Gourmand Fragrances: The New Perfume Trend Everyone Has On Their Radar
Sarah Tarca is a beauty journalist, writer and co-founder of Australia’s first dedicated beauty newsletter, gloss etc. Her skills involve applying lipstick without a mirror, bullying people to wear sunscreen and procrastinating washing her hair. She loves her kids, skincare and potatoes in equal measure — almost as much as she loves SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. Almost. Find her on socials @tarca
You’d be forgiven for thinking gourmand fragrances are new since you can’t have a casual scroll without landing on at least one foodie fragrance with a cute name on #PerfumeTok. But, while they are relatively “new” in a category that spans literal thousands of years, the modern gourmands have really only been around for the past 30 years.
So what exactly are gourmand fragrances? And what exactly has ignited this sweet fragrance trend, that, like a sugar craving we all can’t get enough of? Let me talk you through it.
What are Gourmand Fragrances?
Let’s start here. The word Gourmand actually comes from the old French word, gourmant which essentially means glutton or someone who is fond of eating (me, I’m her).
You can probably guess where we’re going here: a gourmand fragrance is one that is food inspired.
They’re traditionally of the sweet/ dessert variety and often very rich and decadent — creamy or velvety.
Think: vanilla, caramel,coffee and chocolate… you get the idea. However modern interpretations are layering more savoury notes to add balance.
Watch the YouTube video below for some of the most complimented fragrances in the Adore Beauty office:
A Brief History Of Modern Gourmand Fragrances
A little bit of olfactory history for you: back in 1992 Mugler released what is largely regarded as the first modern gourmand: Angel.
Anyone who lived through the era will remember the scent, and the chokehold it had on the world. It was so startlingly different from everything else on the market at the time (which was still mostly dominated by florals), and so distinct, that it immediately made its mark, revolutionising the fragrance market as it went.
The notes are praline and vanilla, caramel and red fruits, mixed with some creamy citrus notes, and patchouli at the base. It’s warm and big, and yes, edible.
The years that followed saw many riffs on the same idea: ultra-sweet and heady scents with a reputation of entering the room before you did.
But now, thirty years on from Mugler creating a whole new category, we’re mixing things up again.
Gourmand Fragrances in 2025:
There are a few different expressions of gourmands that are currently doing the trend rounds. Let’s break them down:
DIY Desserts: We can thank TikTok and its obsession with scent layering for this one. Rather than sticking to one signature scent, everyone is making their own unique concoction of dessert-inspired scents from lemon pound cake to vanilla milkshake. It’s kind of a choose-your-own-adventure, and the good news is, you’ll end up with something different from everyone else.
Savoury scents: We’re also starting to see the dial shift in the other direction: towards the equally-edible-but-less-toothache-inducing savoury notes. These newer interpretations give a more textured vibe and if they do have the sweet notes, you’ll find them paired with herbs, smoke, woods and spices to add more complexity.
The mainstays: While we are seeing more interesting interpretations come through, there are some notes that have become a permanent fixture in the past few years. Vanilla has been hard to ignore: it’s truly the olfactory stand out of this decade. You’ll find it as the backbone of many modern gourmands, and though it’s always been popular in fragrance, it’s made its way further up the fragrance period, often leading the heart notes, then anchored by amber, woods and spices. Caramel has also become an ingredient favourite, adding depth and warmth to scents, while chocolate notes have also been doing the rounds — often paired with vanilla or coffee for a moreish quality.
Best Gourmand Fragrances
If you’re reading this thinking this is only for the Gen Z’s, the trick to making them elegant is finding balance.
Pair your gourmands with more “grown up” notes like resins, or spices to give it contrast and add an element of intrigue and interest.
Whether you’re a sweet tooth looking for your next olfactory sugar hit, or just gourmand curious after reading this, here’s a few places to start:
Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum
Burberry Goddess notes:
- Head: Vanilla infusion and lavender
- Heart: Vanilla caviar
- Base: Vanilla absolute
Burberry Goddess review:
"I was looking for a perfume that had a hint of vanilla that lasted more than the first hour of spraying it , I got it with Burberry Godess! I get compliments every time. Anytime I go back in my wardrobe for something to re-wear, i can instantly smell this perfume on it. It's heavenly, and I do recommend it." - AB customer Maria.
Kayali Vanilla 28 Eau De Parfum
Kayali Vanilla Perfume notes:
- Head: Jasmine, Madagascan vanilla orchid
- Heart: Brazilian tonka
- Base: Musk, amber, patchouli, brown sugar
Kayali Vanilla 28 review:
"This perfume is my all time favourite, it layers beautifully and smells divine on its own too!!! This fragrance smells incredible right out of the box and only gets better with time as it ages, I couldn't recommend enough!!" - AB customer Bella.
Billie Eilish Original EDP
Billie Eilish perfume notes:
- Head: Red berries, mandarin, sugared petals
- Heart: Vanilla bourbon, soft spice accord, cocoa
- Base: Musk, woods, tonka
"So lovely and is such a beautiful fragrance" - AB customer PB
Mugler Angel
What:
Mugler angel notes:
- Top Notes: The fragrance opens with a vivacious burst of mandarin and peony, creating a fresh and luminous introduction.
- Heart Notes: At its heart, a delicate blend of praline and juicy apple adds a sweet, playful touch.
- Base Notes: Grounded in a base of patchouli and blond wood accord, the scent leaves a warm, sensual trail.
For more yummy fragrance inspo, check these out next:
