Find Your Scent: What Does Lavender Smell Like

If you’re exploring different fragrances in search of a new favorite, keep lavender on your list. You’ve likely stumbled across this fragrance in different wellness products, like lavender essential oil and skincare items, but what does lavender smell like on its own? 

This guide will take a close look at what lavender is, how you can recognize the scent of lavender, and which scents pair well with lavender — including a few Snif products that incorporate this calming, iconic smell. 

What Is Lavender?

Before we get to the scent of lavender, let’s talk about what, exactly, it is. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant known for its beautiful purple blossoms. There are two common types of lavender: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and lavandin (Lavandula intermedia). 

English lavender has a more distinct smell, but those plants generally don’t produce as much oil as the lavandin lavender plant. Because of this, you’ll often find oils made using both varieties of lavender. 

Lavender is often associated with France because the most famous lavender fields are in Provence. These fields flower from mid-June to the end of August and draw crowds from all over the world who come to see the fields of purple. 

As a member of the mint family, lavender looks similar to sage and rosemary. Like mint, lavender has been used in a wide range of essential oils, perfumery, colognes, lotions, and more aromatherapy products for its many benefits. Lavender has calming, relaxing qualities thanks to the presence of linalool. Linalool is the component in lavender that gives the plant its distinct smell and anxiety-reducing effects.

What Does Lavender Smell Like?

Now that you know a bit more about where lavender comes from and its benefits, it’s time to dive into the fragrance of lavender. 

Floral

Lavender has a distinctive floral fragrance that feels fresh without being overly crisp. It’s slightly sweet and incredibly calming, making it a common ingredient in natural sleep products. Compared to other floral fragrances like rose and geranium, lavender has a more subtle, mild scent, which helps it pair well with other fragrances. 

Herbaceous

The smell of lavender is also slightly herbaceous, meaning that it’s reminiscent of other herbs like basil and rosemary. This quality contributes to the freshness of lavender and, for some varieties of lavender, gives it a slightly balsamic scent as well. 

What Scents Pair Well With Lavender?

Although it goes without saying that lavender has a distinctive scent, the smell of lavender isn’t always overwhelming or overpowering. It’s commonly paired with other scents to create rich, complex fragrances that feel unique. Here’s a closer look at three scents that pair well with the timeless smell of lavender.

Citrus

Lavender smells fresh, but not sharp, meaning it pairs well with the bright, invigorating smell of different citrus scents. Some of the most common citrus scents include orange, lemon, grapefruit, verbena, and bergamot. 

When pairing lavender with citrus, think about finding a fragrance that will complement the subtle warmth of lavender without overshadowing it. When you pair lavender with citrus, you can make the most of the calming qualities of lavender and the energizing fragrance of citrus to create a scent that will have you feeling awake and ready for the day, but still grounded.

Vanilla

To fully embrace the warm, calming side of lavender, try pairing it with vanilla. Lavender and vanilla make the perfect combo for a fragrance that is grounding, relaxing, and cozy (which sounds like a triple win to us). 

The soothing properties of lavender paired with the warmth of vanilla are an irresistible duo that will transport you to an airy French bakery or a Mediterranean beach. 

Sandalwood

Also known for its calming effects, sandalwood is another great fragrance to pair with lavender. Sandalwood has a woody, leathery scent that is warm and slightly sweet. It’s a bit more smoky than cedarwood, and it has a distinct, delicious smell. When paired with the fresh sweetness of lavender, the result is a soothing, earthy scent that will feel reminiscent of a spa day. 

What Are Some Scents To Try That Include Lavender?

You’re officially a lavender pro… which means there’s only one thing left to do. It’s time to see a couple of fragrances from Snif that contain lavender. 

The smell of lavender isn’t always the focal point of fragrances — it can also be used to soften other scents without being the star of the show, and we’ve embraced that with these Snif fragrances. In our diverse range of scents, lavender plays a subtle role that allows other scent elements to have their own moment. 

House of 8

House of 8 is a versatile chocolate vanilla fragrance that combines rich, dark scents with light, fresh smells. 

Featuring chocolate, sage, heliotrope, vanilla, iris, lavender flower, and sandalwood, this scent is well-balanced and glamorous, with lavender taking a quiet background role. This is the ideal fragrance for you if you’re looking for a showstopping scent that’s sweet, sensual, and sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Ace Ace Baby

The epitome of cool elegance, Ace Ace Baby is a fresh citrus fragrance that combines some of the quintessential scents of spring. Blending lemonade accord, ginger, timur pepper, white freesia, green apple blossom, subtle lavender, grass, and blonde woods, this fragrance bottles the magic of a crisp, refreshing sip of lemonade and a warm ray of sunshine. 

Perfect for spring and summer (or those cold winter days when you’re missing the beach), Ace Ace Baby is fresh, clean, and unlike anything you’ve smelled before. 

Fall in Love With Lavender

As you search for your signature scent, get ready to fall in love with lavender. Now that you know all about it, you’ll see lavender in everything from perfumes to air fresheners, creams, sachets, and more. 

From neverending lavender fields full of purple flowers to the sweet, floral scent of its oil, everything about lavender feels like tranquility, making it a common ingredient in fragrances and wellness products. This year, let the soothing scent of lavender become your signature scent and watch it take you to a place of serenity with every spritz. 

Sources:

The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil and its Clinical Implications in Dentistry: A Review | NIH

Linalool as a Therapeutic and Medicinal Tool in Depression Treatment: A Review | NIH 

Lavender and the Nervous System | NIH

Lavender: Health Benefits and How To Use It | Cleveland Clinic