The Best Goth Perfumes: Scents for the Darkly Inclined

Perfume is one of the most enchanting ways to leave your mark upon wherever you have traveled. Our olfactory sense is so strong and tied to memory that someone may have only met you once, but they may not recall the conversation or the clothes on your person; however, they will remember your fragrance.

These alluring scents become extensions of who we are. They trail behind us and capture the attention of those who cross the same paths. When one adds in an air of darkness, mystery, and macabre to the mix, not only will it elevate your personal ambiance, it will inform those around you of being you are: a Creature of The Night.

Each fragrance has been hand-selected by yours truly, catering to a range of moods and settings, whether for candlelit nights when a deep, seductive cherry red is necessary, or for meandering through the New Orleans fog as it rolls down a cobblestone path at twilight.

Jump To

Nosferatu Eau de Macabre from Heretic Parfum

Delve deep into a shadowy night haunted by none other than Nosferatu.

“My dreams grow darker. Does evil come from within us, or from beyond?”

Bathe in the scent of lilacs at the end of life, velvet ambergris that represents the Count's travel at sea with its sweet-earthy scent and subtle marine salinity, and the energy of lightning that strikes without abandon.

Fragrance Notes

Black Tulip Eau de Parfum by NEST New York

Fragrance Notes

Moon Flower Extrait de Parfum by PerfumeHead

Take the moonlight with you wherever you go. Moon Flower is first introduced with a brush of blood orange, cool air, and the delicate sharpness of cardamom. Then, the nocturnal garden blooms with moonflower, jasmine, orange blossom, and gardenia.

From the lush florals, the scent travels south into the soil with a combination of patchouli, elemi, moss, and white musk. A luxury white floral perfume that presents with bright, youthful florals without being too heady, and it has immense staying power to last you through the longest nights.

Fragrance Notes

Victorian Lace Perfume by Ghoulish Goods

An indie scent by Ghoulish Goods, this fragrance is an ode to the precious and delicate Victorian Lace. Indulge in this textile aspect of the 19th century, where the fragrance hints at a memory of a wedding day, where white lace mingled with rose bouquets now wilted.

Rich sandalwood grounds the scent with its earthen aspects, and a soft, mild vanilla musk that completes the mirage of vintage Victorian Lace. A thoughtful finishing touch is the amber glass apothecary bottle in which the perfume is delivered, sealed away until the desire of a time long passed has arisen.

Fragrance Notes

Fétiche L'Ambre Eau De Parfum by Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin has always hosted the finest masterclasses in fetish and seduction, and Fétiche L´Ambre Eau De Parfum is no exception. And it wouldn't be Louboutin if the bottle didn't include a dagger-sharp stiletto point.

The fragrance's floral elements feature a touch of jasmine and heliotrope, with an initial impression of green tuberose, as if the stem had been recently cut. It then evolves through one of my favorite accords, amber, which serves as a narcotically warm base note, blending with patchouli and moss to ground the fragrance as a beautiful duality of cool green and molten warmth.

Fragrance Notes

Midnight Mass Perfume Oil by Amorphous

Evoke the drama of a Catholic Church service performed in an ornate Gothic cathedral with the Midnight Mass Perfume Oil by Amorphous. Catholicism, in all its gloomy glory, has always had Gothic elements within, and this fragrance expertly captures the essence of a dark, winter rite within the religion.

The scent begins with a classic blend of frankincense and myrrh, a familiar duet which then dries down to moss slowly seeping into stone. Adding in a woody layer is sandalwood, while church incense, candle smoke, and chalice wine, an aged merlot, delicately evoke the desired setting.

Own the beauty of ritualistic pain, like only a Goth could.

Fragrance Notes

Sandalwood in Oak by Scents of Wood

Sandalwood itself is warm, creamy, woody, and smooth, with a subtle, sweet, and earthy undertone. Sandalwood in Oak is a fragrance dedicated to bringing out the best aspects of sandalwood, and does so with guaiacwood, which provides a woody and a smoky element.

