Gourmand, or foodie fragrances are very popular right now in the US. It makes sense, given how much we love to eat. Perfume companies are creating new scents that incorporate fruits, chocolate, raw sugar and of course the perennial favorite, vanilla (a known aphrodisiac) among other tasty essences. It seems that our population wasn't content to simply smell like orange groves and herb gardens, there is now a high demand for bakeries and candy stores too. The scents are cozy and evoke the happy memories of eating cotton candy or cinnamon rolls or whatnot. What follows is a collection of my favorite gourmand fragrances.
BE DELICIOUS by DKNY
A fresh spring/summer floral with a surprising amount of depth. It took me a long time to try Be Delicious. I assumed that it would smell like green apple and not much else. Then one night I ran into an old friend who smelled so beautiful I had to ask what she was wearing and it was this one, so I made a mental note to finally explore it. The green apple is the strongest note, but it is well balanced with cucumber, lily of the valley and grapefruit. It's like a cool juicy drink you might sip by the pool at a fancy spa.
BOIS FARINE by L'Artisan Parfumeur
A gourmand that didn't mean to be a gourmand, as it does not fit the mold of being either fruity or candy smelling. The moment I sniffed a sample of this I aaahed loudly and knew that I had stumbled onto something quite special. Not a single food note to be found in here: Iris, musk, several different kinds of wood. However the combination creates a unique smell that I can only describe as raw flour or possibly ground hazelnuts. It's time to get in the kitchen and bake some fresh bread from scratch! It's a very dry aroma, light and elegant. Everything about it says class, composure and warmth. I imagine this being worn by a wealthy woman who chooses to clean her own house, and do all of her own cooking and gardening because it pleases her. I wish I had a sweater made out of this fragrance that I could wrap around me when the world became stressful. I would be back in my cozy childhood kitchen watching my dad bake homemade bread. What a nice find this was!
BE DELICIOUS by DKNY
A fresh spring/summer floral with a surprising amount of depth. It took me a long time to try Be Delicious. I assumed that it would smell like green apple and not much else. Then one night I ran into an old friend who smelled so beautiful I had to ask what she was wearing and it was this one, so I made a mental note to finally explore it. The green apple is the strongest note, but it is well balanced with cucumber, lily of the valley and grapefruit. It's like a cool juicy drink you might sip by the pool at a fancy spa.
BITE ME by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
If Valentine's Day had a perfume oil, it would be this. It smells just like chocolate covered cherries to me! Or some decadent dessert you would have at the end of a 4-course meal in a fancy restaurant. Maybe a chocolate cherry tart drizzled with caramel. You share bites of it with your lover in the candlelight, kissing and toasting one another with small glasses of amaretto.
If Valentine's Day had a perfume oil, it would be this. It smells just like chocolate covered cherries to me! Or some decadent dessert you would have at the end of a 4-course meal in a fancy restaurant. Maybe a chocolate cherry tart drizzled with caramel. You share bites of it with your lover in the candlelight, kissing and toasting one another with small glasses of amaretto.
LOUKHOUM EAU POUDREE by Keiko Mecheri
This fragrance is supposed to smell similar to Turkish delight, which is a candy I have never tasted. What it smells (tastes?)like to me is a cross between the rose tinged ice-water served at Middle Eastern restaurants and those old-fashioned violet candies. There is definitely some almond in there as well. It is very sweet and powdery. A girly perfume, the kind you might wear lounging around the house after a bath.
MISS DIOR CHERIE by Christian Dior
Another charmer that I initially resisted. I felt that it was too popular and too young for me. Then I thought "Who am I kidding? I'm a perfume junkie... bring it." Oh my goodness this is a slumber party in a bottle! Caramel popcorn, strawberries, pineapple. My girl friends and I would snack on those all night. It makes me feel so happy and yes, young. It reminded me a little bit of those dolls with scented hair I had as a girl. I might start singing and skipping while wearing this if not for the ever present patchouli note keeping one foot in adulthood.
PINK SUGAR by Aquolina
Pink Sugar is like a trip to the state fair where you stuff yourself silly on junk all day until you feel sick. Cotton candy, licorice whips, funnel cake, caramel taffy, raspberry slushie. This is the very definition of the new gourmand. It is strictly for the young or young-at-heart. It's nuzzle worthy and don't be surprised if you get a nibble on the neck wearing it. It's strong so apply it very lightly... if you went overboard on this one you would smell like a stripper.
