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Chances are you’ve smelled the best gourmand perfumes a time or two before—maybe at the office, the gym, the cool new restaurant around the corner, or wafting off the person you just passed on the sidewalk. In fact, if one fragrance category could be crowned as the defining scent profile of the 2020s, we're betting on gourmand. (And it's not just because many GLP-1 users have reported an increased craving for these sweet scents in the absence of desserts in their diets.) “Gourmand fragrances offer an immediate emotional connection, evoking comfort, pleasure, nostalgia, and even a sense of escapism,” explains Gwen Gonzalez, perfumer at Givaudan. And, of course, there’s the deliciousness factor—who doesn’t want to smell so good you’re practically edible?
TL;DR: If you love a classic vanilla, but are looking for one that feels more sophisticated than straight-up confectionery cravings, we can't recommend Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum enough. Who says citrus and gourmand can't balance one another? Not us, especially when La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum does it so well. Want to add a hint of spice to your rotation while still keeping things sweet? Nest New York Cardamom Latte feels like a warm hug from your best friend.
Our Top Gourmand Perfumes
- Best Vanilla Gourmand: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum, $150
- Best Fruity Gourmand: Brown Girl Jane Carousel Eau de Parfum, $102
- Best Citrus Gourmand: La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum, $350
- Best Lightweight Gourmand: Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, $39
- Best Spicy Gourmand: Nest New York Cardamom Latte, $98
- Best Gourmand for Skeptics: D.S. & Durga Ain’t That Sweet Eau de Parfum, $225
If you’re looking for a few new foodie fragrances to add to your rotation or need some help navigating all the sweet scents taking over the shelves, check out some of the best gourmand perfumes, as selected by our editors.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are some examples of gourmand scents?
- What's new about modern gourmands?
- What is a fresh gourmand perfume?
- What is the longest-lasting gourmand perfume?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Vanilla Gourmand: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum
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Octavia Morgan Los Angeles
Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum
Ulta Beauty
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Vanillin Supreme Eau de Parfum
Bianca Richards
Why we love it: With a name like Vanillin Supreme, can you expect a scent that’s any less than instantly captivating?. This Octavia Morgan Los Angeles EDP is a luxurious, rich vanilla fragrance that checks all the boxes for a well-rounded profile: a little sweet (thanks to the namesake note, of course), a little spicy and woody via elemi (a tree resin with a lemony fragrance) and sandalwood, and a bit romantic, what with the addition of rich rose and sparkling orange. If you’re looking for your go-to fall and winter gourmand—a scent you can really sink into—Vanillin Supreme may just be the one you’ve been waiting for.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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“While gourmands often lean overtly sweet, Vanillin Supreme stands out for its refined interpretation of vanilla. The addition of rum and orange notes gives the fragrance a warm, citrusy depth that expands our understanding of what a vanilla-forward scent can be. It's also the perfect choice to cozy up with alongside a glass of wine and my go-to mystery novel.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key notes: rum, vanilla, cocoa, rose, elemi, orange, sandalwood
- Sizes: 1.7 oz
Best Fruity Gourmand: Brown Girl Jane Carousel Eau de Parfum
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Brown Girl Jane
Carousel Eau de Parfum
Sephora
Amazon
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Brown Girl Jane Carousel Eau de Parfum
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Brown Girl Jane’s Carousel opens with the snap of caramelized apple, glossed with sugar and brightened by sour blackcurrant. The sweetness feels deliberate rather than overly heavy, folding into a floral heart of lily of the valley, coral rose, and orange blossom. As it settles, creamy sandalwood, warm amber, and a whisper of cherry leather melt into cloud-like musk. The result is a fragrance that feels decadent but elegant, like silk threaded with spice.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“As someone who doesn't typically go for gourmands, Brown Girl Jane’s Carousel really surprised me in the best way possible. I’ve smelled far too many gourmands that make my head spin, but this one has a balanced sweetness. I love, love, love the incorporation of fruity notes: The hints of blackcurrant and caramel apple add lightness and playfulness to the musk and sandalwood without making you smell like you’ve been at a carnival for hours." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key notes: caramelized apple, blackcurrant, lily of the valley, orange blossom, cherry leather
