What’s Replacing Sol de Janeiro in 2026 as Gen Z’s Go-To Scent Trend?
For the past few years, Sol de Janeiro has dominated fragrance conversations and achieved staggering sales. It went from around €26 million to more than €1.1 billion within just four years.
But its signature sweet, beachy scents didn’t just sell well, they reshaped what younger consumers wanted from perfume altogether. Recent consumer insight suggests over 80% of Gen Z say they’re drawn to scents that feel nostalgic or memory-evoking. And that’s exactly what Sol de Janeiro delivered.
“What made Sol de Janeiro so successful wasn’t just that it smelled sweet and beachy,” explains Jonny Webber from PerfumeDirect.com. “It tapped into feelings of nostalgia, comfort and escapism. Its scent notes remind people of holidays, sunshine, desserts and carefree moments. It’s what made Sol de Janeiro explode – and it’s exactly shaping what comes next.”
According to new research by fragrance experts at PerfumeDirect.com, data shows the evolution of the “Sol de Janeiro effect” is a shift away from broad sweet fragrances towards hyper-specific gourmand notes that consumers actively seek out by name, rather than searching by brand or perfume type.
“When Sol de Janeiro exploded onto the scene, it also changed the way Gen Z talks about fragrance”, says Webber. “It switched them on to searching out key fragrance notes, specific ingredients, rather than simply buying a scent because it was sweet, floral or fruity.
“And this shift is now driving some of the biggest trends of 2026.
“Instead of searching by brand or fragrance family, shoppers are actively seeking out individual gourmand notes such as pistachio, coconut and vanilla, often because they evoke comfort, nostalgia or a particular mood.” says Jonny Webber.
“TikTok has accelerated this behaviour. Fragrance creators increasingly break perfumes down into their individual notes, helping consumers learn the language of perfumery and discover scents through ingredients rather than traditional fragrance categories.” Webber tells YCB.
“Pistachio is one of the standout examples. Search data shows interest in pistachio perfume has grown by 852% year-on-year, while #pistachioperfume continues to gain traction across social media.
“Where Sol de Janeiro popularised warm, edible, feel-good fragrances, consumers are now becoming far more selective, seeking out specific notes they can identify, talk about and connect with on a personal level.” He says.
Trending gourmand notes
Webber says his standout fragrance note for 2026 is pistachio.
“Slightly salty, creamy and understated, pistachio delivers that edible, gourmand feel without tipping into obvious sweetness. It feels sophisticated and expensive rather than overly sugary, which is a big part of its appeal.
“Fragrances such as Hermes Un Jardin A Cythere, which combines pistachio with fresh citrus notes, are proving particularly popular. Other fragrances benefiting from growing interest in the pistachio trend include Elie Saab Girl of Now and Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Pop.
“The combination of pistachio and almond gives Girl of Now a rich, comforting sweetness. It’s indulgent yet incredibly wearable, and a great example of why pistachio is resonating so strongly with fragrance lovers right now.
“Daisy Love Pop takes the trend in a more playful direction. Whipped cream, pistachio and soft musk notes create a warm, comforting scent profile that’s perfectly aligned with the mood-driven fragrances proving so popular with younger shoppers.”
Other notes gaining traction, according to Webber:
- Caramel – rich, burnt sugar warmth
- Cherry – juicy, syrupy, slightly addictive
- Coconut milk – smoother, less tropical, more skin-like
- Marshmallow – soft, airy sweetness without heaviness
- Honey – rich, golden sweetness with warm, skin-like depth
Caramel: Sabrina Carpenter Caramel Dream, £35.99; Prada Candy Florale, £47.99 (caramel & honey)
“Caramel Dream feels rich and indulgent,” says Jonny. “But warm woods and vanilla keep it balanced rather than overly sweet. It’s easy to see why it’s resonating with Gen Z fragrance fans. Candy Florale is a lighter, more sophisticated take on the caramel trend. It delivers that same warmth and sweetness, while fresh floral notes keep it elegant, modern and incredibly wearable.”
Cherry: Sabrina Carpenter Cherry Baby, £28.99; Tom Ford Electric Cherry, £149.99
“Combining juicy cherry with warm gourmand notes, Cherry Baby is exactly the kind of ingredient-led fragrance consumers are gravitating towards. Electric Cherry is a brilliant example of how versatile cherry can be. Tom Ford takes the note in a more sophisticated direction, pairing vibrant cherry with sensual florals and musks for a fragrance that feels both playful and refined.”
Coconut: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc, £175.99; YSL Libre Flowers & Flames, £64.99
“Soleil Blanc blends creamy coconut with pistachio, amber and white florals to create a luxurious, sun-soaked fragrance that instantly evokes an expensive holiday. The coconut note in Libre Flowers & Flames brings a subtle, skin-like softness without overwhelming the florals. It’s a great example of coconut being used in a more sophisticated, grown-up way.”
Marshmallow: Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth, £29.99; Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy, £39.99
“Sweet Tooth perfectly captures why marshmallow fragrances are having a moment, while Sweet Like Candy was arguably ahead of the curve when it launched. Marshmallow adds a creamy sense of comfort, while fruity notes keep the fragrance light and wearable – fun, youthful and instantly recognisable.”
Honey: Marc Jacobs Honey, £33.99; Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey, £53.99
“Combining golden honey notes with peach nectar, pear and honeysuckle florals, Marc Jacobs Honey feels joyful, uplifting and incredibly easy to wear. Jo Malone approaches honey in a much more refined way. The brightness of juicy nectarine combines beautifully with the soft sweetness of acacia honey and fruity cassis, creating a fragrance that’s almost good enough to eat.”