18 Mouthwatering Gourmand Perfumes That Will Have People Saying, "Wow, You Smell Incredible"
Are you the type of person who would happily skip a savory meal for the chance to enjoy a sensational, sweet dessert? If that sounds like you, then we're happy to report there's an entire fragrance family behind scents that are good enough to eat: gourmand perfumes: These fragrances feature formulas filled with mouthwatering edible notes like candy, caramel, vanilla, almond, peach, cherry, coffee, and honey.
Though they're not for everyone, these perfumes are much more versatile than you probably think. When people think of gourmand scents, they tend to think that they’ll smell sickeningly sweet. In reality, however, many gourmand scents are incredibly complex and wearable. At this point, fragrance houses have nailed making dessert-flavored scents that are sweet and rich without veering cloying. Keep reading for our favorite gourmand scents in every category.
The Best Gourmand Perfumes
- By Rosie Jane Dulce Eau de Parfum
- Phlur Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum
- Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum
- Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight Eau de Toilette
- The Maker Dream Eau de Parfum
- Byredo Vanille Antique Eau de Parfum
- Tom Ford Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Black cherry, pear leaf, Italian bergamot, benzoin siam, davana India, dark chocolate, sugared patchouli, cedarwood, praline
It wasn't until very recently that I started dipping a toe into the world of cherry gourmand fragrances, but I'm completely sold. The best ones strike the perfect chord between sweet and sensual by layering the sugary notes we frequently associate with the term "gourmand" on top of heartier ones. Le Monde Gourmand's Cerise Riche, for example, is a juicy cherry gourmand that casts its spell with savory dark chocolate, praline, and sugared patchouli.
Customer Review: "This is much different from any other cherry perfume I have. It opens with strong chocolate and cherry which smells so good, so realistic. It dries down to a woody scent. It’s an experience! I love it. I feel sexy when I wear it and my husband loves it. I love to smell different than what everyone else wears and this one is going to have a dent really soon!"
Key Notes: Buttercream, plum butter, toasted almond, iris, sandalwood
Another gourmand I've been using nonstop is the Glossier's Glossier You Rêve. By combining the rich buttercream with notes of addictive plum butter, almond, and more; this fragrance is warm and inviting. The hint of musk is what makes this one stand out, and it's brought out even more when paired with Glossier You Doux Eau de Parfum (the brand's new skin-scent enhancing fragrance). In fact, the scents were designed to be worn together.
Customer Review: "I've never loved a fragrance this much before! I didn't think I was that into 'dessert' scents, but this one is so grown-up and avoids being overly sweet. It feels really sultry and changes in nice ways throughout the day. The only thing I would change is the staying power, wish it stuck around a bit more."
Key Notes: Dulce vanilla, hinoki wood, nude musk
Looking for another mouthwatering scent to add to your collection? By Rosie Jane's decadent Dulce blends two kinds of vanilla with seductive hinoki wood and nude musk for a fragrance that's as sweet as it is sensual. Upon first spritz, I thought I detected something pepper-like in the blend, but the fragrance softened within a few minutes of wear time to the soft, elevated gourmand I'm obsessed with.
Customer Review: "I was interested in trying something new and more long-lasting throughout the day. I was introduced to Rosie Jane by a colleague and thought I'd give it a shot. Ever since I've gotten the Dulce sent I've felt more confident knowing that I can smell good all day. I've even been getting compliments on my new sent."
Key Notes: Vanilla bourbon, orange bitters, brown sugar, night-blooming jasmine
I'm not normally a fan of dark, hearty bourbon notes in my perfumes, as they tend to be more earthy on my skin than smoky. That said, I love the way the addition reads in Nest's Vanilla Bourbon when combined with lively orange bitters, rich brown sugar, soft musk, and light blooming jasmine. For some reason, the jasmine stands out to me the most in this one—perhaps because it adds a powdery fresh note.
Customer Review: "Been searching for a signature scent for some time, wanted something warm/delicious but not too sweet, and some thing that would last longer than 20 minutes This is a gorgeous scent that lasts all day (12 hours and no need to reapply)!"
Key Notes: Pear, rose, Madagascar vanilla, amber, caramel
The 7 Virtues offers hypoallergenic and cruelty-free perfume infused with sugar cane alcohol, and its Vanilla Woods Eau de Parfum is one of the best. It's crafted using sustainably sourced organic Madagascar vanilla with fresh pear, gourmand caramel, and rose essence. Glowing five-star reviews note the perfume as a must-have for helping alleviate stress due to its aromatherapy benefits.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this scent. I prefer this vanilla to a super sweet vanilla scent. I like the woody note. It's more of a mature vanilla. I will definitely be repurchasing this once the bottle is finished."
