Violet perfume: 16 to try, from sweet flower to green leaf

Every perfume here lists a violet note, and each comes as a 3ml or 10ml decant. Pick the side you lean towards, then test one flower and one leaf before you size up.

Snabb jämförelse

Snabb jämförelse: Communityns röster

#	Parfym	Utmärkelse	Huvudnoter	Varaktighet	Sillage	Årstid	3 ml	10 ml	per milliliter
1	Aqua Allegoria Flora SalvaggiaGuerlain	Bäst överlag	Jasmin, Apelsinblom, Solnoter	Måttlig	Måttlig	Vår, Sommar	7,83 €	22,86 €	2,29 €
2	J'adore L'Or (2023)Dior		Jasmin, Liljekonvalj, Apelsinblom	Måttlig	Måttlig	Vår	14,67 €	44,37 €	4,44 €
3	The Only OneDolce&Gabbana		Kaffe, Iris	Långvarig	Stark	Höst, Vinter	8,10 €	25,74 €	2,57 €
4	FeminityMancera		Heliotrop, Jasmin, Liljekonvalj	Långvarig	Måttlig	Höst, Vinter	6,57 €	18,18 €	1,82 €
5	Daisy Eau So FreshMarc Jacobs		Äppelblom, Jasmin, Litchi	Måttlig	Måttlig	Vår	7,29 €	20,07 €	2,01 €
6	Burberry HerBurberry		Jasmin, Viol	Måttlig	Måttlig	Vår	8,91 €	25,74 €	2,57 €
7	Aventus for HerCreed		Mysk, Ros, Sandelträ	Långvarig	Stark	Vår	14,85 €	42,21 €	4,22 €
8	EGE AIGAIONishane	Bäst för sommaren	Basilika, Kardemumma, Mynta	Långvarig	Måttlig	Sommar	10,35 €	27,18 €	2,72 €
9	Valentino Uomo Born in RomaValentino		Ingefära, Salvia	Måttlig	Måttlig	Höst, Vår	7,29 €	19,98 €	2,00 €
10	Fahrenheit Le ParfumDior	Bäst för vintern	Koriander, Spiskummin, Rom	Långvarig	Stark	Vinter	8,10 €	23,13 €	2,31 €
11	CK OneCalvin Klein	Mest prisvärd	Freesia, Jasmin, Liljekonvalj			Sommar	6,21 €	14,31 €	1,43 €
12	Acqua di GiòGiorgio Armani		Koriander, Cyklamen, Freesia			Sommar	6,21 €	18,81 €	1,88 €
13	Eau des MerveillesHermès		Ambra, Peppar, Rosépeppar	Måttlig	Måttlig	Höst	10,08 €	30,60 €	3,06 €
14	Black SaffronByredo	Bästa läderdoften	Svart viol, Läder, Ros	Långvarig	Stark	Höst, Vinter	14,49 €	37,35 €	3,74 €
15	Ocean LeatherMemo Paris		Ceder, Elemi, Salvia	Måttlig	Måttlig	Vår, Höst	16,20 €	49,32 €	4,93 €
16	Crying of EvilStéphane Humbert Lucas 777	Bäst för kvällen	Läder, Ros, Sandelträ	Långvarig	Stark	Vinter, Höst	13,86 €	38,34 €	3,83 €

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Communityns röster

The two sides of violet in perfume

Violet is not one material but two. The flower gives a sweet, soft, powdery effect. The leaf gives something greener and cooler.

The flower side has a catch. Wikipedia's Viola odorata entry says there is some doubt whether true violet-flower extract is still used commercially in perfumes, while violet leaf absolute remains widely used. Wikipedia's Ionone entry explains how the flower is rebuilt instead: the ionones take their name from the Greek word for violet, and alpha and beta ionone together carry the characteristic scent of violets, which perfumers combine with other materials to recreate the flower.

The same entry notes that beta-ionone contributes significantly to how roses smell, which may help explain why violet and rose sit so comfortably together. We list every violet perfume we stock on the violet note page. This guide sorts 16 of them by what happens around the violet.

Violet flower or violet leaf

Choose the flower when you want softness, a powdery finish and a floral heart. Choose the leaf when you want a crisp, green opening. Gender follows the perfume, not the side: the leaf picks below are listed for men or as unisex, the flower picks for women, and five of the sixteen are unisex.

