6 Best Smelling Patchouli Perfumes for Women

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Patchouli is a staple ingredient in both men’s and women’s fragrances. Often times, it won’t be the main note within the composition, but more of a lighter touch in the base to bring things together. It can be a divisive aroma, with some ladies swearing by it while it repels others in the population. Nonetheless, it is a force to be reckoned with and appreciated. In this post, I want to explore six of the best patchouli perfumes for women, to give as a starting point for those who are interested in finding their signature scent.

What are the Top Smelling Patchouli Fragrances for Her?

Dry, Leathery Patchouli

Tom Ford Patchouli Absolu Eau De Parfum 50 Ml– A higher end and fairly niche designer perfume from Tom Ford. Patchouli Absolu does provide a great option for those who love the ingredient.

It opens up with a dry woody aroma, along with some spices of bay leaf and rosemary. The patchouli, will become the star as the scent progresses, but it plays a supporting role in the beginning. 

The spice will calm a bit, leather and oud emerge, along with the patchouli. It’s got a very woodsy earthy aroma, that leans more towards the masculine end of things. However, some women will definitely enjoy wearing this.

It ends up being mostly about the patchouli and leather combination, with some remaining moss still floating around the periphery. Again, this is a niche sort of pick and an expensive one. But, if it’s your type of thing, you get your money’s worth with the performance. Patchouli Absolu by Tom Ford Review

Clean Green Patchouli

Patchouli Imperial by Dior– Patchouli Imperial gives you more of a pure patchouli ride for most of the wear. It does open up with a pretty woody and quite smoky aroma, that will settle, but retains a cool instead of a ‘hot’ presence.

It’s a mix of sweet notes, with patchouli, and more ‘greenish’ woody aromas. You also have a spicy kick with the cinnamon note coming through. The fruity top notes allow Patchouli Imperial to have a cleaner scent, rather than a heavier dirty patchouli note.

It is a unisex fragrance that has great performance, though doesn’t feel overwhelming. You’ll probably have to buy a bottle from Dior themselves and fair warning…it’s really pricey. 

The Mass Appealing Chanel

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Intense Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 Oz – Mademoiselle Intense is the pumped up patchouli version of the best selling original and one that is quite awesome in its own right. 

Coco Mademoiselle Intense starts off with a very bold orange citrus mix, along with our target note and amber. The citrus will tone down a great deal, when compared to the original Chanel offering, and the jasmine/rose floral heart plays a larger role. 

The dry down is full of the patchouli, amber, and a creamy tonka bean/vanilla. Not to mention, a long-lasting scent with easily over 10 hours of wear. This can be a bold daily wear, that is quite versatile and gives you a blend, with patchouli as the focus rather than the sole ingredient. Coco Mademoiselle Intense Review

The Higher End Chanel

Coromandel by Chanel– There are different variations of Coromandel that have been released by Chanel. There’s the les Exclusifs, the EDP, and the Parfum. Each is going to give you a slightly different formulation and intensity. 

What you get with each of them is our patchouli note, with a warm mix of amber/balsamic/oriental notes (benzoin, frankincense), and a gourmand finish…usually the white chocolate will come through the most. 

The Exclusifs or EDP (whichever is available) tend to be a sweeter formulation with more of an emphasis on the vanilla and white chocolate touches. Meanwhile, the Parfum version feels woodier and denser than the others. 

You’ll probably have to test out which version you go with before committing to a full purchase, but it can be a fantastic choice for patchouli lovers. Coromandel Review

 

Powerful Gourmand Patchouli

Thierry Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 Ounce– Pretty much everyone knows the best selling perfume from Mugler. It’s been around for decades and has spawned a ton of flankers and can still blow out a room with its sillage.

However, the patchouli note is the lynchpin that holds this one all together and creates the environment in which those gourmand notes can thrive. Beyond just beasty power, Angel also has the longevity to match, which makes it a fair deal. The opening is sweet with coconut, a dark chocolate, and fruit notes (mainly melon).

The patchouli note is always present, but the dry down is where it gets to shine. Lots of that heavy edible gourmand style in the beginning, with a warm patchouli note finish. Notes include: vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli,  fresh citrus, melons, peaches, and plums. 

angel

The Standard Fruitchouli Perfume

Flowerbomb By Viktor & Rolf For Women – EDP Spray 1 oz– It’s very well known and super popular, but there is plenty of reason to love this patchouli scent. Personally, that opening act is among my favorites in mainstream ladies’ fragrances.