ORGANZA INDECENCE by Givenchy
Sadly, this one has been discontinued and all I have is a miniature bottle that I use on special occasions. I include it in this post as the holy grail of cinnamon gourmand. It's like having French toast with the princess of France. A soft cinnamon bark pairs with a most realistic vanilla bean. There are a few slices of plum alongside, making the entire dish absolutely mouthwatering. It dries down to an expensive smelling amber and rosewood blend. Why did Givenchy discontinue such a masterpiece?
BUTTERFLY by Hanae Mori
Another well executed berry scent. I smell strawberries and maybe blackberries or black currants. Underneath that is nutty praline candy and vanilla cream. This is the middle sister between the more cosmopolitan Miss Dior Cherie and the giggly schoolgirl that is Pink Sugar. It is strong and lasts a long time, sure to generate compliments. If you're into the seductive powers of vanilla you might want to give this one a spin for that.
This fragrance is supposed to smell similar to Turkish delight, which is a candy I have never tasted. What it smells (tastes?)like to me is a cross between the rose tinged ice-water served at Middle Eastern restaurants and those old-fashioned violet candies. There is definitely some almond in there as well. It is very sweet and powdery. A girly perfume, the kind you might wear lounging around the house after a bath.
MISS DIOR CHERIE by Christian Dior
Another charmer that I initially resisted. I felt that it was too popular and too young for me. Then I thought "Who am I kidding? I'm a perfume junkie... bring it." Oh my goodness this is a slumber party in a bottle! Caramel popcorn, strawberries, pineapple. My girl friends and I would snack on those all night. It makes me feel so happy and yes, young. It reminded me a little bit of those dolls with scented hair I had as a girl. I might start singing and skipping while wearing this if not for the ever present patchouli note keeping one foot in adulthood.
PINK SUGAR by Aquolina
Pink Sugar is like a trip to the state fair where you stuff yourself silly on junk all day until you feel sick. Cotton candy, licorice whips, funnel cake, caramel taffy, raspberry slushie. This is the very definition of the new gourmand. It is strictly for the young or young-at-heart. It's nuzzle worthy and don't be surprised if you get a nibble on the neck wearing it. It's strong so apply it very lightly... if you went overboard on this one you would smell like a stripper.
ORGANZA INDECENCE by Givenchy
Sadly, this one has been discontinued and all I have is a miniature bottle that I use on special occasions. I include it in this post as the holy grail of cinnamon gourmand. It's like having French toast with the princess of France. A soft cinnamon bark pairs with a most realistic vanilla bean. There are a few slices of plum alongside, making the entire dish absolutely mouthwatering. It dries down to an expensive smelling amber and rosewood blend. Why did Givenchy discontinue such a masterpiece?
BUTTERFLY by Hanae Mori
Another well executed berry scent. I smell strawberries and maybe blackberries or black currants. Underneath that is nutty praline candy and vanilla cream. This is the middle sister between the more cosmopolitan Miss Dior Cherie and the giggly schoolgirl that is Pink Sugar. It is strong and lasts a long time, sure to generate compliments. If you're into the seductive powers of vanilla you might want to give this one a spin for that.
BOIS FARINE by L'Artisan Parfumeur
A gourmand that didn't mean to be a gourmand, as it does not fit the mold of being either fruity or candy smelling. The moment I sniffed a sample of this I aaahed loudly and knew that I had stumbled onto something quite special. Not a single food note to be found in here: Iris, musk, several different kinds of wood. However the combination creates a unique smell that I can only describe as raw flour or possibly ground hazelnuts. It's time to get in the kitchen and bake some fresh bread from scratch! It's a very dry aroma, light and elegant. Everything about it says class, composure and warmth. I imagine this being worn by a wealthy woman who chooses to clean her own house, and do all of her own cooking and gardening because it pleases her. I wish I had a sweater made out of this fragrance that I could wrap around me when the world became stressful. I would be back in my cozy childhood kitchen watching my dad bake homemade bread. What a nice find this was!
