There are some elements in perfumery that don’t necessarily smell like anything; instead, they encapsulate a sense. The concept behind these fragrances revolves around making the wearer experience the scent through other senses. For instance, when ice notes are added to a perfume, they make it smell cold. But what does it mean for a fragrance to feel cold? And what does cold smell like?
A fragrance feels or smells cold when it utilises specific ingredients that create an icy or brisk sensory illusion by stimulating the trigeminal nerve in the nasal cavity. This nerve registers temperature and pain, meaning the wearer is experiencing a physical cooling sensation in their nose, paired with the psychological association of cold environments.
Here are some fragrances that carry an ice note with the intent to mimic that sensation.
1. Versace Bright Crystal EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Versace |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Floral Fruity |
| Notes | Top: Yuzu, Pomegranate, and Ice Middle: Peony, Lotus, and Magnolia Base: Musk, Mahogany, and Amber |
| Release year | 2006 |
| Perfumer | Alberto Morillas |
The first fragrance on this list is Bright Crystal by Versace. The eau de toilette version carries an ice note in the opening, adding a cooling sensation from the get-go. This summer fragrance is fun and fresh with a pomegranate note that adds a hint of tartness to the aroma, but the overall scent leans more floral as it dries down.
2. YSL Y Iced Cologne EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yves Saint Laurent |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Notes | Top: Mint and Ice Middle: Mint, Mint Tea, and Blue Sage Base: Patchouli and Ambroxan |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Perfumer | Dominique Ropion |
For men, we have Y Ice Cologne by Yves Saint Laurent. This fragrance is chilling in more than one way. While we have the ice note, which is the main focus of this article, we also have two mint notes and a mint tea note that add so much freshness and coolness to the aroma. The base carries an ambroxan note, which adds a cool, mineral feel as well. This could never be a winter fragrance.
3. Calvin Klein One Reflections EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Calvin Klein |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Citrus Aromatic |
| Notes | Top: Lemon, Ice, and Ginger Middle: Green Tea and Ice Base: Musk and Woodsy Notes |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Perfumer | Christelle Laprade and Alexandra Carlin |
Finally, we have CK One Reflections by Calvin Klein, a unisex option. The ice note appears twice in the fragrance: once in the opening and once in the heart. Alongside green tea, lemon, and ginger, this fragrance is a summer dream. I especially like the spicy kick that the ginger adds to the opening. I’ll probably keep this in my bag this summer for when I need to cool down a bit.
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