Flowerbomb mixes ingredients of bergamot, rose, jasmine, and tea. It is clean, delicious, and appropriate for women of a wide range of age groups or personal styles.

Flowerbomb opens up with its great tea note, which is one of the highlights of this fragrance. It is paired with a light but somewhat sharp bergamot citrus note. Next, comes the flower part of the ‘bomb’.

Orchid, jasmine, rose, freesia, among others. It’s a beautiful array, with a lively freshness provided by the top notes. It really is just an amazing example of the fruit-chouli sort of perfume and deserves a spot here.

Finally, you get to the patchouli, which is the star of the show and brings it together. Flowerbomb brings the power and performance, with an awesome aroma.

Legend EDP by Mont Blanc

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Montblanc’s Legend line of fragrances have been monstrously successful over the past decade-plus and it still keeps cranking out flanker colognes to the original EDT. The latest, is Legend Eau de Parfum, which is going to stick much closer to the original release than something like Night. I received a sample of this with an order a few months back, so, I’ve of course tested it out. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it really worth a try?

What does Legend Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: violet leaf, leather, jasmine, moss, bergamot, woods

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend eau de parfum 3.3 fl oz, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

Violet leaf is the focus of Legend EDP from the get go. It is joined by a nice amount of citrus from the bergamot, which will dissipate pretty quickly, and leather. The leather and violet leaf are going to be the main distinctions from Legend EDT.

It’s got a fresh opening act, with a greenish aroma coming from the base, which is mostly from the ‘oakmoss’ aroma they use nowadays. Clean, but I notice that the leather never really comes through all that heavy in the mix. I mean, it’s there but doesn’t take over on my skin.

After a little while, the bergamot will fade out. I know there is jasmine in this blend, but I don’t pick it out as a separate aroma. What continues is violet leaf, woods, moss, and leather. That’s basically what I get for the rest of the way.

It feels flat and like there’s nothing there to give it much of a personality of its own. A mossy violet leaf with leather, sitting on top of wood. It doesn’t smell bad, by any means, just there isn’t all that much going on here.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, I don’t find the EDP version of Legend to be much better, if at all than the original. It’s not a powerful projecting scent and is actually quite moderate. I don’t think that it really hits a higher peak with its strength versus the EDT, but may be steadier throughout the wear.

The longevity is better. It’s still not a beast, but I’ve gotten 6.5-8 hours of wear from Legend EDP during testing. Amazing? No, but better than the original, in terms of how long it will stick around on my skin.

The strength of the EDP is its versatility. Like the original, it’s a jack of all trades fragrance, which can be worn by all ages without issue.

Beyond that, it can venture into a variety of climates, pretty easily. I’d still stay away from the heat in the summer, but it’s fine in other conditions.

This can be worn casually, to work, to school, out on the town for an evening. Not going to be a nightclub kind of cologne, but it is a very versatile scent.

Overall Impressions of Legend EDP

Overall, do I like Legend eau de parfum? Not particularly. I don’t hate the way it smells or anything, it’s just kind of boring. I still like the original more so than this one, and I’m not even a person who enjoyed that a lot. Montblanc can be pretty hit or miss, in my opinion.

It feels flat and uninspired. I like aspects of it, but Legend EDP doesn’t stand out in anyway. The violet leaf note, doesn’t add anything and it’s probably the worst aspect of the scent…despite it being a focus.

The leather is a nice touch, but it isn’t strong enough to give EDP a new direction. It’s like a violet leaf heavy version of the original, with some more greenish aromas, and it doesn’t manage to surpass it.

Should you buy it? Maybe if you’re a big fan of the original and want a longer lasting option. You might be able to get it for cheap, at some point, but I wouldn’t spend money on a full bottle.

Pure XS Night by Paco Rabanne

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Pure XS Night is the flanker fragrance to the original Pure XS, which I don’t think ever achieved all that much popularity, but was a very nice fragrance. I was interested in trying this one out, since I completely missed Night when it was released back in 2019. I bought a sample of this, as part of a large lot of other men’s colognes. How does Pure XS Night Smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Pure XS Night Smell Like?

