What Are “Witchy Perfumes”? Here Are 11 That Will Cast a Spell on You

Wellness, self-discovery, and spirituality dominate our cultural narratives, so unsurprisingly, a curious trend has taken centre stage: “witchy perfumes.”

This movement, propelled by Millennials and Gen Z, has captivated the attention of fragrance enthusiasts and spiritual seekers alike. With over four million searches under the hashtag #witchyperfumes, it’s clear that these mystical scents have cast a spell on the collective consciousness.

But what exactly are “witchy perfumes,” and why are they resonating so profoundly?

What Are “Witchy Perfumes”?

At its core, a “witchy perfume” is a scent designed to evoke specific emotions, memories, or energies, harnessing the ancient power of scent molecules to influence the mind and spirit.

For Johanna Monange, CEO and Founder of Maison 21G, witchy perfumes are about creating a personal magic potion – one that enhances your natural skin chemistry and becomes utterly irresistible.

“I believe in the power of scent to cast a spell and create unforgettable impressions, whenever you choose,” Johanna shares. “Witchy perfumes should be deeply sensual and almost intoxicating, blending elements that create an aura of mystery, temptation, and addiction.”

Bambi, Witch and Founder of The Love Witch Singapore, explains, “Perfumes with pheromones are also sensed with our olfactory senses,” she notes, emphasising the intimate connection between scent and our deeper, instinctual selves.

Witchy perfumes also whisk specific ingredients to craft a mood, intent, or energy.

According to Dan Terry, Founder and Creative Director at Oo La Lab, such a perfume is “an alchemical blend that transcends the ordinary, capturing the mystical essence of nature and the cosmos.”

These fragrances, Dan says, are crafted with an understanding of how scent can influence mood and emotions, allowing wearers to tap into feelings of enchantment, empowerment, and introspection.

What “Witchy Perfumes” Can Do

Support and Heal

Witchy perfumes carry functional, transformative benefits that extend into emotional, spiritual, and even energetic realms.

These fragrances can be used as tools for manifestation, calming the mind, protection during challenging astrological periods, and promoting positive energy, much like how crystals are used in healing practices.

Pearlyn Siew, Quantum Healer and Founder of Transmission Wellness, envisions them as supportive allies. “I would imagine a functional witchy perfume to be of support to an individual to find harmony in all they might experience,” she says.

Fragrances can be used to recalibrate or elevate one’s aura, making them powerful tools in times of stress, emotional upheaval, or transition.

Rituals and Intentions

Witchy perfumes are often created with specific intentions and used in various spiritual practices. Bambi highlights the significance of plant compounds in manifestation rituals.

“The active compounds of a plant can have magickal effects on manifestations. Traditionally, some tribes also claimed that there is consciousness in plants (e.g. life), and plants are highly revered in rituals,” she explains.

Scent as a Shield

Another way these perfumes can benefit users is by acting as energetic shields, especially during difficult astrological periods like Mercury retrograde.

During these times, many people report heightened stress, miscommunication, and confusion. Using a calming or grounding scent can help alleviate these feelings, offering a layer of protection from the chaotic energy that such periods bring.

Pearlyn touches on this protective quality, suggesting that a witchy perfume can “bring the right amount of cleansing, healing, comfort, safety.”

How Witchy Fragrance Notes Are Used

Much like flowers in a bouquet, every fragrance note in a witchy perfume holds symbolic meaning and energy.

With guidance from our experts, we explore how different “witchy” notes and ingredients can be used to manifest desired outcomes in various aspects of life – whether it’s love, wellness, or spirituality.

Love and Relationships

When it comes to matters of the heart, witchy perfumes can act as catalysts for deep emotional connections.

Pearlyn recommends two key ingredients: “Lavender for the curious and communicative energy of Mercury and chamomile for the vibrant energy of the Sun, the caring energy of the Moon, the collaborative energy of Mercury, and the energy of desire in Venus.”

