8 Perfume Scents People Hate in Real Life, But Love in Fragrances

So, you have been dabbling in the wonderful world of perfumes for a little while now and you have finally found out which notes you love and hate. You have probably also thought of how odd it is that some real world smells with corresponding perfume notes do not smell alike at all or have a very different effect on you. It seems weird, right? Except it is not weird at all.

Most notes are not derived from the thing they are named after or if they are, a concentrated amount will always smell slightly different from the object it is named after. Also some scents, when combined with the fragrance of other ingredients, will smell beautifully. At last, a lot of notes are actually synthetic and perfected in labs with a little help from science.

Having said that, we’ve always wondered what real life things out there get a bad rap for smelling awful but, as perfume notes, get high grades and thumbs up from perfume-lovers. Admittedly, opinions vary on this topic because we all perceive smells differently but some perfume-lovers seem to have found common ground with others who also think that some things just smell bad in real life but smell yummy in perfumes.

We have scoured the interwebs for these opinions on smells and certain notes and compiled them for you below. Let us know if you agree or disagree!

1. Tobacco

Why people hate it: It is almost comically obvious why most of us do not like the smell of tobacco. One mention of tobacco and our minds immediately go to:

stinky cigarettes, nicotine stains on our fingers, smoke-filled bars and clubs, cigarette smells on our clothes and hair after a night out and, oh yeah, the deadly carcinogens in cigarettes.

But I am going to let you in on something. It is not tobacco that actually smells bad. It is the smoke that it emits once lit up. The smoke contains many toxins, so no wonder it is one of the most annoying and repulsive smells.

Tobacco Scent in Perfumes

Now, tobacco on its own and as a note in perfumes is a whole different story. Parfumeurs use tobacco absolute, which comes from carefully selected dried fermented tobacco leaves. The reason why tobacco leaves smell vastly different from a cigarette’s smoke is because they are never smoked. See what I did there? In any case, the leaves retain their earthy and slightly powdery aroma that blends amazingly well with other warmer notes such as vanilla, sandalwood and even leather. No wonder so many niche and designer fragrance brands scramble to create tobacco perfumes because, when done well, they can quickly gain a following of devoted tobacco-note-loving fans who will repurchase it until it earns its title as a classic. Case in point: Cool Water by Davidoff. Below you can find some niche tobacco fragrances that will make you stand out from the crowd:

2. Leather

Why people hate the scent of leather: Leather, especially newly-tanned leather, smells atrocious because of the chemicals being used to prepare and tan it. Once the leather has been used and worn for a certain period of time,

the horrible stench of chemicals is mixed with your own sweat and maybe dirt or mould.

The chemical smells might slowly fade with time but for some people that is simply not enough. Sure, some leather goods do acquire that much-desired smoky smell but not all of them. The smell either worsens or takes on a different character altogether that is still offensive to some noses. And then there is the question if the use of leather is ethical at all. Your vegan friend may have to say a thing or two about this. So, why do leather-averse individuals sometimes still gravitate towards perfumes with a leather note in them? You can find out by adding a leather perfume to your wardrobe:

Leather Scent in Perfumes

That is easy to answer. The leather note is sometimes created from a synthetic note that imitates the perfect and ideal leather scent without any whiff of chemicals or body odour. Other perfume creators do not depend on anything synthetic but rather prefer a combination of ingredients that evoke that distinct leather scent. This combination can include  tobacco, birch tar and patchouli, ultimately creating a smoky, earthy, deep and versatile note that is easily combined with other notes. A popular leather perfume is Penhaligon’s Halfeti Leather. It is dark but vibrant, bold, spicy and mature. It is a compliment magnet just like many other superbly made leather perfumes. So, if you hate leather for whatever reason, make sure to give leather perfumes a chance to shine.

3. Mango

Why some people can’t stand the scent of mango: This delicious and beloved stone fruit grows predominantly in South and Southeast Asia and is known for its golden yellow juicy flesh that is sugary and very filling. Part of the experience of eating a ripe mango is smelling it. You would think that most people would not have anything against such a beautiful fruit but think twice!

A lot of people are not fan of that sickly, overpowering sweet and slightly rotting smell that makes ones nauseous and sick. Let alone the fact that many are allergic to mango.

However, all is not lost because it would seem like the Venn diagram of people who hate the real mango smell and people who love mango notes in perfumes is a circle.

Mango Scent in Perfumes

In perfumes, mango notes are usually used when trying to convey summer feelings and vacation vibes. However, some perfumes like Paco Rabanne’s FAME Parfum (the black one) have managed to prominently feature the fruit’s sweety and aromatic smell and blend it wonderfully with white florals, pink pepper, bergamot and a good amount of sandalwood and musk to create a warm and attractively sweet smell that one can wear in all seasons. At last, Vilhelm’s Mango Skin perfume, as the name already implies are for those who love the smell of its skin.

So, if you feel like a pariah for not liking the real mango smell but you are absolutely loving mango notes in perfumes, know that you are not alone at all. Checkout the below niche mango fragrances curated by the Beautinow team:

Lavender

Lavender? You either hate it or love it. I would like to say that this is controversial but as it turns out,

there are quite a few people out there who are on Team Lavender Smells Like Pee or who just generally think that this lovely-looking shrub with cute flowers smells foul.

Lavender is prominent in places with temperate climates. Think summer in Provence, Somerset, Sardinia and even Tasmania. However, some people will probably never visit those places and their lavender fields because for them, smelling lavender is akin to “stepping into a skunk convention after an entire skunk audience got frightened all at once” – as one Redditor boldly described it.

