For anyone unfamiliar with specific perfume terms, hearing the word “Fougère” may be confusing. What does that even mean? Heck, even those familiar with fragrance terminology might not fully understand what it entails. Sure, they know it’s a fragrance family, and if they know a little bit of French, they’ll know it literally means fern. While the fragrance profile is meant to smell like fresh fern in the forest (fresh, green, and slightly woody), this doesn’t necessarily mean that these fragrances smell like the actual plant itself.
What does it mean then? Well, that is simpler than you might think. Keep reading and you’ll find out.
A Quick History
It all started with a lab accident! In 1820, A. Vogel of Munich was studying tonka beans and accidentally isolated coumarin, initially misidentifying it as benzoic acid. Coumarin smells like freshly cut hay, almonds, and a hint of vanilla.
William Perkin, the same guy who stumbled upon the first synthetic dye (a cool purple called mauveine), later figured out how to synthesise coumarin. This meant perfumers could finally get their hands on this sweet, almond-y scent without relying only on natural sources, which can be expensive and inconsistent. Perkin’s work made coumarin accessible and changed the perfume game forever. Previously, perfumers were limited to using only natural ingredients. Coumarin was the first synthetic note to be made.
Fast forward to 1882. The perfume house Houbigant took this coumarin and blended it with lavender, oakmoss, and geranium. BAM! Fougère Royale was born. This perfume established the blueprint for what we now know as the fougère fragrance family.
The Fougère Family
Fougère (pronounced foo-zhair) is typically a blend of coumarin (pronounced coo-mah-rin), bergamot, lavender, rose, geranium, vetiver, moss, and tonka bean. This fragrance family was inspired by the scent of a fern and aims to give a similar, though not exact, aroma. It emits a fresh, clean, slightly herbal, and often masculine scent.
Our Favourite Fougère Fragrances
1. YSL Libre EDP Intense – For Her
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yves Saint Laurent |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Fougere |
| Notes | Top: Lavender, Mandarin Orange, and Bergamot Middle: Lavender, Tunisian Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac, and Orchid Base: Madagascar Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Ambergris, and Vetiver |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Longevity | Over 10 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm |
Yves Saint Laurent’s Libre Intense is a compelling amber fougere women’s scent that boldly reinterprets the classic fougere structure. What makes this fragrance so good is its surprising contrasting effect of traditionally masculine lavender with ultra-feminine notes.
The prominent creamy vanilla and orange blossom are showcased with the aromatic lavender, which makes it a powerful, long-lasting women’s scent.
2. Dior Sauvage EDP – For Him
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dior |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Notes | Top: Calabrian Bergamot and Pepper Middle: Sichuan Pepper, Lavender, Pink Pepper, Vetiver, Patchouli, Geranium, and Elemi Base: Ambroxan, Cedar, and Labdanum |
| Release year | 2015 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | François Demachy |
Dior Sauvage is an aromatic fougere for men that carries the status of being a classic fragrance with its fresh yet powerfully masculine scent profile. What solidifies Sauvage as a strong fougere is its masterful use of lavender and earthy notes woven throughout the fragrance.
The most prominent scents of bright bergamot, spicy pepper, and the signature ambroxan blend together to create a clean and fresh, universally appealing fragrance. It’s a versatile scent, perfect for any occasion, that makes it a fougere staple.
3. Amouage Enclave EDP – Unisex
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Amouage |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Fougere |
| Notes | Top: Peppermint, Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Pink Pepper Middle: Olibanum, Patchouli, Vetiver, and Rose Base: Amber Xtreme, Leather and Labdanum |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Julien Rasquinet |
Amouage Enclave is a luxurious scent with a blend of cool and warm elements. This amber fougere carries prominent incense and spice notes, offering a distinctive and complex fragrance profile.
The scents of mint, cardamom, and amber are expertly layered, creating a scent that is both refreshing and deeply sensual. Enclave is a sophisticated and elegant fragrance, perfect for those seeking a unique niche scent.
From its classic origins to modern interpretations, the fougere fragrance family continues to remain in trend. The YSL Libre, Dior Sauvage, and Amouage Enclave perfectly illustrate the diverse and versatile nature of this family. Whether you prefer a bold, clean, or luxurious take, the fougere offers something for everyone. Find all these fragrances from this timeless fragrance family and much more at the best perfume shop in Dubai, offering the best prices in the UAE.
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