These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (2023)

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  • The scents and perfumes inspired by nature

    We were reminded of the power of nature during the pandemic and now the fragrance world is taking note.

    Cast your mind back through the fogs of memory to the first few weeks of the pandemic. The sun seemed to shine more brightly than usual, encouraging us to remain cheery. The birds and bees were busy as they always are during springtime, not caring one iota for that virus called corona which was affecting all of our lives so much. And aeroplanes and cars, once a ubiquitous part of the background buzz, were silent.

    From the best perfumes for women to the best luxury candles to elevate both room and mood, connecting to nature is vital.In fact, the charms of being surrounded by nature had such an effect on city-dwellers, that of the 14% who wanted to leave London as a result of the pandemic, 46% decided the thrumming rhythm of a town wasn’t an adequate reason to stay, and decided to relocate to the countryside.

    For many of us who’ve now returned more or less to the life we lived pre-covid-19 and are back to rushing back and forth in the city, that tie to the nature with which we connected during that time still holds allure. And given that a huge 75% of British adults are actively worried about the environment, it is unsurprising that a sense of reverence and degree of extra attention surrounds the natural world.

    But how does this impact fragrance? There are two key things here. The first is that perfumers are increasingly tapping into the evocative power of something as simple as, in Amandine Pallez, Creative Marketing Senior Director at Bulgari puts it, ‘freshly cut grass and stream cascading on rocks.’ The result? A flood of scents tapping into and triggering ‘an olfactory memory and sense of positive feeling, like a subliminal message.’ Chriselle Lim, Phlur Owner & Creative director, agrees: ‘emotions stem from instinctive reactions and not reasoning. In fact, emotions are controlled by the brain’s limbic system, which also controls the sense of smell.’

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    Kirstie Garrett, qualified aromatherapist and founder of Ebo Skincare and Wellbeing, explains that smell directing mood or behaviours is deeply entrenched: ‘animals are masters of self-selection, and we once were, too. Sometimes we still are; when pregnant, for example, women are drawn to what they need and repulsed by what they should avoid. Equally, we use smell to dictate instantly, without it even entering our conscious thoughts, what is safe to ingest, and do this all the time with fish, meat, and milk.’

    While we all know that being in nature has multiple psychological and physiological benefits, are there benefits to be had from simply smelling something which calls a damp morning rose or juicy overripe orange to mind? In Garrett’s view, this is where returning to the power of plants is vital: ‘whilst synthetic fragrances can undoubtedly cause an emotional reaction, recalling a past experience locked in the mind, aromas harnessed from nature, i.e. extracted from plants, have a very proven physiological action attached, which is universal.’ So smelling a well-blended perfume which reminds you of your favourite flower will make you happy as it tugs at certain threads in your mind, but if that scent contains the real deal, your body will respond to the rose itself, which has the capacity to lower the heart rate, reduce stress, and calm.

    Brands are now tapping into the innate power some ingredients hold. Costa Brazil’s journey hinges around one such natural ingredient: breu resin, which is a sap derived from the Almacega tree in the amazon rainforest. Burned for centuries to enhance peace of mind and to aid concentration, the resin is now laced through their entire collection and forms the core of their signature scent.

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    The second way in which nature is playing a role in influencing fragrance has rather more to do with an increasing awareness of how precious natural resources are, and the desire to create minimal waste during the process. Enter upcycling, an expression you’re probably familiar with in the context of turning a candle jar into a make-up brush holder, but in perfumery, it means making use of every part of an ingredient, and even the waste product generated during some extraction processes.

    Geza Schoen, Founder and Perfumer behind the cult brand Escentric Molecules, cites an ecological awareness as directing the industry towards upcycling: ‘perfume houses like the IFF have come up with a range of fascinating new products, i.e. a coca-based raw material that uses the shells of the fruit that have been thrown away.’ Similarly Isabelle Lewenhaupt, founder of Bjork and Berries, says that ‘all of our eau de perfumes contain organic fermented alcohol, which is made from organic food waste such as sugarbeets.’