These notes work together to promote open communication, understanding, and emotional intimacy.

Bambi suggests floral notes such as jasmine and rose. She explains, “These notes naturally evoke love and affection.” Johanna agrees, noting that “an enchanting combination of rose and honey is truly captivating.”

Dan also chose rose as a symbol of love and passion, remarking, “Rose can enhance feelings of affection and intimacy, making it perfect for deepening connections.”

Health and Wellness

These perfumes can provide both emotional comfort and physical healing. Pearlyn advocates for the energy of cinnamon and thyme, which she connects to vitality and resilience.

Bambi proposes calming notes like lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang, and sandalwood, which are known to soothe the mind and promote relaxation.

Dan concurs, suggesting the timeless scent of lavender for general well-being. “Lavender represents calm and balance, and its soothing aroma can help reduce stress, creating a sense of overall harmony in life.”

He also believes in the healing powers of eucalyptus, noting, “Eucalyptus represents healing and renewal. Its refreshing scent can clear the mind and promote physical well-being.”

Johanna recommends sage paired with oceanic notes, calling it “a capsule of oceanic tranquility in a bottle.”

Career and Life Goals

Certain notes in perfumery can also support professional growth and life aspirations.

Pearlyn recommends black pepper and cardamom to promote courage and resilience, explaining, “Black pepper brings the energy of courage from the Sun and resilience from Mars, while Cardamom offers the communicative energy of Mercury and the revolutionary energy of Uranus.”

Dan underlines the grounding properties of cedarwood. “Cedarwood stands for strength and perseverance, helping enhance focus and determination,” he explains. This makes it a perfect note for those seeking to stay grounded while pursuing their professional goals.

Wealth and Finance

To attract prosperity, Pearlyn suggests tonka bean and lemon balm.

“Tonka bean harnesses the magnetic energy of Venus and the expansive energy of Jupiter,” she explains, while lemon balm combines the intuitive energy of the Moon with the attractive power of Jupiter. These notes are excellent for drawing wealth and abundance into one’s life.

Bambi recommends the scent of Gold Rain Incense, which “smells like sweet vanilla with a slight touch of burnt sugar,” ideal for manifesting wealth.

Johanna champions the combination of ginger and vetiver: “Ginger’s spicy and invigorating aroma symbolises energy and success, while vetiver provides stability and growth, drawing in abundance.”

Meanwhile, Dan adds patchouli to the list, as it’s often associated with prosperity. “Patchouli’s rich, earthy scent is believed to attract wealth and positive energy,” he says.

Spirituality

For spiritual practices, different herbs and perfume notes can help deepen meditative states and foster enlightenment.

Pearlyn highlights mugwort and basil for their transformative qualities. “Mugwort carries the comforting energy of Venus, while basil holds the creative energy of Mars and the transformative energy of Pluto,” she explains.

Bambi prefers earthy and smoky notes like sandalwood and pine, while Dan echoes this with frankincense, a classic spiritual note. “Frankincense symbolises enlightenment and spiritual connection, aiding in meditation and deepening one’s spiritual practice,” he explains.

Along the same lines, Johanna recommends a blend of incense and myrrh, saying, “Immortal Incense, revered for its spiritual and meditative qualities, pairs beautifully with the resinous scent of myrrh to enhance meditation and deepen spiritual awareness.”

Choosing Your “Witchy Perfume”

As Pearlyn wisely notes, the choice of herbs and notes in witchy perfumes is deeply personal. Bambi adds that you should feel a personal connection to your chosen fragrance.

“What one may perceive as calming might not be for another,” she lets on. “What I would recommend for anyone is to feel the personal connection to each note and be conscious of how they feel when using these scents.”

“Witchy Perfumes” Our Experts Recommend

Jo Malone London Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne

Pearlyn’s pick is reminiscent of windswept coastlines, where the mineral-rich air and salty sea breeze invigorate the senses, connecting the wearer to the energy of the Moon, Mercury, Saturn, and Pluto.

