Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used as a fragrant material for thousands of years, with its aroma often associated with religion. The scent is derived from woods and resins, and its notes can range from spicy to sweet to earthy. Many perfumes on the market today feature incense as a key ingredient, with some of the most notable including Kerosene Broken Theories, Solstice Scents Scrying Smoke, Fzotic Ummagumma, Amouage Memoir Woman, and Encens Japonais. For those seeking a 'churchy' incense fragrance, Relique d’Amour from Oriza L. Legrand and Olivier Durbano Rock Crystal are excellent options. If you're looking for something with a unique twist, Erik Kormann Eau de Froehliche combines incense with chocolates and raspberries. For a more meditative scent, L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer pairs incense with lilies, while Cartier XII L’Heure Mystérieuse combines incense with elemi, patchouli, and spice for a dense and dark fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Odor profile | Olibanum or Frankincense |
| Key ingredients | α-Pinene, Camphene, Sabinene, p-Cymene, Thujene, Limonene, Octanol, Octyl scetate |
| Fragrances | Relique d’Amour, Amouage Memoir Woman, Encens Japonais, Serge Lutens L’Incendiare, Kerosene Broken Theories, Solstice Scents Scrying Smoke, Fzotic Ummagumma, Comme des Garcons incense series, L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer, Olivier Durbano Rock Crystal, Christian Dior Bois d’Argent, Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Cathedral, Serge Lutens de Profundis, Cartier XII L’Heure Mystérieuse, Strange Invisible Perfumes Fire and Cream, Erik Kormann Eau de Froehliche, Etro Shaal Nur |
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What You'll Learn
Incense fragrances for women
Incense fragrances are derived from woods and resins, and they can range from spicy to sweet to earthy to "churchy". The smell of incense is often associated with religious, spiritual, and cultural practices. The use of incense dates back thousands of years, with ancient civilisations burning incense in temples.
If you're looking for an incense fragrance for women, there are several options to choose from. Here are some recommendations:
Tom Ford
Tom Ford offers several perfumes with incense notes. Sahara Noir smells like burning incense, while Jasmin Rouge has a jasmine incense stick scent.
John Galliano
The John Galliano fragrance is reminiscent of church incense.
Oriza L. Legrand
The fragrance Reve d'Ossian by Oriza L. Legrand has frankincense notes.
L'Artisan Parfumeur
Passage d'Enfer by L'Artisan Parfumeur is a well-known incense fragrance. It smells like the incense burned in a Chinese Buddhist temple.
Hermes
The Hermes Rouge fragrance, especially in the older round bottle, has a "High mass at a cathedral" incense scent.
Comme des Garcons
The Comme des Garcons Series 3 Incense: Kyoto is a popular choice for an incense fragrance. The whole CdG incense line features different types of incense notes.
Roos & Roos
Mentha Religiosa by Roos & Roos is a unique fragrance with contrasting notes. It has a cool and fresh initial impression with sharp citrusy bergamot and peppery mint notes. However, the dry-down is warm, with incense taking the leading role.
Trudon
Trudon Révolution pairs frankincense with leather and cade, creating a sophisticated and meditative fragrance.
Apoteker Tepe
The Holy Mountain by Apoteker Tepe is a roll-on fragrance with hints of pine smoke and balsam fir, providing a grounding and meditative experience.
These fragrances offer a range of incense-forward scents, allowing you to find the perfect one that suits your taste and preference.
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Incense fragrances for men
Amouage Memoir Man
Amouage is a brand that heavily features incense in its fragrances. Memoir Man is described as having a strong incense scent. It is also available in a version for women, which smells like mulling spices and orange, with a touch of animalic castoreum.
Parfums d’Empire Wazamba
Wazamba has a strong incense opening for the first hour or two. After that, it transforms into a nearly undetectable skin scent.
By Kilian Incense Oud
This is described as one of the best incense scents, although it is very expensive.
Bentley for Men Intense
This fragrance combines rum and incense, with both notes lasting from beginning to end.
Comme des Garcons 2 Man
This fragrance has a dry incense scent, with almost no sweetness.
Sonoma Scent Studio Incense Pure
Described as the "best" incense fragrance tried by the reviewer.
Montale Full Incense
Another fragrance described as the "best" by the reviewer.
Mauboussin M Generation
An elegant and refined fragrance with more of a Middle Eastern character.
Relique d’Amour by Oriza L. Legrand
Described as a "churchy" incense fragrance.
Kerosene Broken Theories
This fragrance is described as a "dirty, ashy incense" with a tobacco note that lends extra depth. It leans a bit masculine.
Serge Lutens Encens et Lavande
This fragrance contains a high percentage of natural olibanum oil, which is a key component of incense fragrances.
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Incense in ancient cultures
Incense has been an integral part of human history, with its use transcending civilizations, cultures, and eras. The earliest recorded use of incense dates back to ancient Egypt around 3000 BC, where it was employed in religious rituals and daily liturgies. Incense-bearing trees were imported from the Arabian and Somali coasts, and the aromatic resin extracted from these trees, known as olibanum or frankincense, became one of the most ancient fragrant materials known to humankind. The Egyptians treasured incense as highly as gold, and its usage was restricted to sacred purposes, burned in temples to manifest the presence of the gods and gratify them.
Ancient China also has a long history of incense use, dating back to the Neolithic period. Incense played a significant role in religious ceremonies, particularly in ancestor worship. The Chinese burned aromatic woods and plants, such as cypress and sandalwood, and also incorporated frankincense into their traditional medicine, believing it to have purifying and harmonizing properties. During the Song Dynasty, the use of incense reached its peak, with numerous buildings dedicated specifically to incense ceremonies.
