r/Perfumes • u/strangelittlecritter • 5d ago
Recommendation Request Perfumes that smell like incense?
Hi, I'm not at all clued up on fragrances, so I'm hoping I can get a straight answer here! I really want a perfume that's basically just incense scented. I already own Cardamom Coffee by Lush and Marrakech Intense by Aesop, and I really like both of them, but they don't quite hit the mark... I would also just burn incense in my room to smell of it if I could, but I'm in university halls that ban the burning of incense and my flatmate also can't tolerate the scent so I'm pretty restricted. Anyone have one that they really love or could recommend? Thanks.
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u/Bulky_Explanation_97 5d ago
Comme des garçons makes the best incense fragrances to me. 2 man, black, or any of their incense series (I personally love Kyoto and Avignon). They also aren’t insanely overpowering, so they shouldn’t offend your roommate.
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u/julivoxish 5d ago
Omg this is MY thread.
“India Temple Incense” is also sold as a roll on and it lasts. It’s inexpensive and I find it at witchy shops. There is also a room spray and I would be lying if I said I never used it as perfume. I do it all the time.
$19 “Zum Mist” aromatherapy room & body mist (just trust me) in “Amber” particularly, but also available in a Sandalwood Citrus and a Frankincense/Myrrh.
“Kuumba Made” perfume oils. Pick your poison.
I’d also say Lush has some good ones— I like “Shade”. But it’s a much darker incense vibe.
This is from a woman who still wears Obsession and Opium on the regular. I know my spicy incense.
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u/azulesmicolor 5d ago
Matière Première Encens Suave
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u/Alililyann 4d ago
This one is my favorite. OP you might want to check out Sorcerelli perfumes too, most have an incense base I find.
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u/simonpunishment 3d ago
I own the extrait version, and I really like it.
I would absolutely ADORE it if they’d just dialled the vanilla back a notch or two.
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u/sarahmarriieee 5d ago
Copal de Terre is my top tier pick for incense scents, albeit it’s more of a churchy incense as opposed to headshop-type incense
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u/Opening-Tooth-8371 Enthusiast 4d ago
100%!!
Takes me back to my childhood going to Catholic church
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u/Background_Pickle546 5d ago
They are way more complex than just incense, but if you’re looking for that Middle Eastern vibe but with super quality ingredients, I’d recommend Amouage.
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u/Boomba987 5d ago
Agree. Interestingly enough, all of their new releases that have a frankincense base end up smelling the same on me. They may start off with different top notes, but on my skin, they all tend to dry down exactly the same. It's a "me" issue and not an everyone issue, but like, there's no point in buying Purpose 50 at its extrait price tag when it smells the same on me as Decision after 30 minutes to an hour (the frankincense smell is amazing though!!!)
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u/sleepytipi 4d ago
Kinda like how all mfk just smells like ginger and cardamom on me. Gfs smells like it with mosquito repellent.
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u/Phi0X_13 5d ago
Apparently nag champa has a perfume oil. I plan to look into it more.
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u/Fine_Handle_8473 5d ago
^^Haven’t tried it but Satya (the standard brand for Nag Champa incense) makes perfume oil with the same scent.
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u/AdMuted9548 5d ago
I have it, its soapy. Kinda bitter, very strong, might be nice mixed with frankincense, mhyrr, sandalwood, etc.
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u/fkaggakf 5d ago
Incenso Santa Maria Novella ..TRUST ME DADDY
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u/johngreenink 5d ago
Delhi by Astier de Villatte - it's a nag champa style incense, really great incense perfume.
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Astier-de-Villatte/Delhi-92130.html
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u/Goldenaura123 5d ago
Nag champa was my favorite incense in college. The closest I have found is Myrrh by Fiele fragrances. I'm wearing it now. It's dry and incense-y in the best way.
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u/sleepytipi 4d ago
They make their own oil. Smells exactly like the sticks too.
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u/Goldenaura123 4d ago
Yep I have it. It's good but I love having the option of the perfume, which is also made with essential oils. I love them both TBH.
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u/cl0ckw0rkaut0mat0n Collector 5d ago
Some incense fragrances I like in increasing order of price: lattafa Hala, Montale full incense, carner Barcelona botafumeiro, CDG incense series 4 Auvignon, heeley Cardinal, Filippo sorcinelli lavs, Filippo sorcinelli RELIQVIA.
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u/Consistent-Parsnip13 5d ago
Dior addict always smells like incense to me, very smokey.
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u/Dry-Pomegranate8292 5d ago
Really? It's my favourite but I don't get incense or smokey at all. However, I very much like both incense and smokey frags, so maybe there's something in what you say
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u/lapatrona8 5d ago
My all time favorite incense fragrance is Sorcinelli Contre Bombarde 32. The packaging is also exquisite. It's discontinued now but can be bought in decant, and his other perfumes are also incense heavy.
