If I were to tell you to think of a fruity scent, some quintessential notes will likely come to mind. Strawberry, mango, and cherry formulas have all become quite popular recently. And I’d be remiss not to include the classic citrus fragrances that lean a bit sweet, like lemon, bergamot, and orange. But I bet the best pear perfumes didn't cross your mind—yet.
Trust me, you'll thoroughly enjoy wearing a scent that captures the crisp, watery, and sweet fruit. Pear fragrances are silent sleepers of the perfume world. Truth be told, I didn't even realize that a few of my favorite formulas had the note listed in their descriptions. But now that I've gotten the scoop about the category, my undercover love for the scent profile makes so much sense. “Pear tends to give off a fresh and juicy expression,” says founder and chief executive officer of DedCool, Carina Chaz. “It’s a really versatile note that pairs well with sweeter scents—the duo tends to create a really beautiful balance.”
Pear perfumes are an ideal component of curating an olfactory personality or for layering with more gourmand fragrances, but they're also incredible light perfumes you'll wear on repeat during the spring and summer. I have been going down the pear perfume rabbit hole for the past few weeks, so if you’re also ready to expand your fruity-fragrance palette, keep reading to learn all you need to know about this unusual note, and shop the top ten scents every beauty editor loves.
- The Best Pear Perfume Overall: Juliette Has a Gun Pear Inc.
- Best Fresh Pear Perfume: Merit Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum
- Best Gourmand Pear Perfume: Dedcool Aura Eau de Parfum
- Best Floral Pear Perfume: Burberry Her Eau de Toilette with Pear
- Best Vanilla Pear Perfume: The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfume
Cetalox and musk flank the earthy green pear note in Juliette Has a Gun’s Pear Inc. and the combination is divine. Perfect for fans of more fresh, second-skin profiles, this perfume is the epitome of spring—especially for people who don’t love overly green florals. If your spring makeup is staying put, a seasonal fragrance refresh doesn’t hurt.
Fragrance Family: Fresh Fruity
Key Notes: Pear accord; Cetalox; Musk
Size: 3.3 fl oz
What I Love: Clean smelling; Second skin
What I Don’t: Not super long lasting
Review for MC: “This perfume is one of my favorite finds of all time. It’s simultaneously fresh and sweet but doesn’t veer too far in either direction. It also layers beautifully with one of my favorite perfumes of all time, which is Gold Personal from Commodity. I’ve been keeping it on my desk as my ‘mid-day refresh’ perfume, and it’s never clashed with any of the other fragrances that I have on. My only wish is that it lasted a little longer. Otherwise, this is a true gem.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
There’s a reason Marie Claire considered this one of the best perfumes of 2024. It’s warm and sits close to the skin; it almost feels like a secret weapon that I can throw into any purse and refresh on the go. I am usually skeptical of makeup brands that go into perfumery, but Merit nailed it.
Fragrance Family: Warm and Fresh
Key Notes: Bergamot; Pear; Jasmine; Musk
Size: 1 fl oz
What I Love: Skin scent; Unisex
What I Don’t: Small bottle size
Review for MC: “Despite the small bottle, this perfume packs a punch. It’s equal parts fruity and fresh, and it surprisingly lasts quite a long time. The first time I smelled this formula, it quickly landed on my top shelf, so I can safely say that it was love at first sniff.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
From the creators of the viral Milk perfume, it is no surprise that Dedcool’s Aura is the perfect pear-forward gourmand. Normally, notes like marine, lotus, and cassis would turn me off. However, in this formula, they’re blended with musk, caramel, and vanilla. The balance results in an ethereal-smelling perfume that would satisfy gourmand, floral, and fruity perfume lovers alike.