Key Notes: Pink pepper, pink apple, sugar crystals, lily, jasmine petals, cashmere wood, benzoin, vanilla, sandalwood, agarwood
Skin fragrances seem to be everywhere lately, but Phlur's Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum is one of the few that combines the trending note with a splash of gourmand. After greeting us with bright pink pepper and juicy apple, the scent shifts into a smooth, floral blend of sugar, lily, and jasmine before finishing with inviting vanilla woods.
Customer Review: "I love the smell of vanilla but I've never been a fan of super sweet vanilla and this scent finds the best middle ground. It's very musky but sweet I've gotten told I smell like freshly baked cookies and that’s the best description I can give for this scent."
Key Notes: Vanilla orchids, tonka absolute, amber woods, musk, patchouli
This beautifully balanced perfume by Kayali offers creamy jasmine, rich Madagascan vanilla orchid, and Brazilian tonka set against a base of patchouli, brown sugar, and musk. According to the brand, the number 28 in its title references the 28 rounds of formulations it took to get this sweet and warm perfume just right. I'm happy to say it definitely paid off, and I'm completely in love with the result.
Customer Review: "Simply obsessed! This is a staple layering fragrance, yet it's incredibly sexy on its own. The blend of sugary, spicy brown sugar creates a deliciously sweet, snack-worthy scent. I'll be repurchasing this forever!"
Key Notes: Vanilla infusion, vanilla caviar, vanilla absolute, lavender
Spicy gourmand scents have a special place in my heart, and Burberry's Goddess Eau de Parfum is one of my favorites to reach for whenever I'm in the mood to wear one. It's made with a vegan formula led by a trio of vanillas (vanilla infusion, vanilla caviar, and vanilla absolute), and the scent is perfectly balanced with luminous lavender. What's more, everything is housed in an elegant, square-shaped bottle that looks stunning on my vanity.
Customer Review: "Burberry Goddess is a balanced blend of vanilla, spice, lavender and a little woodsy. It's a perfect every day, any occasion scent. Perfect addition to my daily routine. The packaging is simple and elegant."
Key Notes: Warm benzoin, caramel accord, white musk
Okay, I'll admit it—this unique fragrance took a while to grow on me, but one day, it just clicked. What I love so much about this fragrance is that it changes as you wear it. At first, the aptly named perfume smelled just like candy: light and playful. As the day continued, however, I noticed it shifted into notes of sensual caramel and amber. It's no wonder Candy continues to be one of the brand's most popular fragrances.
Customer Review: "Sweet and likable. It feels more sophisticated than some of the other more simple gourmands—more like a perfume and less like a pure sugar bomb. The powder note makes it feel surprisingly mature and adds a nice balance to the caramel and sweets."
Key Notes: Coffee, red apple, lemon essence, lavender essence, spearmint essence, orange flower absolute, milk mousse accord, Sri Lankan sandalwood essence, Virginia cedarwood essence
Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break is one of those rare fragrances that can transport its wearer to a different place and time with a single spray. This eau de toilette feels just like the cozy embrace of your favorite coffee shop with an inviting combination of coffee, lavender essence, orange flower absolute, sandalwood essence, and milk mousse accord. It smells exactly like what slipping on a well-worn cashmere sweater feels like.
Customer Review: "This scent is intoxicating. It's creamy and cozy and truly emulates a coffee break. I get compliments when I wear this. I think the description of the scent is pretty spot on. It does not hit you over the head with coffee notes, but they are definitely there. I'm definitely staying stocked up on this scent, I never want to be without it!"
Key Notes: Bitter almond essence, angelica roots essence, madeleine accord, carrot heart, absolu ambrette, Heart of New Caledonia sandalwood, Madagascar vanilla pod, musks
The launch of this fragrance in the summer of 2024 dominated my TikTok's For You Page for weeks on end, but I'm grateful for the introduction. Not only does this perfume smell exactly like a buttery madeleine, but it's also balanced by bitter almond essence, creamy vanilla, and warm amber. This one was inspired by the unique experience of treating yourself to a sweet pastry.
Customer Review: "I love this scent! I've been on the search for a well-balanced vanilla fragrance that smells edible but isn't overly sweet or cupcakey. This one is perfect as it's not too sugary, but does have some sweetness and vanilla. To me, this smells just like madeleine cookies and will be great for the colder weather!"
Key Notes: Vanilla bourbon, cinnamon butter, magnolia, white sandalwood
Lately, I've been enjoying wearing perfume to bed after taking my everything showers as the perfect finishing touch. The Maker's Dream Eau de Parfum has been my top gourmand choice since it balances its smooth notes of vanilla bourbon with magnolia, sandalwood, and mouthwatering cinnamon butter. It smells like your favorite baked good and a lazy Sunday spent in your own company wrapped into one.
