Figs, as popular as they are, often have an oddly polarizing effect on people. While some may absolutely crave the fruits sweet, fleshy flavors drizzled with honey on top of toast slathered with a generous layer of prosciutto or ricotta, many others refuse to let the Ficus carica tree's edible fruit make it past their lips. But where fragrance is considered, fig largely possesses a reputation un-inhibited by taste buds and textures.
I heartily believe the fruit's presence in fragrance adds the ideal amount of sweetness and earthiness that's unrivaled by any other, evoking imagery of endless, sun-bathed fig tree groves that are so commonly associated with the Mediterranean coast. But as someone who's yet to take in the sight, I get my kicks from eau de parfum and eau de toilettes that paint the picture for me.
Below you'll find a selection of 13 fragrances that I return to time and time again for my fig fix. Whether you love eating or wearing the fruit more, there's a good chance you'll find a fragrance here that you'll fall head over heels for. And for you fig haters out there, these juicy scents may take everything you think you know about the fruit and throw it to the wind. Keep reading to discover the fig fragrances worth your time from Byredo's 'Pulp' to Phlur's 'Father Figure.'
Key notes: Fig, amber, and gardenia. Inspired by the last days of summer, early sunsets, and cool nights, this fragrance blends amber, fig, and gardenia for the ideal warm, earthy, grounded, and wearable scent. There's also something incredibly familiar about it; perhaps beckoning to my own memories of childhood summers past. Customer review: "This is reading a book in a cozy sweater in a bottle! It’s a creamy fig fragrance that is perfect for fall/winter (but I also wear it during summer because it’s beautiful). If you’re a gourmand lover trying to branch out, start here! You won’t regret it!"
Key notes: Black currant, Virginian cedarwood, petitgrain, green fig, tangerine, palm leaf. If you gravitate towards fresh and clean fragrances, 19-69's lively Invisible Post Eau de Parfum belongs on your roster. It combines bright citrus and leafy greens with woodsy base notes inspired by the Summer of Love and hippie trails that so heavily influenced the decade. Customer review: "I’m addicted! It’s very fresh, clean, and perfect for springtime. I happen to love fragrances with Fig, and the Green Fig and Tangerine really come alive here in the top notes. The middle notes, Palm Leaf, Black Currant, and in particular, the Cyclamen, are are also a nice addition while it ends with Sandalwood, Virginian Cedarwood, and Tonka Beans in the base."
Key notes: Muget, coconut water, Tuscan fig, agave, vetiver, santal. Finding the ideal, easy to layer fragrance can be easier said than done, Maison Louis Marie has made it possible with No. 13 Nouvelle Vague. It's a well balanced blend of refreshing coconut water, ripe Tuscan fig, and sticky agave for an eau de parfum that's altogether earthy and airy with a sprinkle of sweetness. Customer review: "This is a great everyday scent. Good sillage & lasts at least 4-5 hours. I love wearing it on its own, layered with the matching spray, or layered with a citrus scent. It’s very well balanced, the coconut is somewhat noticeable but not too sweet or synthetic. Airy, a little earthy, coastal vibes and I like that it doesn’t have sandalwood like a lot of similar perfumes. Fresh and leans feminine, but not very sweet so it could be unisex. Smells like a spring breeze at an Italian villa."
Key notes: Waterlily, lush fig, cassis buds, orris root, iris flower, skin musks, patchouli leaf. A recent release by Phlur, Father Figure is rooted in lushness; offering a vibrant, green fragrance that's cool, clean, and fresh. Opening with notes of lush fig and dewy cassis buds, it then shifts into the warmth of creamy sandalwood, orris root, and the sweetness of Madagascar vanilla. Customer review: "Not only do I finally get to have a father figure in my life, but I can smell good too? This is definitely a 'your skin but better' scent. I knew that this would be my scent when I saw the Iris, orris, vanilla, and fig notes. These notes combined bring off the best sweet, fresh, green, skin musk vibe. Super yummy!"
Key notes: Mandarin leaves, bergamot, nutmeg tonic, iris, salted fig, sandalwood. Citrus blends beautifully with fleshy fig notes, as proven by this fan-favorite eau de parfum by Clean Reserve. Sel Santal combines earthy and woodsy notes with the unexpected brightness of mandarin, a nutmeg, and salted fig. A smokey, masculine texture is present with the addition of sandalwood and softened by smooth amber. Customer review: "This is the one. I have never found a fragrance that was just so perfect. I love so many fragrances from Clean Beauty but this is everything I have ever looked for. It is sweet and a little spicy. Not overpowering. I think it can be worn year round but it is absolutely sensational as a Fall fragrance. Everyone must get this."
Key notes: Bergamot, basil, fig accord, neroli, honey, orange blossoms, vetiver. I can bet you've never experienced a watery, fresh, floral fragrance like this Guerlain eau de toilette. Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Vetiver opens with sweet Calabrian neroli accentuated by vetiver and fresh basil rounded out by a juicy fig accord. Customer review: "Beautiful spring scent, reminds me of first grass you see after the snow melts away. The scent is pretty unique, has strong bitter notes but also lots of freshness. The staying power was about 6 hours on my skin. The bottle is luxurious, a great addition to any fragrance collection."
