Guide to choosing a gourmand perfume

For years, gourmand perfumes were synonymous with sweetness: candy, vanilla, and praline shaped some of the most iconic olfactory creations. Today, that recipe is being reinvented.

The new generation steps away from sugary formulas and explores new territories: lactonic, creamy, boozy, and even salty or bitter notes turn these fragrances into irresistible temptations.

Why do we like gourmand perfumes?

They evoke childhood emotions through an adult lens. They awaken happy memories and stimulate the senses by recreating the pleasure of tasting something delicious.
Born in the nineties as a celebration of excess — who could forget Angel by Mugler, with its caramel and cotton candy — they now return more conceptual and less overtly sweet.
Smelling something we could easily taste heightens the senses: some perfumes recall freshly whipped cream, dense coffee, or the warmth of a soft sponge cake. They're almost mouthwatering.

Perfumers with a chef's soul

Perfumers work like chefs or alchemists, crafting gourmand accords with mastery. From the classics to the new-wave "neo-gourmands", which introduce unexpected ingredients like vegetables, nuts, or mushrooms, these almost edible compositions embrace indulgence with elegance.
They're fragrances for those who aren't afraid to stand out. The niche brand Borntostandout, for example, has made that rebellious spirit part of its identity, blending gourmand notes with animalic or smoky touches to create an almost carnal presence.

Perfumers create olfactory illusions that become fragrances you can almost taste.

5 gourmand perfume styles according to your personality

1. Fruity Gourmand: For Optimists

The new fruity gourmands go far beyond strawberry or green apple. Cocktails of red berries, ripe peaches, mango, and exotic fruits like durian or dragon fruit bring sparkle to these creations. Ideal if you want cheerful, uplifting fragrances that match your optimistic personality.

Chef's suggestions:

● Lovefest Burning Cherry 48, Kayali

● La Bomba, Carolina Herrera

● Gold Juice, Borntostandout

● Miutine, Miu Miu

**2. Lactonic: For Moments of Introspection** <br>

Creamy notes of milk, butter, or coconut evoke warmth and comfort, with a soft, second-skin sensation. Perfect for romantic personalities or for intimate, introspective moments, as they convey cleanliness, calm, and well-being. <br>

Chef's suggestions: <br>

● Dulce de Leche, Obvious <br>
● Vanilla Milk, Ellis Brooklyn  <br>
● Condensed Milk, Demeter Fragrance Library <br>
● Caramel Skin, Phlur <br>

2. Lactonic: For Moments of Introspection

Creamy notes of milk, butter, or coconut evoke warmth and comfort, with a soft, second-skin sensation. Perfect for romantic personalities or for intimate, introspective moments, as they convey cleanliness, calm, and well-being.

Chef's suggestions:

● Dulce de Leche, Obvious

● Vanilla Milk, Ellis Brooklyn 

● Condensed Milk, Demeter Fragrance Library

● Caramel Skin, Phlur

**3. Coffee: For Intense Souls** <br>

Coffee symbolizes energy and addiction. It pairs beautifully with caramel, cocoa, and smoky woods to create a magnetic, grown-up signature. Ideal for night owls, creatives, and bohemians. <br>

Chef's suggestions: <br>

● Million Gold for Her Parfum, Rabanne <br>
● Iris Torréfié Eau de Parfum, Guerlain <br>
● Oudgasm Café Oud 19, Kayali <br>
● Épices Exquises, Guerlain <br>

3. Coffee: For Intense Souls

Coffee symbolizes energy and addiction. It pairs beautifully with caramel, cocoa, and smoky woods to create a magnetic, grown-up signature. Ideal for night owls, creatives, and bohemians.

Chef's suggestions:

● Million Gold for Her Parfum, Rabanne

● Iris Torréfié Eau de Parfum, Guerlain

● Oudgasm Café Oud 19, Kayali

● Épices Exquises, Guerlain

**4. Liqueur Notes: Intoxicating Sophistication** <br>

Liqueur accords tell a story – they bring mystery, depth, and intensity. Blended with toasted vanilla, leather, or honey, they create a sensation of liquid luxury. Perfect for strong, confident personalities. <br>

Chef's suggestions: <br>

● Angel’s Share On The Rocks, Kilian <br>
● Roasted Vanilla, Loewe <br>
● Oud Montaigne, Rabanne <br>
● Jazz Club, Maison Margiela Replica <br>

4. Liqueur Notes: Intoxicating Sophistication

Liqueur accords tell a story – they bring mystery, depth, and intensity. Blended with toasted vanilla, leather, or honey, they create a sensation of liquid luxury. Perfect for strong, confident personalities.

Chef's suggestions:

● Angel’s Share On The Rocks, Kilian

● Roasted Vanilla, Loewe

● Oud Montaigne, Rabanne

● Jazz Club, Maison Margiela Replica

5. Cakes and Confections: Guilty-Free Pleasures
Tender can also be seductive. These fragrances play with notes of sugar, marshmallow, meringue, and ice cream, softened with powdery nuances so they never feel childish. Designed for sensitive, dreamy souls, these pastry-inspired fragrances offer an emotional refuge that sweetens even the grayest days.

Chef's suggestions:

● Vanilla Powder Extrait de Parfum, Matière Première

● Just Moi, Juicy Couture

● Gaultier Divine, Jean Paul Gaultier

● Powder Love, Juliette Has a Gun

Gourmand fragrances take us back to the most immediate sensory realm. They turn the complexity of smell into something familiar and emotional. They remind us that sometimes the most intricate compositions are enjoyed like a sweet memory.