- Sizes: 0.33 oz, 1.7 oz
Best Citrus Gourmand: La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum
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Dior
La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum
Dior
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: When you think of a gourmand perfume, fresh and zesty citrus notes aren't typically top of mind, but it's exactly the type of unexpected contrast that makes gourmands more interesting, says Gonzalez. Inspired by Christian Dior's slice of southern French heaven, the Château de La Colle Noire, the aptly named Paradise is quite literally meant to smell like a breath of fresh air—accented by juicy mandarin, and grounded with warm almond and tonka notes. In fact, Dior planted a bounty of almond trees across his estate and poured them into his creations—in Paradise, bitter almond is a key note. If we could sum it up, Paradise is one of the most decadent yet approachable scents we've sniffed.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“Citrus runs in my blood—at least I like to think so (my mom ate lemons and oranges daily when she was pregnant with me, and I came out with an insatiable appetite for all things citrus)—so this feels a bit like a twin flame fragrance for me. It comes on strong with all sorts of citrus notes (mandarin, lime, bergamot), then you get the warmth from almond and maybe some vanilla. This fragrance also has some notable woody threads, which give it an air of mystery rather than a typical gourmand scent, and make it a good unisex option. The combination is equal parts sweet and smooth, like a luxurious and layered summertime cocktail that you'd feel very cool ordering at the bar. I'm so in love with this fragrance that it's one I want to hoard even from myself! Good thing: It lasts so incredibly long on my skin—I'm talking dawn to dusk—which helps justify the price tag.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key notes: mandarin, orange, lime, bitter almond, tonka bean, woody notes
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz. 6.8 oz
Best Spicy Gourmand: Nest New York Cardamom Latte Eau de Parfum
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Nest New York
Cardamom Latte Eau de Parfum
Sephora
Allure former content director Kara McGrath applying the Nest New York Cardamom Latte Eau de Parfum
Kara McGrath
Why we love it: We’ll say it: Cardamom is an underrated fragrance note. It’s a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, with an addictive warmth and heat that practically crackles with cozy comfort. And what’s cozier than curling up with a creamy, fragrant latte on a crisp, cool day? With its delicious blend of jasmine, coconut, and a generous sprinkling of cardamom, Cardamom Latte by Nest New York is the perfume equivalent of a picturesque small-town coffee shop—the ‘90s rom-com or Lifetime movie version, of course. (Don’t forget your skinny scarf and bootcut jeans to go with that latte!)
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
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“So far, this is my most complimented perfume of the season: I recently had a friend sniff my wrist for a minute straight when I was wearing it. The scent is definitely sweet, but it's a rich, spicy sweet thanks to notes of coconut milk and cardamom. It's the olfactory equivalent of wrapping yourself up in a blanket to read a book by the fire." —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key notes: cardamom, jasmine, coconut
- Sizes: 0.27 oz, 1.7 oz
Best Herbal Gourmand: Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum
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Burberry
Goddess Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure content manager Hannah Brower applying the Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum
Hannah Brower
Why we love it: Burberry Goddess is one of those best-selling scents you can’t get away from—you probably encounter it throughout the day and think, “What smells so good?” The answer: a combination of vanilla and lavender. And Burberry doesn’t just use one vanilla in its Goddess recipe—it uses three, including a woody infusion, vanilla caviar, and a lush vanilla absolute. Lavender, which isn’t exactly the first fragrance note you’d think to blend with vanilla, tempers the sugar rush with a fresh herbal edge.
