‘Green notes’ in perfumier speak tend to refer to spring fragrances that evoke a fresh scent of cut grass, green leaves and other botanical aromas, such as crushed stems, violet leaves, tropical foliage, herbs and mosses.
A key note in many green scents is galbanum, an aromatic resin sourced from a Persian botanical species and prized by perfumers for its bitter green notes. When blended with lighter, fragrant top notes and lingering spices or musks at its base, it makes for the perfect, nature-evoking scent.
This week we have a round-up of twelve fragrances for heralding in the change in seasons with an array of green notes.
Miller Harris
Wander through the Parks, £90
An evocative green city scent, it is reminiscent of wandering through London’s parks on a summer’s day. Expect notes of green, sappy nettle and zesty fruits. Buy it here.
Byredo
La Tulipe, £127
An unconventional floral note that sings ‘spring’, the tulip is paired with bold notes of cyclamen, freesia, rhubarb and vetiver. Tart, with a fresh floral feel. Perfect for bright days. Buy it here.
Chanel
Bel Respiro, £300
An investment scent inspired by Mademoiselle Chanel’s countryside retreat outside Paris, which was surrounded by crisp green fields. Bel Respiro combines fresh green notes of galbanum and rosemary for a deep breath of country air. Buy it here.
Guerlain
Herbes Troublantes, £280
Another budget-busting buy for green scent connoisseurs from Guerlain, filled with fresh aromatics of wild thyme, mint and rosemary, and balanced with sparkling bergamot for an instant spritz of sun-warmed herbs and Mediterranean summers. Buy it here.
DS&Durga
Coriander, £148
Evoking the countryside outside the port of Odessa, Coriander by DS&Durga fuses sea air, spices from the outdoor markets and fresh herbs from the roadside verges – with vibrant notes of clary sage, juniper needle, geranium leaf and Russian coriander. Buy it here.
Hermes
Un Jardin Sur Le Toit, £67
A green fruit fragrance with crisp apple, Un Jardin Sur Le Toit is softened by pear blossom and the raw green scent of wild grasses. A clean, light spritz inspired by the rooftop garden at Hermes’ Paris HQ. Buy it here.
L’Artisan Parfumeur
Mon Numero 9, £120
A sharp, resinous green scent, by L’Artisan Parfumeur, Mon Numero 9 features notes of cedrat, lemon petitgrain and shiso leaf. The perfect fragrance palette cleanser after the musky, spicy scents of winter. Buy it here.
The Nue Co
Forest Lungs, £85
This clever functional fragrance delivers just the right hit of outside. Harvesting the phytoncides in trees – the molecules credited for the positive healing benefits associated with forest bathing – it delivers an anti-stress spritz filled with notes of vetiver, cedar wood, benzoin, pine, patchouli and bergamot. Buy it here.
Lush
Grass, £85
Lush has captured that mix of sun-warmed earth and freshly cut grass perfectly in this fresh, verdant summer scent. Featuring bright bergamot, herbal notes and warm neroli. Buy it here.
Jo Loves
Green Orange and Coriander, £75
A peppery, bitter green masculine scent that feels like a sip of a freshly mixed botanical cocktail, with green orange, coriander seed, oak moss and black pepper. Herbaceous, fresh yet spicy. Buy it here.
Comme des Garçons
Amazingreen, £70
A bold blast of green energy. Comme des Garçons is known for their avant-garde scents and this fusion of green notes and gunpowder doesn’t disappoint. Smoke, flint, spices alongside verdant, lush tropical leaves, green pepper, ivy and orris root gives a unique mineral, organic green hit. Buy it here.
The Matcha 26
Le Labo, £141
Le Labo has captured the ceremony of Matcha Green Tea and the quiet, elegant grace of the ritual itself in its green scent, The Matcha 26. With soft, whispering notes of vetiver, cedar wood, matcha and bitter orange, it’s a creamy, green fragrance that is perfect for those who want a gentle, yet elemental scent. Buy it here.
By Lydia Mansi
April 2022
