked five UMD students to share their favorite perfumes. These options range in price, scent and style, incorporating something for everyone!
1. Not A Perfume by Juliette has a Gun
Not a Perfume has become a staple on many people’s vanities after gaining widespread popularity on Tiktok. This is a warm scent consists of only one note called cetalox. Cetalox usually serves as the base note in perfume, but in this scent it takes the lead. It is perfect for people who want a subtle spicy scent that will last all day and appeal to everyone.
“ I love this perfume because it is super subtle, but I still always get a bunch of compliments on it,” said freshman chemical engineering major Hannah Ellenbogen.
Julliette has a Gun also carries a variation of “Not a Perfume” called “Vanilla Vibes”. This is my personal favorite because it still has the subtle elegance of the original scent, but with a little added vanilla flare. Juliette has a Gun is on the pricier side with the standard size costing $105, and the sample size costing $30.
Buy “Not a Perfume”: here
Buy “Vanilla Vibes”: here
2. Under the Lemon Trees by Maison Margiela
“Under the Lemon Trees” is the perfect spring and summer scent to add to your collection. The perfume smells like fresh citrus and fruit with notes of kalamansi lime, green tea and soft musk. This perfume is certain to transport you to the perfect summer day. The scent is even an Allure “Best of Beauty” award winner.
“I like it because it reminds me of my house back in Cameroon,” says Princess Tatsi, a freshman journalism major. “We always made lemongrass tea because it grew outside, so the house always smelled like it. That perfume is like home in a bottle,”
A standard size of “Under the Lemon Trees” costs $85 and the sample bottle costs $35.
Buy “Under the Lemon Trees” : here
3. Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ‘62 by Sol De Janeiro
This body and hair spray is incredibly popular, and for good reason. Brazilian Crush is a light and airy scent perfect for the warm weather. It has key notes of salted caramel, vanilla and pistachio— perfect for someone who prefers sweet scents over florals. This mist feels like sunny day on the beach.
“I’m not a huge perfume girl but this one has been my favorite for years because vanilla and salted caramel are my two favorite scents,” said freshman business major Briana Lichtenberg.
Brazilian Crush is made without any harmful sulfates or parabens. It also comes in body cream! This beloved mist is a more affordable option. The full sized bottle is $38 and the mini size is $24.
Buy “Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ‘62”: here
4. Noir Distelle by Gourmand
This perfume is an Urban Outfitters exclusive. It is the ideal scent for those who love a cozy vanilla feel while still incorporating elements of summer. The perfume includes notes of vanilla whiskey, black coconut and amber.
“I love this perfume because it’s a super comforting scent that isn’t overpowering,” said government and politics major, Jayne Samborn.
The coconut adds a nice touch of summer. Urban Outfitters carries many different scents from this brand that are affordable and high quality. Noir Distelle costs $25.
Buy Noir Distelle: here
5. Peach Fields by SKYLAR
Peach Fields is a floral spring scent with fruit and woody undertones. The perfume has notes of white peach, grapefruit, osmanthus flower, and sandalwood. It smells like a picnic in a garden on a beautiful summer day.
“This is my go-to perfume because it is super light and pretty. It reminds me of eating fruit outside on warm days”, said freshman international business major, Tammy Keselman.
The roll on bottle is great for travel and reapplying throughout the day. The roll-on size cost $30 and the standard size is $90.
Buy Peach Fields: here
I’ve asked five UMD students to share their favorite perfumes. These options range in price, scent and style, incorporating something for everyone!
1. Not A Perfume by Juliette has a Gun
Not a Perfume has become a staple on many people’s vanities after gaining widespread popularity on Tiktok. This is a warm scent consists of only one note called cetalox. Cetalox usually serves as the base note in perfume, but in this scent it takes the lead. It is perfect for people who want a subtle spicy scent that will last all day and appeal to everyone.
“ I love this perfume because it is super subtle, but I still always get a bunch of compliments on it,” said freshman chemical engineering major Hannah Ellenbogen.
Julliette has a Gun also carries a variation of “Not a Perfume” called “Vanilla Vibes”. This is my personal favorite because it still has the subtle elegance of the original scent, but with a little added vanilla flare. Juliette has a Gun is on the pricier side with the standard size costing $105, and the sample size costing $30.
Buy “Not a Perfume”: here
Buy “Vanilla Vibes”: here
2. Under the Lemon Trees by Maison Margiela
“Under the Lemon Trees” is the perfect spring and summer scent to add to your collection. The perfume smells like fresh citrus and fruit with notes of kalamansi lime, green tea and soft musk. This perfume is certain to transport you to the perfect summer day. The scent is even an Allure “Best of Beauty” award winner.
“I like it because it reminds me of my house back in Cameroon,” says Princess Tatsi, a freshman journalism major. “We always made lemongrass tea because it grew outside, so the house always smelled like it. That perfume is like home in a bottle,”
A standard size of “Under the Lemon Trees” costs $85 and the sample bottle costs $35.
Buy “Under the Lemon Trees” : here
3. Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ‘62 by Sol De Janeiro
This body and hair spray is incredibly popular, and for good reason. Brazilian Crush is a light and airy scent perfect for the warm weather. It has key notes of salted caramel, vanilla and pistachio— perfect for someone who prefers sweet scents over florals. This mist feels like sunny day on the beach.
“I’m not a huge perfume girl but this one has been my favorite for years because vanilla and salted caramel are my two favorite scents,” said freshman business major Briana Lichtenberg.
Brazilian Crush is made without any harmful sulfates or parabens. It also comes in body cream! This beloved mist is a more affordable option. The full sized bottle is $38 and the mini size is $24.
Buy “Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ‘62”: here
4. Noir Distelle by Gourmand
This perfume is an Urban Outfitters exclusive. It is the ideal scent for those who love a cozy vanilla feel while still incorporating elements of summer. The perfume includes notes of vanilla whiskey, black coconut and amber.
“I love this perfume because it’s a super comforting scent that isn’t overpowering,” said government and politics major, Jayne Samborn.
The coconut adds a nice touch of summer. Urban Outfitters carries many different scents from this brand that are affordable and high quality. Noir Distelle costs $25.
Buy Noir Distelle: here
5. Peach Fields by SKYLAR
Peach Fields is a floral spring scent with fruit and woody undertones. The perfume has notes of white peach, grapefruit, osmanthus flower, and sandalwood. It smells like a picnic in a garden on a beautiful summer day.
“This is my go-to perfume because it is super light and pretty. It reminds me of eating fruit outside on warm days”, said freshman international business major, Tammy Keselman.
The roll on bottle is great for travel and reapplying throughout the day. The roll-on size cost $30 and the standard size is $90.
Buy Peach Fields: here