Gourmand Perfume: From Sweet To Chic

The Start of a Rebellion

Once upon a time, in a world where everything was too serious and bland scents reigned supreme, a group of sassy ladies decided to shake up the perfume status quo. These women were from all over the world and although they didn’t know each other, they had lots in common.

They were tired of the same old choices of fragrances. They didn’t like scent profiles that smelled like bouquets of flowers or unappealing spices. They also weren’t afraid to say, "Ummm, look I don’t hate it, but this floral perfume kinda reminds me of my grandmother".

A Sweet Snub

These women were bold, sassy and empowered. Rather than waste time smelling the roses, they preferred to spend their time smelling rose-water desserts. They craved scents as unique and tantalizing as the treats and desserts they (or someone who could actually cook) were making. Fragrances that spoke their language, reflected their personality and complemented their sweet and cheeky spirits. Something that could keep up with their lifestyle - fast, fun, and full of flavour.

There was just one tiny problem – these women were being utterly neglected by the perfume industry. Their sweet tastes and foodie-inspired fragrance preferences were continually drowned out by a sea of basic, boring floral and musky fragrances.

Constant Cravings

So, what did these women do? Started raising a bit of wicked mischief that’s what. They refused to buy 'old lady' floral perfumes. When someone else bought them some as a gift, they dutifully sprayed it a few times, but after an appropriate amount of time, they put that bottle right at the back of their bathroom cupboard and never touched it again.

Some of them walked around wearing vanilla essence from their pantries but were annoyed the scent didn’t last very long. Some experimented with essential oils, but found most smelled too pungent or just plain weird. Others drifted into men’s colognes, splashing around with the aquatic fragrance family. They liked the fresh quality of these fragrances, but still felt a gnawing hunger for something more… meal-worthy. After all, who wants to live off liquid lunches?

Sweet Salvation On its Way

You would imagine the perfume industry was keen to respond to the needs of women, but the industry had always been quite traditional. Things were done a certain way. "If you don't like the perfume, then don't wear it or find one you do like", was the admonishment. Trouble was, 'old lady' perfume was everywhere. 

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn the world of perfume was turned upside down by someone from outside the industry. Thierry Mugler was a visionary French fashion designer known for his theatrical and avant-garde style. Born in Strasbourg, France, in 1948, Mugler moved to Paris in his early twenties to pursue a career in fashion. He launched his own label in 1973, gaining fame for his bold, futuristic designs featuring sharp, angular lines, broad shoulders, and a heavy use of metallics and other unconventional materials.

Mugler's fashion shows were extravagant and had a performance element to them. His designs were not just clothes; they were statements, embodying power, sophistication, and a kind of sci-fi glamour that was ahead of its time. Mugler was a man who did not do boring.

Sweet Angel

In 1992 as part of his creative expression and vision, Thierry Mugler launched Angel. A perfume that is widely credited as being the first ever gourmand fragrance and it revolutionised the perfume world. It was considered groundbreaking due to its unique blend of sweet notes like chocolate, caramel, and vanilla mixed with patchouli, creating a complex, multi-layered scent that was unlike anything on the market at the time.

Angel set the stage for an entirely new experience in perfumery, where fragrances became not only a complement to one's personality but also an indulgent, sensory delight.

“Before Thierry Mugler’s Angel, nobody smelled of chocolate. The mere idea of it would have seemed absurd: chocolate was something you ate, not wore on the body.” Neil Chapman

Sweetly Unforgettable

Cue our sassy, foodie fragrance-starved ladies. They couldn’t get enough of Angel and a slew of other newly created gourmand scents that came afterwards. These were fragrances with notes like coffee, cotton candy, and various spices designed to appeal to a person’s sense of taste as much as to the sense of smell.

Anyone born this century is probably going to find it hard to believe that ‘smelling like a snack’ wasn’t even a thing a few decades ago. Given these perfumes revolve around sugar and other yummy fragrance notes synonymous with our most pleasurable memories of food, gourmand perfumes are guaranteed mood boosters. Plus you can binge on them forever without a single calorie passing your lips. Sweet! 

What a sad, depressing world it must have been with no gourmand perfumes to feast on.

Which Gourmand Groupie Are You?

Not all gourmand fragrances are the same. There are subcategories within gourmand and many people find themselves drawn to one group more than the others. Which do you feel most drawn to?

1. Sweet and Indulgent Gourmand Girlies

At the heart of many gourmand perfumes are rich, decadent notes that evoke the flavours of sweet treats and desserts. These can include vanilla, caramel, chocolate, honey, and praline, creating a luxurious, comforting aroma that is both indulgent and addictive. If you love the sound of these try Wicked Fumes Killer Vanilla, Caramel Cray Cray or Hot Ass Honey. Or better yet, blend them together for a seriously indulgent wicked fix.

2. Warm and Spicy Gourmand Girlies

Gourmand perfumes can also feature warm, spicy notes that add depth and complexity to the fragrance. These can include cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger, which can create a cozy, almost edible quality to the scent. Wicked Fumes just loves a bit of spicy-nice and we are working on some solid perfumes like this right now.

3. Nutty and Creamy Gourmand Girlies

Other gourmand fragrances incorporate nutty and creamy notes, such as almond, hazelnut, coconut, and milk, which can lend a velvety, comforting texture to the overall scent profile. These notes can also add a subtle richness and depth that complements the more indulgent, dessert-like elements of the perfume. If you love the sound of these try Wicked Fumes Cocoloco Nut.

4. Fruity and Juicy Gourmand Girlies

While the original concept of gourmand fragrances focused primarily on sweet, edible notes that evoked desserts and confections, the category has gobbled up the fruity fragrances as well. This broader definition encompasses scents that feature juicy, edible fruit notes such as peach, raspberry, apple, and tropical fruits like mango. If you love the sound of these try Wicked Fumes Strawbooty Smack, P@rnapple, Lewd Lime or Gropeabubble. Or better yet, create your own signature fruit salad with a blend.

 

A Sweet Smorgasbord

If your appetite for gourmand fragrances is insatiable and you can't pick just one group, don’t worry. Some girlies are just born to swipe right on them all! Plus it’s not hard to figure out how to make something smell magic. It’s basically like baking. A bit of this, a bit of that, a dash of this, a dab of that. Now you smell binge-worthy.

Curious about the difference between solid perfume and liquid sprays? Check out if you are ready to rock solid perfume.

Bon appétit!