    Upcycling has played a big role in the development of Miller Harris’ latest perfume, Myrica Muse. The perfumer behind it, Emile Bouge, was keen to use both upcycled rose and patchouli, making something of the parts which would’ve been thrown away. To her, this practise enhances rather than inhibits the creative process behind making perfume: ‘it allows us to highlight a different part of the essential oil.’ Her belief is also that it’ll become common practise in the future, ‘giving a second life to products which weren’t dedicated to perfumeries, like oak, for example, which was used to store wine in but could be used in scents.’

    Whether you’re drawn to mouthwatering, juicy plump florals, or greens inspired by chilly herbs, the perfume world is offering up plenty of nature inspired options at the moment – and you can expect plenty more to follow. Schoen may be onto something by saying ‘people will always prefer nature to the artificial.’

    Here’s our edit of the best perfume to wear on your body, or candles that bring the outdoors inside in:

    These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (1)

    1. Miller Harris, Myrica Muse, £95 | Miller Harris
    A juicy mix of strawberries and tangerines meet sumptuous rose for a moreish scent that’ll instantly make you think of a garden in full bloom.

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    These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (2)

    2. Bjork and Berries, Botanist Eay de Parfum, £85 | Bjork and Berries
    The clue’s in the name on this one: it’s plant-rich, with roots and soil and the sense of green lushness running through it, all underpinned with a little hint of spiciness.

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    These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (4)

    4. Phlur, Somebody Wood, £26 | Selfridges
    Think of that moment after rain has rinsed the hot earth, and petrichor emerges. Add warmth in the form of vanilla, and you get this.

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    These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (5)

    (Video) Inspired by Nature - Innovation Talks at IFF Leiden

    5. Aesop, Eidesis Eau de Parfum, £140 | Aesop
    You have to know the outdoors to recognise this, but if you spent your childhood looking under tree trunks and enjoying the mulch of leaves and heady crisp cold air as winter descends, this will strike a chord.

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    These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (6)

    6. Escentric Molecules, Molecule 01 + Mandarin Eau de Toilette, £95 | Liberty London
    Citrus? Yes. Woodiness? Yes. Addictive? Absolutely. This is the one if being outdoors at the height of summer does it for you.

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    These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (8)

    8. This Works, Neroli and Sweet Orange Candle, £26 | John Lewis
    This is very much a does what it says not he tin candle: a blend of grounding neroli flower oil and orange peel oil to soothe.

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    These are the best scents and perfumes that have been inspired by nature (9)

    9. Nest New York, Charcoal Woods Candle, £45 | Cult Beauty
    The perfect storybook, log-cabin-in-the-thick-of-the-woods-cloaked-in-mystery scent. It’s smoky. It’s peaty. It’ll transport you to another world in your mind.

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    FAQs

    What are nature scents? ›

    What are Natural fragrances? Natural fragrances are scents created from nature, including the trees, plants, and extracted from animals. Those flowery and musky scents you love? Often, these scents are often derived from natural properties.

    What is a natural perfume? ›

    What Is Natural Fragrance? Natural Fragrance is a combination of naturally derived essential oils, floral extract, and plant-based aroma-producing ingredients.

    What is inspired perfume? ›

    Actually, there is no definite definition of inspired perfume. However, if we look at its marketing practices, we can say that inspired perfume is a perfume that has a scent that is similar to or resembles the perfume that inspired it.

    What are natural scents called? ›

    Natural fragrances can include essential oils, fractions of essential oils, isolates, exudates such as resins, distillates, extracts and volatile concentrates.

    What is a persons natural scent called? ›

    The study suggests the human body produces chemical signals, called pheromones. And these scents affect how one person perceives another. Scientists have demonstrated the effects of pheromones in a whole range of animals, including insects, rodents, squid and reptiles.

