"We're definitely seeing a nice increase in the amount of warmer Fall scents — both with cozier gourmand-style fragrances and also spicier, bolder orientals," said Alex Gilman, fragrance expert at LuckyScent. "A note that straddles both of those worlds is patchouli."
Gilman said that a true standout this season is Byredo Velvet Haze ($230), which launched in August and has been met with enthusiastic laud. "It's a to-die-for blend of coconut, patchouli, and chocolate that wears lighter than the notes would suggest — airy and fresh and gently floral while still deeply comforting, like a perfectly whipped meringue dessert."
Don't worry, this is definitely a far cry from the hippie vibes we may associate with traditional patchouli scents! Another wonderful new fragrance that tastefully features the spice as a star note is Parfums de Nicolai Patchouli Sublime ($425). According to Gilman, this scent was crafted by Patricia de Nicolai, the niece of Jean-Paul Guerlain and a "legendary" niche perfumer in her own right.
He added that, "Patchouli Sublime takes an exquisitely soft, green, nonearthy patchouli and elevates it further with crisp notes of mint and lavender, a luscious rose, and a toe-curling powdery-musk dry down. It's very recognizably patchouli, but amongst the most refined, elegant expressions of the note."
"Toe-curling" is truly a visceral description, but maybe you're in the mood for something a little more playful. In that case, Mariya Nurislamova, a fragrance expert and cofounder of Scentbird, suggests Acqua di Parma Colonia ($110).
"I love the new Colonia because of its bright citrus opening that lets us remember the light of Summer, but it also has a blissful rose and patchouli blend that welcomes Fall's more aromatic feel," Nurislamova noted. "Colonia also features Acqua di Parma's signature light silk texture that always feels upbeat, energetic, and sophisticated." Best of all, it's a unisex option.