Wikipedia's Viola entry adds a quirk. Ionone, a major part of the flower's scent, temporarily desensitises the receptors in the nose until they recover, and the entry says violet is known for a "flirty" scent that comes and goes. Judge a violet perfume over a few wears, not one sniff.

Violet also turns up outside the pure-violet style. Our guide to powdery perfumes covers the soft, dusty side of the family, and fragrance families explained shows where floral, green and fresh scents sit.

Violet flower at the centre

These four keep to the flower, with iris, coffee, heliotrope or white flowers for company. Three of them carry a violet accord as well as the note, and all four are listed for women.

1Bäst överlag

Aqua Allegoria Flora Salvaggia by Guerlain

Toppnoter

Melon, Viol, Vattniga noter, Vildblommor

Hjärtnoter

Jasmin, Apelsinblom, Solnoter

Basnoter

Iris, Vit mysk

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 7,83 €10 ml 22,86 €

Aqua Allegoria Flora Salvaggia by Guerlain was launched in 2021. Guerlain describes a wildflower accord touched by the powdery side of iris and violet, lit by white flowers. In the notes, watery notes, violet, melon and wildflowers open, orange blossom, solar notes and jasmine form the heart, and iris and white musk close.

Most community voters rate its longevity moderate, and most rate its sillage moderate. Voters most often pick it for spring and summer, for day and office wear.

2

J'adore L'Or (2023) by Dior

Hjärtnoter

Jasmin, Liljekonvalj, Apelsinblom, Ros

Tid på dagen

Kväll

Prova den: 3 ml 14,67 €10 ml 44,37 €

J'adore L'Or (2023) by Dior puts violet in a bouquet. The catalogue lists only its heart: jasmine, orange blossom, violet, lily-of-the-valley and rose, so the violet is one of five flowers.

Community votes on its longevity lean moderate, then long lasting. Votes on its sillage lean moderate, then strong. Voters most often pick it for spring and autumn, and for evening and night wear.

3

The Only One by Dolce&Gabbana

Toppnoter

Bergamott, Viol

Hjärtnoter

Kaffe, Iris

Basnoter

Patchouli, Vanilj

Tid på dagen

Utekväll

Prova den: 3 ml 8,10 €10 ml 25,74 €

The Only One by Dolce&Gabbana is an eau de parfum from 2018. The house names the pairing of violet, coffee and iris. Bergamot and violet open it, coffee and iris sit in the heart, and patchouli and vanilla make the base.

Community votes on its longevity lean long lasting, then moderate. Votes on its sillage lean strong. Autumn and winter lead its season votes, and night and evening its time votes.

4

Feminity by Mancera

Toppnoter

Kaffe, Läder, Rosépeppar, Tangerin

Hjärtnoter

Heliotrop, Jasmin, Liljekonvalj, Viol

Basnoter

Ambra, Karamell, Ekmossa, Sandelträ

Tid på dagen

Kväll

Prova den: 3 ml 6,57 €10 ml 18,18 €

Feminity by Mancera is a niche perfume from 2020 with a long list. Leather, tangerine, coffee and pink pepper open it. Violet, heliotrope, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley form the heart, over caramel, white musk, sandalwood, amber, oakmoss and vanilla pod.

Community votes on its longevity lean long lasting, then moderate, and on its sillage they lean moderate, then strong. Its season votes go to autumn and winter, with evening and night the favoured times.

Violet with fruit and rose

Here violet sits with fruit: berries, pear, green apple and black currant, with rose in two of the three. Voters pick all three for spring and for daytime wear.

5

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs

Toppnoter

Grapefrukt, Gröna noter, Päron, Hallon

Hjärtnoter

Äppelblom, Jasmin, Litchi, Ros

Basnoter

Mysk, Plommon, Virginiaceder

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 7,29 €10 ml 20,07 €

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs dates from 2011. Green notes, raspberry, pear and grapefruit open it. Violet sits in the heart with litchi, apple blossom, rose and jasmine, and musk, plum and Virginia cedar sit below.

Most community voters rate its longevity moderate. Votes on its sillage lean moderate, then intimate. It is picked most often for spring and summer days.

