okay, but what does fall smell like to you?

I feel like “fall scent” is one of those phrases that somehow means absolutely everything + nothing at the same time.

Maybe fall smells like something warm and creamy simmering on the stove. Maybe fall smells like leaves and smoke and being outside when you finally need a jacket again. Maybe something fruity and cozy without your entire home smelling like you dumped a jar of pumpkin spice seasoning into the HVAC system.

Very different vibes!!

And since I am personally of the opinion that you should actually like the things you make your house smell like, here’s a little rundown of the fall scents hanging around Homebody right now — and what kind of person I think each one belongs to.

Cardamom Milk

This is the one for the cozy people.

Cardamom Milk is warm, creamy, softly spiced and basically feels like putting on a sweater that is somehow fresh out of the dryer even though you haven’t done laundry in six days.

It’s not aggressively spicy. It’s not bakery-sweet. It’s just soft and warm and comforting, with enough cardamom to make it interesting.

You’ll probably love this one if: you like creamy scents, warm spices, chai-adjacent smells, cozy blankets and generally being inside.

The vibe: making something warm to drink at 8pm even though you will absolutely forget about it on the coffee table.

Smoked Rhubarb

This is the one if you want your fall scents a little less traditional.

Smoked Rhubarb is fruity, tart and smoky all at once, which gives it this really lovely balance between bright and moody. The rhubarb keeps it fresh and juicy while the smoky side makes it feel warm and atmospheric enough for cooler weather.

If most fall fragrances feel too heavy, sweet or predictable to you, start here.

You’ll probably love this one if: you like fruity scents but want something deeper and more interesting, or you tend to skip the traditional pumpkin-and-spice side of fall fragrance.

The vibe: drinking something tart around a bonfire while wearing a really good jacket.

Moonlit Bonfire

She has been coming back for six years for a reason!

Moonlit Bonfire smells like sitting around a campfire making s’mores — just without the chocolate. It has that smoky, outdoorsy bonfire smell, but there’s a soft toasted-marshmallow sweetness mixed in that makes the whole thing feel extra warm + cozy.

And yes, this one is sweet on purpose! But it’s not the kind of super sugary gourmand scent that makes you feel like you’re living inside a cupcake. The smoke balances out the sweetness + the sweetness softens the smoke. It’s basically the best part of sitting around a fire without going to bed smelling like one.

You’ll probably love this one if: you like sweeter scents but still want something smoky + atmospheric, love toasted marshmallow, or think making s’mores counts as a legitimate fall activity.

The vibe: sitting around a campfire in a sweatshirt, roasting marshmallows + inevitably getting smoke directly in your face no matter where you move your chair.