    Which is the best natural perfume for men? ›

    • La French Oud Woody Long Lasting Men& Women Perfume Fra... For Men & Women. 4.5. ₹567. ₹1,299. 56% off. ...
    • ARMAF TAG HIM Eau de Toilette - 100 ml. For Men. 4.1. (1,944) ₹846. ...
    • Vablon Best Gold & Musk Eau de Parfum - 240 ml. For Men. 4.2. ₹499. ₹598. ...
    • Lattafa AMETHYST BADEE AL OUD Eau de Parfum - 100 ml. For Men & Women. 4.5. (11) ₹1,614.

    Is perfume all natural? ›

    The fact is that most perfumes today contain synthetic materials — sometimes upwards of 70% of the juice. While perfume will, in most cases, include some natural materials in the form of distilled or expressed essential oils, the lion's share will be chemicals isolated either from a natural source or produced in a lab.

    Is natural scent real? ›

    It is a part of something real rather than man-made from another material. Natural fragrance oils are blends of isolates that are extracted through the same processes that are used to get essential oils.

    What makes your natural scent? ›

    Summary. Body odor is caused by bacteria breaking down the sweat from the apocrine glands in your armpits, groin, and pubic area. You may be more prone to body odor if you are overweight, eat certain foods, have certain health conditions, or are under stress. Genetics may also play a role.

    Is natural spray perfume? ›

    The most significant difference between a natural spray and a perfume is their ratio of concentrated oil to alcohol and water. In other words, it is their formula that differentiates them both. Natural sprays tend to have more alcohol and lower concentrated oil.

    Where are inspired perfumes made? ›

    Inspired perfumes Archives - Perfume manufacturer made in France.

    Is inspired perfume good? ›

    Amazing quality and value.

    The fragrances are exactly like the more expensive counterparts. There is no way I'd go back to buying the designer brands now.

    What is the art of perfume called? ›

    Olfactory art is an art form that uses scents as a medium. Olfactory art includes perfume as well as other applications of scent.

    What is a natural freshener? ›

    Baking soda and vinegar are the two best all natural air fresheners you can make and spray all over your house and car. But they're not the only way to deodorize and impart fresh scents in your environment.

    What is a natural perfume oil? ›

    Natural fragrance oils are blends of isolates that are derived through many of the exact same processes that are used to get essential oils. The difference is in whether you are extracting an entire compound (essential oil) or a single molecule (natural isolate).

    What is nature identical essential oil? ›

    Nature identical oils are synthetic oils, having the identical chemical build-up as the ones from the plant. Nature identical oils smell like their natural equivalents, but contain on average noticeably less ingredients.

    What are the 4 types of smells? ›

    The four main types are warm, woody, oriental and fresh, with each effect brought out by different combinations of fragrances. Fresh scents, like Davidoff Cool Water, generally rely on aquatic and citrus notes, whereas warm scents like DKNY's Be Delicious use more florals and juicy fruit scents.

    What is a person who smells perfume called? ›

    A perfumer is an expert on creating perfume compositions, sometimes referred to affectionately as a nose (French: nez) due to their fine sense of smell and skill in producing olfactory compositions.

    Are natural perfumes better? ›

    Natural perfume creates a more persona and unique scent as compared to synthetic perfumes. These perfumes last for a long time and keep you energetic and fresh for the whole day. So, natural perfumes are far better than the synthetic one. They have no side effects on our skin and health.

    How do you make natural perfume? ›

    Let's Do This!
    1. Pour you base/carrier oil into the glass bottle and add drops of essential oils in the order: base, middle and top notes.
    2. Pour the alcohol and tightly close the lid. ...
    3. Once you're happy with the strength of the scent, add drinking water to the mix and shake well for a minute.
    10 Feb 2020

    Which perfume smell is most attractive? ›

    Vanilla is a crowd-pleasing scent that both men and women find attractive.
    ...
    Read on for the top scents that will attract women like flies to honey.
    • Vanilla. ...
    • Peppermint. ...
    • Sandalwood. ...
    • Pastries and Coffee. ...
    • Lavender. ...
    • Cinnamon.
    4 May 2020

    What scent is most popular? ›

    Vanilla has been crowned the world's favourite smell by a team of international experts.

