As a perfume-obsessed beauty editor, I love nothing more than when an unexpected scent starts trending. Of course, I’ll always love the comforting richness of the best vanilla perfumes or the lightness that comes from a soft white floral scent, however, there’s something forever exciting about coming across a fragrance that smells unlike anything you’ve smelled before.
That’s exactly how I felt when I heard about the latest fragrance note that’s been growing in popularity in recent months. And now I’ve had the chance to smell it in a variety of interpretations, I predict it’s going to be hugely popular with those who love unique summer scents.
If you haven’t smelled a banana perfume before, don’t recoil in horror. It may sound unusual but believe me, the sweet creamy scent makes the perfect pairing to some of the more traditional notes you’ll already know and love.
“It almost brings what feels like a ‘new era’ to conventional tropical scents,” said Romy Kowalewski, founder of niche fragrance brand, 27 87, when I questioned her on the notes growing popularity. “[Yet,] banana doesn’t follow the same path as classic gourmand notes. It doesn’t wrap you in sugar or aim to please. It is challenging. It surprises.” It’s for that reason that banana perfumes are ideal for those who want a tropical perfume that taps into the mood of the season yet still feels fresh and exciting.
“I would say that banana perfumes are for those who aren’t afraid to be daring with their perfume choices and embrace the abstract, avant-garde and the wonder that comes with it,” Kowalewski continued. If that sounds like you, keep scrolling to find out more.
What does a banana perfume smell like?
(Image credit: Jazzria Harris)
“The banana scent is […] far more complex than you’d expect,” explained Kowalewski, “It opens with a sharp, almost volatile top note that quickly gives way to a creamy heart, layered with floral nuances: jasmine, clove, even a hint of something animalic,” continues Kowalewski, “Then it softens, like velvet, like the last spoonful of a dessert that’s both familiar and impossible to describe.”
Anyone else feeling hungry? To satiate your appetite (at least when it comes to fruity scents), I’ve rounded up an edit of the best banana perfumes. Alongside traditional tropical offerings, you’ll also find unique takes on banana, combining the gourmand note with everything from florals to boozy scents. Get ready to go bananas for these summer perfumes…
The Best Banana Perfumes
- Best unique banana perfume: 27 87 Hakuna Matata Eau de Parfum (£163)
- Best boozy banana perfume: Borntostandout Nanatopia Eau de Parfum (£240)
- Best floral banana perfume: Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild Eau de Parfum (£64)
- Best tropical banana perfume: Kayali Maui in a Bottle Sweet Banana (£79)
- Best creamy banana perfume: Ellis Brooklyn Banana Milkshake Hair and Body Mist (£36)
1. 27 87 Hakuna Matata Eau de Parfum
27 87
Hakuna Matata Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Green banana, ripe banana, jasmine, honey, labandum
Let’s start with what I’d say is the most interesting banana scent in this edit. 27 87’s Hakuna Matata is described as “playful. Tropical. Unconventional.” and for me that hits it on the head. It opens with an almost powdery banana note, reminiscent of those foamy sweets you probably had as a child. Rather than veering into a sugary sweetness however, in then creeps jasmine, which gives it a softness, and syrupy honey, which lends a richer, almost musky quality. It’s a fragrance you have to smell a few times to wrap your head around, but once it’s drawn you in, you want to keep spritzing it.
2. Borntostandout Nanatopia Eau de Parfum
Borntostandout
Nanatopia Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Rum, banana, caramel, cinnamon, tonka bean
Nanotopia is a banana cocktail that’s strong, heady and smooth. Rather than fresh fruit, it’s reminiscent of a banana that’s been caramelised in dark brown sugar and doused with rich alcohol before being consumed in moody corners of dimly lit rooms. It’s a banana scent that’s indulgent and expensive-smelling and which glides down so easily, you don’t realise you’ve finished your glass until you sadly take your last sip. In my opinion, the perfect scent for late summer nights!
3. Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild Eau de Parfum
Marc Jacobs
Daisy Wild Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Banana flower, jasmine, macadamia, sandalwood
If you’re unsure about banana fragrances or want something that subtly nods to the note, I’d definitely recommend trying Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild. Rather than using the fruit in its literal sense, it instead blends banana flower with notes of jasmine and sandalwood. The result is a light floral scent that’s bright and vibrant yet also easy to wear, especially on warm sunny days. Whether you’re already a fan of Marc Jacob’s cult Daisy line or looking for an introduction to the scents, I promise you this is a great one to start with.
4. Kayali Maui in a Bottle Sweet Banana
Kayali
Maui in a Bottle Sweet Banana
Key notes: Banana, pear, coconut, jasmine, vanilla
If you’re a fan of a holiday scent, that smells like a blend of sun cream, tropical fruit and sunshine, Kayali’s Maui in a Bottle is that girl. Rather than pulling heavily on the coconut, however, as most tropical perfumes do, Kayali’s scent brings sun-ripened banana to the forefront. It’s sweet and comforting and incredibly moreish. I’ve already packed this away to take on my next holiday as I know it’s going to smell even more incredible in the setting that inspired it.
5. Ellis Brooklyn Banana Milkshake Hair and Body Mist
Ellis Brooklyn
Banana Milkshake Hair and Body Mist
Key notes: Banana, milk, melon, vanilla orchid, ice cream, tonka bean, vanilla
For me, this is a seriously nostalgic take on the banana note, smelling as close to a banana milkshake as you can get without pouring a glass of the real thing. It’s incredibly creamy thanks to layers of sweet vanilla, ice cream and milk which sit alongside the sugary banana note offering the milky, lactonic twist you’d expect. It may not be the most mature-smelling scent but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable, especially for creamy gourmand lovers.
6. Coty Infiniment J’ai Trois Amours Parfum
Coty Infiniment
J’ai Trois Amours Parfum
Key notes: Banana flower, jasmine, chypre
Another perfume that contains banana flower as opposed to actual banana, Coty Infiniment’s J’ai Trois Amours is a woody, floral scent that’s sweet and soft. Of all the perfumes on this list, I’d say this is the one that takes the lightest touch with the banana offering, choosing instead to focus on the delicate white florals before adding the slightest tropical twist. For that reason, I’d describe it as a grown-up banana scent, offering a sense of refinement to the gourmand note.
7. Jusbox Sisters B4 Misters Eau de Parfum
Jusbox
Sisters B4 Misters Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Banana, lime, blackcurrant, ginger, sugar, sandalwood, amber
A fruity scent to its core, Jusbox’s Sisters B4 Misters blends together all the most delicious tropical fruits and makes them sing. In the first spritz, you get banana, which is creamy and sweet, however, it’s then joined by punchy blackcurrant and sharp lime. It’s a fun, playful scent that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. Add to that it’s also inspired by the Spice Girls and I see no reason not to love this perfume.
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