When searching for a new perfume, looking at the top, middle, and base notes helps, as each plays a unique role in the scent. One note you may have come across is patchouli, so what does that smell like?
What is Patchouli?
Patchouli is a plant native to Southeast Asia, often found in countries like Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia. It is a type of flowering plant in the mint family and thrives in humid climates. The leaves are large and hairy, and it blooms with very small purple flowers.
What Does Patchouli Smell Like?
Patchouli is a highly complex scent that makes you feel at one with nature.
It is a rich, earthy, woody smell with a touch of sweetness and spice. There’s a definite smell of dirt/soil in there – the scent you’d come across when walking through the woodlands. That makes way for lighter scents of mint and herb, and there’s even a little sweet smokiness in there.
Patchouli’s fragrance on its own can often be described as dirty or overly earthy, but when blended with other scents, it truly shines and adds real depth.
Words Often Associated with the Patchouli Scent
Getting to grips with a scent helps to know the words many people associate with it. In the case of patchouli, these include:
- Earthy
- Woody
- Musky
- Mature
- Rich
- Powdery
- Herbal
- Medicinal
What Kind of Person Would Wear a Patchouli Scent?
There’s a reason there are so many perfumes available – every individual is different, and what suits one person may not suit another. While anyone can wear patchouli, it works particularly well on those with these characteristics.
Warm: Patchouli is a deeply rich scent that evokes feelings of warmth, which is why this smell works so well on a person with a naturally friendly and good-natured personality.
Nature-Focused: Patchouli is a very nature-based smell; it reminds you of woodlands, soil, and plants. As such, it’s a scent for those who are at one with the earth.
Free-Spirited: The scent of patchouli is popular in hippie groups thanks to its earthy smell. Those who have a more bohemian personality or outlook, then, would wear this scent well.
Sophisticated/Mature: Patchouli is not overly sweet or floral. Instead, it’s a deep, rich scent that feels relaxing. As such, mature people with sophistication are drawn to it.
Other Scents that Work Well with Patchouli
If you are a scent lover, you’ll know that smells come into their own when blended with other scents that work well alongside them. If you’re looking to wear patchouli, here are the scents that blend well with it.
- Bergamot
- Orange
- Jasmine
- Vanilla
- Lavender
- Neroli
- Rose
- Sandalwood
Of course, the scent you choose to blend with patchouli will have an enormous difference on the final fragrance. For example, mixing patchouli with a citrus scent like orange works well as it brings a sense of freshness and contrasts with the patchouli’s spicy richness.
The Best Perfumes that Include Patchouli
Does the idea of a warm, rich, deep, and earthy scent appeal to you? Perhaps you like the thought of blending such a smell with other fragrances for a truly unique personal scent.
You don’t have to blend patchouli scents with your own tools, as there are plenty of incredible perfumes that use this plant.
Tom Ford Noir
Tom Ford’s Noir is a complex, spicy fragrance for men that encapsulates the mysteriousness of pure masculinity. The patchouli in this scent comes from its depths, as it uses Indonesian patchouli in its base notes, alongside amber, civet, and vanilla. Some of the other notes used in the fragrance include Italian bergamot, nutmeg, Clary Sage, and violet flower.
The finish is a well-defined, tantalizing scent that blends citrus with warm flowers. It’s a woody, impactful scent that brings feelings of relaxation while also being undeniably seductive.
Bond No. 9 Off Broadway
If you are looking for a fragrance with patchouli that truly makes you stand out from the crowd, look no further than Bond No. 9 Off Broadway. This unisex perfume takes the spirit of New York’s invigorating Broadway culture and distills it into a head-turning oriental floral fragrance.
Patchouli is at the base, adding plenty of depth and warmth, alongside other base notes like musk, sandalwood, and vetiver. Other scents used include lily, nutmeg, and blackcurrant.
Valentino Donna
For a more feminine fragrance that uses patchouli, try Valentino Donna for women. This smooth, floral scent uses a mixture of patchouli, vanilla, Italian bergamot, Bulgarian rose, iris, and leather to create a powerful fragrance. It is extremely well-balanced, offering touches of floral contrasted with more magnetic amber undertones.
At LaBelle Perfumes, we have many more beautiful fragrances for both men and women that contain the scent of patchouli, including Valentino Uomo Born in Roma, Coral Fantasy, and New York Nights.
What Else is Patchouli Used For?
Patchouli is mainly used in perfumes due to its intense scent – you will find an array of fragrances that use this East Asian flower.
However, there are other purposes. Patchouli oil is particularly popular in aromatherapy, for example, as the warming scent is great for reducing stress and anxiety while promoting deeper relaxation. You’ll also find patchouli used for its scent in candles and incense (such as this hypnotic Greenwich Candle), which can also be useful for creating a feeling of tranquility and calmness.
It can even be used as an insect repellent! Patchouli has specific properties that can keep the dreaded insects away from the skin, so many people use it when the bugs are out, which is particularly useful in warmer climates.
Patchouli has also been frequently used in traditional medicine throughout history, particularly to treat ailments like digestive problems and skin issues.
The Scent of Patchouli: Final Thoughts
Patchouli is a deep, warming fragrance that blends well with scents like citrus, although it can work well on its own, especially when used in candles or aromatherapy. Shop our store today to find a perfume for women you love!
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