Notes include: ginseng, caramel, ginger, cacao, vanilla, cinnamon, myrrh 

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Paco Rabanne describes it: To have it all. In excess. Devastatingly fascinating. Girls fall under his spell. Now’s the time to lighten up, play with fire. Lose control. An untamed Oriental, hot and fresh. Excess in its purest state.

Bam! That ginseng and ginger blend up top really hits hard. It actually reminds me of the ginger ale drink Canada Dry Bold, with that blast of ginger. Along with those two notes, there is also a bit of cinnamon floating around, so expect a warm/spicy opening act.

After 10 minutes of so Pure XS Night will start its turn toward becoming a sweeter cologne. Caramel and vanilla really start to come through, with a bit of raw cacao. I reminded of the caramel note in The Most Wanted, but I think that Azzaro fragrance is better than this.

For a while it will morph from a spicy/sweet blend, into something that is more of a sweet fragrance, as a whole. Freshness sits underneath that sweetness and it has a balsamic finish from the myrrh in the base.

I get mostly caramel and myrrh in the final phase, but the vanilla does blend with its counterpart a lot. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is loud, but not overwhelming. Well, maybe the first few minutes can be a bit much, but once the spice settles Night is a strong fragrance and not monstrous. You definitely gets your money’s worth, though.

The longevity is also very good. Somewhere in the 8-9 hour range, on the skin. Plus, a super long time on fabric, well into the double digit hour range.

The performance is much better than I got with the original Pure XS, which had a great smell, but pretty middling longevity and sillage.

Seasonally, autumn and winter only. This isn’t a warm weather fragrance. Beyond that, you won’t get much use out of this, aside from the nightlife. Maybe on a cold day, you could wear this casually, but it’s not one for business attire.

The sweetness and synthetic kind of vibe, make Pure XS Night one for the younger crowd. Teenagers through twenties should love this stuff. It’s attractive, bold, and a party/night club beast. Not the most versatile cologne, but it has its place.

Overall Impressions of Pure XS Night

Overall, do I like Pure XS Night? I do. As far as deciding between it or the original Pure XS, I think that I still prefer how that one smells versus this newer version. However, this has much better performance and still is very attractive and worthwhile.

The opening ginger, ginseng, and cinnamon is indeed quite bold and may be off-putting for some people, but once it settles; the aroma develops very well.

I like the caramel/vanilla/cacao sweetness and the myrrh is always a nice touch and a bit part of the DNA of Pure XS. The biggest weakness (if you want to call it that), is the rather narrow use case for Night. 

You’re going to have to be in the market for a nightlife fragrance, something along the lines of Ultra Male or 212 VIP. But, within that space this is a cologne that is one to try out. 

Allure Homme Edition Blanche EDT by Chanel

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Allure Homme Edition Blanche EDT was released by Chanel back in 2008. I got a sample of this version a few months ago, along with the newer EDP that the brand still sells. My sample is marked concentree, so, I’m not sure if it was a further release beyond the regular EDT. Either way, this one is no longer produced, but I figured I’d do a review for posterity’s sake. 

What does Edition Blanche EDT Eau Concentree Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, pink pepper, vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean, amber

My Full Review

Blanche EDT opens with a sharp and dry use of lemon, vetiver, sandalwood, and pink pepper. You’re absolutely going to have to be a citrus lover with this one, to really appreciate it, as it is very sharp upon opening.

The lemon is going to dominate through much of the wear. Early on, it feels especially intense, but once the vanilla and tonka bean kicks in…it will settle.

The pink pepper is the first note to fall off and that gives the sandalwood and vetiver a bit more room in the base. The vanilla creaminess will start to envelope the lemon note, along with the tonka bean. 

This Chanel fragrance is actually pretty darn linear and there isn’t much development beyond that. Just more of the lemon/vanilla aroma and less of the other notes within the composition.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is moderate in the early stages and then pretty light thereafter. However, it does project itself very nicely early on and it’ll hang around well after spraying. Just don’t expect a complete beast for the duration.

Longevity wise, I get 6-ish hours on my skin with this Eau Concentree. Allure Edition Blanche spends much of that time, as a skin scent, but it does indeed hang around. Still noticeable, just not amazing with its performance.

 

Seasonally, Allure Edition Blanche is a spring and summer fragrance, all the way. Mainly, for the summertime. I like to wear it casually or even for a night out. Though, I’d say that it’s probably at its best in the daytime. 

