What does patchouli smell like? Discover this scented ingredient

The smell of patchouli is very common and gives the fragrances their distinct smell. So, where does it come from? It comes from the plant Patchouli, the essential oil extracted from its leaves and stems. The oil typically smells of earthy, woody notes with a hint of floral notes. Patchouli fragrances tend to go heavy on the patchouli scent, making it a strong fragrance.

Since it is quite popular in perfumes (check the top rated perfumes for her), we tell you everything you should know about Patchouli base scent. Moreover, we will tell you the top perfumes with this ingredient and do justice to patchouli. 

What’s the best Patchouli Fragrance?

The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus Eau De Parfum

A blend of patchouli with citrus makes this perfume super floral

The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus perfume is a warm, exotic, oriental fragrance. From the first spritz of this fragrance, Patchouli Citrus Eau de Parfum awakens the senses with a sparkling blend of citrus and aquatic accords, then emboldens awareness and encourages confidence.

A heart of Italian Mandarin and sparkling pink Peppercorn lends its spicy tone to the scent (check the best smelling spicy perfumes), while Patchouli and Orange Flower complete the fruity heart with a delightfully feminine touch. Patchouli Citrus Eau de Parfum finishes with a refreshing base of White Musk, bringing those magical Patchouli citrus notes and hints of ylang-ylang and sandalwood to a soft, lingering finish.

The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus Eau de Parfum captures the sensuality and charm of Patchouli and Citrus (check the best selling citrus perfumes for women), with notes of Lemon, Grapefruit, Orange, Mandarin, Patchouli, and Sandalwood oil.

It opens with Patchouli, Citrus, and Cardamom notes, which create a fresh and exquisite flavor. The Patchouli combines with Citrus, giving the perfume a citrusy scent. Cardamom is added, providing a touch of sweetness to create the perfect perfume.

The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus Eau de Parfum is a floral musk fragrance with top notes of patchouli, bergamot, and mandarin orange; mid notes of jasmine, rose (check the most popular rose perfumes), geranium, ylang-ylang, neroli, iris, strawberry, and Tiare flower; base notes cedarwood, sandalwood, musk, benzoin, and vetiver.

This Parfum by The 7 Virtues is a citrusy, woody, spicy fragrance for women. The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus Eau de Parfum contains notes of bergamot, iris, clary sage, black pepper, cardamom, patchouli, and cedar.

The 7 Virtues Patchouli Citrus uplifts the mood and inspires harmony. This scent mingles in white patchouli, red mandarin, sweet orange, lemon, tulip, cardamom, and bitter grapefruit. 100% vegan.

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle L'Eclat

It is modern, unique, and the interpretation of an oriental fragrance with a twist of gourmand.

This Lancôme perfume has a floral and fruity scent. It will make you smell fresh and soft all day long. The high notes are bergamot, tangerine, jasmine, and lotus flower. The middle notes are ylang-ylang, water lily, and rose. The notes base is musk, praline, and sandalwood.

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle means Life is a Beautiful Dream. L'Eclat Eau de Parfum means Liquid Breakfast. This modern scent is captivating and irresistible (check the top rated Lancôme perfumes). 

It is elegant, floral, and a floral fruity fragrance. Its top notes include lily, orange, cassis, raspberry, peach (check the best smelling peach perfumes), and jasmine. The middle notes include freesia, lychee, magnolia, lily of the valley, and mimosa. Base notes include sandalwood, amber, musk, vanilla, and patchouli.

In addition, it is a modern, sexy interpretation grasping the essence of joyful femininity. In the heart of the fragrance, the iris is blended with patchouli, spun sugar, and the nectarous note of Mediterranean orange flower.

You’ll love this scent if you’re inspired by femininity and the joy and the desire to live as a woman. The fragrance captures the joy of life and the continuous search for new inspirations. The aroma is fresh and feminine, with iris, patchouli, spun sugar, and allspice notes, for a captivating, surprising, and joyful scent.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Bloom into floral bliss.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb bursts onto the scene with a dazzling floral bouquet that dances on the senses. This romantic scent (check the top rated romantic perfumes) opens with a burst of ginger lily, cyclamen, and ylang-ylang. The heart beats with the blooming jasmine and peony, while the base settles on Moroccan cedar and patchouli. It consists of a combination of floral notes, including hyacinth, lily of the valley, rose, and jasmine.

Flowerbomb is a perfume from Viktor & Rolf. It is described as a “gorgeous, sensual composition.” The scent is sweet (check the bestseller sweet perfumes) but spicy, creating an exciting combination. Flowerbomb is floral and sensual, with top notes of bergamot, black currant, and mandarin orange. The floral heart is composed of orchid, jasmine, carnation, and lily. The base notes are sandalwood and musk.

