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10 Of The Best Perfumes That Smell Like Gardenia
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There are so many different perfumes out there. From the floral scents of jasmine, all the way to sweet-smelling perfumes that smell just like cotton candy.
Gardenia is one of the more classic smelling scents in the perfume industry.
Lots of people compare gardenia to the smells of their childhood, spending time with their grandparents.
That perfumey smell would usually be what your grandmother wore. This actually puts a lot of younger people off using it.
They don’t want to smell “old”. But just because gardenia is a more classic and older perfume doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it yourself!
There are plenty of gardenia-smelling perfumes to choose from in this day and age that will make you smell wonderful.
We’ll be going over some of the best gardenia-smelling perfumes here and we’ll also tell you a little bit more about this classic scent.
So read on to find out everything about gardenia!
What Is Gardenia?
So, what even is gardenia? Gardenias are a type of indoor plant that flowers between the summer and autumn.
Lots of people actually get gardenias confused with jasmine because they are so similar in the way they look and smell, but they are actually two different types of plants.
Gardenia is also used for a lot of medicinal reasons which include swelling and liver disorders, but these medical purposes are disputed as there hasn’t been enough research put into it.
You can also use gardenia in food. It is mainly used as a food colorant.
What Does Gardenia Smell Like?
Picture a weekend at your grandparent’s house, playing near your grandmother’s vanity. The smell you remember is gardenia!
It is a strong, extremely floral scent that has hints of creaminess that are similar to coconut. It’s also quite zesty and “green” in smell.
Because it is so floral in smell, it is extremely earthy.
Lots of people describe the smell of gardenia as being nostalgic because it reminds them of older family members they would spend time with as a child.
It is one of the more distinguishable floral smells. When you know exactly what gardenia smells like, you’ll be able to pick it out straight away.
It can be described as creamier than ylang-ylang, lighter than tuberose, and more feminine than jasmine (even though they are quite similar in smell!).
10 Perfumes That Smell Like Gardenia
Here are some of the best perfumes you can currently find that smell like gardenia.
Most of these perfumes have an array of ingredients, but the nostalgic smell of gardenia shines through and doesn’t get lost in the other scents.
Estée Lauder Beautiful
Kicking off our list, Estée Lauder Beautiful is one of the longest-running gardenia-forward floral perfumes in continuous production — released in 1985 and still a top seller. Gardenia and tuberose at the heart, layered over a rose, jasmine, and lily-of-the-valley accord, with sandalwood and amber in the dry-down. It reads polished and slightly old-fashioned in a way that’s coming back into style. The mass-market gardenia entry point.
The honey offers the user sweet undertones and the black plum gives you minor scents of fruitiness.
Both compliment the gardenia really well, giving you a unique experience of gardenia.
Flora – Gorgeous Gardenia
Flora – Gorgeous Gardenia is a perfume that is made and produced by Gucci.
Gucci is known for its amazing perfumes and fragrances and the Flora – Gorgeous Gardenia definitely lives up to the reputation.
If you want a gardenia smell that is both fruity and floral, then Gucci’s Flora – Gorgeous Gardenia is the fragrance for you.
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh brings gardenia into a more youthful, fruitier composition. Pear, raspberry, and grapefruit up top, gardenia and lychee at the heart, then a soft musk-cedar base. Less serious than the Estée Lauder above, more approachable than the Gucci Flora — reads as gardenia in a casual setting rather than a formal one. A good crossover pick for younger wearers or daily wear.
Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia
Pacifica’s Tahitian Gardenia is the budget pick on this list — drugstore pricing, decent realism on the gardenia note, and a tropical-coconut undertone that pulls it more “vacation” than “white wedding.”
Vegan and cruelty-free, which the brand makes a point of advertising.
This scent is infused with the smells of tea leaves, sweet orange, and jasmine that are blended in with gardenia, giving you that classic smell with a unique twist.
The sweet orange gives the overall floral vibe of this perfume a fruity touch, which is sure to make anyone who smells it absolutely love it.
