Ingredient Guide
Poppy, a plant in the Papaveraceae family that is also a source of narcotics such as morphine, has red flowers and is a favorite flower of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet and KENZO founder Kenzo Takada.
Although poppies are very short-lived in a vase, they also grow with the vigor of weeds. The flowers of the common red poppy (Papaver rhoeas) have no scent detectable to humans, but KENZO created a powdery floral fragrance inspired by the flower.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
In perfume, poppy is a creative floral note inspired by the sight of flowers growing in the wild, rather than one specific natural fragrance material. It is depicted by layering the sweetness of soft petals with a cosmetic-powder quality, the freshness of green stems and leaves, and a subtle fruitiness. It adds lightness and an ephemeral air to a floral bouquet: emphasizing its green aspects makes it refreshing, while layering floral sweetness makes it gently radiant. Because it is built from several materials, this note can take on a delicate or a fantastical character, depending on the intensity of its sweetness and powderiness.
Choosing a fragrance with poppy
Poppy fragrances evoke the lightness of wildflowers or an image of rich, sweet blooms. Fruit, barley or iris changes that interpretation.
- Bright, light flowers: Blackcurrant and other fruit suit a fresh image of wildflowers.
- A soft texture: Barley or iris notes can convey cotton-like softness or powderiness.
- Warm sweetness: Tonka bean gives the floral impression a sweeter, fuller character.
Two fragrances featuring poppy
Poppy & Barley Cologne (Jo Malone London)
A poppy-inspired floral scent is layered with juicy blackcurrant and cotton-soft barley. It evokes bright fruit and lightly powdery wildflowers.
Scarlet Poppy Cologne Intense (Jo Malone London)
A rich floral interpretation of scarlet poppies meets velvety iris and sweet tonka bean. Compared with Poppy & Barley, it offers fuller, velvet-like flowers and warm sweetness.
Find your next fragrance
In Fragrance Finder, choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, then look for notes you enjoy under “Favorite notes”. Select from the available suggestions and press “Next”.
