Perfume trend: Sweet lavender fragrances

Gourmand fragrances evolve once more as noses take their sweet tooth a step further with sweet lavender perfumes.

When we think of aromatic perfumes, we think of herbs and air—with maybe a touch of freshness: Combinations of rosemary and lemon, or sage and ginger. We don’t usually associate the perfume category with sweetness. In fact, our olfactory associations of aromatic are almost the opposite. A new crop of perfumes, however, are taking one particular aromatic note, lavender, and pairing it with sugar.

Not that we’re talking candy-shop cloying. Vanilla, almond, honey: The new mate to classic herbal essence is definitely more naturally inclined and less cotton candy.

The big surprise? It’s actually a great combo. A hint of sugar complements the much-loved lavender note. And though the classic note is one we love, this is a decidedly modern way twist.

Here, three brands embracing the trend of sweet lavender perfumes.

Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka

Although lavender factors in as a main note in this Jo Malone scent, released earlier this year, the sweetness is subtle. Vanilla and almond make up the fragrance’s base, with the scent leaning towards Oriental vs aromatic via notes of myrrh and tonka bean. This pick is for lovers of deep and dark perfumes, who appreciate a light-handed approach, too. $180 (100 ml), www.jomalone.com

L’Occitane En Provence Terre de Lumiere

L’Occitane En Provence releases its first “gourmand aromatic” with the new Terre de Lumiere. In this spritz, a zesty opening evolves into an herbal-sweet-honey-lavender heart, and is rounded out with notes of ambrette, beeswax, tonka bean, bergamot and musk. The scent is inspired by the aromatic and glowing light of Provence during dusk, or what L’Occitane refers to as the “Golden Hour”. $105 (90 ml), loccitane.com

Guerlain Mon Guerlain

Guerlain’s millennial pink eau, inspired by the notion of modern femininity, pairs lavender with vanilla, and includes bergamot and sandalwood. It’s soft and sensual but no wallflower, thanks to its warm base, but it is vanilla and lavender that are the unmistakeable stars. $168 (100 ml), www.sephora.com