By Livia Scarcella
In recent years, gourmand scents have become more and more popular on the fragrance market. But what is “gourmand”? When it comes to fragrances, it seems everyone has a slightly different opinion… but in a nutshell, ‘gourmand fragrances’ are scents that smell like food! One corner of the market that has taken the idea of ‘gourmand’ and run with it is the celebrity fragrance – Britney Spears’ Fantasy with its sugary, cupcake icing note, Jennifer Lopez Live Luxe’s big bowl of fresh fruit and Beyonce Pulse’s blue curacao accord, just to name a few.
Whether you like your food fruity, sweet, spicy or savoury, there will be a fragrance on the market for you! Here are five of our favourite gourmand fragrances that will have you craving your next meal in no time!
The Original Gourmand
Thierry Mugler, Angel EDP:
It’s the fragrance that popularised the term ‘gourmand’ – besides patchouli, Angel’s main notes are all foods! Perfumer Olivier Cresp with expert perfume marketer Yves de Chiris used delicious notes of bergamot, berries, honey, caramel, vanilla, praline and chocolate in this groundbreaking fragrance. One word of warning: this is one scent you definitely have to try on your skin before buying it!
Available at Myer, David Jones, The Perfume Connection and selected independents (prices range from 25ml non-refillable EDP – $98 – 100ml refillable EDP – $230; available in both refillable and non-refillable bottles)
Time For Tea?
Serge Lutens, Five O’Clock Au Gingembre:
Despite its name, Five O’Clock Au Gingembre does not smell like gingerbread! Yes, ginger is in there, but the fragrance is closer to a honey-lemon tea with a helping of spice. Bergamot, candied ginger, honey, patchouli, pepper and cocoa combine into a slightly sweet, spicy and warm scent that oozes comfort – perfect for autumn and winter nights!
Available at Mecca Cosmetica stores and on Mecca Cosmetica’s website (50ml EDP – $175)
Luxurious Dessert
Hermes, Ambre Narguilé:
Now if it’s the scent of fresh baked goods that you’re after, look no further than Ambre Narguilé, from Hermes’ “Hermessence” collection. This fragrance has been compared to everything dessert-wise, from stewed fruit to cinnamon buns, raisin pie to Christmas cake! Inspired by the smells of Indian/Middle Easten hookah pipes, notes include honey, caramel, vanilla, tonka bean, toasted sesame seeds, labdanum, benzoin, cinnamon and white orchid. Sweet and smoky, this is one scent that will get your mouth watering!
Available exclusively at Hermes boutiques – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast (100ml EDT – $305)
Under Vanilla’s Spell
Christian Dior, Hypnotic Poison:
Vanilla is one of the most common notes found in fragrances, so you would expect all vanilla-based scents to smell alike, right? Not at all – especially when it comes to Hypnotic Poison! Almond and caraway blend with sambac jasmine, jacaranda wood, musk and, you guessed it, vanilla… a creamy concoction that is in no way sickly sweet. This is the definition of a ‘comfort scent’!
Available at Myer, David Jones, The Perfume Connection and selected independents and pharmacies (30ml EDT – $89, 50ml EDT – $115, 100ml EDT – $155)
Uniquely Delicious
Jo Malone, Blue Agava & Cacao:
To borrow from Monty Python, ‘And now for something completely different’… a cocoa-based scent with freshness! Semi-sweet chocolate has citrus and sea salt top notes giving it a boost of energy, with agave (a plant commonly found in Mexico) adding extra sweetness, and cardamom lending some spice to the mix. Rich, but not heavy, Blue Agava & Cacao is a must-try if you’re after something a little out of the ordinary!
Available at Jo Malone boutiques, David Jones city stores and at Jo Malone’s Australian website (30ml Cologne – $90, 100ml Cologne – $170)
