I'm sure you've heard the fig tree analogy, but if you haven't (or it's been a while since your Tumblr-scrolling era), I'm happy to give a quick mental refresher: In Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, the protagonist imagines her life "like a green fig tree." Each branch has a ripe fig hanging from it, which symbolizes a potential future—novelist, world traveler, tennis star, wife, mother, for example. Paralyzed by indecision, she watches those possibilities shrivel and fall.
That moment of hesitation feels familiar to anyone staring at an overstuffed perfume shelf. But choosing a fig perfume—literally and figuratively—cuts through the noise: whether green and leafy, woody and creamy, or softened with florals, fig perfumes feel like biting into life itself.
The best fig perfumes serve as a reminder that you can really be anyone. "Fig is quite a multifaceted and evocative note that could mean more than just the fruit. Olfactively, it could be fig leaf, the woody branches, or even the milky sap. Interestingly, fig is also a note that can be used year-round," explains DSM-Firmenich Fragrance Development Manager Bella Varghese.
The fig itself feels like the answer that Plath's protagonist might have been searching for: multifaceted, yet ultimately offering a sense of wholeness. Amélie Huynh, a fragrance developer and the CEO of legendary French perfume house D'Orsay, adds that the ingredient is "incredibly complete."
"You don’t just have the fruit—which, like most fruits, can’t be directly translated into fragrance—but also the green freshness of the leaves and the soft, creamy quality of the wood," D'Orsay tells Marie Claire. Curious to try it yourself? Ahead, discover 12 of the best fig perfumes on the market. Don't worry about making the wrong choice! Just bite in—or spritz on—and enjoy.
The Best Fig Fragrances
- The Best Fig Perfume Overall: Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum
- The Best Everyday Fig Perfume: D.S. & Durga Debaser Eau de Parfum
- The Best Clean Fig Perfume: Summer Hours Romanesque "Romy" Eau de Parfum
- The Most Complex Fig Perfume: Imaginary Authors Yesterday Haze Eau de Parfum
- The Best Rich-Girl Fig Perfume: Phlur Father Figure Eau de Parfum
"For me, fig is an iconic note in niche, artisan-driven perfumery. Credit goes to Philosykos from Diptyque, which is one of the most recognizable scents," says Carlos Huber, a fragrance developer and founder of Arquiste. And it's true! Philosykos is the most well-known, and probably most loved, fig perfume on the market. Designed as an ode to the entire fig tree, you'll find a touch of the leaves, the sap, and that sweet, milky fruit in this pretty black-and-white bottle.
Fragrance Family: Woody; Green
Key Notes: Fig leaves; Fig tree sap; Black pepper
Size: 2.5 fl oz
What I Love: The fig fragrance of all fig fragrances; All-encompassing; Iconic
What I Don’t: Nothing
Review for MC: "I've shared my love for Philosykos before while discussing the best French fragrance brands, but that's okay—it deserves all the accolades and then some. If you like figs, or someone you love likes figs, and you want to smell like a fig to please them, this is what you should wear. Though it's fiercely loyal to its inspiration, the fragrance still comes off nice and light, settling smoothly against your pulse points for long-lasting figgy goodness." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky tests Marie Claire's favorite fig perfume: the iconic Philosykos Eau de Parfum by Diptyque.
I like to think of Debaser—team MC's favorite fruity perfume of 2024—as Philosykos' descendant. She knows she comes from a prestigious legacy, but she's charting her own path. “The scent is a memory of hanging out with older kids during the summer Pixies launched the album Doolittle. The scent is a kind of loss of innocence—a ripe fig made overripe and unctuous," perfumer and D.S. & Durga co-founder David Seth Moltz tells Marie Claire. "Fig is one of those accords that smells interesting to everyone. Until you recognize it easily, it's more bewildering than more common fruits. In Debaser it stands in for youth.”
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Green stems; Purple fig; Soft blond woods; White musk; Tonka bean
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Delicious scent with a story behind it; The fig is bold here, and well-utilized; Also available as a Soft Services Buffing Bar
What I Don’t: Nothing
Review for MC: "This is my current favorite fig scent, which makes sense considering I've always been a Philosykos girl. It feels like an edgier version of the classic, which is to say it has a pizzazz all its own. While I wouldn't call Debaser overwhelming, it's definitely a scent that I keep smelling throughout the night whenever I'm wearing it. My nose never goes blind, which is a marvelous thing, really. I love it so much and am always happy listening to the Pixies, or at least feeling that energy, on repeat." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky tests D.S. & Durga's bildungsroman of a scent: Debaser. Her hands won't always look this young.