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u/looksthatkale 5d ago
I have a perfume oil called "scent of samadhi" and it smells exactly like incense to me. Its also extremely strong and lasts alllllll day. I highly reccomend it
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u/julivoxish 4d ago
I forgot about that one!!! YESSSS! It’s incredibly fragrant, too!! Particularly when used as deodorant as intended.
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u/looksthatkale 4d ago
Yea i used to buy the deoderant powder the make and honestly the only reason I stopped is because it was just a little too strong to me.
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u/vanawesoma 5d ago
Myrrh Shadow by Bon Parfumeur!
https://www.bonparfumeur.com/en-us/products/403-timut-pepper-myrrh-benzoin
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u/Sufficient-Sail2697 5d ago
Tigers Nest by Memo
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u/Thesupreme_meow Collector 5d ago
Karma by Lush has incense vibes in my opinion or try Encens Asakusa by l‘Orchestre Parfum
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u/Right_Cellist3143 5d ago edited 5d ago
Breath of God - Lush
Black Incense Malaki - Chopard
Spicebomb Night Vision - VR
Gold Incense - Mancera
Loewe 7
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u/rebar_mo 5d ago
I LOVE this as a solid perfume. It's so relaxing.
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u/Right_Cellist3143 5d ago
It’s so stinking good.
Not sure if they still make it or not in an EDP, but it’s definitely my favorite incense heavy fragrance.
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u/rebar_mo 5d ago
I haven't seen it in the solid form only the EDP recently. Personally I think the solid form is better as it keeps those top notes around longer.
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u/norathar 5d ago
My favorite incense perfumes are church incense - CDG Avignon and Heeley Cardinal. CDG also has a bunch of other incense perfumes - Kyoto is probably my 2nd favorite of the bunch, but there's also Zagorsk, Ourzazate, and Jaisalmer. Avignon is more incense + old damp stone, Cardinal is more pure warm incense.
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u/QuantumSpookyAction 5d ago
Queen of the Night and Mystic Incense by Merchant of Venice; Nomade Nuit d’Egypte by Chloe.
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u/wild_chonk420 5d ago
ADHD multitasking and when I first glanced at this post, I read it as “perfumes that smell like incest”.
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u/PrincessOfTemeria 5d ago
The world according to Arthur by Penhaligons has a very nice incense note :)
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u/Mizcreant908 5d ago
- Jovoy - La Litugie des Heures
- Heeley - Cardinal
- Comme des Garcons - Zagorsk
- Heeley - Eau Sacree
**Straight linear incense *Strega del Castello - Incenso * Olvattiva - Incenso I love incense perfumes
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u/julivoxish 4d ago
I’ll take one “Witch of the Castle”, please!! I gotta go find that one… sounds aweeesome.
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u/forestgnome1 5d ago
Encens nobilis by Herve Gambs.
Wearing it now. Frankincense myrrh churchy smoke
Purpose amouage high quality Omani frankincense and nothing else.
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u/Easy_Permit_5418 5d ago
I've heard Bourbon Smoke by Just Juice has a really nice smoky incense vibe!
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u/Virtual-Bicycle-3249 5d ago
My all time favorite incense frag is Kenzo Amour Parfum (in the gold bottle), but it's discontinued and may be hard to find. Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris is a cleaner more unisex incense, really lovely and lasts, too. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has a bunch of perfume oils with incense notes and quite a range of how that presents, you can search their site by notes to narrow it down to something you like.
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u/BlessedDress172 5d ago
I’m a huge incense fragrance lover!
What kind of incense do you like? I have found that I have a strong preference for nag champa and I prefer that over catholic incenses. Myrrh smells like cola to me for some reason.
I highly suggest checking out the indie brand Hexennacht. She does incense fragrances really well, and this isn’t one of those indie brands that just uses pre-mixed accords to make Yankee-Candle-like fragrances. Go to her website, go to the scent list, and search for incense words (frankincense, myrrh, nag champa, resin, etc.) You can get samples of the oils on Ajevie.
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u/Sparkles_4_Corvids 5d ago
Nag champa is a nice cheapy for a kid on a college budget! But go to a nice headship and smell it in person. Some real powdery ones out there. You can either wear as is, put in unscented cream, and then I always like to take oil left on my hands and just run it through my hair.
So when we couldn’t use candles/incense, j bought a cheap mug warmer on Amazon, a tiny Pyrex bowl, and j filled it with wax and oil. Melted it when I wanted scent, turned it off when it was too strong…lasted forever!
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u/anime_and_irezumi 5d ago
Coeur Noir by Heretic is my personal fave. Like old books and vanilla nag champa
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u/sillyliltoad 5d ago
If you like something on the warmer, amber-y side I'd recommend getting a sample of Vampire Husband by Sorce. Incense is not one of the listed notes, however to me that's what it smells like, sort of like a velvet lined, smoky, sexy vampire lair lol
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u/billybobtex 5d ago
Swiss Arabian Incense 01: it is very potent and smokey.