To further develop the scent, an evocative blend of burnt sugar, smoked sage, and pink pepper travels amongst the top, intent on reminding the wearer of the mystical powers of the Gods. Iris and vanilla bean serve as a floral offering to the deities, adding a smoothness that further complements the main highlight of sandalwood.

As the hours pass, the fragrance deepens into its most intimate register: musk and olibanum settles like smoke caught in fabric, the ghost of incense that floats in the darkness.

Fragrance Notes

Tenebrae Eau de Parfum by L'Artisan Parfumeur

Explore the depths of a dark, mystical forest with Tenebrae Eau de Parfum. Imagine dense woods to be traversed, and that on your way, you light incense and candles for light and protection. 

The intermingling of the green, sappy forest, the pine needles being crushed under your feet, and the smoke of what you're burning is bottled with perfection, reflecting a mysterious journey through ancient willows that many could not brave.

Fragrance Notes

Ébène Fumé Eau de Parfum by Tom Ford

What I love about this fragrance is the intention from which it has been crafted. Tom Ford himself illuminates the inspiration, "I wanted a scent that captured a meditative feeling. Ébène Fumé has an almost spiritual sensuality that uplifts your mood...which might be the most seductive indulgence of all."

This spiritual sensuality is embodied through palo santo wood matched with fiery ebony wood. At the heart, leather and labdanum smolder with resinous heat, while cade oil and papyrus bring the scent of scorched wood and aged parchment. To finish the scent, a faint trace of rose flickers through, like a crimson petal crushed into ash.

Fragrance Notes

The Bloody Chamber Perfume by Synesthesia Scent Co

Inspired by the writings of Angela Carter, the Godmother of dark fiction writers such as Neil Gaiman, comes a scent evoking her story The Bloody Chamber. 

“She herself is a haunted house. She does not possess herself; her ancestors sometimes come and peer out of the windows of her eyes and that is very frightening.”

To reflect this haunting atmosphere, Synesthesia creates a fragrance of fig leaf and plum blossom that mingles with smoke, cacao, and the forbidden woods. Underneath it all lies a bed of oud, musk, and myrrh, adding a layer of mystery that perturbs all who trespass.

Fragrance Notes

Black Opium Eau de Parfum Over Red by Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium Over Red is a sweeter twist on the classic goth scent, introducing sumptuous cherry at the forefront and upheld by a deep espresso brewing below. White florals and black tea soften the fragrance with their subtle elegance, and vanilla wraps around the whole scent like rich, smooth velvet.

If a Black Forrest Cake paired with an Espresso became a perfume, this is what it would be. Add a patchouli base note, and you have the perfect goth gourmand transforming you into a delicious dessert, ready to eat.

Fragrance Notes

Hypnotic Poison by Dior

For the nights that you desire to exude the mystery of forbidden fruit, reach for Hypnotic Poison by Dior. A fruity opening of coconut and plum first bloom the senses, then the delicate mix of jasmine, tuberose, and caraway unfurls in a lush and seductive fashion.

Vanilla and almond marzipan coat the skin, with sandalwood and musk's smoky softness supporting the sweetness from beneath. While the gourmand does reign, this perfume is beautifully tempered through a combination of floral complexity and earthy backbone, planting it firmly within the warm and spicy fragrance family.

Fragrance Notes

Absinthe Headspace Eau de Parfum

While technically not a gourmand fragrance, I have included Absinthe Headspace in this category because Absinthe is a great indulgence, both in taste and mind. It is the dark opposite of candy: herbal, dangerous, and intoxicating, an edible ritual that tastes of worlds beyond our imagination.

This scent creates an atmosphere of a clouded haze through the combination of wormwood and narcissus. At the same time, leather and styrax evoke the impression of vintage loungers, inviting relaxation as the Absinthe's effects creep into your perception. For those who prefer a sweeter rendition, layer this fragrance with gentle vanilla and revel in the sweet, poisonous scent you have crafted.

Fragrance Notes

Black Phantom Eau de Parfum by KILIAN Paris

This fragrance is one after my own dark heart, for it is inspired by the gothic horror novel The Phantom of the Opera, whose later adaptations made heavy impressions on a young me. 

