Ever stepped into a dessert shop only to be embraced by the sweet smell of caramel? Or the decadent drip of chocolate? There’s something about those scents that instantly trigger happier memories. Maybe an ice cream that reminds you of summers gone by, or a dark chocolate pastry that is your reward for a job well done. So imagine the same scent being captured in a fragrance. Enter gourmand perfumes that indulge your sweet tooth (minus the calories). Fun fact: did you know gourmand is French for someone who loves food and doesn’t shy away from indulging in those guilty pleasures every chance they get? No wonder these perfumes that smell like dessert stay true to their namesake olfactory.
Popularised in the 1990s, gourmand fragrances actually date all the way back to 1925, when vanilla was a key ingredient in one of the popular fragrances by Guerlain Shalimar. It later made an even stronger comeback in 1992 thanks to the rather iconic Mugler Angel.
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Decadent ‘Gourmand’ translated in notes
Gourmand fragrances, fondly known as dessert-inspired fragrances, often host a mix of edible as well as synthetic notes that add a flavour—you know, the kind that you instantly want to sink your teeth into. These ‘good enough to eat’ notes often give the scent a sweet and warm tone and use raw materials you’d often find in indulgent desserts. Honey, cocoa, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, bubblegum, chocolate, coffee, and tonka bean, are just a few notes that bring in that saccharine sweet element to a gourmand fragrance—and that’s what draws you to the scent even more.
Want to smell like a snack? We give you 7 dessert-inspired fragrances that’ll leave you smelling delicious and decadent all day long!
#1 - Marks & Spencer Fresh Lychee Eau De Toilette
A fresh lychee fragrance that’s the perfect summer scent, this perfume hosts notes like musk and amber, lychee, pear, and jasmine that leave you with a sweet, fruity, and fresh essence.
#2 - Plum Bodylovin' Vanilla Vibes Body Mist
A warm and sweet-smelling body mist, this one contains notes of vanilla. With an aloe-infused formula that nourishes the skin during wear, the fragrance lasts for up to three hours and is an instant refresher for your senses.
#3 - Ralph Lauren Ralph Reno Eau De Toilette
A refreshing fragrance that instantly captures your senses, the fragrance opens to top notes of green apple accord, Mediterranean tangerine, and purple freesia. Its heart notes of pink magnolia accord, linder blossom, and osmanthus, add that sweet floral touch to the fragrance. Finally, the base notes of musk and white iris accord give the scent a long-lasting freshness that lingers on for hours.
#4 - Jimmy Choo Eau De Parfum
A sweet and decadent gourmand perfume, this iconic fragrance opens up to top notes of pear nectar and sweet Italian orange. The heart note of tiger orchid adds a slightly floral spin to the citrus opening. Finally, the base notes of amber, toffee and Indonesian patchouli bring that ‘dessert’ element to the scent.
#5 - Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Lily EDT
A predominately floral fruity fragrance, Dolce Lily has hints of your favourite dessert too! The top notes of passionfruit, lemon, and bergamot instantly embrace your senses and re-energise them. Meanwhile, the heart notes of rose and pink lily add that uniqueness to the fragrance. Ending with base notes of musk, sandalwood, and vanilla, you are immediately greeted by the warmth and sweetness of the rather tropical fragrance.
#6 - Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum
An iconic dessert-inspired fragrance, Mugler Angel is infused with patchouli, praline, red fruits, and absolute vanilla. The top notes of strawberry and dewberry give the fragrance its fruity start, while the heart notes of chocolate, caramel, and coumarin add that indulgent sweetness to it. Vanilla, sandalwood, musk, and patchouli give the scent a deeper finish that lasts all day long.
#7 - Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau De Parfum
A decadent gourmand fragrance, packed in the bottle of a high-heeled shoe. Good Girl is dominated by notes of almond, coffee, tonka, cacao, vanilla, praline, amber, and cinnamon, amongst many others—all of which bring the scent its ‘gourmand’ essence. Paired with white florals, the fragrance has a hint of femininity and fragility so that the sweetness doesn’t overpower your senses.
