Normally, at this time of year, we’re talking about our favourite rose perfumes, or the best citrusy fragrances for the warmer months. However, if you want to change things up, there’s another scent we could be paying some more attention to: patchouli.
It sounds odd. It’s not like we see glossy ads telling us to spritz patchouli all the time. But it’s in a lot of well-known fragrances. Chances are, you even own one that features notes of it…
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What is patchouli?
Patchouli is a fragrant, bushy plant that is a member of the mint family and found in Asia. Patchouli oil is extracted from the dried leaves of the plant through steam distillation for various reasons, one of them being perfume.
What does it smell like?
Patchouli has an earthy, musky, sweet and spicy scent. Fragrances which feature a lot of it are considered woody oriental perfumes. It is very powerful, so is normally used as a long-lasting base note in perfumes.
The effects of patchouli
Patchouli oil is an essential oil that is said to soothe inflammation and repel insects. In 2009, researchers at the Nara University of Education in Japan also looked into the psychological effects. They measured levels of cortisol (a hormone released by the body in times of stress) and found that patchouli has anti-stress effects in men and women. What a bonus!
It sounds familiar…
If you know of patchouli, it is probably because of its widespread association with hippie culture in the 1960s. Given that the oil was strong and all-natural, it was favoured over more commercial perfumes during the Environmental Movement of the time. And as writer Kathryn Hindess described in an article for Lush, the ‘love generation’ enjoyed it for another reaon. “Not only is it endorsed for its ability to relieve stress, but also for its potency when it comes to increasing libido, “ she wrote.
Patchouli often gets a bad rap because of its associaton with this 60s counterculture. It was extremely popular then, but there are still plenty of patchouli perfumes around now!
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If you love patchouli, we’ve gathered up a selection of some of the best. (And if you don’t fancy it as much, we’ve mixed in a few that are blended with other notes – so aren’t quite as overwhelming!)
Maybe you’ll find one you like…
Essenze by Ermenegildo Zegna Javanese Patchouli
Senior perfumer Frank Völkl challenged himself to highlight all the facets of patchouli in this eau de toilette. Patchouli is reflected in the fragrance from the “top to drydown”. There are also notes of Italian bergamot, pink pepper, tonka bean and cedarwood.
Lush Karma Perfume
This spicy, citrus perfume is a blend of patchouli and ylang ylang essential oils. It also has notes of orange, pine, lavendin, lemongrass, elemi and cassie.
Michael Kors Men Eau de Toilette Spray
This woody oriental fragrance for men has top notes of bergamot, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, tarragon and thyme. There are middle notes of patchouli, pipe tobacco, suede note and incense before bottom notes of patchouli, sandalwood and prune.
Mary Kay Thinking of You
This fragrance opens with notes of mandarin, peach and plum. Jasmine, pink honeysuckle and lily of the valley are the heart notes and tonka, vanilla, patchouli and musk are the base.
Tom Ford White Patchouli
50mL, $185, David Jones
Tom Ford wanted to free patchouli from its cliché in the 60s so transformed it in this fragrance with white flowers. It also features notes of coriander, rose absolute, and incense.
Donna Karan Liquid Cashmere Black
This oriental women’s perfume is a sultry mix of patchouli, black cherry and smooth praline.
Clinique Aromatics In White
This floral oriental women’s fragrance has top notes of violet leaves, cistus and Sichuan pepper. Patchouli, orange flower and rose water essential are the heart notes and amber gris, musk and benzoin are the base notes.
Chi Chi Vanilla Orchid Eau De Parfum
This feminine perfume combines sweet orchid, vanilla, jasmine, rose, patchouli and musk.
Avon Life for Her
This long-lasting perfume combines violet, white tea nature print and iris flower with patchouli.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle L’Eau de Toilette
This floral scent is a newer version of the popular Lancôme La Vie Est Belle perfume. It features notes of patchouli, iris, pear, blackberry and magnolia.
Crabtree & Evelyn Nantucket Briar Eau de Toilette
This perfume is a blend of wild briar roses, ambergris, citrusy bergamot, vanilla and earthly patchouli. It evokes the scent of an island.
Benefit Ring My Bella
This perfume has top notes of rose, lily and daisy, middle notes of jasmine and peony and base notes of musk and white patchouli. It is a floral and fruity scent.
Kiehl’s Musk EDT Spray
This unisex fragrance opens with bergamot nectar and orange blossom, before moving on to notes of rose, lily, ylang ylang and neroli. The fragrance then dries down to notes of patchouli, tonka bean, and musk.
Jo Malone London Amber & Patchouli Cologne Intense
Top notes of amber are blended with patchouli in this cologne.
Thierry Mugler Angel Gravity Star Refillable Eau de Parfum
75mL, $175, David Jones
This refillable, oriental gourmand fragrance has top notes of bergamot and heliotrope, middle notes of dewberry, honey and red berries, and base notes of patchouli, caramel and vanilla. (It sounds delicious!)
I don't mind this scent, but it's not my favourite.
Love the smell of patchouli, would love to try some of these fragrances, how gorgeous are they.
Patchouli is what i use in my diffuser the most, just love it:)
I like Donna Karan's Liquid Cashmere Black bottle. Interesting that patchouli belongs to the mint family
I really love Patchouli scents. Would love to try the Thierry Mugler Angel Gravity Star one.
I would love to try the Tom Ford White Patchouli and Avon Life for Her.
I don't know what patchouli smells like but I have a feeling it's not for me. I prefer sweet scents
I love Patchouli, it's my favourite essential oil & I can't help but use it in most of the blends & perfumes I make.