The fougere fragrance family is one of the largest of the fragrance families. Under it fall a bunch of different fragrances, but what are the best fougere fragrances for women?
What Are Fougere Fragrances And How Do They Smell
The word ‘fougere’ means fern-like in French and used to categorize fragrances that include notes such as lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin. Nowadays, the term is a bit broader and includes fragrances that smell natural and green.
The category of fougere fragrances is one of the larger fragrance categories and holds a large number of fragrances under its name. Fougere fragrances are loved for their fresh and vibrant scents that stay classy and inoffensive.
Besides the fresh and green notes, many fougere fragrances also include woody notes. Most woody notes are on the warmer side and when paired with the many fresh fougere notes, you get a wide range of different fragrances. They can be fresh, warm, or both. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best fougere fragrances for women, in no particular order!
1. Penhaligon’s English Fern
Penhaligon’s English Fern is an incredible fragrance that dates all the way back to 1890. Yet, this is still a relevant fragrance to this day!
The top notes of Penhaligon’s English Fern are lavender and geranium. The middle notes are cloves and the base notes are oakmoss, patchouli, and sandalwood.
Penhaligon’s English Fern opens with a classic, old-school fougere scent of lavender and geranium. These two floral notes create a strong, almost barbershop-like scent, setting the tone for this fragrance.
Shortly after the opening, the fragrance mellows down a bit and becomes much cleaner and soapier. Hints of fresh florals, mixed with touches of fresh oakmoss create a truly amazing fougere scent.
In the dry down, some warm woody notes are present, but this fragrance is all about the fresh and clean florals and fougere notes. After all, this fragrance is named English Fern, and fougere is French for fern-like.
Due to the fresher, soapier scent, this fragrance is best worn during the warmer months. Here, you can easily wear it casually throughout the day, but it’s also fresh and clean enough to wear formally as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
2. Hermes Elixir Des Merveilles
Hermes Elixir Des Merveilles is a stunning oriental fougere fragrance. This fragrance was made by Jean-Claude Ellena and was released in 2006.
The notes of Hermes Elixir Des Merveilles are orange peel, Siam resins, amber, caramel, Peru balsam, cedar, oak, patchouli, incense, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla.
Hermes Elixir Des Merveilles opens with a beautiful scent of orange, supported by some sweet resinous notes. This immediately makes for a rich and slightly sweet opening that perfectly sets the tone for the remainder of the fragrance.
Shortly after the opening, a few sweet notes, such as vanilla and caramel, start to appear. These work together perfectly with the resinous notes and give the fragrance a slightly sweeter feel.
From here, the fragrance dries down into something warmer and woodier. Hints of warm and creamy sandalwood, paired with incense and tonka bean make for a stunning finish.
In the end, you’re left with a rich and sweet fragrance and a true oriental fougere. Due to the rich and warm scent, you can best wear this fragrance during the fall and winter. During these colder months, you can wear it either casually or formally. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
3. Chanel Boy Chanel
Chanel Boy Chanel is one of the exclusive Chanel fragrances, made by their in-house perfumer Olivier Polge. This fragrance is an aromatic fougere that was released in 2016.
The top notes of Chanel Boy Chanel are lavender, grapefruit, and lemon. The middle notes are geranium, orange blossom, and rose. The base notes are white musk, heliotrope, sandalwood, vanilla, coumarin, and oakmoss.
Initially, the name of this fragrance might put you off. However, Chanel Boy Chanel, even though it’s called ‘boy’, is actually a unisex fragrance. And a great one at that.
This fragrance opens with a blast of aromatic lavender, supported by a bunch of citrusy notes. These all come together to create a soapy and aromatic scent.
Shortly after the opening, some powdery notes are introduced, giving the fragrance an almost powdery feel. This powdery feel goes perfectly with the soapy, aromatic opening.
From here, the fragrance doesn’t really change too much anymore. This leaves you with a soapy, powdery, and aromatic fougere fragrance, done in a classy, luxurious Chanel manner.
