11 best patchouli perfumes that smell seriously luxurious
In comparison to your regular gourmand and floral scents, patchouli perfumes may not be the most obvious addition to a fragrance wardrobe. But trust me when I tell you that every perfume veteran has a soft spot for patchouli, and for good reason too. Countless fragrance houses have been adding this charming ingredient into their best-selling perfumes since the dawn of time (case in point: Chanel No 5?) to add depth for a more complex profile.
You know that feeling when someone on the street/tube/at a cafe taps you on the shoulder and asks you something along the lines of “oh my god, you smell amazing, what perfume are you wearing?”. I think my fellow fragrance lovers would agree that nothing gives you a bigger confidence boost quite as much as that kind of a compliment from a stranger (totally in a non-creepy way, of course). Well, that's exactly what you can expect from wearing a patchouli perfume.
For the uninitiated, patchouli is a type of a flower plant that is native to Indonesia. It's largely used in aromatherapy and perfumery, thanks to its rich earthy, woody and musky tones – all of which are known as firm favourites among fragrance enthusiasts. In fact, patchouli is also considered a libido-boosting aphrodisiac scent, which adds to its addicting nature.
Best patchouli perfumes at a glance:
- Best overall: Le Labo Patchouli 24 eau de parfum, £168
- Best cult-favourite: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
- Best with a gourmand profile: Kayali Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli 64 Intense
- Best with a sweet profile: Maison Margiela Replica on a Date eau de toilette
- Best with an oud-y profile: Maison Crivelli Oud Maracuja extrait de parfum
There's a patchouli perfumes out there for every taste and preference. Whether you tend to gravitate towards sweet fragrances, refreshing florals or citrusy scents, darker oud-y eau de parfums or if you're a gourmand girlie through and through, patchouli can be found in virtually any fragrance imaginable.
To help you narrow down your pick, we've rounded up the very best patchouli scents around, according to the perfume-obsessed GLAMOUR beauty team, who have collectively tested hundreds of fragrances. We made sure to add everything from cult-favourite scents such as the YSL Black Opium, as well as newer launches, including the Maison Margiela Replica On a Date (released just earlier this year). You'll find affordable gems as well as more premium buys if you're in the mood to splurge and treat yourself to a new luxe perfume. So sit back, and scroll away…
Looking to upgrade your perfume collection? Make sure to check out our guides on best long-lasting perfumes, best rose perfumes and best perfume for women (of all time). For more makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Glamour UK Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Ahead, your definitive guide to the best patchouli perfumes around…
Why we love it: Despite carrying its name, patchouli is not the most obvious note in this fragrance. This unique fragrance from Le Labo combines the smoky, leathery aroma of birch with a slightly subtle hint of patchouli, before paving the way for the warm scent of vanilla. Very complex and definitely a must for the winter.
Top notes: Patchouli
Middle notes: Birch
Base notes: Vanilla
Why we love it: This unisex fragrance features a unique blend of natural ingredients that create an aroma that symbolises the ancient and modern world together. What does that actually mean in practice? Well, notes such as cinnamon, cardamom, carrot, papyrus and patchouli come together as a sensual yet intimate scent that’s equally suitable as a daytime and evening perfume.
Top notes: Cinnamon and cardamom
Middle notes: Carrot, orris butter and ginger
Base notes: Papyrus and patchouli
Why we love it: There’s nothing better to wear to a first, second or even 30th date than this eau de toilette from Maison Margiela. If you love sweet fruity scents or if you're a fan of florals, then you're in luck. Designed as part of the brand’s collection of fragrances inspired by memories or familiar locations, this particular product contains thrilling and sparkling notes of bergamot, rose petals and patchouli to recreate the feeling of a magical evening of love.