“Tonight I gave you my soul, and I am dead.”

Black Phantom is decadent, evoking the grandeur and mystery surrounding the antagonist himself. Rum, coffee, bitter chocolate, almond, and heliotrope blend together in temptation, with the sweeter undertones of caramel, vanilla, and tonka tempered by creamy sandalwood.

Grounding the scent is lingering vetiver, reminding the wearer that while something can be so sweet, it can also become quite sinister. 

Fragrance Notes

Deep Dark Vanilla by D.S. & Durga

Forget synthetic vanilla. Travel into real luxury with Deep Dark Vanilla, featuring rich, smoky vanilla absolute that creates a warm, seductive gourmand. Sensuality is embodied in this fragrance through the notes of cabreuva, orchid, and pink pepper, complemented by a woody and spicy combination that balances the sweetness of vanilla.

The heart of the scent draws you deep into a secret garden, where vines and cypress roots intertwine. Cloaking the vanilla is dark patchouli and dry hay, ensuring the scent lingers for hours after application. 

Fragrance Notes

Fog Eau de Parfum by Henry Rose

We have all looked into the depths of a foggy night, a natural phenomenon so effortlessly mysterious, and wondered what the mist might conceal. Step through the barrier with Fog by Henry Rose, a delicate blend that succeeds in evoking this forbidden atmosphere.

The perfume first greets your senses with the crystalline freshness of citrus and muguet, then subtly warmed by magnolia and white woods, lending a tender floral veil over the airy heart.

Vetiver and sandalwood ground the fragrance in quiet earthiness, while amber and musk blend seamlessly into the skin. The effect is balanced and luminous. Not heavy, not sweet, but an elegant freshness with the call of mystery underneath.

Fragrance Notes

Ghost Cat by Juliet Rose

Where do our cats go after the end? Could it be they found the woods, and they are free to frolic and play without worry of predation? I hope so. Ghost Cat by Juliet Rose evokes this haunting scene, with cold, spectre-like notes of white camphor, cut grass, lavender, and bergamot.

The heart of the fragrance takes us from ghostly mirage into the ground with turned earth, oakmoss, wood smoke, and petrichor, which together produce a mournful incense of the natural dimension.

The base endures with unsettling persistence: vetiver, cedarwood, driftwood, ash, and white oud smolder against the asphaltic bite of tarmac, leaving a trail that can only be described as otherworldly. 

Fragrance Notes

Count Fragrance by Sapphire Design Studio

While Nosferatu was covered at the beginning, Count Dracula must be included here. You didn't think I would forget, did you?

“To die, to be really dead, that must be glorious!”

The Count Fragrance is a strong, masculine scent, characterized by tobacco, leather, teakwood, and pepper, echoing the stone walls of the Count's castle and the decadence of centuries past. A primal trail is left behind of musk and cedarwood, dark warmth that is slowly accompanied by the encroachment of moss, damp and ghostly.

Fragrance Notes

Missing Person by PHLUR

What inspires this perfume is a story that each and every one of us at some point in our lives will experience: the loss of someone deeply loved. Missing Person pays tribute to both the one who is gone and the feelings they evoked while they were still here.

The maker, Chriselle Lim, states, "...it's a heartfelt journey through love, loss, and longing...it encapsulates the comforting embrace of skin-to-skin contact and the lingering scent of a loved one."

Through key notes of skin musk, bergamot nectar, and blonde wood produce this intimate scent, a reminder of the absence with a touch of the presence.

Fragrance Notes

Cemetery Moss Eau de Parfum by Amorphous

Become one with the life that grows amongst the dead, wearing Cemetery Moss by Amorphous. Imagine an outing to the cemetery right after rainfall, or the quiet dawn when dew covers all. The air would be heavy with velvety moss and wet earth, and it would cling to the skin like fog.

Within the fragrance lie faint wisps of tobacco smoke and resinous myrrh, a memory of a ritual once held here long ago. What lies behind is vintage amber and the woods beyond, a warm afterglow that represents a final resting place's peace. 

Fragrance Notes

~ With Love, Beatrix Devine

Back to top