Tocca Florence Eau De Parfum Spray
The Tocca Florence Eau de Parfum Spray is designed to be light, so you can wear it in any setting without the scent being too overpowering.
Both floral and woody, this variation of gardenia-scented perfume is sure to keep you smelling wonderful.
It has that classic gardenia smell infused with bergamot and blonde wood that makes you feel like you’re strolling through a popular European city exploring the delightful cafes.
Demeter Gardenia Cologne
Demeter does single-note scents the way a botanist would — no clever twists, no styling. Their Gardenia is the actual flower in a bottle: white, slightly fleshy, a touch indolic in the heart, then gone. It’s transparent rather than cloying, which is rare for gardenia (most gardenia perfumes lean buttery or coconut-tropical to extend the note). Use it on its own as a casual day scent, or layer it under a heavier white floral to add lift.
Mini Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau De Parfum Travel Spray
The Mini Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau de Parfum is the perfect perfume for you to take on your travels with you.
It embodies the vibe of swimming in the Mediterranean sea and is a great piece of traveling abroad to take home with you.
Along with gardenia, you will find this perfume infused with plenty of other scents that include honeysuckle, sparkling grapefruit, Italian bergamot, mandarin oil, lily of the valley, and jasmine sambac.
So there is no limit to the variety in this blend.
Givenchy Amarige Eau De Toilette Spray
The Givenchy Amarige Eau de Toilette Spray is the perfect blend of floral.
If you want that classic gardenia smell with a little extra floral, then this is the perfume for you.
As well as gardenia, you will also find hints of neroli, tonka bean, and ylang-ylang infused into this beautiful perfume.
It’s like standard gardenia, but with a bit more depth.
Tom Ford White Suede
Tom Ford White Suede pairs the gardenia note with a creamy suede-and-musk base, putting it in a slightly different register than the cleaner gardenia picks above. It reads warm, slightly powdery, and unmistakably luxurious — gardenia as part of a “second-skin” composition rather than a head-of-the-bouquet floral. Niche-luxury price tier, but the dry-down is what you’re paying for.
Versace Crystal Noir Eau De Toilette Spray
And finally, we have Versace Crystal Noir Eau de Toilette Spray. It is a gardenia-based perfume that is a bit spicier than your average gardenia scent!
The mixture of floral and spicy offers the user a unique take on the classic gardenia smell, which will surely turn heads when you step into any room.
You will find the smells of gardenia, amber, pepper, ginger, and cardamom in this scrumptious blend.
Health Benefits Of Gardenia
Before we wrap this article up, it might interest you to know there are believed to be a few health benefits to using gardenia.
Though most of these health benefits haven’t been completely proven by science, lots of people still consume gardenia as a form of home remedy for a lot of different ailments.
Some of the aliments include anxiety, agitation, bladder infection, high blood pressure, the flu, trouble sleeping, menopausal symptoms, pain, swelling of the pancreas, and some people even use gardenia for cancer issues.
There are some chemicals in gardenia that might help prevent glucose intolerance.
Though there’s still ongoing research into the effectiveness, gardenia is believed to help with diabetes.
As well as physical ailments, gardenia is also believed to help reduce anxiety and depression.
Though most of these health benefits haven’t been fully scientifically proven, lots of people do swear by using gardenia for their home remedies, so it’s up to you how you feel about it!
Table of Contents
- What Is Gardenia?
- What Does Gardenia Smell Like?
- 10 Perfumes That Smell Like Gardenia
- Estée Lauder Beautiful
- Flora – Gorgeous Gardenia
- Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh
- Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia
- Tocca Florence Eau De Parfum Spray
- Demeter Gardenia Cologne
- Mini Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau De Parfum Travel Spray
- Givenchy Amarige Eau De Toilette Spray
- Tom Ford White Suede
- Versace Crystal Noir Eau De Toilette Spray
- Health Benefits Of Gardenia
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