Heaven scent

Smell good enough to eat

Depending on how much of a perfume nerd you are, you’re likely familiar with at least a few of the major scent categories – florals, orientals, a fresh citrus number – but there’s another that’s worthy of your attention. Gourmand scents are those that smell like dessert. Think sweet, warm fragrances with hits of vanilla, honey and chocolate. It’s not hard to guess where they got the name, and it’s also not hard to get the appeal. Who wouldn’t like to smell good enough to eat? While it’s possibly not the most well-known category, gourmand fragrances tend to be hard to ignore. Loud, feminine and capable of filling a room, they’re not for everyone, but they don’t need to be. Sure, they’re not subtle, but smelling like a piece of cake has a time and a place. If that sounds like a bit of you, and you like to keep things straightforward and literal, head to the Demeter Fragrance Library. This company makes simple, one-note scents that do exactly what they say on the bottle – Grass really does smell like grass, and Gin & Tonic is probably not what you want to wear if you have a hangover. In the dessert scents area, I recommend Birthday Cake and Vanilla Cake Batter – both are delicious, moreish and $39.99 for 120ml. These scents don’t tend to last forever, but since they’re so affordable, I don’t mind reapplying. One gourmand fragrance you almost definitely already know is Thierry Mugler Angel, $189 for 50ml. Released in 1992, it’s widely considered to be the first gourmand perfume, and it’s probably also the strongest. Apply this rich, creamy vanilla-chocolate blend with a very light hand, with the caveat that it’s a classic and lasts and lasts. For a more oriental twist on the genre, try Lancome La Vie Est Belle, $235 for 100ml. It’s another heavy hitter – like Angel, this isn’t a scent to douse yourself in. Expect caramel, iris, orange blossom and praline, along with some blackcurrant and pear as it opens. There was a time when you couldn’t turn around without smelling La Vie Est Belle, and it’s still hugely popular, but it’s also gorgeous. As the name suggests, Viktor & Rolf Bonbon, $238 for 90ml ,isa candy-scented dream. It’s indulgent, it’s a mix of orange blossom, sandalwood and amber, and it comes in the most dressing-table worthy bottle of the bunch – look for the deep pink glass bow. It’s shaped like a wrapped-up sweet. Remember in 2009 when everyone was wearing Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb? Remember how heady and romantic it was before we all got sick of it? This 2014 release is a worthy heir to the throne. Because perfume is such an individual thing, you might try any of these scents and find they come off as synthetic or overly sugary on your skin. Body chemistry is a mysterious thing. But equally, you might find your new favourite. As we move towards the warmer months, there’s something to be said for these youthful, celebratory scents. Think of them as an afternoon Aperol Spritz in the sun as opposed to a late-night whiskey by a fireplace. It’s romantic as hell either way.