Due to the fresh and aromatic scent, you’re best off wearing this fragrance during the warmer months. Here, it works great in a casual setting, but thanks to the classy Chanel feel, it also works wonders in a formal setting as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
4. Jo Malone Amber & Lavender
Jo Malone Amber & Lavender is a stunning fougere fragrance with a warm and aromatic scent. This fragrance was made by Jo Malone herself and was released all the way back in 1995.
The top notes of Jo Malone Amber & Lavender are lavender, bergamot, and mint. The middle notes are clove, lily of the valley, and cinnamon. The base notes are amber, patchouli, and myrrh.
Jo Malone Amber & Lavender opens with an aromatic scent of lavender, supported by a cooling hint of mint. This creates an icy, fresh fougere scent that quickly changes into something warmer.
Shortly after the opening, some spicy notes start to make themselves known, giving the fragrance a warmer feel. The spices also work great with the aromatic scent of lavender as well.
From here, a warm scent of amber starts to emerge. The amber gives the fragrance a warm undertone and gives it a classic, old-school feel.
Overall, this is a great fragrance with a nice balance between fresh and warm notes. This makes it great for pretty much any season of the year, where you can wear it either formally or casually. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
5. Clive Christian E Green Fougere With Aromatic Lavender
Clive Christian E Green Fougere With Aromatic Lavender is quite the mouthful. However, the name perfectly explains the scent you’re going to get. This fragrance was made by Tim Gage and was released in 2017.
The top notes of Clive Christian E Green Fougere With Aromatic Lavender are lavender and fern. The middle notes are rose and narcissus and the base notes are green notes.
Clive Christian E Green Fougere With Aromatic Lavender opens with, as you might imagine, a scent of fresh and aromatic lavender. Added to the lavender is a green, typical fougere scent of fern, making for a luscious opening.
Shortly thereafter, a nice touch of florals is added. These floral notes give off a fresh, but also slightly sweet scent, making the fragrance a little more interesting.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, some more green notes start to appear, blending in nicely with the fresh florals and aromatic lavender and fern.
Overall, you get a fantastic fragrance with a refreshing fougere scent. This makes it perfect for the spring and summer, where you can easily wear this one casually throughout the day. Besides casual daytime wear, this fragrance will also do a great job in the office or any other formal setting. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
6. Diptyque Eau De Lavande
Diptyque Eau De Lavande is once again a fantastic fougere fragrance with a focus on the note of lavender. This fragrance was released back in 2014.
The notes of Diptyque Eau De Lavande are lavender, nutmeg, coriander, and cinnamon.
Diptyque Eau De Lavande opens with an aromatic, barbershop-like scent, done in a modern way. Hints of fresh and aromatic lavender are on the forefront, backed by some warm spicy notes.
These spicy notes give the fragrance a much warmer and richer feel and, in combination with the fresh and sharp lavender, create a strong and sharp scent.
From here, the fragrance doesn’t actually change that much anymore. This fragrance is rather linear and simple, but smells great nonetheless.
In fact, the simplicity actually makes it very versatile, as the scent that’s there is inoffensive and clean. Such a scent works great in any setting and is best worn during the warmer months. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
7. l’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe
l’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe is a woody fougere fragrance with a lovely scent. This fragrance was made by Olivia Giacobetti and was released in 2006.
The top notes of l’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe are wormwood, angelica, and blackcurrant. The middle notes are star anise, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, pepper, and patchouli. The base notes are pine tree needles, balsam fir, and incense.
l’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe opens with a stunning scent of cool, green fougere notes. Hints of wormwood and angelica make up most of the opening, and they do a truly amazing job.
Shortly after the opening, these cool green notes are accompanied by some warm spices. This makes for a fantastic contrast between warm and fresh notes, making for an interesting and unique scent.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, some woody notes start to appear. Along with the woody notes is a hint of pine, giving off a crisp and sharp undertone.
Overall, l’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe is a fantastic fragrance that you can actually wear ll year long. This is thanks to that contrast of warm and fresh notes, making it work well in all seasons. All throughout the year, you also don’t really have any restrictions. This fragrance will do just as well in a formal setting as it will in a more casual one. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!