Tester feedback from content manager Hannah Brower
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“See that generous dent in my Burberry Goddess? I have a second bottle with the exact same dent…plus a mini. So, it’s safe to say this is my favorite gourmand. Sophisticated, sexy, and irresistible, Burberry Goddess has never failed me. Nearly two years later, it’s still my go-to and without a doubt, my most complimented perfume.” —Hannah Brower, content manager
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, lavender
- Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1 oz, 1.6 oz, 3.3 oz, 5 oz
Best Lightweight Gourmand: Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
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Phlur
Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure global senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick applying the Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Lexi Herrick
Why we love it: Phlur’s Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist walks the tightrope between sugar-sweet treat and grown-up luxury—and absolutely nails the landing. The vanilla is plush and indulgent, but never syrupy, sharpened with pink pepper to keep things interesting. As it dries down and warms on your skin, cozy sandalwood and cashmere woods peek through. The result is less candy, more ambery and earthy. It’s complex, addictive, and—according to one of our editors—the most compliment-getting scent in her rotation, with impressive staying power that lasts well into the night.
Tester feedback from global senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick
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"Vanilla Skin is the epitome of a classic, lasting vanilla fragrance. It's light and airy, but has staying power for the whole day. Its sweet, sugary, and milky notes are the perfect blend, and I love to generously apply this for many different occasions." —Lexi Herrick, global senior director of commerce audience & analytics
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, pink pepper, sugar crystals, jasmine, sandalwood, cashmere wood
- Sizes: 3 oz, 8 oz
Best Creamy Gourmand: DedCool Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum
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Dedcool
Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum
Amazon
Sephora
Revolve
Why we love it: Building on the virality of Dedcool’s original, skin-like Milk Eau de Parfum, Mochi Milk (a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner) reimagines gourmand. That is to say, it’s not the type of overwhelmingly sweet gourmand that smacks you in the face. Airy marshmallow and sweetened rice milk give it a whipped, cloud-like softness, while a flash of peach nectar adds brightness without tipping into syrupy territory. Grounded by the franchise’s subtly warm, musky base, Mochi Milk reads less sugar rush and more slow indulgence—softly sweet, nuanced, and irresistibly wearable.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“I’ve always said I’m not a fan of gourmand fragrances because they’re much too sugary and cloying for my taste. But I am a fan of DedCool, and its latest scent has made a liar out of me. Mochi Milk Fragrance is a very mature take on the classically sweet scent family—and now, one of my new favorite perfumes.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key notes: marshmallow, vanilla bean, sweet rice milk
- Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz
Best Cherry Gourmand: Van Cleef & Arpels Moonlight Cherry Eau de Parfum
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Van Cleef & Arpels
Moonlight Cherry Eau de Parfum
Neiman Marcus
Bloomingdales
Why we love it: Cherry perfumes, a juicy subset of gourmands, were the main character of the perfume world a few years ago, bringing major bombshell energy with their silky, seductive sweetness. Cherry can be super syrupy like a Maraschino cocktail topper or bottle of grenadine, or rich and romantic, and pairs well with dessert-forward notes, just like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. Van Cleef & Arpels’s Moonlight Cherry is a boozier take on the Shirley Temple standby, teaming the fruit with almond and a splash of rum, coffee, and vanilla. It’s exactly the kind of scent you reach for on one of those steamy, sexy date nights, because when you’re wearing Moonlight Cherry, no one can resist you.
