Lavender is one of the oldest perfume ingredient out there. In fact, the earliest known use of lavender can be traced all the way back to Ancient Egypt, where it's speculated that the plant was used for perfume and as part of the mummification process. Ancient Romans went wild for lavender, believing it to be a purifying plant, and the name even comes from the Latin verb lavare, or to wash.
That's all to say lavender has a rich history in the realm of fragrance. The ingredient is also known for its calming and soothing properties. It's fantastic as the star of a scent, but it also plays well with others as a supporting note. Keep reading for our favorite lavender perfumes, and get ready to feel like you're wandering the lavender fields in Provence.
1. Tom Ford Lavender Extreme Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Lavender absolute, tonka bean, carrot-seed oil
Aptly named, this fragrance is an explosion of lavender. It's actually made with a blend of different types of lavender: lavender from Provence's Hautes-Alpes region, an ambery lavender from the valley, and a third type of lavender. The mix is electric. If perfumes had sound, this one would be turned all the way up.
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Key notes: tuberose absolute, Szechuan peppercorn, suede accord
2. Le Labo Lavande 31
Key notes: lavender, bergamot, neroli, amber, musk, tonka
This is the perfect fragrance for anyone who doesn't typically wear fragrances. It's light and has a calming blend of notes that isn't overwhelming, and it has a perfectly gender-neutral finish.
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Key notes: mandarin, calone, orange blossom, salt crystal, watermelon, jasmine, neroli, musk, tonka bean, vanilla
3. Guerlain Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum
Key notes: jasmine, lavender, vanilla
Sweet, soft, and unapologetically romantic, this perfume is floral with an edge. It's one of those scents that smells good on everyone and is suitable for just about every occasion.
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Key notes: nashi pear, cherry blossom, white musk
4. Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum
Key notes: lavender, orange blossom, musk accord
A hint of musk transforms this lavender-forward fragrance into something bold and unique. It's breezy and different, perfect for anyone who doesn't want just another floral perfume.
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Key notes: datura flower, patchouli, red berries
5. Chloé Atelier Des Fleurs Lavanda Eau de Parfum
Key note: lavender
This fragrance is perfumer Quentin Bisch's attempt to conjure his childhood memory of his mother walking inside from their garden carrying a bunch of lavender. It's a special fragrance that will win over any lavender lover.
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Key notes: pink peony, freesia, lychee, magnolia flower, lily of the valley, rose, cedarwood, amber, honey
6. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne
Key notes: lemon, sweet orange, calabrian bergamot, lavender, Bulgarian rose, verbena, rosemary, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli
This perfume expertly weaves lavender with citrus notes. The result is a luxe, impossibly fresh, and bright scent.
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Key notes: black pepper, raspberry accord, peony accord, geranium, freesia accord, Turkish rose, ambery accord, patchouli, musk
7. D.S. & Durga Burning Barbershop Eau de Parfum
Key notes: spearmint, lime, hemlock spruce, vanilla, tuberose, Turkish rose, lavender absolute, hay, burnt oil
D.S. & Durga has a knack for taking familiar scents and flipping them on their head in the most interesting way possible. This perfume is based on a charred bottle of shaving tonic found in the Curling Bros. barbershop fire.
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Key notes: bergamot, petals, lemon oil, linden, rose accord, dune grass, muscone, salt water, white moss
8. Gucci The Alchemist's Garden Moonlight Serenade Acqua Profumata
Key notes: lavender, sage, tonka bean
Somehow, this fragrance from Gucci manages to turn a lavender-centric scent into something sexy and dark. Sage and tonka bean act as supporting characters that render this scent truly intoxicating.
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Key notes: frangipani, ylang-ylang, tiare, vanilla
9. Chanel Boy Chanel
Key notes: lavender, geranium, woody notes
There's nothing more alluring than a woodsy, floral scent. Inspired by Gabrielle Chanel's great love, this one is truly special and has notes of calming lavender, bright geranium, and grounding woods.
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Key notes: white musk, bergamot, iris, neroli, woody notes of cedar, powdery accents, honey
10. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin Eau de Parfum
Key notes: litsea cubeba, Calabrian lemon, lavandin from Provence, orange blossom, hawthorn accord, musk, ambroxan
Maison Francis Kurkdjian scents never miss. This perfume is made with lavandin rather than true lavender. Lavandin is technically a hybrid form of lavender—a cross between true lavender and spike lavender. The result is an extremely potent-smelling plant, perfect for a sparkling perfume like this one.
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Key notes: damascena rose from Bulgaria, centifolia rose from Grasse, Calabrian bergamot, Californian orange, violet, magnolia, blossom, cedarwood, musk
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
