Perfume Preferences in India: What Men and Women Really Want in 2025

In India, fragrance has always been more than just a final touch. It’s a memory, a mood, a silent introduction. But as lifestyles evolve, so do our fragrance choices. In 2025, perfume preferences in India are no longer defined by tradition alone. Instead, they reflect a growing desire for self-expression, functionality, and sensorial pleasure tailored to modern routines.

So, what are Indian men and women truly looking for when choosing a fragrance this year? From long-lasting wear to scent profiles that match both personality and climate, here’s an in-depth look at what’s influencing fragrance choices in 2025—and how brands like Nisara Beauty are answering the call.

Understanding the Shift: From Trend to Identity

For years, perfume buying in India followed a simple pattern—stronger scents for men, florals for women, and an occasional luxury buy for special occasions. But 2025 tells a different story. Today’s consumer isn’t just asking what smells good—they’re asking what feels right.

This shift is visible across age groups. Gen Z and millennial buyers in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities are leading the change. They're not simply influenced by advertisements—they rely on peer recommendations, creator content, and how a fragrance performs on their own skin.

Fragrance has evolved into a personal signature, one that adapts to mood, occasion, weather, and time of day.

What Indian Men Want in Perfumes (2025)

When it comes to what Indian men want in perfumes, the answers are becoming more layered.

1. Freshness with Character

Gone are the days when overpowering woody or musky perfumes were the default. Men now prefer fresh citrus-forward perfumes with added depth. They want something energizing but with enough structure to feel masculine.

Perfumes like Blue Seduction—with its lemon, bergamot, and vetiver base—strike that ideal balance. It’s no surprise it’s becoming a summer staple for professionals and students alike.

2. Office-Ready Scents

Men are seeking long lasting perfume for men that can hold through an 8-hour workday, from commute to client meeting. This is where scent families like citrus-chypre-musky come into play.

Fragrances like Men of the Night, which blend bergamot and musk with hints of leather and moss, are subtle enough for close environments but complex enough to make an impression.

3. Sophisticated Oud That Works in Heat

Surprisingly, oud is gaining popularity among Indian men—but with a twist. They’re choosing light oud-based perfumes that don’t overwhelm. Glorious Oud, for instance, offers that Middle Eastern depth but is softened by fruity top notes, making it ideal for Indian summers.

4. Perfumes for More Than One Role

Men now want one bottle that can move with them—from the boardroom to a rooftop dinner. Unisex perfumes in India, especially those with a clean amber or spicy trail, are becoming popular among men who appreciate versatility and don’t want to be boxed into outdated scent roles.

What Indian Women Want in Perfumes (2025)

If there’s one word to describe Indian women’s perfume choices in 2025, it’s multidimensional. They’re no longer choosing between sweet or floral—they’re looking for experiences.

1. Layered, Evolving Scents

Today’s woman wants a fragrance that tells a story. She doesn’t want a flat composition. Perfumes like Vanilla Rush or Dare to Dream offer that layered experience—starting light and evolving into something softer and more grounded.

This desire has led to a growing interest in Long Lasting Perfume for Women that doesn’t just last on the skin but unfolds over hours.

2. Vanilla That Feels Modern

Vanilla has always been a popular choice, but 2025 has seen a shift from the sugary to the sensual. Perfumes like Vanilla Rush, with white floral and orchid top notes and a musky, woody drydown, are perfect for women who want something warm but not sweet.

They’re no longer looking for girl-next-door vanilla—they want elegant, all-day wearability that feels like confidence in a bottle.

3. Florals That Aren’t Basic

Florals are still a favorite—but not in their traditional form. Indian women now want floral perfumes that are layered with spice, fruit, or musk. Carmine Rose, for example, blends berries and pink pepper with a floral heart, grounded in patchouli and amber. It’s feminine, but not delicate. It’s assertive without shouting.

4. Occasion-Based Fragrance Wardrobes

Women are also leaning into the idea of a fragrance wardrobe—selecting different perfumes for different parts of their day. Something fresh like Cherry Bloom for daytime errands, and something sultrier like Midnight Tease for an evening event.

The goal is adaptability—and that’s where Nisara Beauty’s accessible pricing under ₹1000 makes it easier to own multiple long-wear fragrances.

What’s Changing in 2025: 3 Major Trends

1. Rise of Unisex Fragrance Interest

The boundary between “for him” and “for her” is blurring. Indian consumers are exploring unisex perfumes in India that feel balanced—neither too floral nor too musky. Oud, vanilla, and amber-based scents are being appreciated across genders.

Nisara’s One Desire—with bergamot, orange, musk, and patchouli—is a perfect example of this shift.

2. Gifting Preferences Are Evolving

Perfumes are now seen as more personal than generic. Gift sets like Nisara’s 2x50ml combos or mini Oud Gift Sets are popular because they offer variety and feel thoughtful.

People are no longer gifting perfumes for the packaging—they’re doing it for the message: “I know your vibe.”

3. Demand for Performance at Affordable Prices

2025 buyers—especially in Tier 2 cities—are deeply value-conscious. They’re looking for long lasting summer perfumes under ₹1000 that feel premium in experience.

Nisara’s bestsellers like Vanilla Rush, Blue Seduction, and Dare to Dream sit right in that sweet spot—affordable, luxurious, and high-performing.

Nisara Beauty’s Take on Indian Preferences

Rather than blindly follow Western fragrance trends, Nisara is building its range around Indian skin chemistry, climate, and cultural preferences.

Their perfumes are:

• Crafted for hot, humid weather
• Subtle yet long-wearing
• Gender-neutral where it counts
• Ideal for gifting, layering, or building a personal scent identity

And perhaps most importantly—they make it easy for Indian consumers to experiment, without feeling like they're compromising on quality or experience.

Closing Thought: Perfume as Identity, Not Accessory

2025 is the year Indian consumers are owning their preferences unapologetically. Whether it’s a Long Lasting Perfume for Men that transitions from desk to dinner, or a long lasting perfume for women that feels like power and poise in one spray, the focus is no longer just on “what’s trending.”

It’s about what feels authentic.

Nisara’s collection reflects this new reality—affordable luxury perfumes that resonate with the modern Indian mindset. Whether you’re drawn to the spicy seduction of oud or the comfort of vanilla on a hot summer day, there’s a story waiting for you in every bottle.

And in 2025, that story is no longer written by brands—it’s defined by you.