New-to-the-fragrance-scene Summer Hours creates "fresh fragrances for lingering longer." I'm glad I smelled their offerings for the first time during the actual summer season, because if I'd tried them in December, the first-sniff-imposed longing might've ruined me. Romanesque, which they lovingly call "Romy," features notes of ripe fig, fresh lemon, and lush rose that "drift through sun-warmed Roman pine." If you need me, I'll be basking in the sun.
Fragrance Family: Fruity; Floral
Key Notes: Fig; Lemon; Rose; Roman pine
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Nostalgic; Light and clean feeling; A safe bet if you're getting into fig
What I Don’t: Takes a second for the fig to come through (but it will eventually!)
Review for MC: "Super fresh and a little peppery, this fragrance starts off bright and citrus-forward before it settles into all its figgy goodness. I'd go so far as to say this doesn't just remind me of summer, it reminds me of summer as a kid. How special is it that I can revisit that sun-kissed nostalgia every time I open my perfume cabinet?" — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky clutches a tube of Summer Hours' gorgeous Romanesque Eau de Parfum—perfectly sized for packing in your picnic basket.
I'm going to let Imaginary Authors, who see their fragrances as books you might choose to revisit time and again, do the storytelling here. It's always nice to experience something firsthand:
"Set in California’s tranquil and dusty San Joaquin Valley, Yesterday Haze tells the story of a farmer’s wife who, after maintaining a decades-long affair with a crop duster pilot, decides to come clean to her husband (who also happens to be her lover’s employer)," they share. "The juicy and subtly sinister story unfolds like a dream, delicately shifting perceptions like the colors of a dimming dusk. It is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, a feat difficult to pull off with such ease."
Fragrance Family: Floral; Woody
Key Notes: Fig; Tree Bark; Orchard Dust
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Wildly impressive atomizer; Comforting yet surprising; Would be perfect for the cold weather
What I Don’t: Perhaps better suited for a cool day than the heat of summer
Review for MC: "When I first smelled this fragrance, I got a whiff of...bubblegum. It was a surprise that set the tone for something sexy and smoky and familiar, but at the same time a little lost in time—like a memory bubbling up in a past life regression session. This is the perfume I choose when I want to feel wild, while keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground. It's a bit uncontained, but the atomizer is perfectly calibrated. I've never experienced a smoother spritz." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky holds a bottle of Imaginary Authors Yesterday Haze while testing the fragrance. These darling bottles are reminiscent of book covers.
Like all of their scents, the marketing for Phlur's Father Figure is so good. One tagline, for example? "Be your own daddy." Designed to "capture the intimate feeling of cool," the rich girl-coded green and woody scent is surprisingly easy to wear, with dewy opening notes of fig and blackcurrant that settle into creamy sandalwood, orris root, and Madagascar vanilla.
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Fig; Jasmine dew; Sandalwood
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: Sophisticated; Sexy; More affordable than other options
What I Don’t: Doesn't last very long, so you might want to keep a travel-spray on hand
Review for MC: "'This smells like something you'd wear,' said my boyfriend the first time I wore Father Figure. And...duh. Sweet but not sickly, Father Figure makes me feel like I'm on top of my to-do list. It has me thinking things like 'since this perfume is a little cheaper than other options, maybe I can contribute more to my 401k. My biggest qualm with it is that it doesn't last very long, but I wouldn't call the longevity an issue. I can still have a whole evening set to the musical stylings of George Michael while it lingers on my wrist." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky tests a bottle of Phlur's Father Figure perfume. The green bottle makes me want to play "Money, Money, Money."
Prada's Les Infusions is a collection of skin fragrances designed to embody the ideals of exploration and reinvention that have always been at the brand's core. Each unisex fragrance features a signature palette (a solution of musks and citrus) that's infused with a special note—in this case, fig—to make it something completely new.
Fragrance Family: Woody; Green
Key Notes: Mandarin; Fig accord; Lentisk; Galbanum
Size: 3.3 fl oz
What I Love: Subtle scent; Lovely bottle that leans into fig's gorgeous color palette
What I Don’t: Intense at first spritz
Review for MC: "Prada's Les Infusions are special to me, and not just because they look lovely on a vanity. In the summer, I'm obsessed with the rhubarb, but fig is a favorite come spring. This scent starts off a little more vegetal before you get into the fig and that sultry, musky dry-down. It honestly reminds me of a freshly mowed lawn at first. But wait! The payoff is worth it, and the scent will last you a nice long time." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky tests a bottle of Prada's Les Infusions De Figue Eau de Parfum. The color is prettier in person, or when it's not overcast.
