What Perfume Has A Hint Of Cinnamon?

Introducing Cinnamon Notes in Perfume

Cinnamon is a warm, spicy note that has been used in perfumery for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt where it was burned in incense (Bonparfumeur). The sweet yet spicy aroma comes from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree, which contains the compound cinnamaldehyde. When distilled into an essential oil, cinnamon takes on a warm, distinctive fragrance that conjures feelings of comfort and nostalgia.

In perfumery, cinnamon acts as a base note and helps anchor a fragrance’s composition. It blends especially well with vanilla, amber, and florals like jasmine. Cinnamon adds warmth and depth to perfumes, making it perfect for colder weather fragrances. It also has a playful, gourmand quality which has made it popular in youthful, sweet-spicy fragrances. From classic orientals to modern gourmands, cinnamon has become a staple note for perfumers to work with.

Some of the most iconic cinnamon perfumes include Hypnotic Poison by Dior, Cinnabar by Estée Lauder, and Casmir by Chopard. These fragrances highlight cinnamon’s spicy character and ability to add allure. Whether you’re searching for an oriental perfume with a kiss of spice or a gourmand with a cinnamon twist, this versatile note is sure to satisfy.

The Allure of Cinnamon

The warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon has an alluring quality unlike any other spice. With its sweet yet spicy scent, cinnamon evokes feelings of comfort, hominess, and charisma. According to a research study, the smell of cinnamon can increase alertness and positively affect mood (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281526859_Effects_of_peppermint_and_cinnamon_odor_administration_on_simulated_driving_alertness_mood_and_workload).

There is something nostalgic and inviting about the scent of cinnamon that people find incredibly appealing. Cinnamon fragrance often reminds people of homecooked meals, baked goods, and the holidays. The distinctive cinnamon aroma conjures up happy memories and positive emotions for many. With its sweet yet sultry scent profile, it’s no wonder cinnamon has become such a beloved note in perfumery.

Cinnamon Essential Oil in Perfumery

Cinnamon essential oil is extracted from the bark of the cinnamon tree through a process of steam distillation. This process captures the aromatic compounds that give cinnamon its distinctive spicy-sweet scent and flavor. The resulting cinnamon essential oil is a versatile ingredient in perfumery.

Cinnamon oil provides a subtle sweetness and warmth to perfume compositions. According to the International Fragrance Association, cinnamon essential oil contains over 80 aromatic compounds, with cinnamaldehyde being the most predominant. This gives cinnamon EO its characteristic spicy aroma and subtle hints of honey-like sweetness ¹.

Perfumers often use just a small amount of cinnamon essential oil in their fragrance formulas. A little goes a long way. When blended with other notes like vanilla, citrus, roses, and woods, cinnamon provides an extra layer of depth and interest. It acts as a fixing note to enhance the longevity of a perfume.

Overall, cinnamon essential oil brings a warm, spicy-sweet undertone to perfumes. It provides subtle dimensionality without being overpowering. That’s what makes it such a versatile ingredient for perfumers looking to create complex, well-rounded fragrances.

Most Iconic Cinnamon Perfumes

Some of the most iconic and well-known cinnamon perfumes include:

Cinnabar by Estee Lauder – First launched in 1978, this spicy oriental fragrance features top notes of cloves, orange, and bergamot mixed with middle notes of cinnamon, jasmine, patchouli, and incense on a base of vanilla, benzoin, and Tolu balsam. Cinnabar is considered one of the quintessential cinnamon-based perfumes and remains popular today
(https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Estee-Lauder/Cinnabar-148.html).

Cinnamon Kiss by Body Shop – Known for its warming cinnamon, orange, and clove top notes sitting on an amber and sandalwood base, Cinnamon Kiss was launched in 1998 as part of Body Shop’s popular foodie fragrance line. It captures the sweet spiciness of cinnamon baked goods (https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/The-Body-Shop/Cinnamon-Kiss-Eau-de-Toilette-43698.html).

Lolita Lempicka – This gourmand vanilla fragrance from 2000 highlights cinnamon along with praline, anise, and tonka bean for a licorice candy-like scent. The cinnamon emerges just behind the sweet vanilla to create an unconventional gourmand oriental perfume (https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Lolita-Lempicka/Lolita-Lempicka-493.html).

Cinnamon Blends Well with…

Cinnamon is a versatile scent that layers beautifully with many other notes in perfumery. Some of the most complementary pairings include:

Vanilla, amber, tobacco, woods notes – Rich, warm, and slightly sweet accords like vanilla, amber resin, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and cedarwood bring out cinnamon’s inherent spiciness and give it depth. The woody, tobacco undertones ground the zesty cinnamon, creating a well-rounded oriental fragrance profile. Fragrances like Cinnamon Projects 2PM blend cinnamon with tobacco, woods, and amber for a sensual effect.

