Florals aren’t everyone’s fragrant cup of tea – whether you deem flower-centric scents too powdery, too intense or just too old-fashioned, a truly ‘understated’ floral can be about as elusive as the Loch Ness monster. But if you’re still after a femme fragrance that’s flowery yet fresh, gardenia could be a go. And don’t stress that all gardenia scents will smell the same either; these white flowers are almost like LBDs – they can work a zillion different ways depending on what they’re paired with. Yep, you could pick up one of these perfumes for yourself and the other nine for friends and family, and still, not one of you would smell the same as another. Here’s our guide to the most glorious gardenia scents.
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KKW Fragrance
KKW Fragrance Crystal Gardenia Oud (approx. $83, kkwfragrance.com)
It would be remiss of us not to mention the very gardenia scent that served as a trigger for the recent resurgence – Kim sandwiches it between sparkling citrus and moody patchouli.
Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia
With a little something sweet (gardenia), a little something sensual (vanilla bourbon) and a little something sour (neroli), this multifaceted mix is bound to keep your nose on its toes.
Aramis
Aramis Eau de Toilette Natural Spray
A gutsier take on gardenia ideal for those who aren’t as partial to soft scents, this eau has a leather, moss and amber base that gives it boldness and bite.
So…? Fragrances
So…? Rock ‘n’ Roll In Love EDT
With raspberry and caramel, the notes of this scent read something like a recipe – gardenia’s presence just steers it clear of gourmand territory, but it’s still suited to a sweet tooth.
Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Floral Shock
If you were to spritz on YSL’s original caffeine-spiked Black Opium and stroll through a gardenia-filled garden on the first day of spring, this is how it would smell.
Elizabeth Arden
Elizabeth Arden White Tea Vanilla Orchid
White tea, vanilla orchid and gardenia may sound like a calming concoction, but Arden teams the blend with bergamot, musk and lemon for an eau that’s unexpected and alluring.
Aerin
Aerin Gardenia Rattan ($180, davidjones.com)
Summer in scent form, this demure delight pairs a blooming bouquet of peonies, tuberose and gardenia with the fresh aquatic eau of ocean water (yep).
Gucci
Gucci Flora Emerald Gardenia ($150, davidjones.com)
Think gardenia is basic? Tell that to Gucci. Inspired more by the leaves of the gardenia plant than the flowers, it’s pure green goodness. Stock up ASAP though, it’s a limited edition run.
Katy Perry
A modern and memorable interpretation of gardenia, Katy Perry puts her signature cheeky twist on the flower with pepper, coconut and plum.
Creed
Creed Fleurs de Gardenia ($369, myer.com.au)
Looking for a luxury take on the flower? Creed has you covered. It’s an opulent olfactory experience that begins with berry and blackcurrant and dries down to a lavender and lily of the valley hybrid.
I've gone to have a look and smell at the KKW Oud one and it is incredible. So middle eastern and oudy haha!! Just like the name entails Oud. It's also very expensive to get other Oud fragrances in Australia anyway the original ones. But this KKW is set at a decent price for Oud! Love it
Went to department store and finally sniffed Creed line while buying perfume for my dad. Gosh no. Not for me and dislike men versions too. Did buy another niche perfume though…divine
I love the fragrances of Gardenias and also Roses. I love them as a flower and as a fragrant in lotions or perfumes.
Want to try Black Opium!!
Black Opium is divine
I love gardenias and the Gucci one sounds lovely.
Black Opium Floral Shock by Yves St Laurent is my pick
Gardenia is a lovely fragrance but I prefer it in the garden. In the bottle it is much too expensive.
Lovely fragrances to try.
I am up to try some lovely new scents
I love Estee Lauder fragrances!!
Not a fan of gardenia… Still great ideas for gifts!!!
I've just bought a small bottle of Black Opium and I love it. I haven't tried the Floral Shock variation yet.
I love gardenia 🙂
I love the gardenia fragrance
Black Opium!
I have the KKW Fragrance Crystal Gardenia and it smells really feminine and pretty. It also came in a cute box with a sachet of crystals. I have an obsession with perfume and would love to try all these out.
I've marked emma olivia's & mccart's posts as SPAM.
I haven't tried any of these perfumes, but I do like gardenia 🙂
I like the black opium floral shock but the original is still the best.
The Black Opium Floral Shock sounds like the kind of fragrance I would like. I’ll go out in search of a tester next time I’m at the shops.
My mum's favourite. I'd like to try Estee Lauder's Tuberose one
This flower smells so good!
I would like to smell these
Sound delicious
I love white tea or anything by Elizabeth Arden her perfumes are so alluring and affordable too.
I LOVE gardenia, I will have to try it
I've reported the spam by emma olivia and mccart.
I still think the original Kim Kardashian EDP is by far one of the strongest Gardenia/White Floral scents I've come across, especially for the price (even better when on sale at Chemist Warehouse). Both sillage and longevity are phenomenal on this juice!
Gucci has another perfume called gorgeous gardenia in the pink bottle which I just love
some of the best perfumes reccommended
I do love the scent of real gardenias if I'm walking past a bush while walking the dog. In products I don't think this scent needs to be a strong one because it sort of knocks your socks off.
My mum's favourite fragrance. I prefer rose