Niche fig perfumes: 7 figs, from green to gourmand

Fig is one of the most likeable notes in perfume. Depending on how it is handled, it smells of a green leaf crushed between your fingers, of ripe, sweet fruit, or of a fig tree's wood in the sun. Almost everyone enjoys it, and it works for anyone.

Here are seven niche perfumes where fig plays a real part. The notes we mention are the ones on our product pages, nothing more.

Fig on its own: Fig Infusion

Essential Parfums keeps Fig Infusion simple: our page lists a single note, fig. It is the right place to start if you want to know whether this note suits you, with nothing around it to change it. See Fig Infusion.

Fig and tea: Wulong Chá

Wulong Chá (2018), by Nishane, is an extrait. Our page lists oolong tea, bergamot, fig and musk. Tea and bergamot make it fresh and soothing, while fig adds softness. A calm, bright perfume for every day. See Wulong Chá.

Powdery fig: 204 Velvet Fig

204 Velvet Fig, by Bon Parfumeur, opens with a fig accord and violet leaves. The heart brings orris concrete, ambrette seed and an edamame accord. The base sets cedar heart and New Caledonian sandalwood. Iris gives it a velvety, powdery, very soft feel. See 204 Velvet Fig.

Woody fig: Fig Man

Fig Man, by Carner Barcelona, starts with bergamot and fig. The heart pairs fig leaf with violet. The base blends guaiac wood and tonka bean. Green at first, then woodier and warmer. See Fig Man.

Fresh, green fig: Athenean

Athenean, by Heeley, opens with green leaves and galbanum. The heart brings fig, white tea and melon. The base lays down amber, musk and sandalwood. It is the freshest, greenest fig here, ideal for warm days. See Athenean.

Garden fig: Fleur de Figuier

Fleur de Figuier, by Chabaud Maison de Parfum, starts with green notes. The heart blends fig, pine and lavender. The base brings cedar and sandalwood. An aromatic, woody perfume that brings to mind a garden in the sun. See Fleur de Figuier.

Gourmand fig: Fig Me Up

Fig Me Up, by Mancera, opens with fig leaf, rhubarb and violet. The heart brings oud, plum, sandalwood, geranium and fig nectar. The base blends tobacco, toffee, tonka bean and white musk. It is the richest, most gourmand fig here, for autumn and evenings. See Fig Me Up.

Which one to choose?

In short:

• You want to discover fig alone: Fig Infusion.
• You want a calm perfume for every day: Wulong Chá.
• You love powdery scents: 204 Velvet Fig.
• You want green and fresh: Athenean or Fleur de Figuier.
• You prefer woody: Fig Man.
• You want something gourmand for the evening: Fig Me Up.

Fig changes from one skin to another: greener on some, milkier on others. Test before you buy if you can. On every product page you can compare the shops that sell the perfume and set a price alert to hear when it drops.