Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
By submitting your information you agree to the
Terms & Conditions
and
Privacy Policy
and are aged 16 or over.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
(Image credit: Getty/Penhaligon's/Cirque de Soleil)
Jump to category:
The Best Caramel Perfumes
How Do I Wear Caramel Perfumes?
What Notes Pair Well with Caramel Perfumes?
Why Trust Marie Claire
Meet the Expert
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter
For most people, their
olfactory personalities
change based on the seasons.
Woody scents
in the fall, smoky concoctions for the
winter
,
fresh
notes in the spring, and so on. While I’ve done the same in the past, recently, I’ve found myself hyperfixating on specific notes.
Lily
,
iris
,
milk
—I’ve found some of the most fascinating fragrances on the market by focusing on specific ingredient expressions, and lately, I’ve been all over caramel perfumes.
​“Caramel can smell different based on everything from the perfumer’s interpretation to the specific notes that they use to make up their version of the accord,” Jay Pardo, Senior Director of Commercial and Marketing at
DHub 95
, a niche perfume distributor, tells me. “Traditionally, a caramel note includes molecules like benzoin, vanillin, coumarin (from the tonka bean), ethyl maltol, and also
sandalwood
on occasion.”
​In short, no two caramel perfumes are the same, but quite a few caught my attention while I was testing for this story. As someone who loves
gourmand perfumes,
but can also be honest about the downsides of the category (they can be cloying and a little headache-inducing at times), this list contains something for everyone. Regardless of whether you’re someone who loves to smell like an edible dessert or just want the caramel in your perfume to be a supporting character, keep reading to see the ones that pleased my very critical nose and are worth adding to your own fragrance collection at home.
The Best Caramel Perfumes
Best Caramel Perfume Overall:
Penhaligon's Changing Constance Eau de Parfum
Best Luxury Caramel Perfume:
Bond No. 9 Tribeca Eau de Parfum
Best Viral Caramel Perfume:
Giardini di Toscana Bianco Latte Eau de Parfum
Best Gourmand Caramel Perfume:
Cirque du Soleil L'eau de Parfum
Best Citrus Caramel Perfume:
Casamorati Lira Eau de Parfum
Best Caramel Body Spray:
Lush Let the Good Times Roll Body Spray
Best Caramel Perfume Overall
Penhaligon's
Changing Constance Eau De Parfum
Penhaligon’s is well-known for one of my favorite
leather fragrances
, Halfeti, but not as many people talk about Changing Constance, and it’s high time that changed. Salted caramel is flanked by a sultry tobacco and
spicy
cardamom, creating a gourmand perfume that feels anything but childish.
​
Fragrance Family:
Amber Vanilla
Key Notes:
Salted caramel; Tobacco; Cardamom
Size:
2.5 fl oz
What I Love:
Gourmand but not immature; Gorgeous packaging for collectors; Well-balanced
What I Don’t:
Caramel is more of a supporting character, so if you want a realistic caramel scent, this one isn’t it
Review for MC:
“Penhaligon’s Changing Constance is the epitome of a fragrance for someone who likes to go against the grain. While technically it is a gourmand scent, the caramel in this perfume acts more like an elegant conduit for the rest of the spicy notes to flow into each other with ease. It’s an elegant fragrance that has no season—it shines year-round.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Penhaligon's Changing Constance Eau De Parfum.
(Image credit: Ariel Baker)
Best Luxury Caramel Perfume
Bond No. 9 New York
Tribeca
It’s rare that a Cacao-forward fragrance catches my eye (I only have one other in my collection), but Bond No. 9’s Tribeca is still one of my favorites. It features one of my favorite notes, ambroxan, as well as moss, hazelnut, and more. Tack on the gorgeous bottle, and you’ll never want to put it down.
​
Fragrance Family:
Amber Vanilla
Key Notes:
Caramel; Hazelnut; Amboxan; Moss
Size:
3.3 fl. oz
What I Love:
Slightly chocolate leaning; Fun packaging; Ambroxan adds a lightness that keeps it from being too sticky-sweet
What I Don’t:
Can pull a bit maple syrup-like
Review for MC:
“If you love caramel and want to smell edible, almost like a piece of toffee, Tribeca is for you. Cacao, hazelnut, and caramel are a few of the more gourmand notes in this scent, but moss, ambroxan, and
jasmine
keep it from leaning directly into nauseatingly sweet territory. It's a fantastic addition to any caramel lover’s perfume collection.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Bond No. 9 New York Tribeca.
(Image credit: Ariel Baker)
Giardini Di Toscana
Bianco Latte Eau De Parfum
If you’ve seen even a handful of videos from Perfumetok, you’ve likel

Book Your Appointment

Ready to transform your skin? Visit Candy Beauty Skin Care at 32 Pell St, Chinatown, NYC.

Call (646) 691-8273 or book online at candybeauty.store.

Our expert estheticians are ready to create your personalized treatment plan.

Source: https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/fragrance/best-caramel-perfumes/