Fragrance note

What does white flowers smell like in perfume?

In perfume, the white flowers note refers to an accord that captures the spirit of jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom or gardenia. It evokes a luminous, creamy and sensual floral character, sometimes slightly indolic.

22perfumes
3as top note
18as heart note
1as base note
L'Interdit GivenchyMy Way Giorgio ArmaniEnglish Pear & Freesia Jo Malone

What does White Flowers smell like?

White flowers smell of fleshy, creamy petals with a sunny sweetness and sometimes a fruity facet close to banana or pear. Depending on the materials, the accord can be fresh and soapy or headier, with an indolic touch that suggests skin. On skin it blooms in the heart, grows rounder with warmth and leaves a luminous, sensual trace that lingers well into the drydown.

Origin and production

White flowers are not a single material but an accord. The perfumer combines natural absolutes such as jasmine, tuberose or orange blossom with synthetic molecules: benzyl acetate, Hedione, methyl anthranilate, salicylates or indole. This combination makes it possible to evoke flowers that cannot be extracted, such as gardenia, and to tune the effect from fresh to opulent. No two versions smell exactly alike.

How perfumers use it

The white flowers accord sits in the heart, sometimes in the top for a brighter effect. It pairs with citrus, pear, musks, vanilla, patchouli and woods. Givenchy uses it in the opening of L'Interdit before the tuberose, Giorgio Armani places it at the top of My Way with orange blossom, and Jour d'Hermès weaves it into a luminous bouquet around gardenia. It widens and softens a floral heart.

How to wear it

Best in spring and summer, white flowers suit people who love luminous, feminine and sensual florals.

22 perfumes

Perfumes with White Flowers

L'Interdit Givenchy
Givenchy L'Interdit 2018 · Eau de Parfum · Women Top note
My Way Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani My Way 2020 · Eau de Parfum · Women Top note
English Pear & Freesia Jo Malone
Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia 2010 · Eau de Cologne · Unisex Heart note
Jour d'Hermes Hermès
Hermès Jour d'Hermes 2013 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
L
Nina Ricci L'Extase 2015 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
BN
Hugo Boss Boss Nuit pour Femme 2012 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
YI
Cacharel Yes I Am Glorious 2021 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
H
Clinique Happy 1997 · Eau de Parfum · Women Base note
ED
Rochas Eau de Rochas Fraîche 2010 · Eau de Toilette · Women Heart note
M
Reminiscence Musc 1970 · Eau de Toilette · Women Top note
GE
Chanel Gabrielle Essence 2019 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
L
Dior Lucky 2018 · Eau de Parfum · Unisex Heart note
SN
Tom Ford Soleil Neige 2019 · Eau de Parfum · Unisex Heart note
GP
Gucci Gucci Première 2012 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
MT
Parfum d'Empire Musc Tonkin 2012 · Extrait de Parfum · Unisex Heart note
SS
Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense 2017 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
B
Calvin Klein Beauty 2010 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
GJ
Michael Kors Glam Jasmine 2013 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
CE
Chanel Cristalle Eau Verte 2009 · Eau de Toilette · Women Heart note
NE
Narciso Rodriguez Narciso Eau de Parfum Cristal 2022 · Eau de Parfum · Women Heart note
LC
Rochas Les Cascades de Rochas Éclat d'Agrumes 2012 · Eau de Toilette · Women Heart note
LC
Rochas Les Cascades de Rochas Songe d'Iris 2013 · Eau de Toilette · Women Heart note

Frequently asked questions

What does white flowers mean in a perfume?

It is an accord that evokes several white flowers at once, such as jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom or gardenia, without naming just one. It gives a creamy, luminous, sensual floral impression. Each perfumer composes it differently, from fresh and airy to rich and heady.

What do white flowers smell like?

They smell of fleshy, creamy petals with a sunny sweetness, sometimes a fruity facet and an indolic note that suggests skin. Depending on the accord, the effect can be fresh and soapy or rich and heady. They bloom in the heart and grow rounder on skin.

Which perfumes contain white flowers?

The accord appears in the top of Givenchy's L'Interdit and Giorgio Armani's My Way, and in the heart of Jo Malone's English Pear & Freesia and Jour d'Hermès. It often accompanies specific flowers such as tuberose or gardenia to broaden the bouquet.