Top notes: Blackcurrant liquor accord, bergamot oil and pink pepper oil
Middle notes: Isparta rose petal essence, geranium oil and davana oil
Base notes: Patchouli essence, vetiver oil, moss accord and musks
Why we love it: Made as a tribute to Paris, this fragrance recreates the essence of the city perfectly, thanks to its intoxicating, complex and long-lasting scent. That, and the iconic Diptyque glass bottle that the fragrance comes in makes it a mainstay in virtually anyone’s vanity table. Long story short, if you're after a sophisticated scent with notes of rose, bergamot and patchouli, head this way…
Top notes: Bergamot and pink peppercorn
Middle notes: Roses and moss
Base notes: Patchouli
Why we love it: Are you someone who just looves perfume layering? Well, that’s where Kayali comes in. The brand takes inspiration from the Middle Eastern tradition of mixing and matching your favourite scents to create your own signature scent. This brown sugar-, sugared patchouli- and musk-filled scent is perfect for combining with whatever fragrance you love, but feel is missing that extra kick of sweetness.
Top notes: Vanilla orchid, jasmine and golden rum
Middle notes: Vanilla infusion, vanilla surabsolute and crème brulée
Base notes: Brown sugar, sugared patchouli and musk
Why we love it: Now, if you're someone who tends to gravitate towards oud-y scents, you can't sleep on the Maison Crivelli Oud Maracuja. No two types of patchouli are ever the same, and this extrait de parfum proves that perfectly. Infused with Indonesian patchouli, this dreamy fragrance combines the smell of Turkish rose and fruity passionfruit to create a sensual and spicy perfume that is guaranteed to turn heads and fetch compliments.
Top notes: Passionfruit, ebelia, saffron and Turkish rose
Middle notes: Indonesian patchouli and benzoin
Base notes: Leather, amber vanilla, labdanum and akigalawood
Why we love it: Powered by chemistry, this unique scent is alluring and addicting in the best way possible. This woody and warm fragrance leaves a velvety veil of patchouli, capturing a retro spirit of the 60s and 70s. This beautiful combination features not one, but two qualities of patchouli, creating a complex balance to charm any fragrance enthusiast.
Top notes: Iso E Super
Middle notes: Patchouli
Base notes: Indonesian patchouli
Why we love it: A bold and sensual perfume that provides all the confidence and seduction you need ahead of a big evening, this fragrance from Giorgio Armani is unlike any other. In fact, it’s the equivalent of red lipstick – the sexiness and brightness it adds to virtually any look is indescribable. A stunning scent for a confidence-boost.
Top notes: Blackcurrant liqueur, pear and pink pepper
Middle notes: Rose de Mai absolute, red rose absolute, jasmine and heliotrope
Base notes: Patchouli oil, vanilla and cedarwood
Why we love it: Let’s be honest – YSL Black Opium is a fragrance that never fails to impress and one that requires no introduction. Featuring notes of black coffee, vanilla and patchouli, it’s one of the boldest perfumes on this list, which always bodes well for fans of gourmand and bewitching scents. It's also a firm favourite of the GLAMOUR beauty team.
Top notes: Pear accord and mandarin essence
Middle notes: Vanilla, orange blossom and white flowers
Base notes: Black coffee accord, cedarwood essence, white musk and patchouli
Why we love it: Backed by an alluring base of Indonesian patchouli and toffee, this glamorous fragrance from Jimmy Choo is designed to depict a modern take of femininity. It features exotic top notes of Italian orange and a sensual base of patchouli and toffee, which makes it a perfect addition to any collection. It's bound to make a worthy addition to your existing perfume collection.
Top notes: Sweet Italian orange, pear and nectar
Middle notes: Tiger orchid
Base notes: Indonesian patchouli and toffee
Why we love it: Inspired by a modern, minimalist style, this fragrance is both bold and sensual, which makes it ideal for special occasions. Plus, let’s acknowledge just how iconic the bottle looks – after all, we’d expect nothing less from Calvin Klein. It's also sold on Amazon (in case you needed to take advantage of the next-day delivery). A win-win.
Top notes: Cassis nectar
Middle notes: Orchid nectar
Base notes: Rich patchouli
