There are so many different perfumes out there. From the floral scents of jasmine, all the way to sweet-smelling perfumes that smell just like cotton candy.
Gardenia is one of the more classic smelling scents in the perfume industry.
Lots of people compare gardenia to the smells of their childhood, spending time with their grandparents.
That perfumey smell would usually be what your grandmother wore. This actually puts a lot of younger people off using it.
They don’t want to smell “old”. But just because gardenia is a more classic and older perfume doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it yourself!
There are plenty of gardenia-smelling perfumes to choose from in this day and age that will make you smell wonderful.
We’ll be going over some of the best gardenia-smelling perfumes here and we’ll also tell you a little bit more about this classic scent.
So read on to find out everything about gardenia!
What Is Gardenia?
So, what even is gardenia? Gardenias are a type of indoor plant that flowers between the summer and autumn.
Lots of people actually get gardenias confused with jasmine because they are so similar in the way they look and smell, but they are actually two different types of plants.
Gardenia is also used for a lot of medicinal reasons which include swelling and liver disorders, but these medical purposes are disputed as there hasn’t been enough research put into it.
You can also use gardenia in food. It is mainly used as a food colorant.
What Does Gardenia Smell Like?
Picture a weekend at your grandparent's house, playing near your grandmother’s vanity. The smell you remember is gardenia!
It is a strong, extremely floral scent that has hints of creaminess that are similar to coconut. It’s also quite zesty and “green” in smell.
Because it is so floral in smell, it is extremely earthy.
Lots of people describe the smell of gardenia as being nostalgic because it reminds them of older family members they would spend time with as a child.
It is one of the more distinguishable floral smells. When you know exactly what gardenia smells like, you’ll be able to pick it out straight away.
It can be described as creamier than ylang-ylang, lighter than tuberose, and more feminine than jasmine (even though they are quite similar in smell!).
10 Perfumes That Smell Like Gardenia
Now you know a little bit more about this classic smelling plant, we will now dive into some of the best perfumes you can currently find that smell just like gardenia.
Most of these perfumes have an array of ingredients, but the nostalgic smell of gardenia shines through and doesn’t get lost in the other scents.
OUR TOP PICK
Kicking off our list, we have Night Veils Casablance Lily Extrait de Parfum.
This perfume is very floral but also has hints of other scents that give it a minor fruity and sweet vibe.
In the Night Veils Casablanca, you will find notes of gardenia, black plum, carnation, Indian tuberose, palissandre wood, and honey.
The honey offers the user sweet undertones and the black plum gives you minor scents of fruitiness.
Both compliment the gardenia really well, giving you a unique experience of gardenia.
EDITORS CHOICE
Flora - Gorgeous Gardenia is a perfume that is made and produced by Gucci.
Gucci is known for its amazing perfumes and fragrances and the Flora - Gorgeous Gardenia definitely lives up to the reputation.
If you want a gardenia smell that is both fruity and floral, then Gucci’s Flora - Gorgeous Gardenia is the fragrance for you.
BEST VALUE
The Aerin Gardenia Rattan Eau de Parfum is summer in a bottle.
If you can imagine the “perfect summer day: warm sun, beautiful sea, and fresh flowers”, as said by the founder and creative director of Aerin, Aerin Lauder, this is what this perfume smells like.
This perfume is heavily infused with gardenia, but it also has tuberose, Tahitian Tiare, and amber blended into it to give you the perfect smell of summer.
RUNNER UP
The Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia perfume is perfect for anyone who’s on a budget, but still wants to smell expensive!
This perfume is also great because it’s both vegan and cruelty-free, so you can smell wonderful without any guilt.
This scent is infused with the smells of tea leaves, sweet orange, and jasmine that are blended in with gardenia, giving you that classic smell with a unique twist.
The sweet orange gives the overall floral vibe of this perfume a fruity touch, which is sure to make anyone who smells it absolutely love it.
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The Tocca Florence Eau de Parfum Spray is designed to be light, so you can wear it in any setting without the scent being too overpowering.
Both floral and woody, this variation of gardenia-scented perfume is sure to keep you smelling wonderful.
It has that classic gardenia smell infused with bergamot and blonde wood that makes you feel like you’re strolling through a popular European city exploring the delightful cafes.
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Another summery perfume option, the Chantecaille Parfum Pour Femme Tiare Eau de Parfum will transport you to a tropical paradise with each squirt of the bottle.
This perfume is perfect for a summer’s day in any setting and great for a warm night on the town with your friends.
Along with the floral scents of gardenia, you will also get hints of the valley, jasmine, and musky vanilla in this perfume.
The vanilla will give you a subtly sweet scent that compliments the summery floral blend.
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The Mini Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau de Parfum is the perfect perfume for you to take on your travels with you.
It embodies the vibe of swimming in the Mediterranean sea and is a great piece of traveling abroad to take home with you.
Along with gardenia, you will find this perfume infused with plenty of other scents that include honeysuckle, sparkling grapefruit, Italian bergamot, mandarin oil, lily of the valley, and jasmine sambac.
So there is no limit to the variety in this blend.
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The Givenchy Amarige Eau de Toilette Spray is the perfect blend of floral.
If you want that classic gardenia smell with a little extra floral, then this is the perfume for you.
As well as gardenia, you will also find hints of neroli, tonka bean, and ylang-ylang infused into this beautiful perfume.
It’s like standard gardenia, but with a bit more depth.
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The Byredo Casablanca Lily Night Veils Perfume is 100% inspired by the shores of Casablanca.
It is another gardenia scented perfume that has subtle fruity tones, which gives the perfume an extra layer for you to enjoy.
This perfume is infused with the scents of gardenia, plum, and Indian tuberose.
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And finally, we have Versace Crystal Noir Eau de Toilette Spray. It is a gardenia-based perfume that is a bit spicier than your average gardenia scent!
The mixture of floral and spicy offers the user a unique take on the classic gardenia smell, which will surely turn heads when you step into any room.
You will find the smells of gardenia, amber, pepper, ginger, and cardamom in this scrumptious blend.
Health Benefits Of Gardenia
Before we wrap this article up, it might interest you to know there are believed to be a few health benefits to using gardenia.
Though most of these health benefits haven’t been completely proven by science, lots of people still consume gardenia as a form of home remedy for a lot of different ailments.
Some of the aliments include anxiety, agitation, bladder infection, high blood pressure, the flu, trouble sleeping, menopausal symptoms, pain, swelling of the pancreas, and some people even use gardenia for cancer issues.
There are some chemicals in gardenia that might help prevent glucose intolerance.
Though there’s still ongoing research into the effectiveness, gardenia is believed to help with diabetes.
As well as physical ailments, gardenia is also believed to help reduce anxiety and depression.
Though most of these health benefits haven’t been fully scientifically proven, lots of people do swear by using gardenia for their home remedies, so it’s up to you how you feel about it!
Conclusion
Just because gardenia is unfairly considered to be an “old woman” smell, that doesn’t mean you should avoid it!
With the 10 options we’ve listed here, you can help to bring gardenia back into popularity with younger generations.
When mixed with fruits and spices, gardenia can offer some truly beautiful scents and make heads turn whenever you enter or even leave the room!
Try some of the options we’ve listed here and you’ll see just how beautiful gardenia truly is!
Gardenia is one of the most classic perfume smells and it deserves to be celebrated by all.
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