Aromatic · Floral

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender is perfumery's most reliable workhorse — it's appeared in colognes, fougeres, and aromatics for centuries. Far from boring, fine lavender (especially from Provence or Grasse) has a complex herbal-floral character with camphoraceous top notes and a surprisingly woody dry-down. It's the backbone of the entire fougere family.

Intensity
Longevity
Projection
Calming Discipline Clean Authority Business Casual Professional Spring Summer
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The Scent

Herbal-floral with camphorous top notes, a sweet heart, and a woody-coumarin dry-down. Fine French lavender is more complex and less medicinal than mass-market versions. There's a clean, disciplined quality that makes it the olfactory equivalent of a freshly pressed shirt.

Psychological Profile

Lavender communicates calm discipline and clean authority. It's historically associated with barbershops, gentlemen's clubs, and the kind of effortless masculinity that doesn't need to prove itself. Modern use has expanded beyond gender boundaries.

What It Signals

  • You value clean, disciplined presentation
  • You're calm under pressure
  • You appreciate tradition with modern sensibility
  • You're trustworthy and reliable

Psychological Properties

  • Energy: Calm, focused
  • Temperature: Cool
  • Formality: Business casual to professional
  • Season: Spring and summer
  • Time of Day: Morning to afternoon

When Lavender Works

Perfect For

  • Daily professional wear
  • When trustworthy reliability matters
  • Spring/summer daytime
  • After-shave/grooming rituals
  • When clean confidence is the goal

Avoid For

  • Formal evening events — too casual
  • When intensity is needed
  • Very creative environments — reads conventional
  • Deep winter — too light

Complementary Notes

Pairs Beautifully With

Avoid Pairing With

  • Oud — lavender gets overwhelmed
  • Patchouli — creates tonal confusion
  • Heavy oriental accords — clash in temperature

Iconic Fragrances

Further Reading

Related Notes