Spring, summer or fall, violet is a flower with an unmistakable feminine scent that’s powdery, calming and romantic. Let’s be clear, violet is not just for old ladies; it’s classy, sophisticated and simply brimming with vintage chic.
The best perfumes with violet range from confident and carefree violet blossoms—soft, sweet and candy-like, to a powdery woody/floral scent with femme fatale seductive undertones.
Best Perfumes With Violet
Here are 6 of the best perfumes with violet that will cocoon you in a cloud of powdery florals for a touch of vintage mystery.
1. Molinard Les Elements Violette Eau de Parfum
Review
Launched in 2016, Molinard Les éléments Violette Eau de Parfum is a vintage smelling powdery floral fragrance that’s carefree, light and effortless to wear.
The fruity opening of blackcurrant, lemon and bergamot is surprisingly strong. A delicate heart of violet flower is joined by green apple, bitter peach skin and soft rose.
Upon dry-down, violet leaf and musk hover in the background. This scent settles to a powdery violet scent with crisp apple, berries and musk.
Top Notes:
Black Currant, Lemon, Bergamot
Mid Notes:
Violet, Green Apple, Peach Skin, Rose
Base Notes:
Violet Leaf, Musk
Seasons & Longevity
Performance is the only downside to this scent, as you will get only 3+ hours of longevity with moderate projection. Still, it’s a lovely vintage-smelling scent that won’t overpower.
Violette Eau de Parfum is a beautifully soft and powdery daytime perfume. In my opinion, its floral notes work best in spring through to summer.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Beautiful vintage smelling violet scent |
| Cons | Only lasts about 3 hours then fades to a skin scent |
2. Gucci Guilty Love Pour Femme Eau de Parfum
Review
Gucci Guilty Love Pour Femme Eau de Parfum is a powdery floral with a subtle musky edge first launched in 2020 and created by perfumer legend Alberto Morillas.
The opening is pretty and refined, with top notes of mixed citrus and fragrant daffodil. Powdery violet explodes from the heart and is soon joined by jasmine and mixed flowers.
Soon settles into a base mainly of musk, supported by amber and hints of patchouli. Dries to a musky/powdery violet blend that feels elegant and chic.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Grapefruit, Watery Notes, Raspberry, Narcissus
Mid Notes:
Violet, Jasmine Sambac, Flower Petals
Base Notes:
Musk, Patchouli, Amber
Seasons & Longevity
I personally found that 5+ hours of longevity with good sillage and projection is easily achievable. So an excellent all-round performing fragrance.
It’s a daytime fragrance that suits any season as it’s not only beautiful but easy to wear. Perfect for shopping trips, fancy lunches, picnics, and I feel is office safe.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Pretty musky/violet fragrance that smells expensive |
| Cons | Takes a while to settle fully, but lovely when it does |
3. Jo Malone Violet & Amber Eau de Parfum
Review
Jo Malone Violet & Amber Eau De Parfum takes its inspiration from Arabian nights and British flower beds, combining violet with oud, white musk and amber. Created by perfumer Anne Flipo in 2019.
The opening is beautifully powdery, with delicate violet petals leading gracefully to a heart of violet leaf. On dry down, warm amber and seductive oud bring smoothness and sophistication.
Also, consider reading my review on Montale Roses Musk Eau de Parfum
Top Notes:
Violet Petals
Mid Notes:
Violet Leaf
Base Notes:
Amber, Woody notes
Seasons & Longevity
I found that Violet & Amber Eau De Parfum projects well for the first 2 hours and provides overall longevity of 4+ hours. If you like to make a first impression with your fragrance, this is the scent for you.
As for when to wear, the warmth of the oud makes this Jo Malone scent a dressy evening scent that’s perfect for autumn, winter and spring.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Anne Flipo did a great job with this heavenly violet and woody combo |
| Cons | Very expensive, but you get what you pay for sometimes |
4. Goutal La Violette Eau de Parfum
Review
With its well-balanced mix of powdery violet flower and leaf, Goutal La Violette Eau de Parfum was inspired by floral bouquets in spring and candied flowers.
A deliciously fruity raspberry opening leads you to a heart of powdery violet petals and delicate hints of Turkish rose.
Upon dry-down, slightly green and life-like violet leaves add stability. Settles to a genuinely natural violet scent with a touch of fruit. Smells similar to Guerlain Insolence Eau de Parfum
Top Notes:
Raspberry
Mid Notes:
Violet petals, Turkish Rose
Base Notes:
Violet leaves
Seasons & Longevity
As with most violet fragrances, La Violette Eau de Parfum is not super long-lasting. Expect 3+ hours with reasonable sillage and projection for the first 2 hours.
It’s a great daytime fragrance that works particularly well for the springtime, where its welcoming powdery floral tones connect perfectly with the season.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A gorgeous violet scent that smells so natural |
| Cons | Perhaps this is too straight-up violet for some noses |
5. Giorgio Armani Diamonds Violet Eau de Parfum
Review
Armani Diamonds Violet Eau de Parfum is a musky violet scent with a praline gourmand kick that was first launched in 2015.
A delicious fruity opening of raspberry, litchi, and passionfruit soon mingle with a floral heart of powdery violet, Bulgarian rose and Lily of The Valley.
The base notes on dry down include sweet praline, delicious vanilla and hints of earthy musky patchouli. Finally settles to a powdery/musky violet scent with a sweet and fruity edge.
Top Notes:
Raspberry, Litchi, Passionfruit
Mid Notes:
Violet, Bulgarian Rose, Lily-of-the-Valley
Base Notes:
Praline, Vanilla, Patchouli
Seasons & Longevity
On my skin, the performance was pretty good. Longevity was 4+ hours, with the fragrance creating a lovely bubble of powdery violet around me.
This works best as an easy-going daytime feminine fragrance for spring, summer and fall. Think shopping trips, picnics, romantic warm-weather walks.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Sublime powdery/musky violet scent with fruity edges |
| Cons | Sweetness detracts from the powdery violet |
6. Guerlain Insolence Eau de Parfum
Review
Guerlain Insolence Eau de Parfum is a classic powdery floral fragrance that unleashes both violet and iris for a match made in heaven. Launched by the brand in 2021.
A soft and feminine opening of powdery floral violet leads to a chic heart of wild semi-sweet strawberry and fragrant orange blossom.
The base of sandalwood and iris is sweetened by vanilla and tonka bean. Settles to a vibrantly powdery iris and violet floral scent with sweet berries and wood. Stunning and smells expensive.
Top Notes:
Violet
Mid Notes:
Wild strawberry, Orange blossom
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Vanilla, Iris, Tonka bean
Seasons & Longevity
I found that the performance is excellent for such a delicate scent, lasting 6+ hours with more than generous sillage and projection.
This timeless scent works well for any season and occasion. Let the delicate powdery flowers, sweet berries and the smoothness of the sandalwood shroud you in mystery.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A chic and timeless violet scent that performs well |
| Cons | Seems to be hard to get a bottle at the moment |
Ingrid’s Top Pick
Guerlain Insolence Eau de Parfum
Guerlain Insolence Eau de Parfum is my top pick for the best smelling perfume with violet. The powdery violet and iris work in unison with wild strawberries, wood and vanilla.
Conclusion
The best perfumes with violet are never stuffy or dated. Powdery florals work exceptionally well with sweet fruits and soft woody notes to create a truly modern scent that invokes freshness and spring flowers.
The lightness of most violet fragrances makes them best in springtime, during the day. Still, you can really wear violet whenever it works for you, especially Guerlain Insolence Eau de Parfum.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, luxury accessories and more.
