Perfumes for Women in India: A Guide to Floral and Gourmand Scents

Fragrance has no rules about gender, but many women start their search in the same place: something feminine, long-lasting and not too sweet. The easiest way to find it is to understand the fragrance families.

Floral

The largest family in perfumery. Rose, jasmine, gardenia, tuberose, orange blossom, ylang ylang. Florals can be fresh and airy or rich and heady. In India, white florals like jasmine have a special familiarity: mogra in the hair, rajnigandha at weddings.

Gourmand

Notes you could almost eat: vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, praline, tonka. Warm, comforting and very long-lasting. The best gourmands are balanced by woods or florals so they read as warm rather than sugary.

Floral gourmand

The meeting point of the two, and one of the most loved styles today. Bright florals up top, a soft sweet warmth underneath.

Our pick: RARE Amore. Pear blossom and red berries, then gardenia, jasmine and ylang ylang, over sandalwood and a thread of brown sugar. Bright at first, quietly seductive by the third hour.

Floral amber

Florals wrapped in amber, vanilla and resins. Richer and more evening-ready, perfect for weddings and winter.

Our pick: MADNO Forever. Orange blossom, rose, neroli and jasmine over bourbon vanilla, amber and benzoin.

Fresh

Citrus, green and aquatic notes. Light and easy in the heat, but usually the shortest-lived.

Is it too sweet?

This is the most common worry with gourmands. Look at the base notes: sandalwood, musk or woods keep sweetness in check. A fragrance that pairs sugar with sandalwood will feel warm and skin-like, not candy-like.

Making it last

Choose an Eau de Parfum or, better, an Extrait de Parfum. Apply to moisturised skin on pulse points and don't rub. More tips here.

Not sure which family is yours? Try them side by side with the Discovery Set.