Dreaming of watching the sunset in the Seychelles, exploring Egyptian relics or feasting on tropical fruits in Fiji? Well, watch your dreams come alive through the power of exotic fragrances. Boasting a wealth of notes, from juicy fruits, tropical florals and opulent spices, exotic perfumes will be all the escapism you need. So, if all this talk has got you in search of some sun-kissed scents, allow us to throw some inspiration your way. But first, a little bit of background…
What are exotic perfumes?
Traditionally, exotic perfumes were associated with warm, rich and opulent notes (think oud, incense, and amber). However, in recent decades, exotic fragrances have expanded to include a wider spectrum of notes, therefore incorporating a greater variety of fragrance families into the equation. For example, tropical fruits like guava and mango are now popular choices in exotic perfumes, not to mention fragrant spices like lemongrass or saffron and even softer notes like musk and ylang-ylang.
While exotic perfumes continue to dominate the fragrance charts, it’s important to note that the idea of which notes are exotic is entirely subjective to the wearer and their cultural background. So, what some may view as exotic might not be to others, and vice versa.
The history of exotic fragrance
Before the turn of the 21st century, exotic fragrances tended to rely on heady florals, bold spices and woods to create the impact they were renowned for. However, the nineties (and early noughties) brought with them an appreciation for sweet scents incorporating citrus fruits and gourmand notes. This growing market expanded the profile of what we now deem as exotic.
In line with this shift, there became greater demand for synthetic notes. Why? Well, many fresh and fruity notes (including tropical fruits like banana) were either too volatile to add to perfume or too difficult to extract naturally – so recreating these notes artificially opened a whole new world of exotic notes to perfumers.
Our top 10 exotic perfumes
Black Orchid by Tom Ford
When we say this perfume is both exotic and unique, we mean that in every sense of the word. Because Tom Ford invented a completely new flower for it. He knew the scent profile he wanted but the flower didn’t exist. So, what did he do? He worked with a botanist and created one, of course!
He named his new flower the ‘Black Orchid’.
Smoky, spicy and oh-so-seductive, Black Orchid by Tom Ford is as opulent as the fluted, black glass bottle suggests. You’ll find decadent notes like jasmine, tuberose and mandarin mesmerise the senses before the incense, amber and chocolate base sweeps in to steal the show. This deliciously dark scent is best spritzed once the sun goes down.
Love punchy scents packed with personality? We’ve got just the scent for you. Spicebomb Extreme by Viktor&Rolfexplodes onto the scene with a striking blend of bergamot and pepper. Before long, a trail of tobacco accord, cumin and vanilla brings sweet, smoky and spicy nuances into the equation. It’s a scent so entrancing, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re at a Moroccan spice market!
For those that want to add a layer of mystery to date night, Patchouli Ardent by Guerlain will be your best accessory. With patchouli at the heart of this exotic fragrance, you can expect depth and dimension. But thanks to the soft Turkish rose and comforting musk base, this scent boasts a dreamy dry down that’ll linger on the skin until morning. We like to think of it like the mature, older sister of Exotic by Jimmy Choo.
Equal parts delicate and delicious, For Her Pure Musk by Narciso Rodriguezimparts its soft sensuality thanks to sunny florals like orange blossom, jasmine and ylang-ylang. Once the top notes have taken hold, this exotic fragrance reaches its dreamy destination with a calming cashmeran and musk finale.
For perfume lovers that aren’t afraid to show their wild side, we’d like you to meet your match – Hypnotic Poison by Dior. As soon as the first spritz has left the bottle, prepare to be bewitched as bitter almond, sambac jasmine and sandalwood take you on an intoxicating olfactory journey. From start to finish, it’s nothing short of show-stopping.
Forget what you know about fougère scents, as Y le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent provides a daring introduction to the world of dark fougère. You’ve still got herbaceous notes like lavender and clary sage to kick this exotic fragrance into gear, except with a cedarwood, patchouli and tonka bean base that deepens the scent profile. It’s like confidence in a bottle – spritz if you dare.