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Paynch
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“Van Cleef's Moonlight Cherry is the definition of a guilty pleasure perfume with its indulgent notes of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and rum-soaked cherries. The fragrance has a dark, syrupy quality that's maybe a little too much to wear during the day (for me, that is), but I always spritz it before a night out when I want to feel a little sexy and mysterious.” —Sophia Paynch, content director
More to know
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- Key notes: cherry, bitter almond, rum, coffee, vanilla
- Sizes: 2.5 oz
More gourmand scents we love:
Best Gourmand for Skeptics: D.S. & Durga Ain’t That Sweet Eau de Parfum
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D.S. & Durga
Ain’t That Sweet Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Why we love it: Despite their overwhelming popularity, gourmands aren’t for everyone. So D.S. & Durga created a gourmand for the haters, one that blends date and lily notes. It sounds weird on paper, right? But that’s kind of D.S. & Durga’s thing, and they excel at it! Ain’t That Sweet opens with spicy, enveloping top notes of cinnamon and myrrh, with a creamy base of dates, pralines, condensed milk, and bourbon vanilla. Yes, these are all typical gourmand notes, but the addition of lily—an instantly recognizable, heady floral—gives it a unique edge that may just convert you anti-gourmand folks over to the sweeter side.
More to know
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- Key notes: myrrh, cinnamon, date, praline, lily, condensed milk, bourbon vanilla, nutmeg
- Sizes: 1.69 oz, 3.4 oz.
Best Caramel Gourmand: By/Rosie Jane Mixtape Body Mist
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By Rosie Jane
Mixtape Body + Hair Mist
Amazon
Revolve
Why we love it: Mixtape is such a clever name for a fragrance, especially one designed to be layered. That’s the idea behind By/Rosie Jane’s Mixtape, which was inspired by the brand’s best-selling gourmand Dulce, but formulated to be easily mixed (aha!) with woody and citrus scents for a custom creation that is undeniably delicious. And though it’s a lighter-weight body mist, Mixtape is decadently sweet and long-lasting, with ribbons of caramel and butterscotch drizzled atop a dreamy vanilla and bourbon base. Time for dessert? Always.
More to know
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- Key notes: butterscotch, vanilla, caramel, almond, bourbon
- Sizes: 3.9 oz
Best Ice-Cream Gourmand: Imaginary Authors A Whiff of Waffle Cone Eau de Parfum
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Imaginary Authors
A Whiff of Waffle Cone Eau de Parfum
Imaginary Authors
Why we love it: No matter your age, stopping for ice cream is always a special treat: ordering a waffle cone on the boardwalk near the beach, grabbing a quick soft serve on your walk home from work, an impromptu trip to the ice cream shop on vacation. In addition to those (literally) sweet moments, eating and smelling ice cream is a sensory experience, one that Imaginary Authors creatively conjured through A Whiff of Waffle Cone Eau de Parfum with a cheeky note of “scoop shop.” A culinary combo of sandalwood dusted with cinnamon stands in for the cone, and vanilla, caramel, and cream notes replicate that melty, lickable ice cream goodness.
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, caramel, cream, sandalwood, cinnamon
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 0.5 oz
Best Chocolate Gourmand: Montale Chocolate Greedy Eau de Parfum
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Montale
Chocolate Greedy Eau de Parfum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why we love it: You can’t make a list of gourmands without a chocolate fragrance or two landing on the list, and Montale’s Chocolate Greedy is the ultimate sweet-tooth satisfier. One spritz from the signature sleek silver bottle and you’re in candy-coated heaven, with bold chocolate notes making your mouth water. To avoid a stomachache from all that sugar, however, Montale added a shimmery orange note that provides exactly the right amount of brightness in all that decadence.
More to know
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- Key notes: chocolate, vanilla, orange, tonka bean
- Sizes: 3.4 oz
Best Honey Gourmand: Giardini di Toscana Bianco Latte Eau de Parfum
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Giardini di Toscana
Bianco Latte Eau de Parfum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why we love it: A viral #PerfumeTok fave, Giardini di Toscana’s Bianco Latte is a classic gourmand with a photogenic bottle and a snuggly-soft blend of creamy, decadent vanilla drizzled with honey and caramel. Think of it as a designer cashmere sweater versus an ice cream sundae, with a base of white musks providing a plush softness you can’t help but cuddle up to.
