For the last few years, vanilla has been everywhere in fragrance. It has had creamy, smoky, woody, gourmand and even salty iterations, appearing in everything from niche perfumery to the newest luxury launches. But there is another note making its way into fragrance collections: saffron. Warm, slightly leathery and distinctly spiced, saffron fragrances can be rich without tipping into overly sweet or heavy territory.
While saffron has long been a key ingredient in West Asian and North African perfumery and a favourite among niche fragrance houses, its increasing presence in newer products suggests that saffron might be having its own vanilla moment. Here are 8 saffron fragrances to help you curate a one-of-a-kind fragrance wardrobe of your own:
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Le Parfum
A warmer, more intense take on the Libre line, this fragrance features saffron alongside orange blossom, lavender and ginger eventually settling into vanilla, honey and tonka bean. The result is sweet and floral, with saffron giving the familiar scent a spicier, more empowering twist.
Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Zafferano
Saffron sheds its spice-box associations and turns decidedly sensual in this luxurious fragrance from Dolce & Gabbana’s Velvet Collection. The spice is combined with the unique notes of honeyed plum, jasmine, and osmanthus while whole tonka bean and musk add warmth underneath – a sultrier expression of saffron, made for after dark.
