Why We’re Moonstruck by These Scents…

Why are perfumers so inspired by moonlight and the stars? Well, this Halloween we’re not here for ghoulish scares or pumpkin-spiced anything – instead, we choose to explore the theme of fragrances inspired by the moon, exploring how we’d rather sink into the soft shimmer of moonlight itself. Because moonlit fragrances do not bother themselves with seasonal costume changes – they’re magical at any time!

But let’s admit this: there’s something about autumn evenings that truly draws out their mysterious side and beckons us on a starlit stroll.

Perfumers, ever the poets and stargazers, know how to bottle this elusive glow; and to achieve it they reach for dreamy notes – think powdery iris for that silvery haze, whisper-soft white musks for skin-like radiance, and aldehydes to add a phosphorescent fizz of sparkle. Flowers that release their secrets after dusk, like jasmine and tuberose, drift often through the compositions, their petalled-perfume powers trailing seductively just as midnight falls. The most enchanting moonlit scents remind us of starlight caught in a bottle and of secrets exchanged in the silvery hush.

Below, let’s wander through a selection of fragrances inspired by the moon and its nightly magic, each radiating a different facet of lunar luminosity…

Mabelle O’Rama Lunar Dust

A sensual, woody skin scent inspired by the moon’s cool, powdery surface and its gentle lunar glow. Like night skies revealing their stars to those who wait, this fragrance unfolds with ethereal grace on the skin. Shimmering iris gives way to the warmth of amber and cosmic white woods, leaving a lingering trail that feels wrapped in celestial comfort. Notes: Iris, Cedarwood, Amber, White Woods.

£85 for 30ml eau de parfum mabelleorama.com

Penhaligon’s Luna

Luna is an homage to the bright, dappled beauty of moonlight – as seductive as it is soft. This fragrant ode to the Moon Goddess opens with a radiant burst of lemon and bergamot, balanced by a glowing heart of jasmine, rose and the crisp glint of juniper berry. The tranquil base of fir balsam, ambergris, and musk envelops you like the silvery caress of midnight air. Key notes: Lemon, Bergamot, Bitter Orange, Rose, Jasmine, Juniper Berry, Fir Balsam, Ambergris, Musk.

£85 for 30ml eau de toilette penhaligons.com

Van Cleef & Arpels Moonlight Patchouli

Patchouli is the central thread here, but illuminated by the moon it becomes a study in shadow and light. Powdery iris accentuates the interplay of darkness and radiance, while Bulgarian rose blooms in the heart, joined by the mysterious embrace of suede. Woods, cacao and fruit add richness to a composition that feels both cool and glowing – like moonbeams dappling forest floor. Top: Patchouli Leaf, Cacao, Woodsy Notes. Middle: Bulgarian Rose, Iris. Base: Suede, Leather, Fruity Notes.

£164 for 75ml eau de parfum harrods.com

Soki London Artemis

The goddess Artemis guides us to the moon through a grove shimmering with silver. This woody creation begins with juicy peach, nectarine and plum, capturing the magic of moonlit fruit suspended in the air. Osmanthus glimmers at the heart alongside verdant green leaves, all resting on a base of sandalwood and cedar – so smooth, it feels like starlight on the skin. Wear this to channel your inner moon deity, ready for enchantment with every spritz. Notes: Peach, Nectarine, Plum, Osmanthus, Green Leaves, Sandalwood, Cedar.

£79 for 50ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com

Maison Crivelli Tubéreuse Astrale 

Imagine tuberose, that queen of the night, unfurling beneath an endless expanse of stars. Tubéreuse Astrale conjures a landscape where powdery tuberose gleams alongside the soft touch of suede, resulting in a sparkling yet comforting scent. Every breath feels like inhaling the moon’s pale aura – somewhere between a silvery sigh and a velvet cloak of stars.

£205 for 50ml extrait de parfum harveynichols.com

So, whether you’re pulling on your warmest jumper for an autumn moon walk, or simply longing for the mystery and magic that only moonlight can inspire, these scents prove you don’t need a calendar or costume to surrender to lunar inspiration. And next time someone asks what you’re wearing, just tell them: it’s the scent of moonbeams, darling! And let them wonder in your scented trail of moonlit stardust…

Written by Suzy Nightingale