Lavender Scent in Perfumes

However, all’s not lost because some people on the aforementioned team feel very differently towards lavender as a perfume note, especially when blended well with other beloved notes. There is a reason why Libre Intense by YSL and Mon Guerlain by Guerlain are beloved perfumes, especially amongst women. The addition of lavender in both perfumes brings in a hint of warmth and sophistication whilst keeping its wearer calm and happy.

Mint

Here’s why mint-aversion is a thing: For some,

smelling mint tea brings up childhood memories of having to drink the tea for a cough or indigestion; for others, smelling anything mint-flavoured, whether that be gum, toothpaste or essential oil, can cause migraines and nausea.

The Anti-Mint faction really has a problem with food garnished with mint leaves as well, so a good bowl of tabbouleh or mint sauce at your favourite Indian restaurant are no-gos!

Mint Scent in Perfumes

Lucky for perfume brands, mint as a perfume note seems to be quite the hit. Perfumes with mint are commonly bought by lovers of the clean girl aesthetic and by fans of skin scents. When balanced with deeper notes, a mint note can give its wearer such a refreshing and elevated experience, especially in the hotter months. The balance that needs to be struck by perfume creators to make their minty creations beloved is delicate. Do not overdo the mint at the risk of creating eau de Listerine and Colgate. Hit that balance just right like these beloved mint perfumes did: Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca by Guerlain and Acqua di Gioia Essenza by Giorgio Armani.

Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca is a fresh, minty and green scent with a hint of lemon that all in all creates an icy, sparkly and perky combination laced with pretty florals that brightens any summer day. Then there is Acqua di Gioia Essenza, which is springtime in a bottle with its mint note enhanced by green and jasmine notes alike. At last, we’ve created a list of niche mint perfume recommendations. If you do not like real-world mint, this is your sign to take a chance on perfumes with mint notes!

Licorice

There needs to be a special award for people who love the taste and smell of licorice. I am fully convinced these people are in the minority for loving what one Quora contributor described as “chewy black death”, referring to its candy form that some people un-ironically enjoy eating. For that alone, they deserve a trophy! The majority of us, however, detest licorice’s

sickeningly sweet, aromatic and nasty herbal smell (and taste)

but amongst us also walk some who, miraculously, love licorice as a perfume note.

Licorice Scent in Perfumes

In perfumes, licorice can come through as delicately sweet, soft, spicy and anisic. Perfume-lovers who bat for Team Gourmand but do not always love vanilla-heavy scents, find themselves loving perfumes with licorice. A fan favourite is 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noise. It opens freshly with mint and pepper and walks you through an herby but sweet heart, owing to prominent and well-blended licorice and star anise notes that are further elevated by cacao and ginger. It is not offensive but rather mysterious, silky smooth and slightly addictive.

Jasmine

White florals in their real-world form often suffer a poor reputation. You think neroli has it bad? Try being jasmine:

One blogger described it as being the “dirtiest” of all white florals.

The blogger then blamed jasmine’s bad smell on something called indole. One Google search will tell you that indole is an aromatic, heterocyclic, organic compound that can be found in flowers, flower oils, coal tar and faecal matter. No wonder some people have strong feelings about jasmine! Now, offer these same people perfumes with a jasmine note that is, of course, notably different and diluted from its purest form and you will find fans instead of haters.

Jasmine Scent in Perfume

Jasmine in perfumes can come in different blends and can be rather versatile. They can be sweet, fresh, musky and even opulent. A fan favourite is Diptyque’s Do Son, which pairs jasmine with 2 other white florals: orange blossom and tuberose and then adds depth to the white floral trio with a bit of amber wood. It is feminine, obviously floral but not sugary or too sweet. It is the perfect starter kit for those who are disappointed in the flower itself but would like to love the perfume note instead.

Patchouli

This native of Southeast Asia likes to grow and thrive in a hot environment but out of direct sunlight.

One sniff of the plant and you may understand why a lot of people are deeply offended by its dark and earthy smell.

Even if the patchouli-haters can get over their dislike of the plant’s smell and see the many medicinal benefits of using it, I do not think we can convince them to take a plant home with them. The smell is very polarising, to say the least. But here is the thing, many of our most beloved perfumes would not be anywhere without patchouli. It finds its way in many powdery and chypre fragrances as well as perfumes with a prominent rose note.

Patchouli in Perfume

As a perfume note, it could still divide opinions but even some Redditors agree that they may never want to use pure patchouli oil or have a patchouli plant in their living room but they will always appreciate patchouli in their perfumes. Consider Kayali’s Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli. It is perhaps the most popular of the Kayali’s, just second to Vanilla 28. Having added a patchouli base to this boozy, vanillic and sugary perfume, Kayali made it more complex as it possesses a dark and woody edge in the dry-down. Even the staunchest of patchouli-haters will not be able to resist such a sophisticated combination. Here are some of our recommend niche patchouli fragrances:

Our sense of smell is amazing. We all perceive smells and notes differently and even overtime, we change our own opinions on them as we grow older. This is normal and nothing to be worried about. Not liking certain fruits, flowers or other objects but liking their perfume note equivalent is also normal. It’s what makes fragrances so interesting!

So, the next time someone recommends a perfume to you with a note that in the real world may cause you to gag or run in the opposite direction, pause and give that perfume a try. It might just be your next signature scent!