When I initially started struggling with anxiety, I turned to aromatherapy to help me sleep through the night. Of course, lavender was one of the stars of the show, as it’s long been posited as a sleep aid that promotes deep relaxation. In a time when this country feels more politically charged than ever, perhaps that’s why interest in lavender perfumes has skyrocketed over the past few months.
“Lavender has a very classic, soothing, and comforting vibe,” senior perfumer at CPL Aromas, Julienne Rasquinet, tells me. “It’s traditionally a very masculine note and adds a lot of warmth to those types of scents, but lately we’ve seen feminine fragrances that have a fairly good amount of lavender in the formula as well. In those formulas, it creates something extremely cocooning, clean, and sensual.”
The note is also incredibly versatile. “Lavender can be camphoraceous (or medicinal and a little sharp), aromatic (herbaceous and spicy), floral, and even gourmand as it can be edible,” Rasquinet says. If any of those descriptors ring a bell for you, you may be more drawn to lavender perfumes than you realize.
Of course, trying to find any new perfume to add to your collection can sometimes feel like you’re shooting in the dark, particularly when you want a specific note in the formula. This is where I step in. I’ve been trying some of the most highly-rated lavender perfumes on the market and have compiled a list of the ones that actually pleased my very critical nose. If you’re on the hunt for perfumes that will satisfy your lavender craving, keep reading for a curated list of my favorites.
Le Labo
Lavande 31 Eau De Parfum
One of my favorite notes of all time is musk, and if you want that heady, almost enveloping interpretation of the note with an equally present lavender facet, Le Labo’s Lavande 31 might become your new favorite. In my opinion, it’s one of the brand’s more underrated offerings, so if you want to start buying from the house but don’t want the typical Santal 33 that has basically become the signature scent of New York City, get your hands on a bottle of Lavande 31, stat.
Fragrance Family: Aromatic
Key Notes: Lavender; Bergamot; Amber; Musk
Size: 1.7 fl. oz
What I Love: Classic Le Labo packaging that looks fantastic as decor; You can get a discount if you want to purchase this scent again, as long as you reuse the original bottle
What I Don’t: Some people think it smells too much like detergent
Review for MC: “Lavande 31 has that classic skin-like DNA that many of Le Labo’s most popular perfumes boast (another 13 comes to mind), elegantly contrasted with the slightly herbaceous and aromatic profile that lavender is known for. The combination creates a unique twist on a classic note that’s sure to garner both compliments and questions every time you wear it.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Le Labo Lavande 31.
(Image credit: Ariel Baker)
Parfums de Marly
Haltane Eau De Parfum
I have loved this perfume for about four years straight, and I simply will not stop doing so any time soon. Haltane is a stunning mix of lavender, saffron, and even oud notes, and the best part? It’s entirely unisex. Tack on the absolutely stunning packaging, and you have a signature-scent worthy lavender perfume.
Fragrance Family: Woods
Key Notes: Lavender; Bergamot, Clary Sage; Praline; Cedar
Size: 2.5 fl oz
What I Love: Sturdy, luxe packaging; Sweet but not gourmand; Beast mode projection
What I Don’t: Some may find this to be a bit strong, so I recommend two to three sprays max
Review for MC: “Haltane has been one of the loves of my life for years now, and I still love it as much as I did when I first got my hands on it. It’s warm, sweet, and a little woody, so most people wouldn’t realize that there is lavender in this fragrance. Still, that only serves as proof of how well-blended and elegant this scent is, so if you want a lavender perfume that doesn’t lean too much into that hero note, start here.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Parfum de Marly Haltane perfume.
(Image credit: Ariel Baker)
Yves Saint Laurent
Libre Eau De Parfum With Orange Blossom & Lavender
While my exact bottle was limited-edition, I have owned and worn the full range of YSL Libre scents, and all of them have that coveted lavender note. This original iteration that started it all is a blend of citrus and musky notes, and it’s still one of the most popular scents on the market to date.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Lavender; Orange Blossom; Musk Accord
Size: 1.8 fl oz
What I Love: Great scent for people just getting into fragrance
What I Don’t: The lavender note can be a little overpowering
Review for MC: “YSL Libre is slowly reaching icon status for a reason—it’s the definition of a crowd-pleasing perfume. This is one of those formulas that can connect generations—daughters, mothers, aunts—and everyone will find common ground in how much they enjoy this perfume. Add on the gorgeous packaging that features the brand’s logo, and it feels like you have a little slice of the maison right at your fingertips.”— Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing YSL Libre Perfume.
(Image credit: Ariel Baker)
Burberry
Goddess Eau De Parfum
I bet you can’t scroll on your For You page without seeing at least one person mentioning Buberry Goddess or one of its many flankers. In this instance, nothing can beat the original that boasts three types of vanilla and the luxe packaging that Burberry has become synonymous with, so stick to the original source to get the full experience.
Fragrance Family: Gourmand
Key Notes: Vanilla Infusion; Vanilla Caviar; Vanilla Absolute; Lavender
Size: 1.6 fl. oz
What I Love: Chic packaging; Elegant composition with the various types of vanilla, while still not burying the lavender note
What I Don’t: If you want a unique signature scent that no one else has, this one is so popular that it likely won’t make the cut
Review for MC: “If you want non-stop compliments and questions about the scent you have on, Burberry Goddess should be front and center on your vanity. Not only is it a vanilla bomb, but the lavender note blends into the rest of the formula so seamlessly and becomes more prominent on the skin the longer it’s worn. If you want a lavender perfume that blossoms the longer you wear it, Burberry Goddess is your gal.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Burberry Goddess perfume.