In ancient Greece, woods and resins were burned as offerings to the gods and for protection against demons, a practice that was later adopted by the Romans. Incense became an important part of Roman culture, used in public and private sacrifices and in the cult of the emperor. The ancient Israelites also used incense in their liturgy, with a mixture of frankincense, storax, onycha, galbanum, and salt as a preservative.
The use of incense spread globally, with each culture incorporating it into their unique traditions. In Japan, incense was incorporated into Shinto rituals and the art of Kōdō, which involves the ceremonial appreciation of incense and is considered a path to self-awareness and cultural refinement. Hindus and Buddhists also use incense for rituals, offerings, and daily rites.
Incense has played a significant role in ancient cultures, not only for its fragrant properties but also for its sacred and ritualistic purposes. Its use has evolved over time, from being restricted to sacred rituals to becoming a tool for everyday well-being and spiritual enhancement.
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Synthetic incense fragrances
Incense fragrances are derived from woods and resins, and they impart mystical and mysterious notes to perfumes. These notes can range from spicy to sweet to earthy to "churchy".
Among the synthetic materials, Mystikal by Givaudan is the only compound with the specific smell of burnt incense. From a chemical standpoint, it is a carbonic acid 2-Methylundecanal (aldehyde C12 MNA).
There are several perfumes that feature incense fragrances. For instance, Relique d’Amour from Oriza L. Legrand is described as "churchy incense". Amouage Memoir Woman is said to smell like mulling spices and orange, with incense running through it. Encens Japonais has a bright jammy orange note with hints of violet and coffee, giving it a dried/stewed plum note.
Serge Lutens L’Incendiare is another fragrance that smells like smoky plummy incense and resins, with a greater emphasis on smoke and incense. Kerosene Broken Theories is described as "dirty, ashy incense" with a tobacco note that lends extra depth. Solstice Scents Scrying Smoke is similar but softer, with hints of vanilla and orange/petitgrain. Fzotic Ummagumma combines chocolate, spices, and incense.
Other notable mentions include Olivier Durbano Rock Crystal, Christian Dior Bois d’Argent, Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Cathedral, Comme des Garcons incense series, L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer, and Etro Shaal Nur.
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Incense fragrances with other notes
Incense fragrances are derived from woods and resins, and they can be combined with other notes to create unique and memorable scents. Here are some examples of incense fragrances with additional notes:
Relique d’Amour from Oriza L. Legrand
Relique d'Amour is described as a ""churchy incense" fragrance. It captures the essence of sacred spaces and is perfect for those who enjoy the scent of incense in religious contexts.
Kerosene Broken Theories
This fragrance is described as a "dirty, ashy incense" with a tobacco note that adds depth without resembling a smoker. It leans towards a masculine scent and is suitable for evening wear.
Solstice Scents Scrying Smoke
Solstice Scents Scrying Smoke is similar to Kerosene Broken Theories but with softer, lighter notes of vanilla and orange/petitgrain. While it may not be daytime appropriate, it is easier to wear and less intense than Broken Theories.
Amouage Memoir Woman
This fragrance combines incense with notes of mulling spices and orange, reminiscent of mulled wine. It has a touch of animalic castoreum in the base, adding a unique and sexy twist to the fragrance.
Encens Japonais
Encens Japonais features a bright jammy orange note balanced by violet and hints of coffee, creating a dried or stewed plum note. It is similar to Memoir Woman but with a smokier profile and without the spices and castoreum.
Serge Lutens L’Incendiare
L'Incendiare is a smoky, plummy incense fragrance with a focus on resins. It emphasizes smoke and incense while bearing similarities to other fragrances like TF Plum Japonais and CdG Floriental.
Olivier Durbano Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal is a transformative fragrance that embraces both the sinner and the saint. It opens with a cuminy note that evolves into a rich churchy scent, capturing the duality of light and shadow, coolness, and warmth.
Christian Dior Bois d’Argent
This fragrance combines frankincense with silver woods and a unique vanilla-honey-iris combination. It is elegantly understated, with well-blended notes that maneuver between contrasting elements.
Cartier XII L’Heure Mystérieuse
A dense and dark fragrance, Cartier XII L'Heure Mystérieuse combines incense, elemi, patchouli, and spice. The night is warmed by this mysterious and alluring scent.
Strange Invisible Perfumes Fire and Cream
Fire and Cream is a frankincense and hay fragrance with meditative notes. It is described as glorious, with the incense and hay creating a unique and unexpected combination.
L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer
This fragrance pairs incense with lilies, resulting in a bright, sweet, and earthy scent. It is one of the all-time favorite frankincense fragrances for its unique intertwining of contrasting notes.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several perfumes that smell like incense, ranging from spicy to sweet to earthy to "churchy". Some options include:
- Comme des Garcons incense series
- L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer
- Olivier Durbano Rock Crystal
- Cartier XII L’Heure Mystérieuse
- Solstice Scents Scrying Smoke
- Amouage Memoir Woman
Incense is derived from woods and resins and is one of the most ancient fragrant materials known to humankind. Its aromatic properties have been exploited since the Late Stone Age, about 15 thousand years ago.
Some cheaper alternatives include:
- Oud Bouquet Eau de Parfum Lancôme
- Chinatown Bond No 9
- Le Maroc Pour Elle Tauer Perfumes
- Ciara