6

Burberry Her by Burberry

Toppnoter

Svarta vinbär, Björnbär, Citron, Mandarin

Hjärtnoter

Jasmin, Viol

Basnoter

Ambra, Mysk, Ekmossa, Patchouli

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 8,91 €10 ml 25,74 €

Burberry Her by Burberry is a 2018 perfume that opens on berries. Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, sour cherry, black currant, mandarin orange and lemon open, then violet and jasmine form a short heart. Musk, vanilla, cashmeran, woody notes, amber, oakmoss and patchouli are in the base.

Moderate is what most voters say for both its longevity and its sillage. It is picked for spring and autumn, and for daytime wear.

7

Aventus for Her by Creed

Toppnoter

Bergamott, Grönt äpple, Citron, Patchouli

Hjärtnoter

Mysk, Ros, Sandelträ, Styrax

Basnoter

Ambra, Svarta vinbär, Syren, Persika

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 14,85 €10 ml 42,21 €

Aventus for Her by Creed is a niche perfume from 2016, listed for going out. Green apple, bergamot, lemon, patchouli, pink pepper and violet open it. Musk, rose, sandalwood and styrax fill the heart, and black currant, peach, amber, lilac and ylang-ylang end it.

Community votes on its longevity lean long lasting, then moderate, and on its sillage lean strong, then moderate. Voters most often pick it for spring and summer, in the day or at the office.

Green violet leaf perfumes

Violet leaf perfume is the green, cool side. EGE AIGAIO and Born in Roma Uomo set the leaf beside yuzu, salt and herbs, while Fahrenheit Le Parfum puts it among rum, licorice and vanilla.

8Bäst för sommaren

EGE AIGAIO by Nishane

Toppnoter

Anis, Violblad, Yuzu

Hjärtnoter

Basilika, Kardemumma, Mynta

Basnoter

Lakrits, Olibanum

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 10,35 €10 ml 27,18 €

EGE AIGAIO by Nishane is a unisex niche perfume from 2020. Nishane calls it a tribute to the Aegean Sea and a green aquatic scent. Violet leaves, yuzu and anise open it, basil, mint and cardamom follow, and licorice and olibanum finish.

Most community voters rate its longevity long lasting and its sillage moderate. Voters most often pick it for summer, by day or at the office.

9

Valentino Uomo Born in Roma by Valentino

Toppnoter

Mineraliska noter, Salt, Violblad

Hjärtnoter

Ingefära, Salvia

Basnoter

Vetiver, Träiga noter

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 7,29 €10 ml 19,98 €

Valentino Uomo Born in Roma by Valentino came out in 2019 for men. Valentino calls the violet leaf absolute at its opening an unconventional ingredient for a masculine fragrance. Mineral notes, violet leaf and salt open it, ginger and sage follow, and woody notes and vetiver close. Valentino's range is wider than this one scent, and Valentino perfumes sorts ten of them and names Valentino Donna Born In Roma, a jasmine and Bourbon vanilla scent, as the one to try first.

Most community voters rate its longevity moderate, and most rate its sillage moderate. Autumn and spring lead the season votes, for day or evening.

10Bäst för vintern

Fahrenheit Le Parfum by Dior

Toppnoter

Lakrits, Siciliansk mandarin, Mocka

Hjärtnoter

Koriander, Spiskummin, Rom, Violblad

Basnoter

Bourbonvanilj

Tid på dagen

Utekväll

Prova den: 3 ml 8,10 €10 ml 23,13 €

Fahrenheit Le Parfum by Dior is the warm one of the three, a 2014 perfume for men. Suede, licorice and Sicilian mandarin open it. Coriander, violet leaf, rum and cumin form the heart, with bourbon vanilla underneath.

For Fahrenheit Le Parfum, most community voters say long lasting on longevity and strong on sillage. Winter tops the season votes, with night and evening wear.

Violet in fresh classics

In these three, violet is one note in a busy heart, not the lead. They are here because the violet is listed, among citrus, sea notes and resin. Our guide to clean perfumes covers more of this fresh side.