    What is the most popular smell in the world? ›

    A study conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the University of Oxford has found that vanilla is the world's most universally-loved scent.

    What are good smells called? ›

    Things that smell good are typically described as fragrant or aromatic, while things that smell bad might be described with the words smelly or stinky or the more formal terms odorous and odoriferous.

    What is natural perfume made out of? ›

    These ingredients include wildcrafted and organic essential oils, CO2 extracts, absolutes and naturally derived isolates. To put it more simply, natural perfume is formulated with aromatics distilled or extracted from plants, flowers, spices and resins.

    How do you use natural perfume? ›

    In aromatherapy, natural perfumes can be inhaled or diluted in carrier oils and applied to the skin. Natural fragrance oils may stimulate your sense of smell and have therapeutic effects while absorbed.

    Can perfume become your natural scent? ›

    Yes, external items like deodorant and perfume or cologne can mask or even permeate one's smell, one's natural pheromones and au naturel scent is what we're talking about here.

    Can you smell nature? ›

    We smell flowers, touch tree bark, listen to bird calls, see details (like an ant trail on a tree), and even taste some of the natural objects we come across (think berries or edible flowers).

    Why do I like natural smell? ›

    Some people think their partner smells so good because of pheromones, which are chemicals that act like hormones outside of the body, influencing others' behavior, Dr. Navya Mysore, M.D., a provider at One Medical. In animals, pheromones signal that it's time to mate, or warn that an enemy is approaching.

    Which is best perfume or spray? ›

    Perfumes are quite expensive but they are able to deliver the best quality fragrance for longer hours. While on the other hand deodorant body spray is quite affordable but they deliver the fragrance lasting for about 2-3 hours depending on the brand you have got.

    Are perfume oils natural? ›

    Are fragrance oils natural? No, they are not. Fragrance oils are manufactured according to the specifications of each manufacturer to create beautiful olfactory products that enhance our living spaces. If you want something more natural, opt for body and home fragrances based on essential oils.

    How do I inspire my oil based perfume? ›

    The Recipe
    1. Add 80 drops of carrier oil to the perfume bottle.
    2. With a dropper, add in 10 drops of the essential oil base notes, followed by 5 drops of head note, and 5 drops of heart notes.
    3. Seal the bottle and shake well (and again before each use).
    4. Label your creation.
    5. Store in a cool, dark place.
    17 May 2022

    Who is the best perfume maker in the world? ›

    This list has been made in order from the best to the least good.
    1. Christian Dior. The Holy Grail perfume brand, and the one to rule them all if we consider only the mainstream releases. ...
    2. Tom Ford. ...
    3. Guerlain. ...
    4. Chanel. ...
    5. Hermès. ...
    6. Giorgio Armani. ...
    7. Prada. ...
    8. Paco Rabanne.

    Why are natural perfumes better? ›

    Unlike synthetic perfumes, which have a more potent smell, natural perfume is known to give off a more subtle, plant-like scent. Beyond the perfume industry, the food industry and beauty product producers are also keen to use naturally derived fragrance oils and flavors.

    Is inspired perfume legal? ›

    Legally we are not allowed to say we sell the same exact perfume and we can't use their brand names as our own, that is why the word “Inspired by” is in front of the name. The reason our fragrances smell exactly the same as the original, is because they come from the same factory.

    What is another word perfume? ›

    Some common synonyms of perfume are fragrance, redolence, and scent. While all these words mean "a sweet or pleasant odor," perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

    Why is it called perfume? ›

    Yesterday's Perfume The word perfume comes from the Latin phrase, “per” meaning “thorough” and “fumus” meaning “smoke”. The French later gave the name “parfum” to the smells produced by burning incense. Indeed, the first form of perfume was incense, first made by the Mesopotamians about 4000 years ago.

    What is a Gothic scent? ›

    Very heavy, heady scents. A lot of 'Gothic' scents have incense-y notes, resins, woods, smoke notes, as well as dirt and 'green' notes, and sometimes leather. Florals and fruits can be in there too, but the whole effect is a very heavy/dark scent because of the incense/resin/etc. notes.

