Ingredient Guide
History
Lavender belongs to the mint family. Its name is derived from the Latin lavare, meaning “to wash,” because its essential oil was used for bathing in antiquity. Another theory traces the name to livendula, referring to a bluish, or livid, color.
French lavender has a sweet floral fragrance, while German lavender contains a high concentration of camphor and smells particularly sharp and aromatic. English lavender was once the queen of fragrances, but today the finest quality is lavender grown around Grasse.
Perfumery also uses a hybrid called lavandin, although its scent is considered an inferior version of lavender. Its essential-oil yield is higher, however, and its range of applications has expanded. Its clean character makes it useful in toiletries such as soaps and detergents, and its camphor content, nearly six times the usual level, gives it a masculine character.
Lavender absolute (Japanese glossary) has a rich, green scent that is sweeter and less floral than the flowers, with a woody character as well. Its aromatic scent has made it a traditional ingredient in fougère notes (Japanese article).
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
In perfume, lavender is an aromatic note combining floral sweetness with herbal freshness. Natural Lavandula angustifolia oil from France has fruity facets reminiscent of apple and pear, along with green notes. Natural Lavender Oil Diva develops from citrus-tinged top notes into a soft drydown recalling coumarin and hay. By contrast, Lavender reco is an artificial reconstruction designed to create a fresh lavender note. The balance of floral and herbal qualities varies with the plant species, origin, and production method.
Choosing Lavender Fragrances
Lavender fragrances differ in how they combine herbal coolness and floral sweetness with vanilla, tonka, and woods.
- Herbal freshness: Bergamot and neroli suit those who prefer a bright, crisp scent.
- Warm sweetness: Vanilla and tonka add soft sweetness to the herbs.
- Woody and musky depth: Woods, amber, and musk suit those who prefer a fuller scent to soap-like lightness.
Fragrances Featuring Lavender
Jicky Eau de Parfum (Guerlain)
A fougère combining cool lavender and citrus with the warmth of wood and vanilla. Fresh herbs and a sweet finish are its defining features.
Lavande 31 (Le Labo)
Lavender distilled from its flower buds is paired with bergamot, neroli, amber, musk, and tonka. The sweetness of musk and tonka accompanies the fresh lavender.
From Lavender to Your Next Fragrance
Once you have a sense of the scents you enjoy, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, search in the “Favorite notes” field, and select an option from the suggestions shown. Choose “Next” to continue. You can start with notes even if you do not yet have a favorite perfume.
