You might not have come across pistachio in any of your fragrance finds to date, but this sweet, green nut is fast becoming sought-after in the perfume world.
While it boasts some of the sweetness of more popular notes like vanilla and tonka bean, its green nuttiness is more versatile than other nuts like almonds, making it an intriguing ingredient for perfumers to use. While it remains more of a niche fragrance note, we predict big things for this nut of note. With that in mind, here are five of our favourite pistachio perfumes to try now.
Vogue’s favourite pistachio perfumes at a glance:
Best true pistachio perfume: D.S & Durga Pistachio
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Originally a limited edition, this creamy, warm fragrance has now become part of this cult fragrance brand’s permanent collection. Fragrant and intensely nutty with notes of roasted almond to enhance the sweetness of the pistachio top note, this is a fragrance for those who love indulgent perfumes with plenty of body.
- Notes: Pistachio, cardamom, roasted almond, patchouli, vanilla creme
- Size: 50ml
Best fresh pistachio perfume: Granado Tropicália Eau de Parfum
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: You might not think of nutty, sweet pistachio as being particularly versatile, but on this vibrant perfume, all its facets are explored. While tonka and amber help pull out its creaminess, zesty mandarin and spicy pepper notes accentuate its other side, green and floral and beautifully fresh.
- Notes: Mandarin, pink pepper, black pepper, pistachio, iris, carrot, tonka, frankincense, amber
- Size: 75ml
Best fruity pistachio perfume: U Beauty PROEM Eau de Parfum
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: This delightful fruity floral blend combines heady feminine flowers like rose, magnolia and jasmine with mouthwatering fruity notes like rhubarb and lychee to create a succulent and fragrant base on which the natural buttery warmth of pistachio can shine.
- Notes: Centafolia rose, Chinese peony, Chinese magnolia, night-blooming jasmine, lychee, rhubarb, vetiver, pistachio, pink peppercorn
- Size: 50ml
Best pistachio perfume for men: Mugler A*Men Stellar
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: The natural sweetness of salty blue pistachio accord is given a smoky, woody warmth thanks to amber, cocoa, leather and smoke. To help round things off and create a cocooning richness, there’s rum and cognac. The perfect evening scent.
- Notes: Bergamot, lavandin, blue pistachio accord, amber, cocoa, leather, smoke, rum, cognac
- Size: 50ml
Best affordable pistachio perfume: M&S Discover Sweet Pistachio Eau de Toilette
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: For lovers of unadulterated sweetness, this pure pistachio perfume is a great everyday option that won’t break the bank. Bursting with soft, vanilla notes of pistachio and tonka bean, there’s also an underlying hint of floral sweetness thanks to the heady floral note of tuberose.
- Notes: Pistachio, tuberose, tonka bean
- Size: 100ml
FAQs
Is pistachio a common fragrance note?
While it’s not been commonly used in traditional perfumery, pistachio, like many other gourmand notes is having a surge in popularity. Although traditionally sweet, perfumers have recently begun to explore other facets of its personality, pairing the inherent creaminess with other gourmand ingredients to accentuate it, as well as play around with notes like woods, alcohol and florals to create something contrasting.
What other notes work well with pistachio?
You won’t be surprised to hear that most other gourmand notes work well with pistachio in fragrance. Think things like vanilla, tonka bean, caramel and marshmallow, which are often paired with pistachio to enhance its warm nuttiness. For something more contrasting, look out for pistachio fragrances with more floral undertones; some perfumers like to bring out the delicate, feminine side of pistachio with notes like rose, magnolia and jasmine. For something totally different, woody or smoky notes like cedar and vetiver can add a balance to pistachio’s natural sweetness.