Jazz Club by Maison Margielais a time capsule, whisking you away to a New York jazz club in a bygone era. Its cosy compilation of ingredients combines sweet, smoky and smooth notes like rum absolute, tobacco leaf and vanilla bean that harmonise just like a soulful voice and a piano. Its vintage charm will add a touch of elegance to any fragrance collection.
If your idea of pure bliss involves a day surrounded by lakes, flowers, and endless sun – allow us to introduce your new signature scent. Flower by Kenzocaptures everything you love about the great outdoors with its well-balanced scent profile. This exotic fragrance features precious saffron, orange blossom, and damascan rose that dries down into smooth, velvety base notes of vanilla musks.
No article covering exotic perfumes would be complete without the magical scent of Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes. This extraordinary fragrance wows from the outset with tomato stem, carrot, and grapefruit before uplifting your mood with notes of hyacinth, lotus flower, peony, and mango. Sycamore and incense base notes transport you to a summer walk through the woods. This scent is a certified summer staple!
Leaning more towards the traditional type of exotic fragrances, Gold Edition Oud by Pascal Morabito is rich, heady and completely entrancing. Expect oud, saffron, rose, leather and incense to leave a smooth and smoky trail of seduction. Our advice? Pair this fragrance with a tailored suit and some excellent company.
Rosa is a creative copywriter who has been writing about luxury beauty, fragrance and her personal interest, sustainable fashion, for over two years. When she’s not hunting in her local charity shops for vintage homeware, she’s testing out the latest beauty trends. Her favourite perfume? Chance by CHANEL.
Top 10 Exotic Perfumes
Dreaming of watching the sunset in the Seychelles, exploring Egyptian relics or feasting on tropical fruits in Fiji? Well, watch your dreams come alive through the power of exotic fragrances. Boasting a wealth of notes, from juicy fruits, tropical florals and opulent spices, exotic perfumes will be all the escapism you need. So, if all this talk has got you in search of some sun-kissed scents, allow us to throw some inspiration your way. But first, a little bit of background…
What are exotic perfumes?
Traditionally, exotic perfumes were associated with warm, rich and opulent notes (think oud, incense, and amber). However, in recent decades, exotic fragrances have expanded to include a wider spectrum of notes, therefore incorporating a greater variety of fragrance families into the equation. For example, tropical fruits like guava and mango are now popular choices in exotic perfumes, not to mention fragrant spices like lemongrass or saffron and even softer notes like musk and ylang-ylang.
While exotic perfumes continue to dominate the fragrance charts, it’s important to note that the idea of which notes are exotic is entirely subjective to the wearer and their cultural background. So, what some may view as exotic might not be to others, and vice versa.
The history of exotic fragrance
Before the turn of the 21st century, exotic fragrances tended to rely on heady florals, bold spices and woods to create the impact they were renowned for. However, the nineties (and early noughties) brought with them an appreciation for sweet scents incorporating citrus fruits and gourmand notes. This growing market expanded the profile of what we now deem as exotic.
In line with this shift, there became greater demand for synthetic notes. Why? Well, many fresh and fruity notes (including tropical fruits like banana) were either too volatile to add to perfume or too difficult to extract naturally – so recreating these notes artificially opened a whole new world of exotic notes to perfumers.
Our top 10 exotic perfumes
Black Orchid by Tom Ford
When we say this perfume is both exotic and unique, we mean that in every sense of the word. Because Tom Ford invented a completely new flower for it. He knew the scent profile he wanted but the flower didn’t exist. So, what did he do? He worked with a botanist and created one, of course!
He named his new flower the ‘Black Orchid’.
Smoky, spicy and oh-so-seductive, Black Orchid by Tom Ford is as opulent as the fluted, black glass bottle suggests. You’ll find decadent notes like jasmine, tuberose and mandarin mesmerise the senses before the incense, amber and chocolate base sweeps in to steal the show. This deliciously dark scent is best spritzed once the sun goes down.
TOM FORD
Black Orchid
Eau de Parfum Spray
30ML – €89.00
Spicebomb Extreme by Viktor&Rolf
Love punchy scents packed with personality? We’ve got just the scent for you. Spicebomb Extreme by Viktor&Rolf explodes onto the scene with a striking blend of bergamot and pepper. Before long, a trail of tobacco accord, cumin and vanilla brings sweet, smoky and spicy nuances into the equation. It’s a scent so entrancing, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re at a Moroccan spice market!
