Patchouli is a type of mint used for its aroma in perfumes and colognes. Patchouli essential oil is a thick, brown oil which has a very strong odor. The scent is common in the natural perfume community, but it’s also extremely polarizing.
People use patchouli because it helps relieve stress, anxiety and depression. It also has anti-bacterial properties which means it’s also used in soaps as well as for treating acne.
But, what does patchouli smell like?
Patchouli oil is known for its distinctive, intoxicating scent. It has a warm, rich, and earthy aroma that is spicy and woody, with a hint of citrus thrown in for good measure. Patchouli smells unusual at first but will grow on you if you know it better.Â
If you like patchouli or are just intrigued by the mystery surrounding this strange-sounding aroma, then this post was written for you!
What is patchouli?
Patchouli plant is a natural herb that comes from an evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. Tropical and sweet, patchouli oil is a deep, dark scent that’s been used for centuries. It’s used to create incense and perfumes and as an ingredient in some medicines.
In modern times, patchouli is typically used in aromatherapy. Some people say it can help with insomnia by relaxing the body’s muscles so you can sleep better. Others claim it can help relieve stress and lift your mood when feeling depressed or down.
Patchouli essential oil, obtained from dried leaves of Pogostemon cablin, has a woody and earthy scent. It has been used for centuries in fragrances for perfumes, soaps, and bath products and is currently used as an ingredient in some colognes, shampoos, and hair care products.
Patchouli is also available in pure essential oil form that can be diluted with water or added to other carrier oils. It is traditionally used to treat depression, anxiety, and various skin conditions.
Is patchouli an attractive scent?
People have different perceptions of what smells good and what doesn’t. Patchouli is an aromatic herb often used in incense and perfume, making it seem very attractive to some people but not others. Patchouli leaves give off a deep, rich scent with notes of vanilla or spice.Â
Its scent has been compared to wood, moss, clary sage, and lavender. When mixed with other scents, it can be very appealing to create perfumes or colognes, especially if you enjoy musky fragrances.
If you think patchouli alone would be an attractive fragrance for your home, pick up a diffuser (or order one online), so you can enjoy its strong scent as part of your home’s atmosphere for several hours at a time.
Many people choose not to wear it directly on their skin because it is considered very strong and may give off too much of a certain vibe that doesn’t match how they want others to perceive them.
Mixing with other scents helps soften and blend those two sensations into something that appeals more universally—and keeps them from feeling like they are wearing too much patchouli when they walk out their door!
What does patchouli smell like in Perfumes?
Patchouli makes a classic perfume ingredient for a reason. It’s distinctive yet delicate and musky. It gives just a hint of sweetness with an earthy, warm base note that can last all day. Smelling is impossible to mistake; it has a dark-sweet aroma that’s evocative of incense, sandalwood, and earthy plants.
Its musky earthy aroma profile makes it perfect for use in perfumes for both men and women. Patchouli oil mixes well with sweet florals like jasmine or rose and sharp, woodsy elements like vetiver or cedarwood.
With today’s high-quality oils from trusted sources, Patchouli perfumes now enjoy renewed popularity on both sides of the gender divide. So whether you’re looking for your next signature fragrance or are thinking about adding some extra spice to your current scent collection, make sure you keep patchouli on your radar.
Popular fragrances with Patchouli scent as an ingredient
Today’s perfumers are using patchouli more than ever because it can transform a perfume into something entirely different from what it started as. Here is a list of the most popular fragrances with patchouli scent as an ingredient.
Floris London Honey Oud Eau de Parfum Spray for Men and Women
Honey Oud is as warm, dark, and mysterious as a midnight walk through an agarwood forest. It draws its inspiration from genuine Indian Agarwood and its sweet honey-like scent which smells like powdery fragrances.
The top notes are Honey and Bergamot, while the middle notes are Agarwood (Oud), Rose, and Patchouli; base notes are Agarwood (Oud), Amber, Vanilla, Labdanum, and Musk.
Floris is most well known for creating masculine scents, but this one will woo both men and women as soon as you spray it on. It has the potential to be your go-to when you have no idea what scent to get or wear or have nothing to wear at all.
Floris London has taken a new direction with this olfactive creation, capturing the sensuality of beautiful oriental fragrances, with their rich and abundant nuances, matured by a summer drizzle in the depths of ancient forests.
Molton Brown Jasmine & Sun Rose Eau de Toilette for Women
Warm, inviting, and utterly feminine, Jasmine & Sun Rose is a Floral fragrance for women who desire a scent that evokes the warmth of summer. Lavishly blended with rose, osmanthus, and jasmine, Jasmine & Sun Rose is a classic Oriental fragrance that opens with sparkling raspberry and bergamot.
Its deep embrace of rose, osmanthus, and jasmine fades into a soothing woody base with labdanum that combines patchouli, and musk evoking a warm and sustainable calmness.
Molton Brown Jasmine & Sun Rose is one of the brand’s most seductive, long-lasting, alluring scents. Everybody will find something to love in its subtle complexity that transcends age and class as quickly as it crosses gender lines.
Histoires de Parfums 1826 Eau De Parfum Spray for Women
Wearable and attractive, 1826 by Histoires de Parfums is perfect for the woman looking for a sweet floral with a strong kick of incense. This fragrance offers a charming and memorable scent to carry you throughout the day.
Notes of tangerine and bergamot add pep to the beginning of your day and will keep you feeling energized throughout. Then, as the afternoon rolls around, you’ll start to catch whiffs of violet, white flowers, and cinnamon, which will no doubt remind you of your favorite place for tea.
When it comes time for dinner, finish off the evening with the woodsy scent of patchouli, amber, and musk. Rich textures and varied accents, made of fine quality materials, give each fragrance in the collection a unique sense of style.
MANCERA Eau de Parfum Spray, Amber and Roses for Men and Women
Amber & Roses opens with a burst of Sicilian Lemon, followed by Rose and Indian Jasmine mingled with a hint of white musk.
The floral and fruity top notes continue to develop into the middle notes, giving way to instant warmth provided by Amber and Labdanum, which stand strong even as Indian Oud Wood enters the picture.
With time, the base notes – White Musk and warm Amber – come to the fore to create a sensual and elegant perfume that is perfect whenever you feel like pampering yourself with a bit of luxury.
Representing a perfect balance of sophistication and warmth, it is the ideal scent for the modern generation.
Sexual Pour Homme Michel Germain for Men
Sheer musks and spicy woods plus spicey-sweet basil and bergamot top the composition. The middle notes are sage swirling exotically alongside lavender, juxtaposed with tropical fruit accords.
A delicate bouquet of gardenia, gray amber, and musk is combined with tonka bean, patchouli, and vanilla in a base that rests on a firm but superseded sandalwood foundation.
Sexual Pourr Homme has a unique blend of rich and powerful scents but manages to be subtle at the same time. It is both a sophisticated scent that exudes an aura of masculinity and strength and has a hint of playfulness.
This masculine fragrance is sensual, spicy, and earthy. This composition perhaps is a bit old-school and new age, making it unique. The result is a fresh, sensual scent ideal for everyday wear.
Final Word
People who enjoy wearing complex scents can definitely appreciate patchouli. However, the most challenging part about understanding the smell is letting yourself open up to it.
Once you do, your mind will reach far beyond its initial assumptions, and you’ll begin appreciating it for what it truly is: a unique experience.
We encourage you to try to be open-minded. If you get turned off from patchouli, though, at least you gave it a chance!
The beauty of the world is that there is something for everyone waiting just around the corner.