Customer Review: "This perfume absolutely blew me away. One of the best I've purchased in a while. The smell is heavenly and I get stopped often to ask what I'm wearing. It's the most addictive spicy, warm, and boozy cinnamon cake that I will definitely be repurchasing."
Key Notes: Tart cherry, rum, tuberose, cacao, jasmine, myrrh, tolu balsam
Did you know that a fragrance doesn't have to have a sticky, sweet note in its formula to be counted as a gourmand? This perfume combines tart cherry with rum, tuberose, cacao, and more for the most elegant fragrance I've come across in a while. It also has an impressive silage and a long wear time of about 6 hours on my bare skin. I can't stop recommending it to fellow fans of cherry gourmand scents.
Customer Review: "I feel so elegant when I put this scent on, it's like slipping into a silky dress and stepping out into a balmy night. It's soft enough to wear during the day but with a richness that is perfect for the evening."
Key Notes: Ambrette seeds, almond milk, iris, musk
If amber gourmand scents are more your speed, you'll want to get your hands on Kilian Paris' Rolling in Love Eau de Parfum. This warm and floral scent layers notes of ambrette seeds of comforting almond milk, powdery iris, and warm musk to create a fragrance the brand describes as a "celebration of love as the ultimate addiction." Well, I don't know if I could describe love as my addiction, but I love wearing this perfume.
Customer Review: "Love at first spritz. This scent is so mesmerizing I couldn't stop smelling it. I love unique fragrances, this one is stunning. It's very sexy and I love the dry down of the creaminess that it transforms into. Must have!"
Key Notes: Vanilla, cashmere, wood, ciste, musk
Extrait de perfum, like Byredo's Vanille Antique, differs from eau de parfum. The former is distilled into a pure essence using specific techniques that, with the help of body heat, lingers on the skin for much longer than the latter. This fragrance, for example, features the smoky scent of vanilla bean charged with smooth cashmere, musk, and earthy woods that stays put all day while you earn compliments nonstop.
Customer Review: "This is the most perfect perfume for the autumn, those cold days in London, where you just want a perfume to feel like a hug, and give you that warmth feeling. It is pricey but it is so strong that a 50ml bottle will last you a good few months even if you spray it a few times a day."
Key Notes: Saffron, cassis, lemon, praline, oakwood, plum, patchouli, papyrus
Another favorite from Byredo is the Rouge Chaotique Extrait de Parfum, which is the brand's first gourmand fragrance. I love how well the dark fruit plays with a mysterious blend of oud, saffron, syrupy plum, and praline. Its unique base is a combination of patchouli and papyrus. While I've yet to add this one to my collection (it's one of the brand's lesser-known scents), I'm itching to invest in it.
Customer Review: "Absolutely amazing perfume. Has a fantastic many layered scents not too strong but very noticeable. You only need a small amount for an amazing scent experience. I received many compliments while wearing it. I also noticed that the scent lasted for hours longer than a lot of other brands."
Key Notes: Frangipani, coffee absolute, mahogany wood accord, roasted barley, orpur, vanilla resinoid
Fans of leather, mahogany wood, and coffee need to hop on Tom Ford's Vanille Fatale before it goes viral again. The perfume's use of luxe vanilla accords is complemented by the tartness and milky sweetness of the rest of the notes that make up its formula. Also, how chic is this bottle's luxe, chocolate-brown color with a honey-tinted outer layer? It's a neutral lover's dream.
Customer Review: "Typically I don't seek out perfumes with vanilla in them as they can tend to be too sweet. The Vanille Fatale has nailed the perfect soft, vanilla scent that is a bit musky. It's well-balanced, and I love it for a date night out. Very impressed and would recommend."
Key Notes: vVanilla tincture, Indian vanilla absolute, sandalwood essence, jasmine absolute, orris accord, animalis accord
Lastly, if you ask any Who What Wear beauty editor, there's a huge chance they'll ID Tom Ford's Vanilla Sex as one of their top gourmand picks. The perfume's captivating blend of two types of vanilla (vanilla tincture and Indian vanilla absolute) is complemented by blooming florals and warm animalis accord. It's the sensual gourmand scent for lovers of pared-down vanilla.
Customer Review: "I am such a Tom Ford fan that I ordered this without smelling it. I know that’s risky but it paid off! This is not the sickly sweet vanilla many fragrances emit. It is a warm, sensual, sandalwood blend which lasts longer than most vanilla scents too."
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's Associate Beauty Editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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