Fragrance Family: Fruity Floral
Key Notes: Pear; Cassis; Cedar; Caramel; Vanilla
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Lightweight fragrance; Well-balanced scent profile
What I Don’t: Lasting power
Review for MC: “I’m a big fan of Dedcool’s Milk (and Mochi Milk…and Taunt), so I was already expecting to love this fragrance—and it immediately lived up to the expectation. This perfume is floral and aquatic, but the more gourmand facets that the brand is known for shine through beautifully. It allows me to dabble into three different fragrance categories simultaneously, so the notes become more distinct depending on the type of fragrance or oil I layer it with.”— Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
My husband and I enjoy this unisex perfume, which is surprising because we're normally a floral-averse household. Still, the pear in this formula is so green and photorealistic that it almost takes over the entire perfume. If you don’t typically like green floral scents but want to start exploring the category, start here.
Fragrance Family: Fruity Floral
Key Notes: Green pear; Peony; Musk
Size: 3.3 fl oz
What I Love: Photo-realistic pear scent; More subtle floral notes
What I Don’t: Short-lasting power
Review for MC: “Like to smell like a fresh bouquet and a basket of just-picked pears? Look no further than this perfume from Burberry. It has a photorealistic quality that makes my mouth water a little bit. After a while, the floral notes in the perfume become more apparent. It’s one of those more subtle, but still very lovely, perfumes that is safe to wear in large or public spaces like to work, school, or on a plane.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Until I looked up the notes, I did not realize there was pear in this perfume, and I’ve had my bottle for over two years. That’s how strong and long-lasting the vanilla in this scent is. Created by one of my favorite clean perfume brands, The 7 Virtues, it has notes of pear, rose, vanilla, caramel, and amber. Yes, it smells just as good as it sounds, and I need you to make a trip to your nearest Sephora to at least give it a sniff for yourself.
Fragrance Family: Gourmand
Key Notes: Pear; Rose; Vanilla
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Vanilla formula; Strong projection
What I Don’t: Not blind-buy safe
Review for MC: “If you’re on the hunt for a primarily pear-forward perfume, I don’t recommend blind-buying this perfume. However, if you’re a gourmand lover, this is right up your alley. Vanilla Woods is an extremely strong and slightly spicy vanilla fragrance, with the fruity pear facets only being exposed during the dry down. While it does technically qualify as a pear perfume, that is not the strongest note in the formula, so go in with your eyes open with this one.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Other Pear Perfumes That I Love
An intoxicating combination of pear and rose, Nette’s Pear Jam is an editor favorite for a reason. If you’ve ever heard of "dopamine dressing," consider this its fragrance equivalent. The uplifting scent profile makes this perfume a shoo-in for a favorite in the spring and summer months.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Koji pear; Rose essence; Patchouli coeur
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Mood-boosting; Realistic pear note
What I Don’t: Not the most long lasting
Review for MC: "Every time I get a whiff of this pear-forward scent, I’m reminded of just how powerful a fragrance can play into our emotions. Nette wanted to create a perfume that boosts joy and positivity, and so resulted Pear Jam. The Koji pear note is fresh and juicy, making for the perfect pairing to the warm floral mid and base notes. All in all, I can’t help but feel happy every time I wear this fragrance, which is why I reach for it so often.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
If you know anything about By Rosie Jane perfumes, you know they are light, elegant, and pair well with pretty much any other in your fragrance collection. So goes the case of this pear-forward scent, Leila Lou. It’s fresh, a little earthy, and wonderful for those who prefer their scents to have a slightly more green quality to them.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Pear; Jasmine; Freshly cut grass
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Fresh scent; Appropriate for everyday wear
What I Don’t: Some may find the grass note overpowering
Review for MC: "I never knew freshly cut grass was something I wanted to smell like, but boy, does it work in this fragrance. The green note is paired alongside ultra-juicy pear in the opening, before giving way to a soft jasmine dry down. This is one of my go-to spring scents for the gym because it’s as fresh and clean as can be.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Daisy stans, please rise. This formula from Marc Jacobs takes the classic Daisy DNA and swaps out strawberry for a pear accord, resulting in a delicious accent to one of the most popular perfumes of all time. In fact, my college roommates and I all had the original formula, so when I say that this one is an easy crowd-pleaser, take my word for it.