11Mest prisvärd

CK One by Calvin Klein

Toppnoter

Bergamott, Kardemumma, Gröna noter, Citron

Hjärtnoter

Freesia, Jasmin, Liljekonvalj, Muskot

Basnoter

Ambra, Ceder, Grönt ackord, Grönt te

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 6,21 €10 ml 14,31 €

CK One by Calvin Klein is a unisex perfume from 1994 by Alberto Morillas and Harry Fremont. Lemon, green notes, bergamot, mandarin orange, pineapple, cardamom and papaya open it. Lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, violet, rose, nutmeg, freesia and orris root form the heart, over musk, cedar, green tea, sandalwood, oakmoss and amber.

The catalogue holds only season and time votes for it: voters most often pick it for summer and spring, for day wear.

12

Acqua di Giò by Giorgio Armani

Toppnoter

Bergamott, Jasmin, Citron, Lime

Hjärtnoter

Koriander, Cyklamen, Freesia, Hyacint

Basnoter

Ambra, Ceder, Ekmossa, Patchouli

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 6,21 €10 ml 18,81 €

Acqua di Giò by Giorgio Armani is a 1996 perfume for men, credited to Alberto Morillas, Annick Menardo and Christian Dussoulier. Its heart is crowded: sea notes, calone, rosemary, peach, freesia, violet and rose, among others, with white musk, cedar and oakmoss beneath.

Its votes, again season and time only, favour summer and spring, for day wear.

13

Eau des Merveilles by Hermès

Toppnoter

Elemiharts, Citron, Apelsin

Hjärtnoter

Ambra, Peppar, Rosépeppar, Viol

Basnoter

Bensoe, Ceder, Gran, Madagaskarvetiver

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 10,08 €10 ml 30,60 €

Eau des Merveilles by Hermès was launched in 2004 and is listed for women. Elemi, lemon and orange open it. Amber, pepper, pink pepper and violet make the heart, and fir, cedar, Madagascar vetiver, oakmoss and benzoin sit below.

Community votes on its longevity lean moderate, then long lasting, and on its sillage they lean moderate, then strong. Voters most often pick it for autumn, for the day or the office.

Violet with leather and saffron

The last group pairs violet with leather, saffron and spice, and all three are unisex.

14Bästa läderdoften

Black Saffron by Byredo

Toppnoter

Enbär, Pomelo, Saffran

Hjärtnoter

Svart viol, Läder, Ros

Basnoter

Ljusa träslag, Hallon, Vetiver

Tid på dagen

Utekväll

Prova den: 3 ml 14,49 €10 ml 37,35 €

Black Saffron by Byredo is a niche eau de parfum from 2012. Saffron, juniper berries and pomelo open it. Black violet, rose and leather form the heart, over blonde woods, raspberry and vetiver.

Community votes on its longevity lean long lasting, then moderate, and on its sillage lean strong, then moderate. Voters most often pick it for autumn and winter nights.

15

Ocean Leather by Memo Paris

Toppnoter

Basilika, Mandarin, Viol

Hjärtnoter

Ceder, Elemi, Salvia

Basnoter

Läder, Muskot, Vetiver

Tid på dagen

Dagtid

Prova den: 3 ml 16,20 €10 ml 49,32 €

Ocean Leather by Memo Paris is a niche perfume from 2020. Basil, violet and mandarin orange open it. Sage, elemi and cedar follow, and vetiver, leather and nutmeg close.

Most community voters rate its longevity moderate and its sillage moderate. Spring and autumn lead its season votes, for the day.

Crying of Evil by Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777

Crying of Evil by Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777 was launched in 2022 and is listed for going out. Spices, red berries, violet and tuberose open it. Leather, sandalwood and rose make the heart, and amber, olibanum, patchouli and musk end it.

Crying of Evil gets long lasting from most voters on longevity, and strong on sillage. Winter and autumn nights lead its votes.

The violet map

Compare a flower violet and a leaf violet

The quickest way to find your side is to wear both. Try The Only One as the flower, in a 3ml decant at 8,10 €, and Born in Roma Uomo as the leaf, in a 3ml at 7,29 €. That is around 60 sprays from the 3ml, plenty for judging how each side wears on you.

Once one wins, move up to a 10ml decant, with around 200 sprays. Our guides to what a decant is and choosing perfume without smelling it cover the details, and our women's perfume page has more to browse.