I have always been intrigued by the use of patchouli in perfumes. It’s amazing to think that this earthy and vibrant scent has been used for centuries and is still popular today. The best perfumes with patchouli that I have come across not only incorporate this intoxicating aroma, but also bright flowers, fruits, and woods to create a truly unique and eclectic scent experience.
When it comes to wearing patchouli perfumes, I’ve learned that it’s crucial to choose a fragrance that suits the season and time of day, as well as complements the rich scent of patchouli. I’ve found that perfumes that combine fruity or oriental notes work particularly well. It’s important to keep in mind that patchouli has a powerful aroma, and so it’s best to apply it with a light hand.
Tom Ford – White Patchouli
White Patchouli Eau de Parfum by American designer Tom Ford is a sensual women’s fragrance with a shining opening of bergamot and feminine white peony for a light but captivating scent. Heart notes of rose and night-blooming jasmine add an exotic atmosphere. A heavenly base of rich, earthy patchouli combined with musk and frankincense brings depth and pure sophistication.
White Patchouli Eau de Parfum is an ideal scent for any season, best suited for an evening out. The elegant aroma is the perfect complement to a chic occasion and deserves to be worn when you dress up. The longevity of White Patchouli is excellent with 5+ hours and good sillage and projection. The subtle but attractive white bottle with bold gold accents adds a beautiful piece of decor.
Van Cleef & Arpels – Moonlight Patchouli
Moonlight Patchouli Eau de Parfum by Van Cleef & Arpels is a luxurious scent for women, with deep woody notes combined with the sweet aroma of Bulgarian rose. Its patchouli base and leather accents create a deeply sensual and intoxicating fragrance that is an absolute must-have. It is an ideal accessory for evening activities and dark meetings, making it perfect for a night spent at a jazz bar or a romantic weekend.
The perfume has excellent longevity, lasting for 5+ hours, and has a good sillage and projection. Moonlight Patchouli is more of an autumn/winter fragrance due to its deep leather and suede notes. The perfume has a minimalist appearance, with a sturdy black bottle and white contrasting details, which seduces and captivates with its mystery.
Thierry Mugler – Angel
Thierry Mugler’s Angel Eau de Toilette (2019) is a fascinating scent that is versatile and appropriate for various occasions. The fragrance opens with fresh notes of orange and gentle peony, followed by a heart of crispy apple and red berries balanced by the sweetness of pralines. The scent dries down to a mesmerizing finish, blending lively patchouli with woody cedar.
Angel Eau de Toilette provides a sparkling scent that is best worn during the day. The light fruity notes are ideal for an afternoon with friends, and the patchouli provides sufficient depth to wear the fragrance into the evening. The scent lasts for over four hours with adequate sillage and projection. The bottle is graceful and sweet, with a unique star-shaped design that looks fantastic almost anywhere in your home.
Frederic Malle – Portrait of a Lady
Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle is a sensuous and seductive fragrance that combines rose and patchouli notes with benzoin, cinnamon, and sandalwood to create an oriental and musky scent. Created by renowned perfumer Dominique Ropion, this fragrance features incredible heart notes of patchouli and frankincense with a hint of sandalwood, while warm amber and musky notes create a luxurious finish.
This fragrance is perfect for making a bold statement during fall and winter, as the musky scent works both during the day and at night, leaving a lasting impression. It has an incredible longevity of over 8 hours with enormous sillage and projection, and is presented in the classic Frederic Malle style, with a discreet bottle and black label and cap.
Van Cleef & Arpels – Collection Extraordinaire Precious Oud
Van Cleef & Arpels is a boutique specializing in jewelry and fragrances. Its Precious Oud Eau de Parfum offers a top note of bergamot and pink peppercorns, while floral notes in the heart combine with patchouli/oud for a luxurious and earthy scent. Woody notes of sandalwood and vetiver blend beautifully with the amber undertones.
The perfume is suitable for various occasions and works well in the fall and winter. It has a longevity of 5+ hours and comes in a stylish bottle with a black cap and a delicate medallion hanging from the neck.
Byredo – Slow Dance
Slow Dance by Byredo is a fragrance with a warm, smoky opening of Opoponax and boozy Cognac and a floral heart of geranium, labdanum, and violet. The fragrance has an earthy/musky patchouli base with a sweet vanilla note that makes it feminine. This is a fall/winter scent and a perfect choice for romantic occasions.
The perfume has a longevity of 6+ hours and comes in a sleek, modern bottle that is perfect for travel and looks beautiful on your vanity.
What is patchouli?
Patchouli is a fragrance widely used in the perfume industry and is appreciated for its earthy, woody, and sweet smell. It is derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant (Pogostemon cablin), which mainly grows in Asian countries such as India, China, and Indonesia. The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the dried leaves of the plant.
Patchouli has been a popular scent in various cultures for centuries and is often associated with hippies and the 60s. But the fragrance has a long history and was already popular as a perfume and remedy in ancient Egypt and Rome.
In the perfume industry, patchouli is often used as a base note in fragrances due to its long-lasting and complex scent profile. It is a popular choice for men and women and is often mixed with other fragrance notes such as bergamot, lavender, rose, and sandalwood.
The scent of patchouli can vary from fresh and light to deep and spicy depending on the quality and origin of the oil. High-quality patchouli oil typically has a dark amber color and an earthy, woody scent with notes of leather and tobacco. The fragrance can also have a sweet, musky undertone reminiscent of vanilla.
In perfumes, patchouli is often used as a base note to bring depth and complexity to the fragrance. It is often combined with other woody notes such as cedarwood and sandalwood, as well as sweet notes like vanilla and amber.
The scent note of patchouli can also be used to create fragrances that evoke a certain atmosphere. For example, it can be used in fragrances designed to create a bohemian, exotic, or romantic atmosphere.
Although patchouli has been popular for centuries, it also has a certain controversial reputation due to its association with hippies and the counterculture of the 60s and 70s. Some people associate the scent with an unwashed and unkempt appearance. However, the scent of patchouli is versatile and can be a beautiful addition to a perfume in the right context.
Overall, patchouli is a popular scent note in the perfume industry due to its earthy, woody, and sweet smell. It is often used as a base note to bring depth and complexity to fragrances, and can be a beautiful addition to a perfume when used correctly.
