I love a gourmand as much as anyone else – smelling like a dessert is undeniably appealing, and, thankfully, very in vogue. This time of year, though, it’s best to tread carefully so as not to throttle those around you (or yourself!) with sweet scent. Here are six fragrances I’ve been wearing lately that have worked even when it’s 85+ degrees.
Blanche Bête by Liquides Imaginaires creates a baby-soft bubble of lactonic sweetness that feels as delicate as an angel’s gossamer wing. First spray provides the gently spicy warmth of ambrette and tonka, which then gives way to a soft bed of white flowers floating in fresh white milk. At its base, this perfume is a gourmand, finishing off with creamy vanilla and cacao. Think of a frothy milkshake or whipped cream – a sweetness that is so light and airy it almost floats.
Régime des Fleurs’ Fleur Éclair is another marriage of florals with dessert: cocoa powder and orange blossom. There are other notes in the mix, too – cardamom sugar, rosewater, jasmine, blonde woods – but the chocolatey, almost citric blossoms are the stars of the show to my nose. This is like the chic, elegant version of your typical gourmand – indulgent and sugared, but with a quiet restraint, like a dessert at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
For something a bit more playful, try Candied Lychee by The 7 Virtues, an unapologetically confectionary explosion of tart fruit and crystallized sugar. Lychee, peony, and vanilla unite for an absolutely addictive scent trail that will garner endless compliments (people love this). This one reminds me of the color hot pink; it’s flirtatious and fun, while still smelling well-crafted and niche.
Speaking of fun, did you know that Cirque du Soleil came out with a perfume? Yes, that Cirque de Soleil, the acrobatic entertainment company. Created in partnership with Flower Shop Perfumes Co., it’s simply called the L’eau de Parfum by Cirque du Soleil, and it’s marvelous. Cotton candy, red apple, and buttery popcorn mingle in this bemusing blend that evokes an evening at the circus. Accompanying notes of bergamot, iris petals, and fresh freesia, however, ensure that it’s never sticky. In fact, this is actually quite a breezy scent, all things considered – like the night air outside the colorful, buzzing tent. Fun fact: jeweler Lillian Shalom designed the bottle.
Minuit et Demi by Fragrance du Bois is a collaboration between the house and Demi Rawling, the digital creator known for her fragrance collection and extensive knowledge on the subject. The website quotes her, describing the scent as “my ideal version of a gourmand scent – sweet, warm, addictive and sexy.” It turns out that’s my ideal version of a gourmand, too; this is a sparkling and sheer take on the profile, combining cardamom with caramel, coffee, vanilla, musk, and vetiver. It has a smooth quality to it, washing over skin like a thin cashmere blanket. The description makes it sound perfect for autumn/winter, but I find it to be extremely wearable and light all year round.
I’ve saved the most decadent for last, for those true gourmand lovers who crave gooey sweetness even in the heat of summer. Accident À La Vanille by Jousset Parfums is described as an ode to vanilla, a delicious portrait of the note in all its glory. Vanilla, sandalwood, and styrax (a warm resin obtained from trees) are the only notes listed in this brilliantly simple scent that smells like ice cream. That’s why I’ve included it here; despite its richness, it still reminds me of a summer spent down the shore – creamy soft-serve in a cone after a day by the sea. You could certainly wear this in colder weather, but it’s not one of those dense, syrupy perfumes that smells identical to a bakery. This is more nuanced, a bit woody, entirely delightful.
