Ginger biscuits, ginger beer, even Ginger Spice! That gnarly-looking root seems to find its way into many facets of our lives, and fragrance is no exception. Often used by perfumers to add a spicy note, it works well either with woody elements to give a warm feeling or with citrus ingredients for something altogether more fresh. That means ginger-based fragrances work well this time of year – bright and breezy for a day, but good for chilly evenings too. They also buy into the vegetable-based trend that continues to be strong at the moment. A word of advice, though – avoid anything sweet as it can easily tip into gingerbread, and no one wants to smell like a cake. Here are some of our favourites, both old and new.
Goldfield and Banks – Ingenious Ginger
Considering its name, there’s no guessing the central component of this one. Created by Australian perfumers Goldfield and Banks, who specialise in indigenous plants for their products, this is a good mix of ginger, lemon and florals, making it smell quite tropical and sunny. You can get it here.
Escentric Molecules – Molecule 01+ Ginger
Despite its rather complicated name and over-graphic bottle, this is a very clean, almost simple fragrance that really makes the most of its central feature. It has woody notes too, making it warmer rather than too fresh, but it works day or evening for us. Get it, for example, here.
Cartier – Oud Radieux
Very classy indeed, this is a sophisticated take on ginger that moves it out of the kitchen and into the living room of a fancy apartment in Paris (at least in our imaginations). Mixed with pepper and oud, this is deep, rich and very long-lasting. It’s pretty strong, so best to put it on a little while before you step into the taxi. You can get it on the official website.
Son Venin – 0905
Mixed with cardamom and cedar, this beautifully bottled fragrance from Oslo-based Son Venin is another warm and spicy version of ginger, though with a freshness of pine in there too. It’s marketed as unisex, but we think this one is pretty masculine. If you fancy getting one, head over here.
Louis Vuitton – L’Immensité
Surprisingly, this LV scent is actually quite clean and straightforward (sometimes their fragrances are very complex) with a fresh, almost fizzy aroma that is citrusy and sharp. The quality comes through, though in its longevity and, of course, in that gorgeous, iconic flacon.
