“Nectarine Blossom & Honey is a Jo Malone classic. It’s been around since 2005 and, in my opinion, one of the prettiest, most unique fragrances out there—I’d actually use the word ‘charming’ to describe it. I also find it to be one of Jo Malone’s longest-lasting colognes. Colognes, by definition, aren’t meant to be super strong (they contain less perfume oil than eau de parfums), so if you like a powerful, beast-mode type of fragrance, that’s not the point of this scent, and it’s probably not for you. But, when it comes to colognes and eau de toilettes I’ve tried over the years, this is one of the strongest and longest-lasting.
However, if you’re looking for a realistic honey scent, this cologne is not it. Acacia honey sits in the middle, giving the fruity-green fragrance a warm, comforting sweetness that feels and smells like a sunny, spring afternoon as everything around you starts to bloom (I swear, you can hear bees buzzing as you spray this). It’s really the juicy, fuzzy peach and earthy, tangy cassis notes that stand out, a combination that gives the cologne its ripe, mouthwatering quality that makes you want to keep spritzing. It’s a fragrance I wear consistently in the spring and summer, and a great example of how honey can be used to enhance a fragrance, its golden, syrupy quality adding something special to fruit and floral notes.” —Sophia Panych, content director
- Notes: cassis, honey, peach
- Available sizes: 1 oz, 3.4 oz
Best Hair & Body Spray: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Why it’s worth it: Gisou, a hair and skin-care brand made with—you guessed it—honey, has deep expertise in the honey world; founder Negin Mirsalehi is a sixth-generation beekeeper. The brand expanded into fragrance with its Best of Beauty-winning Honey Infused Hair Perfumes in several dreamy scents, including classic Wildflower Honey, floral Wild Rose, and vibrant Lavender Berry. These dreamy, ultra-lightweight scents are perfect for spritzing with abandon and leave a trail of clean, fresh floral and honey notes wherever you go. Because the mists are so lightweight, you can layer them with your daily perfume for a custom honey concoction, or wear one in your hair and another on your skin.
Take it from another scent connoisseur (and fragrance brand founder), Jackie Aina: “It’s a gourmand scent for people who think gourmands are polarizing. Gisou’s has a great balance that’s not too cloying.”
“I never thought to myself, ‘I want to smell like honey’ —until I came across Gisou. I first used the brand’s honey-infused hair oil and the sweet scent immediately wooed me. When I discovered the Gisou Wildflower Honey hair perfume, I was smitten. I love the lightly sweet floral fragrance. It makes me feel feminine and delicate.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
- Notes: Mirsalehi honey
- Available sizes: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz
Best Gourmand Honey: Ellis Brooklyn Bee Eau de Parfum
Ellis Brooklyn
Bee Eau de Parfum
Why it’s worth it: This delightful honey scent is literally called Bee—what more could you ask for? Named in honor of Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro, Bee is a warm and cozy gourmand honey with craveable notes of dark rum, cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa that will make you want to sink your teeth into the scent. The (vegan) honey and bran absolute add a lush realism to the fragrance, with a subtle beeswax note that beautifully balances the boozy rum and sweet gourmand notes.
