Fragrance trends shift toward vegetal notes and niche compositions

The fragrance industry is seeing a shift in consumer preferences, with a growing interest in vegetal and garden-inspired notes. Perfumer Mylène Thioux notes that consumers are building diverse 'olfactory wardrobes' rather than relying on a single scent, leading to the increased use of ingredients such as tomato, carrot, beet, pumpkin, and cucumber.

These vegetable-based notes are often blended with traditional floral, citrus, or woody accords to create complex, multi-faceted compositions. Beyond vegetables, aromatic herbs like mint, basil, fennel, and various stems are also being utilized to provide fresh, earthy, or creamy nuances.

In the niche perfume sector, there is a continued emphasis on storytelling and unique compositions. High-end selections for 2026 include mythological-inspired scents like Âme de Fleur by Liquides Imaginaires, which utilizes anemone, tuberose, and jasmine, as well as special collector editions from established houses like Guerlain.