Overall Impressions of Edition Blanche Eau Concentree

Do I like this fragrance? Absolutely. I know they don’t produce this version anymore, and the EDP is close enough, but I really do love this scent. Uden by Xerjoff is an available replacement (and in many ways even better).

That dry lemon and pink pepper opening act could scare some away from this. However, that creamy vanilla/sweet/dessert like finish is so damn good on a warm summer’s day. I have been slowly depleting my sample vial, since I know it’s such a rare commodity. 

The performance of Allure Edition Blanche was never its strong suit. The sillage is moderate, at its peak, but detectable. For much of the wear, it will be a softer experience. Though, it does stick around on the skin for a nice amount of time. 

I wish Chanel could’ve beefed up the performance a bit more.

If you want a bottle of this one in particular, you’ll have to shell out over $300 in all likelihood off a site like eBay. Or you can just go with the EDP, which is also near this same level. Uden is usually $200, but well worth it. 

Spicebomb Night Vision EDT by Viktor & Rolf

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Spicebomb Night Vision is one of the latest set of flanker fragrances from Viktor & Rolf for the very popular Spicebomb lineup. I’ve been testing out both of the Night Vision colognes for the past few weeks to see how each performs. What does the EDT smell like? When should it be worn? Is it even worth a try?

What does Spicebomb Night Vision Smell Like?

Notes include:  grapefruit, sage, black spice complex, geranium, roasted almond accord, tonka bean

Click here to try: Spicebomb Night Vision Eau De Toilette Spray By Viktor & Rolf Cologne for Men 1.7 oz

My Full Review

The opening act of Night Vision has been fairly strange in terms of what I pick up from it. Sometimes, it feels much sweeter and closer to the dry down stage of the EDP version. Then, it seems quite fresh and green during other wears.

The opening act is usually highlighted by the grapefruit, sage, geranium, and black spice complex. The spice complex is black pepper and it seems like a bit of chili pepper, as well. Though, sometimes it also smells like there is cumin in here…as I’ve said, it’s weird.

If I happen to get a sweeter opening, it’s usually the tonka bean popping up early to match with the grapefruit note. The sage freshness is always present.

Other reviews that I’ve seen on this scent, don’t seem to pick up as much geranium and sage as I do on my skin. But, that’s a lot of what I’ve come to expect from Night Vision.

The dry down is a tonka bean and roasted almond creaminess, with the aromatic freshness of the aforementioned notes. It’s a bit green and not as cold or woody as the EDP version. Really, this one isn’t too complex.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage with Spicebomb Night Vision is light to moderate. The first hour is pretty decent with how it projects itself. Then, it does go into skin scent mode pretty quickly on my skin and stay there for the rest of the time. Not really great.

The longevity is also lackluster, with this Viktor & Rolf cologne lasting just over 5 hours, in my experience. Maybe, it’s gotten close to six for one wear. The performance is probably the biggest negative for me, with this fragrance…it’s pretty bad for a designer cologne.

When it can be worn, is one of the strengths, however. Seasonally, Night Vision is fine, outside the height of the summer, but could work well in autumn through the springtime.

Spicebomb Night Vision is more of a casual or nightlife wear versus being anything formal. It also skews younger, think 20s through early 30s, and not a teenager’s cologne. The scent itself is pretty mass appealing and should be able to draw some complements. It’s not groundbreaking stuff, but I think plenty of people would enjoy Night Vision.

Overall Impressions of Night Vision EDT

Overall, do I like Night Vision? When I first tried out this Spicebomb scent, it wasn’t that appealing to me. However, it did grow on me somewhat. Even with a bit more appreciation in its favor, Spicebomb Night Vision isn’t all that great.

It smells fine enough and there are periods, that I quite enjoy. As a whole, there’s nothing that really stands out about it. The fragrance’s performance isn’t good, the smells is nice but not super attractive, and it doesn’t supplant any of the other Spicebomb colognes.

For the retail price, I cannot recommend it. If you can find it on sale, then maybe it’s worth a go. Still, I like the Eau de Parfum better. It actually has decent performance and a better aroma, as a whole.

It certainly has some positive aspects to its presentation, but overall this is pretty forgettable. At the price point, you could do better.