Okay if you know me, you know I love fragrances. I love smelling them, researching them, talking about them, writing about them, learning about them, shopping for them – basically anything to do with fragrances!! I am really excited to talk to you guys about warm fragrances today, which is easily one of my absolute favorite types of fragrances. So in this post, I’ll be giving you a little bit of background information on what exactly warm fragrances are, examples of warm ingredients/notes that are typically found in these types of fragrances, and a full list of the best warm fragrances that you can check out!
So basically, warm fragrances are characterized by the fact that, like their name, they create a warm and cozy atmosphere. They’ll typically have ingredients like vanilla or tonka bean, often mixed with other ingredients to complement those, depending on the exact vibe they are going for. There can be so many different types of warm scents, but two subcategories I want to highlight are sweet and spicy. Most warm fragrances will fall under either either one of these, with a few exceptions that manage to classify as both.
When I mention warm/spicy scents, don’t think of a red chili pepper. Instead, try to think of more woody spices you would make desserts with like cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, etc. As a side note, you can read about bunch of tasty, fall-themed treats HERE, that have those delicious, warm/spicy ingredients. Think about biting into a warm, cinnamon apple pie on a chilly day. Or you are cuddled up on a couch near the fireplace, with a nice cup of cardamom & ginger chai. You definitely feel that warm and cozy vibe, right? This is what I mean! The ingredients in these types of fragrance give that woody, spiced effect and, when mixed with something like vanilla, make up what the fragrance industry refers to as warm/spicy scents!
I compiled a list of warm fragrances that, in my opinion, are some of the BEST warm scents out there. While you may see a lot of fresh and/or floral ingredients in the top and middle notes, the true DNA of a fragrance is typically in its base notes, as these are the notes that last the longest. This is where you’ll see sandalwood, vanilla, brown sugar, tonka bean, etc. – all of those warm ingredients. If you are unfamiliar with fragrance notes, take a look HERE to get a good understanding of the notes in a fragrance and how they can impact the overall scent. You can also read about the different oil concentrations (Cologne, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, etc.), which would be really useful if you are just beginning your fragrance journey or even if you simply want to refresh your memory!
The warm ingredients, unlike most fresh or floral ingredients, tend to be heavier, and are therefore more long-lasting. For example, vanilla has a much heavier scent compared to something like rose or lemon. Overall, what you end up with is a very cozy and alluring fragrance, perfect for a special occasion or a night out. The warm (or gourmand) fragrance family is easily one of my favorite fragrance families! Here is a list of some of the most beautiful warm fragrances, divided into sweet vs. spicy, and their note breakdowns!
Warm & Sweet
- Carolina Herrera Good Girl (Eau de Parfum)
- Top notes: Almond, Coffee, Bergamot, and Lemon
- Middle notes: Tuberose, Jasmine Sambac, Orris, Orange Blossom, and Bulgarian Rose
- Base notes: Tonka Bean, Cacao, Vanilla, Praline, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Cashmere Wood, Patchouli, Cinnamon, and Cedar
- Laya by Ne’emah (Eau de Parfum)
- Top note: Powdery Notes
- Middle notes: Vanilla and Cedar
- Base notes: Agarwood (Oud), Musk, and Woody Notes
- Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (Eau de Parfum)
- Top notes: Pear, Pink Pepper, and Orange Blossom
- Middle notes: Coffee, Jasmine, Bitter Almond, and Licorice
- Base notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedar, and Cashmere Wood
- Dolce & Gabbana The Only One (Eau de Parfum)
- Top notes: Violet, Bergamot, and Orange
- Middle notes: Coffee, Pear, Iris, Orange Blossom, and Rose
- Base notes: Caramel, Vanilla, and Patchouli
- Kayali Vanilla (Eau de Parfum)
- Top notes: Vanilla Orchid and Jasmine
- Middle notes: Brown Sugar and Tonka Bean
- Base notes: Amber, Musk, Amberwood, and Patchouli
Warm & Spicy
- Jo Malone London Mimosa & Cardamom (Cologne)
- Top note: Cardamom
- Middle note: Mimosa
- Base note: Tonka Bean
- Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka (Cologne Intense)
- Top note: Lavender
- Middle note: Myrrh
- Base notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, and Almond
- Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon (Eau de Parfum)
- Top note: Tuberose
- Middle note: Oakwood
- Base note: Bourbon Vanilla
- Dior Addict (Eau de Parfum)
- Top notes: Mandarin Orange, Silkwood Blossom, and Orange Blossom
- Middle notes: Night Blooming Cereus, Jasmine Sambac, and Bulgarian Rose
- Base notes: Bourbon Vanilla, Tonka Bean, and Sandalwood
- Chanel Coco Noir (Eau de Parfum)
- Top notes: Grapefruit, Bergamot, and Orange
- Middle notes: Rose, Geranium, Jasmine, Narcissus, and Peach
- Base notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Olibanum, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, White Musk, Cloves, and Benzoin
- Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme (Eau de Parfum)
- Top notes: Ginger, Bitter Orange, Mandarin Orange, and Bergamot
- Middle notes: Kulfi, Rose, Orange Blossom, and Jasmine
- Base notes: Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood, and Resin
I am always down to talk fragrance with anyone so if you enjoyed this post, want to see more fragrance content, or need any recommendations, please leave a comment below and I would love to discuss more!
With warm hugs and lots of love,
Snigdha