This connection between vegetables, nature and feelings of calm is also supported by research from natural beauty brand Weleda. It found that during the pandemic 26.7 million Britons grew their own fruit and vegetables, with almost two thirds claiming that “connecting with nature has had a positive impact on their mood.”
And as some fragrance brands barrel towards AI, with perfumes chosen for you by algorithms, vegetable-infused scents are a convenient reminder that going back to basics and huffing on a scent in real life is a powerful mood shifter.
So if you want to try an offbeat but addictive scent, here are some of the best perfumes with vegetable scents.
Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill
Much like an actual smoothie, the blend – woody carrot, herbs, apricot, sour blackcurrant – is the perfect ratio of fresh and green vs sweet and fruity. While it has the same sun-drenched appeal of the other LA-inspired perfumes in the collection, there is a pulse of electricity running through it that makes it too energising for slouching around Venice Beach in a ribbed vest and jogging bottoms.
Loewe Tomato Leaves Scented Candle
Given that we’ve been gripped by tomato girl summer, it seems only apt to be transported to a leafy allotment with this candle as we move into autumn. Using the purest essence of tomato leaves (solanum lycopersicum, to be precise), the scent is fuzzy and herbaceous rather than sharp – a little like when you crumple the leaves between your fingertips.
DS & Durga Bistro Waters Eau de Parfum
DS & Durga has always had a nose for an offbeat scent – and Bistro Waters is no different. Inspired by a buzzing 90s New York bistro, it smells both fresh and savoury courtesy of grassy green peppers, just-chopped herbs (think basil and coriander) and a dash of nutmeg. It’s the type of perfume that fizzes on the skin before warming up, and would most definitely finish the night in a red leather booth nursing a peartini.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Tonka Blanc Eau de Parfum
Tonka Blanc is the very first fragrance on the market to feature a natural vegetable extract – in this case, cauliflower oil from Symrise’s Garden Lab collection. Combined with citrus, almond and creamy tonka bean, it smells nutty and sweet, not unlike a fork breaking apart a warm lemon sponge, topped with mascarpone.
Assouline Mykonos Muse Candle
The freshness of rhubarb steers this candle’s scent away from the Greek island predictability of almond and wild fig. It’s all about balance: heat simmering off white-washed buildings, tempered by the cool blue-green waters of the Aegean Sea.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte Eau de Parfum
According to perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, “by creating heat in a fragrance, you push the fresh notes.” True to his word, warm musk and patchouli are overwhelmed by a rush of Italian bergamot, verbena and crunchy fennel. All of which is to say, this perfume is bracing from first spritz to dry down, like the moment a frothy, white-capped wave hits your sun-warmed limbs.
Hermès Eau De Rhubarbe Ecarlate Eau De Cologne
Freshly-snapped stems of rhubarb and tangy verbena spar with nuzzly musk for a perfume that comes alive on your skin but still feels delicate.
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR’s Acting Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.