Its top note of ambrette seeds wraps the fragrance in a sophisticated aura and paves the way for a heart of sea salt, a powerful ingredient in witchy practices known for its purifying and protective properties.

Sea salt’s crunchy, fresh quality adds texture to the fragrance, embodying the raw energy of the ocean’s waves as they cleanse and refresh the soul.

The base note of earthy sage brings a grounding, woody warmth. Sage is known for its ability to cleanse negative energy and promote wisdom, making it an ideal ingredient for manifestation and transformation rituals.

Japara Thailand Cleopatra

Steeped in ancient mystery, Japara Thailand’s Cleopatra is a true embodiment of the captivating energies of Mercury, Venus, Neptune, and Uranus, according to Pearlyn.

Inspired by the legendary Queen of Egypt, this scent channels Cleopatra’s irresistible charm, which was said to mesmerise kings and rulers.

The top notes of green, fruity accords, Iris Pallida, and pear bring an ethereal feel to the fragrance. As it evolves, the heart reveals the warmth of nutmeg and the exotic essence of ginger lily.

Base notes of vanilla and agarwood bring a mystical and transformative quality to the fragrance. Vanilla adds a rich, comforting sweetness, while the deep, smoky essence of agarwood grounds the scent in spiritual depth.

Lubin Paris Princesses de Malabar Eau de Parfum

Lubin Paris’ Princesses de Malabar is a fragrance that conjures the spirit of the Malabar coast, where lush forests, vibrant blue birds, and a harmonious society of princesses created a world filled with beauty and mystery.

The top notes of cotton flower and bergamot provide a light, airy freshness. Its heart bursts with peach pulp, white magnolia, jasmine sambac, and ylang-ylang, creating a floral bouquet that is lush and sensual.

Jasmine sambac and ylang-ylang, in particular, bring a deeply feminine energy, representing both sensuality and nurture.

As Bambi notes, “I like the warm floral woodsy [scent] of this perfume, and its sandalwood and amber notes are very grounding while its ylang-ylang and jasmine are embracing of my personal traits.”

Maison 21G Secret Spirit & Oriental Osmanthus

If you want to evoke an air of enchantment, try Maison 21G’s Secret Spirit & Oriental Osmanthus.

Thanks to the sweet and delicate osmanthus, this fragrance gains a fruity, apricot-like softness that enhances its enchanting appeal. The smoky, intoxicating nature of cognac invites deeper connections and arouses curiosity.

“This combination is perfect for those who seek to captivate and mesmerise, creating an aura of mystique elegance,” says Johanna. “It’s ideal for evening events or whenever you wish to leave a lasting impression of sophisticated allure.”

Maison 21G Secret Spirit & Oriental Osmanthus is part of the brand’s Black collection and is available at Maison 21G boutiques and for manual orders at [email protected].

Oo La Lab Moon Eau de Parfum

Oo La Lab’s Moon is an ideal choice for those seeking to align with their intuitive, witchy side.

The top notes of citrus, mandarin, black pepper, and cardamom create an immediate burst of freshness and spice, awakening the senses and sparking curiosity.

As the fragrance unfolds, the heart notes of floral rose and sweet lychee blossom, adding a lush, romantic quality. The base of cashmeran, ambrox, sandalwood, and patchouli brings an earthy, grounding element, making Moon both ethereal and deeply rooted in nature.

“Its gentle, slightly fresh floral and slightly fruity vibes will have you howling at the full moon,” Dan says.

Daily Vanity’s Favourite “Witchy Perfumes”

Santa Maria Novella Marescialla Eau de Cologne

This enchanting fragrance and its lore date back to the 1800s.

Countess D’Aumont, wife of a French marshal, first crafted its exclusive formula to perfume her gloves. Her fascination with alchemy, coupled with the fragrance’s mysterious magnetism, sparked rumours of witchcraft, leading to her tragic end when she was burned at the stake.