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, honey, caramel, musk, tonka
- Sizes: 3.4 oz
Best Coffee Gourmand: Bañomaria Finca Eau de Parfum
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Bañomaria
Finca Eau de Parfum
Bañomaria
Why we love it: Like I said above, one of the reasons gourmand scents are so beloved is because they conjure up happy memories—and in Finca’s case, those memories involve sharing a cup of coffee with someone you love. Created as an homage to founder Christel Mena’s grandfather, a coffee farmer in Honduras, Finca is a welcoming embrace of a scent, with its coffee heart surrounded by lived-in, nostalgic notes of cardamom, honey, tobacco, and leather.
More to know
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- Key notes: bergamot, cardamom, cinnamon, jasmine, honey, coffee, blonde woods, tobacco, leather, amber
- Sizes: 1.7 oz
Frequently asked questions
What are some examples of gourmand scents?
Basically, if you can bake it, order it at the ice cream shop or coffeehouse, or grab it in the bakery aisle, it’s a gourmand. Gourmand scents include sweet notes like vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch, as well as nutty notes of praline, date, and pistachio. Marshmallow scents also fit the bill, and so do coffee scents and boozy concoctions with dark rum and brandy notes. A classic gourmand scent is Thierry Mugler’s Angel, which basically kickstarted the trend in 1992 with its blend of saccharine-sweet notes anchored by a blast of patchouli. Kayali’s Vanilla 28 is a popular choice, as is Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s viral Baccarat Rouge 540; however, basically every fragrance brand, including affordable, mainstream, and niche, now makes a gourmand perfume.
What's new about modern gourmands?
For those who aren't ready to dive into sugary territory, rest assured: Today's gourmands have serious range. “Modern gourmands are softened with woods, enlivened with spices or salty accents, and made more complex and mysterious through musks, smoke, and resinous notes,” says Gonzalez. “These creations feel textured, intimate, and increasingly gender-inclusive.” Gonzalez also notes that the gourmand palette is expanding, “becoming less about pure sugar and more about what we often refer to as ‘neo-gourmands’ with notes such as matcha, rice, tahini, toasted grains, chestnut, lactonic accords, fermented nuances, and salty facets.”
What is a fresh gourmand perfume?
You wouldn’t typically categorize a gourmand as “fresh,” since the baked-good notes tend to be more heady than they are refreshing. If you’re looking for a fresh gourmand scent, you’ll want to check out either a lighter-weight formula, like a body mist, cologne, or eau de toilette, or a perfume that incorporates bright citrus or light floral notes for a bit of lift and airiness.
What is the longest-lasting gourmand perfume?
As Gonzalez explains, fragrance longevity is influenced by several factors, including the fragrance’s structure, concentration, and how it interacts with the skin. “That said, certain gourmand notes and gourmand-associated materials are consistently more tenacious because they are built around rich base materials,” she explains. “Resins, balsams, woods, amber materials, musks, oud, leather notes, and other low-volatility ingredients are among the longest-lasting components in fragrance compositions.” If you’re looking for lots of options, check out our roundup of the best long-lasting perfumes, including several gourmands.
What do you layer with gourmand perfumes?
“Gourmands often become most interesting through contrast,” says Gonzalez. “Woods and musks make them feel softer and more elegant, while tea and citrus add freshness and lift. Florals such as rose and orange blossom bring sophistication, while incense, leather, and tobacco can transform sweetness into something darker, textured, and quietly addictive.” A gourmand and musk combo, for example, can turn a “dessert-like fragrance into something warmer, more sensual, and closer to the skin.” Gourmands paired with woody notes like sandalwood and vetiver add structure, while spicy notes like cardamom, ginger, and pink pepper “provide an aromatic contrast that enhances depth and complexity.” Gonzalez calls a combination of gourmand notes with leather, incense, or tobacco a “grown-up gourmand,” as the darker base notes make sweet vanilla, coffee, and caramel “darker, drier, and sophisticated.”
Meet the experts
- Gwen Gonzalez, perfumer at Givaudan
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best gourmand perfumes, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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