Collecting gourmand perfumes has become a bit of a hobby of mine. Honestly, I blame my fellow beauty editors Katie Berohn and Erin Jahns—they’ve introduced me to quite a few scents I now can’t see myself living without. There’s one particular note, though, that I have a full-blown obsession with ATM. It’s random, but so incredibly irresistible that I recently bought at least two perfumes with it recently.
Okay, enough beating around the bush. I’m talking about lychee. If you’ve never smelled this deliciously scented fruit, it’s about time you familiarize yourself. You may have actually come across it on your perfume journey at some point simply because it’s in at least a few cult-loved scents out there on the market. Just trust me. If you like sweet perfumes, this note is a must in your arsenal. To save you some time, I’ve rounded up the best lychee perfumes that, in my humble opinion, surpass all the rest. Keep scrolling for all my picks.
Key notes: Grapefruit, lime blossom, Amalfi lemon, lychee, freesia, lotus, amber, sandalwood, tonka bean. If anyone would excel at creating a luscious lychee perfume, it would be Fresh. I’m a huge fan of the beauty brand’s other offerings, but this one takes the cake. With additional notes of grapefruit, lemon, lotus, and sandalwood, it’s the perfect combination of fresh, zesty, and sweet.
Key notes: Grapefruit, cedarwood, patchouli
Key notes: Cassis, lychee, mandarin, peony, water lily, patchouli, jasmine petals, ambrox, peach musk, vanilla, oak moss, praline. I’ve heard so many good things about this classic Bond No. 9 fragrance. Some reviewers even report it’s the best one. I can see why. It contains downright delicious notes like lychee, mandarin, peony, and water lily.
Key notes: Mandarin, basil, green tea
Key notes: Raspberry, lychee, Damask rose, akigalawood, benzoin. I’ll be honest; I’ve never come across a Mugler fragrance I don’t like, so I might be a bit biased when including this one on the list. I’ve never tried it myself, but now I know I need to because it contains some of my favorite notes in perfume—rose, raspberry, and, of course, lychee.
Key notes: Lychee, red currant, rose, vanilla, vetiver. I’ve tried quite a few renditions of Carolina Herrera’s cult-loved fragrance Good Girl—this one being my favorite. Rose, vanilla, lychee, and red currant come together to create a warm, sweet scent you’ll never want to stop wearing.
Key notes: Lemon, scarlet velvet rose, honeycomb
Key notes: Bergamot, nutmeg, rhubarb, lychee, Turkish rose, vetiver, incense, cedarwood, vanilla, cashmeran, musk. Another cult classic from Parfums de Marly. This one is loved by editors and shoppers alike. Most people I know who love the brand tout this lychee-drenched scent as one of their favorites.
Key notes: Yuzu, lemon, peony, musk
Key notes: Lychee, freesia, magnolia, pepper, ginger, mandarin orange, jasmine, musk, amber. If you like a floral scent with just a hint of juiciness, Lancôme’s Miracle is for you. It boasts notes of freesia, magnolia, mandarin, and amber along with a strong opening note of lychee.
Key notes: Peony, lychee, freesia, rose, lily of the valley, magnolia, amber. Chloé’s classic scent never goes out of style. I remember smelling samples of it on the pages of Teen Vogue and hoped to one day own it for myself. Surprisingly, I still don’t have a bottle, but it’s a beautifully crafted perfume with notes of peony, lychee, rose, and lily of the valley.
Key notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, orange, freesia, lily of the valley, lotus flower, pineapple, watermelon, grenadine, sandalwood, white musk
Key notes: Pink dragonfruit, lychee essence, Brazilian jasmine, hibiscus, sheer vanilla musk. My co-workers never stop talking about how good Sol de Janeiro body sprays are. I’ll admit I was skeptical at first, but now I’m a full-blown convert. This one smells like a tropical vacation with notes of pink dragonfruit, lychee essence, jasmine, and hibiscus.
Key notes: Pink pepper, white peony, lychee, white cedarwood, musk, amber. Luxury perfume brand Ex Nihilo makes some seriously intoxicating scents. Lust in Paradise tops the list for me, though. I love the fresh, delicate notes of peony paired with earthier notes like cedarwood and amber.
