Spices are usually associated with food, but can also be found in fragrances. 

A spicy fragrance, in simple terms, is a scent with spices.

When used in food, it changes the flavor profile of the dish, adding some heat or depth and flavor. In fragrances, it can create a vibe that varies depending on the spices used. 

Spicy fragrances can be peppery, sweet, fresh, dry, bold, exotic, zesty, sparkly, or simply just overall ‘spicy’. Some can be dessert-like, some can be savory, and everything in between.

Spicy fragrances can conjure images of the Middle East, have an aroma like an exotic dish, they can smell like Christmas-time. They can tickle your nose, make your mouth water, fill you with energy, and create a sensual essence.

Spice notes you can find in fragrances are Leather, Incense, Patchouli, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Ginger, Clove, Pink or Black Pepper, Resins, Coffee, etc. Each of these scents can change the profile of the fragrance they are in.

Oajan from Parfums de Marly feels like Fall. It has a sweet, spicy, warm essence with Cinnamon standing out against a warm and sweet blend of Honey, Amber, Vanilla, and Davana. Labdanum, Benzoin, and Patchouli bring a warm depth that creates an intimate coziness that envelops the senses.

Hayam Alahasees from Asgharali is a sweet spicpy scent with Patchouli, Amber, and Ginger bringing a spicy pop to the Vanilla, Powdery Notes, and Citruses. It feels like a sexy Vanilla scent, as well as having an essence that fits well into a holiday atmosphere.

K’Abel from Royal Crown is sweet, playful, and invigorating. It blends Cardamom, Nutmeg, Lemon, Dates, Vanilla, Honey, and Saffron, which ever-so-slightly mimics the feeling of baking during the holidays. Guaiac Wood, Agarwood, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and Vetiver bring a slightly woody, slightly spicy, slightly smoky essence that adds a gentle intensity. 

Golden Dallah from Xerjoff is a spicy scent with a gentle sweet essence that borders the Gourmand territory, that is both comforting and invigorating at the same time. An Exotic Spices accord perks up a blend of Coffee, Rose, Cocoa, Hazelnut, Tonka Bean and Amber. Incense and Cambodian Oud bring a smoky, woody essence that brings depth. It conjures an image of an exotic spiced Coffee. 

Delox from Tiziana Terenzi is kind of fun and kind of elegant with a blend of Rose and Coffee. Vanilla, Honey, and Amber add a touch of sweetness. Resinous Opoponax, crisp Cedar, and sensual White Musk add depth and a sense of mystery. It feels like drinking a hot cup of coffee on a terrace covered in Roses that overlooks the Mediterranean coast. 

Cacao Azteque from Perris Monte Carlo highlights Pepper. At first you get a subtle, traditional, Chocolate vibe from the Cacao Absolute, but things very quickly become spicy with a spicy blend of Pink Pepper, Black Pepper, and Cardamom. There is a very subtle floral vibe, but this scent is pretty much all a peppery spicy scent once that sweetness fades away. 

Isfarkand from Ormonde Jayne is an interesting scent. Things start off with a sudden blast of Pink Pepper and Cedar, almost feeling too intense. But after a few minutes, you get a refreshing blend of Lime, Mandarin, and Bergamot, with earthy touches of Vetiver and Moss. The Pepper remains under the surface, peeking out every now and then, but the scent dries down with a bright warmth that invigorates the senses.

Journey Man from Amouage is spicy, sweet, and clean. Sichuan Pepper and Tobacco Leaves are at the forefront of this scent. Bergamot, Neroli, Bigarade, and Juniper Berries bring a fresh and bright scent that tempers the additional spicy blend of Cardamom, Cypriol, Incense, and Leather. Tonka Bean, Amber, and Rose-like Geraniol follow up the spices to mellow things out in the dry down. The overall scent is spicy, but refreshing and lightly sweet. 

Sun Force from The Harmonist puts a focus on Saffron, which is both sweet and spicy. The Saffron is coupled with Cardamom, another sweet spice, and the subtle smokiness of Incense. Honey plays up the sweetness, and Pomelo adds a brightness, both tempering any sharpness. Sandalwood adds a gentle earthy, creamy quality to the base, and resinous Benzoin perks up the spices at the end so they last on the skin. It’s an interesting blend of sweet and spicy, and smooth and invigorating.

Homme Anniversary from Xerjoff is all Leather. Leather, Clove, Tarragon, and Styrax bring a spicy intensity to the opening of this scent. A Lemon Mousse note pairs with Orange Blossom, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, and Candied Fruits, all combining to mellow the sharpness and settle the spices onto the skin. Even though these sweeter notes bring a sweetness to the scent, it is all momentary. The Leather thrives in an elegant way as it dries down. Moss can be felt just under the surface, adding to the earthy smoothness of the dry down. 

African Leather from Memo Paris is a dry spicy scent. Bergamot adds the tiniest freshness to this scent, brightening the natural sweetness of Saffron and Cardamom. But this scent is all spice. You get Leather, Cumin, Patchouli, Oud, Vetiver, and Musk. A touch of Geranium helps to break up some of the intensity, but this scent is a whirlwind of spice on the skin. There is a gentle zesty quality here, but it feels like being in a desert under the balmy heat of the sun. Or perhaps a jungle explorer just returned from a trip, covered in sand and dirt, and a satchel filled with herbs and spices. 

This is just a small example of the variety of spicy fragrances you can find in today’s scented world. 

You can check out all of these fragrances, and more, at Parfumerie Nasreen both in store and online!