Viktor Rolf
Spicebomb Extreme
Eau de Parfum Spray
50ML – €85.00
Patchouli Ardent by Guerlain
For those that want to add a layer of mystery to date night, Patchouli Ardent by Guerlain will be your best accessory. With patchouli at the heart of this exotic fragrance, you can expect depth and dimension. But thanks to the soft Turkish rose and comforting musk base, this scent boasts a dreamy dry down that’ll linger on the skin until morning. We like to think of it like the mature, older sister of Exotic by Jimmy Choo.
–
For Her Pure Musk by Narciso Rodriguez
Equal parts delicate and delicious, For Her Pure Musk by Narciso Rodriguez imparts its soft sensuality thanks to sunny florals like orange blossom, jasmine and ylang-ylang. Once the top notes have taken hold, this exotic fragrance reaches its dreamy destination with a calming cashmeran and musk finale.
Narciso Rodriguez
For Her Pure Musc
Eau de Parfum Spray
50ML – €110.00
Hypnotic Poison by Dior
For perfume lovers that aren’t afraid to show their wild side, we’d like you to meet your match – Hypnotic Poison by Dior. As soon as the first spritz has left the bottle, prepare to be bewitched as bitter almond, sambac jasmine and sandalwood take you on an intoxicating olfactory journey. From start to finish, it’s nothing short of show-stopping.
DIOR
Hypnotic Poison
UNKNOWN for her
30ML – €77.00
Y Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent
Forget what you know about fougère scents, as Y le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent provides a daring introduction to the world of dark fougère. You’ve still got herbaceous notes like lavender and clary sage to kick this exotic fragrance into gear, except with a cedarwood, patchouli and tonka bean base that deepens the scent profile. It’s like confidence in a bottle – spritz if you dare.
Yves Saint Laurent
Y Le Parfum
Parfum Spray
60ML – €100.00
Jazz Club by Maison Margiela
Jazz Club by Maison Margiela is a time capsule, whisking you away to a New York jazz club in a bygone era. Its cosy compilation of ingredients combines sweet, smoky and smooth notes like rum absolute, tobacco leaf and vanilla bean that harmonise just like a soulful voice and a piano. Its vintage charm will add a touch of elegance to any fragrance collection.
Maison Margiela
Jazz Club
Eau de Toilette Spray
30ML – €75.00
Flower by Kenzo
If your idea of pure bliss involves a day surrounded by lakes, flowers, and endless sun – allow us to introduce your new signature scent. Flower by Kenzo captures everything you love about the great outdoors with its well-balanced scent profile. This exotic fragrance features precious saffron, orange blossom, and damascan rose that dries down into smooth, velvety base notes of vanilla musks.
KENZO
Flower By Kenzo L'Absolue
Eau de Parfum Spray
50ML – €96.00
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes
No article covering exotic perfumes would be complete without the magical scent of Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes. This extraordinary fragrance wows from the outset with tomato stem, carrot, and grapefruit before uplifting your mood with notes of hyacinth, lotus flower, peony, and mango. Sycamore and incense base notes transport you to a summer walk through the woods. This scent is a certified summer staple!
HERMÈS
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
Eau de Toilette Spray
50ML – €98.00
Gold Edition Oud by Pascal Morabito
Leaning more towards the traditional type of exotic fragrances, Gold Edition Oud by Pascal Morabito is rich, heady and completely entrancing. Expect oud, saffron, rose, leather and incense to leave a smooth and smoky trail of seduction. Our advice? Pair this fragrance with a tailored suit and some excellent company.
Pascal Morabito
Gold Edition Oud
UNKNOWN for him
100ML – €11.00
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ABOUT ROSA MORELL
COPYWRITER
Rosa is a creative copywriter who has been writing about luxury beauty, fragrance and her personal interest, sustainable fashion, for over two years. When she’s not hunting in her local charity shops for vintage homeware, she’s testing out the latest beauty trends. Her favourite perfume? Chance by CHANEL.
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