    What are examples of earthy scents? ›

    Earthy Aromas Capture the Calm of Nature
    • Autumn splendor.
    • Berry Citronella.
    • Eucalyptus.
    • Lemongrass Sage.
    • Log Cabin.
    • Moonlit Path.
    • Patchouli.
    • Pine Needles.

    What scents are considered earthy? ›

    think wood, dirt, grass, herbs, moss, breezy air, running water, etc. In fact, some say that because this fragrance category can be so big, earthy is just an all-encompassing term that houses the woodsy genre.

    What are some forest scents? ›

    On that note (pun intended), you'll want to experiment with earthy scents to find the one that works best for you. Bugey recommends looking for green, woody, earthy, aromatic, resinous, and smoky ingredients, like oak-moss, pine tree, vetiver, cedarwood, and eucalyptus.

    What is an earthy smell? ›

    Did you ever wonder what causes that earthy smell that rises after a light summer rain? That mysterious scent has been called “petrichor”, and a main component of it is an organic compound called geosmin, which lingers around moist soil.

    What is another word for earthy smell? ›

    But moments before a rain event, an “earthy” smell known as petrichor does permeate the air. People call it musky, fresh—generally pleasant. "Petrichor" is the wonderful word that describes the wonderful scent of the air after a rain shower.

    What is the best smell on earth? ›

    Well, a team of scientists from the University of Oxford think they've worked out the best and worst smells in the world. According to their study, the best smell is vanilla and the worst smell is sweaty feet. The results show that people share favourite smells regardless of where they come from in the world.

    What does earthy mean in perfume? ›

    An earthy perfume comes under the woody fragrance family category but it is more specific, referring to material that comes from plantlife that has an earthy tone and aroma. Roots, moss and grass define earth scents with patchouli, oakmoss and vetiver as significant essential oils in this family.

    What essential oil smells earthy? ›

    Top 8 Earthy Fragrance Essential Oils List
    • Cedarwood Essential Oil. ...
    • Sandalwood Essential Oil. ...
    • Rosewood Essential Oil. ...
    • Patchouli Essential Oil. ...
    • Cade Essential Oil. ...
    • Vetiver Essential Oil. ...
    • Cypress Essential Oil. ...
    • Juniper Berry Essential Oil.
    6 Apr 2022

    What essential oils have a earthy smell? ›

    The fresh, natural, earthy scent of these essential oils will remind you of a walk through a forest of aromatic plants and trees, including Atlas cedar, balsam fir, clove, cedarwood, cypress and pine.

    What is the meaning of earthy taste? ›

    It refers to the flavor in a food that reminds you of smelling the earth after a spring rain. Examples of earthy foods would include mushrooms. Beets and other root vegetables like potatoes, turnips and parsnips are earthy.

    What is a forest smell called? ›

    Woodsy fragrance is broadly used to refer to the smell of forest.

    What is the word for the smell of a forest? ›

    It is called fragrance. Trees and forests from the tropics to the Boreal, all produce some sort of smell. The older the forest, the stronger the smell. The most ancient word that I can find for this kind of smell is úd going back to very old Gaelic, meaning the fragrance of the forest.

    What is a forest smell? ›

    The air in the forest smells good. It may smell like damp moss, rain, wet tree trunks, flowers, and needle-covered path. It may smell like a tree stump that is already creating new life, or even snow, frost, and softwood.

    What things smell green? ›

    A green scent is also often ascribed to freshly cut grass, young stems, conifer trees, the floral lily of the valley, absinthe and the citrus fruits bergamot and lime.

    Can you smell your own natural scent? ›

    Everyone has their own scent—just think of how differently your grandma and your boyfriend smell when you lean in for a hug. But can we smell ourselves? For the first time, scientists show that yes, we can, ScienceNOW reports. Our basis of self-smell originates in molecules similar to those animals use to chose mates.

    Is Lavender an earthy scent? ›

    From its delicate purple hue to its earthy floral scent, everything about lavender seems tailored towards encouraging thoughts of serenity.

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