Though James has touches of spring, it was actually inspired by the last days of summer, "when everything smells a little greener, a little warmer, and a little more alive." You'll probably notice jasmine upon first sniff, with a citrus shower of sunshine and gardenia petals coming through as it settles. Plus fig, of course.
Fragrance Family: Florals
Key Notes: Fig; Amber woods; Gardenia petals
Size: 1.7 fl oz
What I Love: A fun interpretation of fig; Will transport you to a blooming garden year-round
What I Don’t: Not your best bet if you don't like florals; Fig note isn't as prevalent
Review for MC: "I love By Rosie Jane's newest fragrance, Remi, which is a citrus scent made soft with amber and cardamom. This one also turns the fig genre around, deciding to hone in on the flowers that bloom alongside your figs in whatever garden you're wandering in. Heavy on the floral, it reminds me of hanging out at a garden center with my grandma. I promise that's an amazing compliment." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky tests a travel spray of By Rosie Jane's James fragrance. She's getting herself a full bottle—don't worry.
Huber engineered this scent (winner of Best Overall Niche Fragrance in the 2024 Marie Claire Fragrance Awards) to transport you to a sunny island in the Mediterranean. And though A Grove by the Sea is undeniably fresh, you won't find any citrus notes here.
"If you’ve had the chance to visit during the summertime, walking past a fig tree becomes an unforgettable experience. In my own experience, it’s particularly present in Greece and Croatia. It’s where I have the strongest memories around the note," the fragrance developer tells Marie Claire. "That was my inspiration for A Grove by the Sea—the smell of a fig grove by the seaside, the milky scent of fig, the green mushroomy note of the leaves, the salty sea spray all combined with an olive oil accord that’s nutty and unctuous, and the smell of dry pine needles and other Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and wild fennel, it’s completely transportive."
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Adriatic fig; Extra virgin olive oil; Sea salt; Dried pine needles; Wild rosemary
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Thoughtful development; Smells like vacation, or a good dream
What I Don’t:
Customer Review: "Briny, figgy, coniferous, citrusy—all the best things at once!! It feels very aquatic and seaside, yet also like you're in the middle of a dense forest. The thyme and rosemary give a slight herbal, medicinal feeling that to me is very calming. Overall, A Grove by the Sea is a bit masc-leaning because of the strong 'blue' and 'green' notes reminiscent of classic colognes, but entirely wearable on anyone!" — Fragrantica
It hasn't been explicitly stated yet, but now's the perfect moment: fig is inherently sexy. This gorgeous fragrance captures "the scent of bodies tangled between white sheets until early morning"—specifically in Paris—with a spicy opening (top notes are cardamom, fig, and black tea) and cool dry down (you'll find sandalwood and tonka at its base).
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Black tea; Fig; Sandalwood
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Unisex; Fig note is balanced for an altogether super smooth fragrance; Long-lasting; Sexy
What I Don’t: Some people get overwhelmed by the cardamom note
Customer Review: "One of my all-time favorites. The blend of cardamom (one of my favorite notes) with creamy fig is absolute perfection — elegant and addictive. Works for evening or office, day or night, across all seasons. Longevity and sillage are both excellent, making it as versatile as it is beautiful. Truly a signature-worthy scent." — Fragrantica
"The scent of fig is undeniably tied to summer: sun-warmed skin, a gentle breeze, a Mediterranean garden in full bloom," shares Huynh. "It pairs beautifully with notes like vanilla, tonka bean, rose, and sandalwood, but also works wonderfully with the brightness of orange blossom or citrus." With that said, J’approchais Un Mystère (which translates to "I was approaching a mystery") was designed to envelop its wearer in a mystical, golden light with hints of pepper leaves, vanilla, and cedar.
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Fig leaf; Atlas cedarwood; Vanilla
Size: 1.7 mL
What I Love: Delicate scent; Pretty and simple bottle; You can experience how well fig and vanilla work together here
What I Don’t: Requires semi-regular reapplication
Review for MC: "Lovely woody-spicy scent, unisex. I love that it can be worn both daily and for going out, as it is exquisite but not too extreme. Only downside is that it does not last very long. Long enough for me to buy it, but would recommend filling perhaps a 2 mL tester to keep with you and reapply if you want to smell it throughout the day and night." — Fragrantica
Swedish brand Byredo has had some more specific fig scents come and go, but Pulp remains a staple. Thank goodness. The vision here is "a ripe, sweet, shapeless mass of fruit, an unruly and intense savor." Think of a fruit basket full of the goods you'd find in a world market, all somehow perfectly ripe. Or, and this isn't going to sound as sexy as it is, but think of the scent of Pulp like the taste of a really good...fruit leather.
