Nothing can transport you to a tropical beach faster than the smell of coconut. While many people associate coconut with the smell of sunblock, it’s a remarkably nuanced and versatile scent. Coconut perfumes can range from sweet and fruity to beachy and aquatic to bold and sultry. Needless to say, they’re usually best suited for casual wear during warm weather, especially summer.
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What does coconut smell like?
The scent of coconuts comes primarily from their pulp (the white lining) and water (the liquid inside the coconut). It’s a sweet, creamy and slightly exotic smell that is lighter and fresher than what you might expect after smelling sun creams.
Our Top Picks for Best Coconut -Based Perfumes
Here are our top picks to prove that coconut scents are so much more than sun cream:
Best Overall Coconut
Creed Virgin Island Water
Creed elevates everything they do and their Virgin Island Water is no exception. Many coconut-fragranced go full force for sweet, and while there are some sweet vanilla and tonka bean heart notes in VIW, it has a layer of citrus and spicy which gives it a subtlety that many coconut-smelling perfumes lack.
Best Budget Coconut
Reb’l Fleur EDP by Rihanna
In the celebrity fragrance category, it’s hard to beat Rihanna’s Reb’l Fleur, inspired by her Barbados roots. It’s a creamy coconut smell with notes of peach and patchouli that distinguish it. While it’s not groundbreakingly original, it’s a budget-friendly option that makes for a good everyday summertime scent.
Best Sexy Coconut
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc
Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford is a great example of the seductive and sultry sides of coconut. Perfect for a summer night out, it’s more mainstream than many of Tom Ford’s scents but not in a bad way. It’s like a trip to a luxury beach resort.
Best Coconut to Wear to Work
Versace Crystal Noir EDP
If you’re looking for a coconut perfume you could wear to the office, try Versace Crystal Noir. The coconut is not as prominent in this as it is in some of our other picks, however, it’s still notable. Ginger, black pepper, and cardamom add a spicy opening while the coconut and gardenia mingle together in the heart notes and sandalwood gives it warmth. Versace Crystal Noir has great longevity too.
Best Fruity Coconut
Escada Born in Paradise
Born in Paradise explores the fruity side of coconut with a clean, tart opening. In addition to the coconut, notes of pineapple, watermelon, and guava create a uniquely tropical effect. An easy-going, everyday casual fragrance for your summer.
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BEST OVERALL
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BEST SEXY COCONUT
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BEST SWEET COCONUT
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Best Sweet Coconut
Mancera Coco Vanille Eau de Parfum
While cozy vanilla and exotic coconut might not seem like a natural pairing, they actually complement each other well. This Mancera Coco Vanille unisex scent comes on strong with the first spray but the drydown is a divine creamy coconut and sweet vanilla that will last all day.
Best Sophisticated Coconut
Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude
Musk and coconut intertwine to make this a gorgeous, feminine perfume. If you want to avoid the pina colada effect and go for a more sophisticated, adult version of coconut notes, try this perfume. Sensuous nude it’s like a walk on the beach at sunset, very soft and (dare we say it?) sensual.
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Selena Marc is a fragrance enthusiast, freelance writer, and dog mom living in Houston, Texas. When she's not writing about her favorite new perfumes, you can find her enjoying yoga or a morning hike.