(Image credit: Ariel Baker)
Valentino
Uomo Born in Roma Purple Melancholia Eau De Toilette
Uomo Born in Roma is a newer addition to the Valentino Born in Roma line, but it’s the missing piece that the brand needed. This specific bottle is technically marketed as the male offering of the line, but perfume has never been gendered in my eyes, so I’ve been spraying this formula every chance I get. It’s woody, a little creamy, and of course, slightly aromatic thanks to the lavender note. It’s so good that my husband immediately added it to “his” part of our perfume cabinet, and I, the actual rightful owner, have to sneak sprays of my own perfume.
Fragrance Family: Woods
Key Notes: Cardamom, Lavender, Coconut
Size: 1.7 fl. oz
What I Love: Slightly more masculine scent, so it’s fantastic to share with a partner or loved one
What I Don’t: More of a crowd-pleaser scent, so if you’re looking for a unique, niche formula, this wouldn’t be it
Review for MC: “I love the original Donna Born in Roma, so I was a bit skeptical about the new flanker. I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only did I love the new additions, but I also liked the one marketed for men even more. It’s woody, a little spicy, and even a bit creamy. This fragrance is something I’d personally wear year-round (especially as the base for one of my layering combinations), but if you switch out your fragrances by season, the fall and winter months will likely be the ideal time to wear this one.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Purple Melancholia Eau de Toilette.
(Image credit: Ariel Baker)
Maison Margiela
Replica’ Coffee Break Eau De Toilette
Let me be frank: I’m not a coffee lover. I’ve barely ever had a true cup of joe. So you can imagine my surprise when I realized that I kept pulling for Maison Margiela’s Coffee Break as soon as I added it to my collection. The perfume is warm, cozy, and smells surprisingly realistic, which is why I was even more shocked to find out that there’s a lavender note in the heart of the formula. This combination prevents the perfume from smelling too much like freshly ground coffee beans and instead makes it more like the creamy latte you look forward to every morning.
Fragrance Family: Gourmand
Key Notes: Coffee Accord; Lavender; Milk Mousse Accord
Size: 3.4 fl. oz
What I Love: Unusual interpretation of an extremely popular fragrance family
What I Don’t: Some people may still find it to be too overpowering, so I recommend smelling it in person before buying
Customer Review: “This is the PERFECT fragrance if you’re looking for one that genuinely just smells like actual coffee beans and some cream. A true, delicious coffee scent. I wear it every day!” — Sephora
Acqua di Parma
Colonia Eau De Cologne
I still remember the day that I first smelled this perfume. It was sunny, the weather transitioning to summer, and this was the perfect scent that captured that magic. It’s bright, a little effervescent thanks to the fruity lemon note, and smells like a beach vacation in a bottle (except you flew private, and you’re also on a private island). That is to say, if you want to smell wealthy AF this summer, make a beeline for the Acqua di Parma Colonia counter at your nearest department store.
Fragrance Family: Citrus
Key Notes: Lemon; Lavender; Rosemary; Patchouli
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: One of the very few citrus perfumes that is actually very elegantly blended
What I Don’t: Some may be sensitive to the lemon top note that opens the fragrance
Customer Review: “Absolutely marvelous! 100% class in a bottle. The bright citrus opening with that smooth barbershop-like dry down. Blows my mind that this came out over 105 years ago! Bottle and presentation just add to this classy, timeless masterpiece.” — Maxaroma
Contents
What Scents Go Well With Lavender Perfume?
As versatile as lavender is, you’re likely thinking that it could work across fragrance families—and you’d be right.
“Lavender is fantastic in classic fougere composition, which is typically more masculine, clean, and even a little woody,” Rasquinet says. “It also combines beautifully with citrus, geranium, oak moss, and even patchouli.” In short, lavender is one of those workhorse notes that can work well with virtually any other note, depending on the concentration used and the formula it’s included in. It can be sweet, it can be fresh, it can be floral—it all depends on the perfumer’s interpretation of the olfactive note and on your experience as a consumer.
So, if you’re someone who wants to level up your fragrance collection and move beyond the sugary, gourmand concoctions that have dominated the fragrance industry over the past two years, narrowing your search to lavender-inclusive fragrance may just put you on the right track to finding your newest go-to scent.
How Do I Find My Go-To Lavender Perfume?
My apologies in advance for sounding like a broken record, but there is only one way to really find your favorite lavender perfume on the market: Testing, testing, and more testing. For this note in particular, you’ll really want to give yourself time to get familiar with the different ways it’s used in formulas that run the gamut of the olfactive pyramid.
“I’ll start by saying that fragrance is completely subjective, so your favorite lavender perfume will be just that—yours,” Rasquinet says. “With that being said, there aren’t very many pure lavender fragrances that I can think of on the top of my head. So my suggestion is to look for lavender that is combined with notes that you already love.”
For example, if the fragrances that primarily make up your current collection have a through-line ingredient (they all have amber, or vanilla, or patchouli, etc., somewhere in the formula), there’s a good chance that you can narrow your search by looking for fragrances with that specific ingredient as well as lavender. Still, there’s no real rulebook for how you have to go about this search. As mentioned previously, the only thing you can really do is test to your heart’s content, which is exactly what makes the fragrance space so fun to begin with. The (well-scented) world of perfumery is truly your oyster.
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Meet the Expert
Julien Rasquinet, Senior Perfumer at CPL Aromas France, has been captivated by the world of fragrance since he was just 14. His journey began with a business degree, but a transformative internship in New York ignited his passion for perfumery. Notably, he became the last student of the renowned perfumer Pierre Bourdon.