Many fragrances are light, lingering, cloud-like scents, and Flowerbomb is one of them. It has a powdery, sweet scent that is long-lasting. The scent is luxurious and moisturizing, and it is a popular fragrance for spring and summer (check the best rated summer perfumes for ladies). The floral-fruity scent will refresh your mind and body.

This floral fragrance opens with essences of top notes of rose, lily of the valley, and peach. These come together to give way to a heart of jasmine, freesia, and nasturtium. Base notes of patchouli, white musk, and vanilla round it off (check the best smelling vanilla perfumes).

This fragrance bursts with floral scents, the playful perfume for women is accented with patchouli and vanilla for a juicy, lush scent. Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is a floral perfume for women. Flowerbomb opens with lingers with the smell of jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang.

Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb perfume reeks of your favorite things—sweet, floral, powdery, fruity. Perfumes can sometimes smell the same. However, Flowerbomb smells different—it is deeper than most perfumes and a little more personal.

What Smells Similar to Patchouli?

Patchouli is a blend of oils, including ylang-ylang which you may also know as the moonflower oil. It smells like the patchouli plant, which grows in tropical areas. Patchouli is a dark, sweet-smelling plant. The smell of patchouli is similar to the smell of vanilla.

Patchouli scent has vanilla with a flowery and peppery smell. It is almost something that tastes edible, like a sweet spice. However, there is a powdery feeling as the sent is dry and works best in humidity.

Why Do Hippies Smell Like Patchouli?

The plant Pogostemon cablin belongs to the mint family and has a similar essence. It is the main source of patchouli oil. This plant is native to tropical Asian countries such as India, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Hippies tend to camouflage the smell of marijuana with patchouli oil, with its strong smell. 

It was also effective in concealing the smell of alcohol. The hippie culture was known for its focus on free love and inclusiveness. Patchouli oil is part of the hippies for its calming and libido-enhancing properties. When they are not high, they can affect their body through patchouli oils and scents.

Does Patchouli Smell Like Vanilla?

Yes. Patchouli smells much like vanilla. The two scents are very similar. These scents are warm and comforting and have the same woody aroma.

Perhaps it is no surprise that patchouli oil smells like vanilla. Although patchouli is native to Asia and not the Americas, where vanilla is found, vanilla and patchouli come from the orchid plants. As a result, these scents share the same “woodsy” aroma that is often described as sweet, warm, and comforting.

The Patchouli essential oil features a slightly sweet and earthy aroma added with a woodsy after scent to it. However, it is not as sweet-smelling as vanilla. Patchouli has a very distinct aroma, whereas vanilla is more subtle.

Is Patchouli a Male Or Female Scent?

Patchouli is an intoxicating scent. It is similar to musk, which can be very masculine and strong. However, patchouli is lighter, softer, and more prevalent. That makes patchouli a unisex fragrance, so both men and women can wear it.

The scent of patchouli varies from person to person, depending on the source of the essential oils. The scent can be anything from sweet and spicy to musky.

More importantly, patchouli is a scent that mingles best with our scents. This gives perfumers a chance to play around with fragrances for different genders.

Can Patchouli Make You High?

No, patchouli will not make you high. Patchouli is just the scent of patchouli, which is a type of tree. Some people confuse the scent of patchouli with marijuana, but that is not the case. Marijuana contains THC, the main psychoactive chemical that gives you the high. Nevertheless, patchouli is an oil, not a plant, so it does not have THC and will not make you high.

As opposed to the other essential oils, Pure Patchouli oil has no narcotic effect. It is for medicinal purposes and to provide it with a pleasant aroma.

Is Patchouli Good for Sleep?

Patchouli scents are earthy, sweet-smelling and very energizing. Its scent can bring balance to a tired mind that tends to be emotional. Patchouli has a grounding effect, making it an ideal oil for sleep. A review from 2006 stated that patchouli oil is medicine for insomnia and is widely used in Asian medicine.

It is considered to have rejuvenating properties. The aroma of patchouli provides a sense of calmness and meditation, which encourages peaceful dreams.

Patchouli's relaxing properties depend on which particular patchouli oil you use. There are several different varieties, and they can be inhaled or applied topically to the skin. Others may not be good in organic form and need some mixture to dilute them.

These eventually become friendly to inhale and to the skin. Patchouli oil can work as an essential oil for a bath to relax, and both patchouli and patchouli oil can relieve stress. This is one of the reasons they are considered great for anxious people who have trouble sleeping.

How do you Smell Like Patchouli?

Patchouli essential oil comes from the Patchouli plant and to use in aromatherapy. Patchouli is a woody-floral note with smoky, spicy, and animalistic undertones akin to fresh hay or a musky animal. This makes this scent great for smelling food, but it also comes with many different relaxation benefits.

It is the perfect partner in any perfume for men or women. Patchouli is also one of the most acquirable ingredients, so you will find it as a base tone or hidden somewhere in most perfumes.