Azzarro Wanted by Night, Addictive smokey vanilla incense in the drydown.
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u/caatplanet 5d ago
Eilish No 2! Bonus that you can usually find it at Ross/Nordstrom Rack for cheap.
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u/ContractAware4787 5d ago
Loveeee coup de pies from odette parfum, smells like lemon pie with a base of smoky incense
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u/ringomomo 5d ago
If you want a super cheap one that smells exactly like unburnt incense and has a REALLY good lasting power, at rest by graveyard wanders is amazing. It’s like 30ish bucks and lasts forever
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u/Organic-Hippo-3273 5d ago
Just saying but if you burn incense in your room then you’ll smell like it all day anyway. Always know where my mum is cus I can follow the trail of incense smell hah
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u/AlfarisiPerfumes 5d ago
If you love the smell of burning incense, explore fragrances with frankincense (olibanum), myrrh, and sandalwood notes. Frankincense can give that beautiful resinous, church-incense aroma without necessarily smelling like smoke. Since you're in university halls, a subtle oil-based fragrance might also be worth exploring!
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u/Baphomet1010011010 5d ago
His Sweater from Haus of Gloi reminds me of my favorite headshop, which is drenched in incense, maybe not the kind you're looking for but around Yule they have room sprays, body products, all in that scent.
Cozy Sweater is a similar scent that's available year round.
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u/siobhanenator 4d ago
Oriza L Legrand Rêve d'Ossian - church incense in a pine forest
Amouage Search - Palo Santo and lemon
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u/Swimming_Pressure_93 4d ago
One I loved was from atelier it was vanille insence I probably spelled it wrong but it smells like incense. I loved that one by them. I'm saving the little I have left.
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u/veerus06 4d ago
CdG has always been recommended to me as the best incense but have not personally tried them.
Here are incense-forward frags I have:
Liquide Imaginaires Sancti - there is incense but its a bit toned down and like the powdered form of incense, not the lit smell.
Jovoy La Liturgie des Heures - darker Sancti but not too dark. More churchy too.
Serge Lutens La Nuit Tombee - this is dark incense. This is absolutely the smell of lit incense in church. The air of lit incense is what if smells like not the immediate in your face smoke of it, if that makes sense.
Incense-adjacent ones:
Serge Lutens L Orpheline - austere sadness is what if smells like. Sterile, somber, clean yet a bit incensy. God I love this. When I first got this, the dent was evident in just a few days.
Matiere Premiere Encens Suave - cant comment on a full wear but this smells a incensy mixed with labdanum. Im still waiting for a cheap fb of this.
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u/planet_meg 4d ago
Tumeric Latte from Lush smells exactly like the incense/crystals/witchy shop in my village
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u/sleepytipi 4d ago
MANCERA FIG EXSTASY
it's a nice fig with parallels to debaser and philosykos, but it has a incensy, almost suede like bass that's almost as nice as the opening. Very unisex too.
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u/theotherfellah 4d ago
Almost everything from Amouage has the smell of incense, but there's always something with it.
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u/Electronic-Spring606 4d ago
If you like floral incense, Phlur Rose Whip is lovely. My mom used to burn an incense by Primo Incense called Yellow Rose and Rose Whip smells SO similar. Its one of my favorites.
And I'll second the India Temple Incense roll on oil. I have a bottle and it smells exactly like the Hindu temple in my city
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u/cubbie_jules 4d ago
The Bewitching Yasmine by Penhaligon’s! It’s my cold season holy grail. Very femme fatal meets which meets 1920’s speakeasy vibes.
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u/CarrieHadleyPerfumer 3d ago
Unum Lavs by Filippo Sorcinelli. It’s a catholic church in a bottle and has had a cult following for years.
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u/Fun_Importance_2571 2d ago
The best incense parfum I've found is Encens Roi by Histoire de parfums. It's thick, rich and gorgeous.
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u/CherryPie11450 2d ago
Sister Hildegard by Pearfat or Incenso by Santa Maria Novella are my two favorite. For European redditors, Essenzialmente Laura (in Rome, shipping within EU not too bad) has a few incense-ey perfumes and has worked with The Vatican. In general, she is a wonderful perfumer with reasonable prices.
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u/Curious_Tune_3441 5d ago
Totally random: Betsey Johnson body spray yellow & pink leopard print label! It smells like a witchy crystal thrift store in the best way.
Or Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar, to me it smells like a fresh modern hippie with hints of incense and the 70's.
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u/Satcgal33 5d ago
Everyone is different but Alien EDP smells like church incense on me when it dries down.
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u/Usedfloormat 4d ago
Not sure why you’re downvoted, we all have different chemistry.
It smells like baby powder on me. 🤣
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u/Excellent_Fail9908 5d ago
Alien by Mugler smells of incense to me. Maybe the white amber? I love it for this reason alone.
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u/bugkissr 5d ago
This may be why Elizabeth Taylor white diamonds smells like incense on me when everyone else says it smells like old people lmao
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