Florals like jasmine, rose, orange blossom – Cinnamon adds vibrancy and spice when blended with white florals like jasmine, rose, and neroli. The crisp freshness of the florals contrasts beautifully with cinnamon’s warmth. The florals soften and feminize the spiciness. Fragrances like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb pair cinnamon with florals and fruits.

Unisex Cinnamon Fragrances

The spicy nature of cinnamon makes it a wonderful note in unisex fragrances that both men and women can share and enjoy. Cinnamon adds a warm, sweet, slightly spicy background to a fragrance that smells great on all skin types. Spicy scents like cinnamon tend to work well on both men and women because of their rich depth and subtle sweetness.

There are several fantastic contemporary unisex cinnamon fragrances to explore. Dossier’s Oriental Spicy is a unisex scent with vibrant top notes of bergamot, pink pepper, and saffron, with a heart of cinnamon, nutmeg, and jasmine sambac layered over an amber, vanilla, and musk base. The interplay between spices like cinnamon and vanilla create an alluring unisex effect. Another popular contemporary option is Juliette Has A Gun’s Moscow Mule, which combines fresh and sweet notes like ginger, lime, and cinnamon for a universally appealing spicy scent.

Cinnamon for Day or Night

Cinnamon fragrances are usually better suited for evening wear or cool weather, but there are some fresh, daytime-friendly options as well. The warm, spicy scent of cinnamon tends to come across as more rich, sensual, and sophisticated once the sun sets.

According to smellingsexy.com.au, “This evening fragrance has top notes of cardamom, pink pepper and rum, with middle notes of immortelle, myrrh and cinnamon and base notes of vanilla, Peru balsam and patchouli.” https://www.feelingsexy.com.au/blog/day-vs-night-fragrances

However, lighter cinnamon fragrances with citrus, floral, or fruity accords can work for daytime. As Czechandspeake.com explains, “Generally, lighter, fresher perfumes such as citrus, florals and oceanics work better in the day.” https://www.czechandspeake.com/fragrance/journal-posts/should-i-change-my-fragrance-day-to-night/

So while deep, spicy cinnamon scents suit evening best, those seeking a cinnamon fragrance to wear during the day can look for brighter blends with complementary notes.

Trying a Cinnamon Fragrance

The best way to try out a cinnamon fragrance is to purchase a decant or sample first before committing to a full bottle. Popular places to find cinnamon perfume samples include The Perfumed Court, Hermetica, and niche perfumeries like Ministry of Scent.

When testing cinnamon scents, apply to clean skin on your wrists or inner elbows. The warmth of your body will help the notes bloom. Avoid heavily scented moisturizers or soaps first. Take notes on the fragrance when first applied and over time as it dries down. Cinnamon scents often become sweeter or spicier. Look for how long the cinnamon persists versus other notes like amber or tobacco.

Caring for Cinnamon Perfumes

Cinnamon perfumes require some special care to maintain their potency and aroma. As with many perfumes, direct sunlight and heat exposure can cause the fragrance notes in cinnamon perfumes to fade more quickly. According to perfume experts, sunlight can breakdown the chemical bonds in perfume over time, dulling the top, middle, and base notes (Source: https://dossier.co/collections/sbt-cinnamon-perfume).

Proper storage is key for preserving cinnamon scents. Perfumes with cinnamon should be stored in a cool, dark place away from heat sources like radiators or windows. A linen or cedar closet or enclosed dresser drawer make ideal storage spots. Consistent room temperature around 60-68°F is recommended (Source: https://basenotes.com/community/threads/trouble-with-cinnamon.543933/). Excessive heat can cause the cinnamon aroma to become unpleasantly sharp.

Keeping cinnamon perfume tightly capped and avoiding direct light will help the delicate cinnamon scent last longer. With proper storage and care, the sweet spiciness of cinnamon can continue delighting for many months or years.

The Future of Cinnamon in Perfume

Cinnamon has long been a beloved note in perfumery, but industry experts predict even more innovative uses of this warm, spicy ingredient in the future.

According to Bon Parfumeur, cinnamon is emerging as a key ingredient in unisex and men’s fragrances, bringing a touch of warmth and sensuality beyond traditional floral notes (Source). Brands like Le Labo and Tom Ford have found success with cinnamon-heavy scents like Santal 33 and Tobacco Oud.

Dossier Co. predicts more perfumers will blend cinnamon with fresh, energetic notes like bergamot, blackcurrant, and fig to create “addictive scent stories.” Rather than a background player, cinnamon may take center stage in these perfumes as a “leading man.”

Experts at The Scent Room believe the gourmand trend will drive innovative cinnamon gourmand fragrances, with more creativity beyond just cinnamon-vanilla. We may see prominent notes like cinnamon-apple, cinnamon-chocolate, or cinnamon-spices.

As consumers continue seeking unique, artisanal scents, cinnamon is poised to be one of the most versatile and creative ingredients perfumers turn to for the next era of innovative fragrances.