INCENSE & SPICY PERFUMES

Spicy perfume may feature warm notes such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg or fresher spices such as pepper, ginger and cardamom. These notes are often combined with woods, amber, florals or citrus to create anything from an aromatic lift to a deeper, warmer scent.

Incense perfume often smells smoky, resinous, woody or softly balsamic. Notes such as frankincense, myrrh and olibanum may be paired with woods and musk, florals or spices to change the overall effect.

Incense fragrances focus on smoky or resinous notes, while spicy fragrances centre on ingredients associated with pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, clove or ginger. The two profiles often appear together, but a spicy perfume does not need to contain incense.

No. Pepper, ginger and cardamom can add a light aromatic lift, while cinnamon, clove, incense and resins may feel deeper. Concentration and supporting notes also affect how the fragrance wears, so try a sample size if you want to compare different styles.