40 Days and 40 Nights of Fragrance Notes: Fig

The Sweetest Fig by Angie W.

Figs, ugh. Before I developed an appreciation for fig fragrances, my only point of reference for figs was the disappointment of being a kid asked by a well-meaning adult if I’d like cookies and then the deflating moment of being handed a plate of Fig Newtons. Come on, no Oreos? No Girl Scout cookies? So the thought of fig used to conjure up memories of sulking over gritty, dry cookies, not a pleasant thing. But I began a love affair with fig fragrance when I started seriously exploring perfume about ten years ago. I’d just met several wonderful fragrance fanatics through the Makeup Alley Web site’s chat boards and in addition to enjoying daily online conversations about perfume, we began periodically meeting in New York to explore fragrance together. As I sniffered literally hundreds of perfumes, I found myself constantly drawn to a fig scents. The following are a few of my absolute favorites.

L’Artisan perfumers’ Premiere Figuier was one of the first and most lovely fig perfumes I discovered. Premiere Figuier was the company’s original exploration of the fig note, focusing on the fig’s leaf and adding notes of almond milk, coconut, and sandalwood. The name means “first fig tree” and was created by Olivia Giacobetti who intended for the scent to recreate the actual fig tree’s many elements. I personally adore anything with galbanum, and Premiere Fig adds this spicy green note to this wonderful scent.

L’Artisan next developed Premier Figuier Extrême which, according to L’Artisan’s Web site, is meant to recall ‘ripe figs drenched in Mediterranean sunlight’ and is a more intense version of Premiere Figuier. This scent relies much more on woody notes such as gorse, sandalwood, and stone pine. I find this to be a heavy, dark, sweet scent that is wonderful in spring and fall but perhaps a bit heavy for warm weather.

The idea of warm summer days brings me to my next favorite fig scent, Diptyqe’s Philosykos, also created by Olivia Giacobetti who designed the original L’Artisan fig scent. This fragrance is very distinctive from both L’Artisan creations because it is much lighter, fresher, and greener. I definitely get much more of the fig leaves from this scent and find that it’s the most wearable of all the fig scents I’ve tried because it is so fresh and doesn’t get overly sweet and cloying as some of the heavier fig scents can. Philosykos is also available in a lotion and shower gel (which can be bought in an adorable travel size duo) and I highly recommend both for a wonderful pick-me-up during hot summer months.

Claus Porto Rivale is an absolutely sparkling scent that comes in liquid hand soap and a bath soap. This is a mix of fig and grapefruit with the usual divine packaging Claus Porto is know for and makes a chic addition to any bathroom. Tip: if you live in NYC, Lafco hosts a Friday afternoon warehouse sale in Soho where you can score Claus Porto for up to 50% off! These hours may change at any given time, but most weekends the sale occurs on Fridays from 10-6pm at161 6th Avenue (btw Spring & Van Dam St). Happy shopping, fig lovers!

Some fig scents to try:

Diptyqe Philosykos
L’Artisan Premiere Figuier
L’Artisan Premier Figuier Extrême
Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee
Marc Jacobs for Men
Thierry Mugler Womanity
Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Fico de Amalfi
Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio
Fresh Fig Apricot
CB I Hate Perfume Revelation
Miller Harris Figue Amere
Cielo by Napa Valley

Books and Poems Featuring Fig…for Inspiration!

The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg
Figs by D.H. Lawrence
The First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Reviewer: Angie W
Graphic Credit: Melanie Parker
Sources: L’Artisan corporate Web site, Bois de Jasmin and Lucky Scent for note research.
Disclosure: The perfumes mentioned in this post were purchased, received as gifts, or sampled in stores by the reviewer.
Photo Credits: Luckyscent and Amazon