Key notes: Lemon, blackcurrant, angelica seeds, cyclamen, jasmine absolute. Inspired by Johann Friedrich Struensee, doomed doctor of the Danish court's, the last meal of champagne and figs before his death, Purple Fig is a bitter sweet cocktail that's a delight for the senses. Sweet, sparkling, and juicy, this eau de parfum is a a must-have for lovers of ripe fig. Customer review: "My go to for the spring. This is definitely a strong one—punched right off the top with sparkling bright green notes and a hint of sweetness from the fig. Dries down into a beautifully woodsy musk. I feel like a real forest nymph wearing this. Love, love, love!"
Key notes: Fig leaf, lotus flower, vetiver. Prepare for nonstop compliments to roll in! Water-splashed lotus flower petals and plump figs are at the heart of this addictive eau de parfum. One of my personal favorites, Jo Malone's Fig & Lotus Flower captures timeless elegance like no other. What's more, it lasts all day. Customer review: "Absolutely love this perfume. To me it feels fresh and clean and is perfect for daytime wear in all seasons except fall (at least where I live). It isn’t overly sweet; it’s quite refined. I found it projects for about an hour or two then settles into a skin scent and lasts about 8 hours overall."
Key notes: Galbanum, white musk, fig accord, orange blossom, green mandarin, lemongrass. I'm prepared to make this Prada beauty fragrance my entire personality going forward. The woody, green fragrance envelopes its wearer first with a vibrant fig accord before it mingles with an airy white musk and citrus. Its purple-tinted bottle is just as gorgeous as the fragrance it encapsulates, featuring the brand's 1919 Savoy logo and a matching purple cap. Customer review: "Light, green, fresh, a little hint of Iris. The fig isn't ripe or sweet, it's rather like the green part on top of the fig, maybe fig leaves. Galbanum in the base gives it an uncommon twist. Probably the most contemporary scent of the L'infusions range. I like it a lot."
Key notes: Citrus zest, pink pepper, green fig accord, Moroccan iris, amber. This is easily one of my favorite eau de parfum fragrances by Armani Beauty. According to the brand, Giorgio Armani himself sought to recreate the warmth of Italian summer nights with this fragrance as a "tribute to nature and mythical gardens" using a blend of bright citrus zest, smooth Moroccan iris, and ready to pick green fig. Customer review: "One of my favorite fig fragrances! I love Figuier Eden so so much. She's juicy but so fresh all at the same time. She smells fantastic. This makes me feel so happy!. The addition of iris & amber is also very interesting to me; really rounds everything out. She has decent longevity & projection as well. 8/10. Give her a try if you like fig!"
Key notes: Mandarin essence, fig accord, orange blossom absolute, cedar wood essence, musks. Crafted by perfumer duo Alex Lee and Patricia Choux, Lancôme's Maison Lancôme Figues & Argumes exudes the fresh fragrances of a Mediterranean orchard. Using sun-kissed green figs, sparkling citrus notes, and bright jasmine, this fragrance is everything you could want in a fig scent and more. Customer review: "I recently purchased a bottle of Figues & Agrumes to change up things for the upcoming summer season, and am I ever glad I did so...the scent is very lovely and refreshing, with a great 'lilt' to it that instantly lifts my spirits. This would make a great summer garden party special scent as well. Highly recommended!"
Key notes: Bergamot, fig, back currant, red apple, peach flower, cedarwood, praline. Byredo fragrances have been running through my mind recently with Pulp leading the charge. Here's what you should know about this one: it's a dramatic combination of ripe and sweet fruity notes highlighted with the softness of peach flower and balanced with earthy, woody accords. Described as a, "compilation of exotic and Swedish influences," this eau de parfum is one to remember. Customer review: "This is the most intoxicating fruit you'll ever smell. It's a mix of ripped and green tangy fruits with a spicy undertone. It gives me boozy fruit punch vibes. On my skin, it turns into the most beautiful and tooth aching sweetest scent ever. It got great sillage and pretty good longevity, about six hours on my skin before it turns into a musky skin scent."
Key notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood, black pepper. I think we all saw this one coming from miles away. Diptyque's best-selling Philosykos Eau de Parfum captures the scent of Greece's wild fig tree groves. The fruit's fleshy flavor is at the heart of this fragrance, with white wood and sticky sap underscoring it. If you love the eau de parfum spray, you'll be happy to know it also comes as a refillable solid perfume and as an eau de toilette. Customer review: "I am in love with this scent. If you want to smell like every part of a fig tree, from the fresh leaves to the woody bark to the ripe fruit, this is for you. A realistic nature scent that I’ve been craving. It lasted a good while on me and bloomed into a lovely ripe fig smell. Gorgeous."