Fragrance Family: Fruity
Key Notes: Bergamot; Fig; Cedarwood
Size: 3.4 fl oz
What I Love: Fruit-forward, and not in a fake fruit flavoring kind of way; Lasts a long time; Nice and zingy
What I Don’t: Fairly pungent and a bit divisive—this is one you don't want to buy without trying first
Customer Review: "Love at first sniff. This fragrance is the kind that lives in your mind rent-free; it is so unique and truly like nothing I've smelled before. Fruity scents, although pleasant, are usually too basic for me but this one is just off-putting enough to be considered a 'weird' scent while still being generally acceptable. This scent might just be an ode to how figs come to be. IYKYK." — Fragrantica
In this chic-yet-unsuspecting silver tube, you'll find a gorgeous, alcohol-free fragrance oil from Sweden (where I've sampled some of the best figs of my life, for what it's worth). Centered around fruit and woods, this scent is equally about adventure and relaxation, featuring a simple but stellar lineup of plum, coconut, fig, and sandalwood notes. P.S.—It's also available as a solid perfume.
Fragrance Family: Green
Key Notes: Plum; Coconut; Fig; Sandalwood
Size: 0.34 fl oz
What I Love: Alcohol-free; Easy to travel with
What I Don’t: Bottle is small, and there are no larger options available
Review for MC: "Cassis came to me in a fever dream, better explained as a gorgeous Swedish beauty shop where everyone around me was eating multicolored jellies and laughing in a language I don't understand. When I rubbed it on my wrist, I felt an immediate sense of grounding that pushed me to mingle. When I choose my perfume before leaving the house for an event, that's often the exact energy I'm hoping to find. Found it." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
What Should I Look For in a Fig Perfume?
- Mood
Varghese says that smelling figs always transports her, whether it be to a Mediterranean garden or the farmer's market. "Fig notes are very versatile and depending on the overall fragrance structure, they can feel uplifting and fresh or even evoke warmth and a sense of comfort," she says.
Huber agrees, adding that a fig fragrance is most likely to appeal to someone who wants to go all in when they sniff. "I think these types of fragrances appeal to people who like naturalistic, realistic, 'experience' driven scents—ones that transport you to places you remember or dream about," he says. "It’s an outdoor lover's type of scent."
- Notes
A "fig" note usually refers to the fruit, which Varghesse says would olfactively be "lush, nectary sweet and edible." You might also come across "fig leaf," which would smell "more crisp, green, and fresh."
As far as pairing goes, you'll often find fig matched up with coconut. "The combination of the two is creamy, edible, comforting," adds the fragrance expert. "Some others include fresh notes like citruses, teas, and herbs like basil offering an uplifting and fresh green profile; white florals like jasmine or rose for more radiance and sophistication, or woods like sandalwood or vetiver for a grounding, elevated comfort."
How We Tested
To compile this list of the best fig perfumes, contributing beauty writer Sophia Vilensky revisited her favorite fig perfumes and asked the Marie Claire team and other fragrance experts to share their favorites as well. Then, she got to testing, spritzing each perfume over and over, in many different settings. For each perfume she tested, she assessed the fragrance's notes, longevity, silliage, and overall scent as the day (and night) went on. The only thing she missed was a trip to the Mediterranean to smell those groves herself.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Carlos Huber is a fragrance developer, architect, historic preservationist, and founder of Arquiste.
Amélie Huynh is a French entrepreneur and the CEO of D’Orsay, a storied Parisian fragrance house renowned for its rich heritage and artistic sensibility.
David Seth Moltz is a Brooklyn based perfumer and co-founder of D.S. & Durga.
His unique approach to perfume making has garnered much press and awards. Indeed his story mirrors the rise of indie “niche” perfume in the U.S. – a now global phenomenon that is the lifeblood behind perfume’s surging popularity. David makes innovative, immersive fragrances that push the boundaries of what a perfume can say and do. He is a champion of perfume’s rightful place among the arts. He is passionate about educating people about what makes a perfume and how to understand its invisible messages.
As a self-taught perfumer, David broke into the clandestine industry of perfume, gaining access to rare materials while possessing his own unique vision – something unheard of in the perfume world today. His scents are sought after by companies looking to make unique aromatic statements. David has made scents for Estee Lauder, KITH, American Airlines, Todd Snyder, Duran Duran, Johnnie Walker, Brian Eno, Levis, and many others. He is known for his creation of the fragrance enhancer category as exemplified in D.S. & Durga’s iconic “I Don’t Know What.” He also makes a mean soup broth.
Bella Varghese is a fragrance Development Manager based in NY. She grew up in Dubai and graduated from ISIPCA.