The opening top notes of citrus and mace immediately draw you in with their bright yet spicy aroma, reminiscent of painter’s turpentine or holy anointing oil. As the scent deepens, the heart reveals aromatic cedarwood and the romantic, timeless essence of Centifolia rose.

A base of sandalwood, patchouli, and oakmoss brings a woody, earthy finish that lingers. This spicy, woody oriental fragrance feels less like a perfume and more like a potion steeped in history and magic, carrying the weight of rituals and forgotten rites.

19-69 Female Christ Eau de Parfum

Female Christ captures the rebellious spirit of one of the most iconic moments in performance art history.

Inspired by the 1969 performance by Danish artists Lene Adler Petersen and Bjørn Norgaard, the scent pays homage to a piece that challenged societal norms on religion, eroticism, and capitalism.

The fragrance announces itself with a bold and earthy patchouli that grounds the scent. What sets it apart is its unexpected bursts of freshness, driven by spicy and herbaceous top notes of eucalyptus, thyme, and pimento.

As the scent begins to settle, layers of sweet, juicy rhubarb and berries emerge, softening the fragrance and adding an unexpected playfulness to the composition. It becomes even more sensual, with a base of benzoin, vanilla, and ambergris that adds a seductive, lingering warmth.

Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin Eau de Parfum

From the moment this red-tinted fragrance juice touches the skin, it conjures an image of a rain-soaked rose on a forgotten grave.

This scent is a bold, powerful blend of rose and geranium that captures the sharpness of a thorn piercing through delicate petals. It feels like a love letter to the femme fatale: beautiful yet dangerous, soft yet capable of leaving a lasting sting.

As it begins to develop, the middle notes of palmarosa bring a subtle earthiness, grounding the floral notes. The base notes of honey, moss, and patchouli reveal themselves, adding a seductive warmth and depth to the fragrance.

The honey is just sweet enough to soften the edges without diminishing the power of the rose, while the moss and patchouli evoke the scent of damp earth.

Les Liquides Imaginaires Blanche Bête Eau de Parfum

Blanche Bête is a soft, ethereal fragrance that feels otherworldly.

It opens with a luxurious, velvety milky accord. Meanwhile, the interplay of tuberose and jasmine offers a floral brightness.

But this isn’t your typical bouquet – it’s anchored by the richness of cocoa and tonka bean, giving the scent a creamy, indulgent quality without tipping into overt sweetness.

The addition of incense and musk mallow adds an airy, almost spiritual dimension to the composition. As the creamy notes of milk and vanilla settle, the scent lingers with a delicate smokiness, creating a complex balance between light and dark, sweetness and mystery.

Andrea Maack Coven Eau de Parfum

Coven is a masterful potion bottled for the modern witch.

Inspired by Andrea Maack’s fascination with the occult, this fragrance plunges you into the heart of a dark, mystical forest, where the metallic tang of damp soil mingles with dewy grass.

Galbanum brings an intense verdant sharpness that cuts through the composition, while the earthy notes of oakmoss and soil tincture keep it rooted in the undergrowth. The whiskey and spicy notes creep in as the scent evolves, adding warmth and depth to the green, resinous core.

Penhaligon’s The Bewitching Yasmine Eau de Parfum

As captivating as its namesake, The Bewitching Yasmine is a spellbinding fragrance. The bottle, adorned with what could only be described as a witch’s black cat for a stopper, sets the tone for the potion it contains.

First, you’re hit with the sharp and invigorating aroma of rich coffee, perfectly balanced by aromatic cardamom. It’s a striking introduction that feels both bold and inviting.

Then, the heart notes reveal a combination of creamy vanilla and billowing jasmine sambac, adding a layer of softness and warmth that feels both luxurious and slightly unpredictable.

In its final act, the scent drifts into a smoky haze of incense and rare Laotian oud, providing an earthy, almost church-like gravitas that complements the earlier sweetness.

‍

* You can view the full article at Daily Vanity.‍‍