Sweet fragrances: subtle pleasure
In the world of sweet perfumes, we can distinguish two main categories: sweet and very sweet fragrances. Sweet perfumes are usually characterised by a subtle yet elegant scent that attracts attention without being overwhelming. They are often based on notes of vanilla, white flowers, almonds or light spices, creating a pleasant aura of sweetness associated with a warm, enveloping scent.
An example of such a perfume is Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. It is a composition that combines sweetness with delicate floral notes of jasmine, rose and freesia. Flowerbomb delights with its sensuality, but at the same time remains fresh and light. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium is a perfume in a similar style, where warm notes of vanilla and coffee intertwine with flowers to create a balanced, sweet composition for any occasion.
Very sweet fragrances: an intense temptation
On the other hand, we have very sweet fragrances, which are compositions in which sweet notes definitely dominate over the others. These are intense fragrances, often referred to as "gourmand" (flavourful), reminiscent of desserts or sweets. In this category, we find perfumes containing notes such as candyfloss, toffee, liquorice and marzipan. Cotton candy gives a light, airy sweetness, toffee provides a deep, caramel sweetness, liquorice adds a characteristic sweet-herbal accent, and marzipan introduces almond and sugar notes. Examples of very sweet perfumes are "Pink Sugar" by Aquolina and "Angel" by Thierry Mugler.
Fruity sweetness: freshness captured in a bottle
Sweet perfumes with fruity notes are a separate, extremely popular category. This combination allows for fresh, joyful and sensual compositions that are particularly suitable for the warmer months. The most common fruits in sweet perfumes are red fruits (strawberry, raspberry, cranberry), peach and apricot, pear, mango and passion fruit. Red fruits add juiciness and crispness, peach and apricot introduce a velvety, soft sweetness, pear provides freshness and delicate sweetness, and mango and passion fruit add an exotic, tropical character. It is worth noting that fruity notes often appear in the top notes of perfumes, giving them freshness and attracting attention immediately after application. Over time, they give way to deeper, sweeter heart and base notes.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle is a perfect example of a perfume that combines sweetness with fruit. The composition is dominated by pear and blackcurrant, which, together with vanilla and patchouli, create an elegant, feminine fragrance with long-lasting wear. Escada Sorbetto Rosso, on the other hand, is a fruity treat dominated by notes of watermelon, which, combined with citrus, create a light, summery composition, perfect for warm days. These types of fragrances are often associated with carefree moments, holidays and relaxation.
The longevity of sweet perfumes
The longevity of a perfume is a key issue, especially in the case of sweet compositions. Perfumes with sweet notes often have greater projection (i.e. scent range) and longevity than fresh or citrus fragrances because their heavier ingredients, such as vanilla, musk or ambergris, tend to linger on the skin for longer. As a result, these perfumes can be detected for many hours, and sometimes even throughout the day.
However, the longevity of a perfume depends not only on its composition, but also on the quality of the ingredients used, the concentration of fragrance oils and the method of application. Perfumes in the form of eau de parfum (EDP) will usually be more long-lasting than eau de toilette (EDT) because they contain a higher concentration of fragrance oils.
A long-lasting sweet perfume is the aforementioned La Vie Est Belle. Thanks to its vanilla and patchouli content, this fragrance can linger on the skin for hours, providing a long-lasting aura of elegance and sensuality. The same is true of Black Opium, which, despite its sweetness, can be smelt throughout the day thanks to its rich notes of vanilla and coffee.
How to prolong the longevity of sweet perfumes? To make the fragrance last longer, it is worth using a few simple tricks. First, apply the perfume to well-moisturised skin – dry skin absorbs and loses the scent faster. You can also use a neutral-smelling lotion to create a protective barrier that will help the scent last longer. The place where you apply the perfume is also important. It is worth choosing warmer areas, such as the neck, décolleté and wrists, which will release the scent for longer.
A world full of sweet possibilities
In summary: sweet women's perfumes are a broad category of fragrances that includes both light, delicate compositions and intense, even gourmand offerings. When should you reach for them? Light, fruity-sweet compositions are great for everyday use and warmer days, while more intense, very sweet perfumes are ideal for evening outings or cooler months. The longevity of sweet perfumes is usually a big advantage, especially in the case of compositions based on vanilla, amber accords and spices. A properly selected sweet fragrance will not only harmonise with your character, but will also stay with you for a long time.