Frequently asked questions
What are some examples of gourmand scents?
Basically, if you can bake it, order it at the ice cream shop or coffeehouse, or grab it in the bakery aisle, it’s a gourmand. Gourmand scents include sweet notes like vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch, as well as nutty notes of praline, date, and pistachio. Marshmallow scents also fit the bill, and so do coffee scents and boozy concoctions with dark rum and brandy notes. A classic gourmand scent is Thierry Mugler’s Angel, which basically kickstarted the trend in 1992 with its blend of saccharine-sweet notes anchored by a blast of patchouli. Kayali’s Vanilla 28 is a popular choice, as is Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s viral Baccarat Rouge 540; however, basically every fragrance brand, including affordable, mainstream, and niche, now makes a gourmand perfume.
What’s new about modern gourmands?
For those who aren’t ready to dive into sugary territory, rest assured: Today’s gourmands have serious range. “Modern gourmands are softened with woods, enlivened with spices or salty accents, and made more complex and mysterious through musks, smoke, and resinous notes,” says Gonzalez. “These creations feel textured, intimate, and increasingly gender-inclusive.” Gonzalez also notes that the gourmand palette is expanding, “becoming less about pure sugar and more about what we often refer to as ‘neo-gourmands’ with notes such as matcha, rice, tahini, toasted grains, chestnut, lactonic accords, fermented nuances, and salty facets.”
What is a fresh gourmand perfume?
You wouldn’t typically categorize a gourmand as “fresh,” since the baked-good notes tend to be more heady than they are refreshing. If you’re looking for a fresh gourmand scent, you’ll want to check out either a lighter-weight formula, like a body mist, cologne, or eau de toilette, or a perfume that incorporates bright citrus or light floral notes for a bit of lift and airiness.
What is the longest-lasting gourmand perfume?
As Gonzalez explains, fragrance longevity is influenced by several factors, including the fragrance’s structure, concentration, and how it interacts with the skin. “That said, certain gourmand notes and gourmand-associated materials are consistently more tenacious because they are built around rich base materials,” she explains. “Resins, balsams, woods, amber materials, musks, oud, leather notes, and other low-volatility ingredients are among the longest-lasting components in fragrance compositions.” If you’re looking for lots of options, check out our roundup of the best long-lasting perfumes, including several gourmands.
What do you layer with gourmand perfumes?
“Gourmands often become most interesting through contrast,” says Gonzalez. “Woods and musks make them feel softer and more elegant, while tea and citrus add freshness and lift. Florals such as rose and orange blossom bring sophistication, while incense, leather, and tobacco can transform sweetness into something darker, textured, and quietly addictive.” A gourmand and musk combo, for example, can turn a “dessert-like fragrance into something warmer, more sensual, and closer to the skin.” Gourmands paired with woody notes like sandalwood and vetiver add structure, while spicy notes like cardamom, ginger, and pink pepper “provide an aromatic contrast that enhances depth and complexity.” Gonzalez calls a combination of gourmand notes with leather, incense, or tobacco a “grown-up gourmand,” as the darker base notes make sweet vanilla, coffee, and caramel “darker, drier, and sophisticated.”
Meet the experts
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best gourmand perfumes, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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