Fragrance Family: Fruity Floral
Key Notes: Pear Accord; Violet accord; Mimosa extract
Size: 2.5 fl oz
What I Love: Fresh; Has the original daisy perfume DNA
What I Don’t: Eau de toilette isn’t super long-lasting
Customer Review: “Obsessed! I love all things from Marc Jacobs, and this new twist on Daisy is perfect for spring! The OG Daisy is my fav, I’ve been through several bottles. This one is similar, but with fresh citrus twist. The neon yellow bottle is SO cute to display!” — Sephora
Elegance bottled is the best way that I can describe this Jo Malone perfume. Freesia and patchouli anchor the pear note, making it a little more palatable for daily wear. This is another one of those formulas that’s non-offensive, so you can wear it to that big board meeting just as easily as you can for brunch with your friends.
Fragrance Family: Fruity Floral
Key Notes: King William Pear; Freesia; Patchouli
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Pear-forward formula; Chic bottle
What I Don’t: Staying power
Customer Review: “English Pear and Freesia is an elegant, versatile fragrance perfect for daytime wear or special occasions. Its fresh and floral composition is uplifting without being overpowering, making it suitable for all seasons. A delightful choice for anyone who enjoys a fragrance that is both refreshing and sophisticated.” — Sephora
Another favorite from 7 Virtues, Lotus Pear is sweet but not cloying, thanks to the peach and orange blossom notes that make it lean a little more on the citrus side. One of my favorite aspects of this perfume is how well it plays with others in my collection, but it truly does shine on its own. It’s a stunning formula that will satisfy any pear-lover’s taste buds, but please, don’t taste it, it's not an edible perfume.
Fragrance Family: Fruity Floral
Key Notes: Williams Pear; Lotus Flower; Gardenia
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Well-balanced formula
What I Don’t: Not the most long-lasting scent
Customer Review: “I don't know why this scent is not rated as highly as some of the others in the 7Virtues line. I think this is the BEST scent in their collection! Truly beautiful - it's sweet but not conventional, and I don't find it openly floral. If you like Candied Lychee, I think you would like this - I find it a tad less sweet and a tad more floral. To me, this is like the fruitier cousin of Gucci's Floral Gorgeous Gardenia. A really beautiful scent! Please keep this in your product line, 7 Virtues!” — Sephora
What Can I Layer With Pear Fragrance?
According to Chaz, the notes that are best paired with pear notes are a little more subdued but full-bodied. “Floral, woody, and musky notes always provide a nice addition to a pear composition,” she says. “It’s an incredibly versatile aroma.”
What Should I Look for In a Pear Perfume?
The answer to this question depends on the kinds of perfumes you find yourself naturally gravitating toward. “I'd consider pear fragrances to fall under the fruity category,” Chaz says. “So what you should look for is contingent on if you're looking for a perfume with a sweeter fragrance or more grounded, woody compositions.”
When looking at the scent descriptors, search for notes that regularly appear in the perfumes you already like. My go-to formulas tend to be woodsy, sweet, and a little creamy, so vanilla, iso e super, and ambroxan are likely notes I’d want to see paired with a pear note in a perfume. It’ll take some testing and a good bit of trial and error, but eventually, you’ll come to recognize your signature scent profile.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
Ariel Baker brings over five years of experience in the beauty industry and is a fragrance fanatic, bringing her first-hand knowledge and recommendations to the piece.
Marie Claire is also an expert in fragrance, writing content around fragrance trends, the best perfume releases, and more.
How We Tested
To compile this list of the best pear fragrances, I scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. I also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks.
For each fragrance I tested, I assessed the fragrance's notes, how long it lasted, and its overall scent as the day went on.
Meet the Expert
DedCool was founded with generations of beauty expertise behind it. Fragrance was Carina’s passion from the very beginning. Growing up alongside her mother as a beauty formulator, with a lab as her playground, it was natural for Carina to create DedCool. Her love of scent and a general rejection of the way the Fragrance industry operates, lit a fire under Carina to create a modern 21st Century definition of what Fragrance means.
It started humbly on Instagram, and then grew to knocking on the doors of local retail shops with the hope of being carried on consignment. This resulted in relationships with stores, and boutiques to then cultivating dedcool.com.
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