You might have noticed a huge fascination this year with all things Scandinavian and particularly with the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced Hue-gah). Candle companies have been quick to take advantage of Hygge as a marketing opportunity so I wanted to look at what would make a Hygge fragrance and what individual materials you could use. I’ve put some ideas in the post here but as it’s likely to be a very personal thing too, let me know what is “hyggelig” to you.
Loosely translated Hygge is the “Danish ritual of enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Friends. Family. Graciousness. Contentment. Good feelings. A warm glow.”
I love this idea and it lead me to a book by the fabulously named Meik Wiking (pronounced Mike Viking)
Some of the scents associated with Hygge are: Fresh Coffee, Baked Bread, Milk, Vanilla, Fresh Air, Clean Laundry and Cosy Woods.
As you can see vanilla and sandalwood feature heavily for me. For you it might be a lighter fresh linen scent or a crisp clean outdoor smell.
For materials to create a cosy feel try:
Soft musk notes – Habanolide, Galaxolide, Cashmeran Velvet, Ambroxan
Vanilla Notes – Vanilla Absolute, Vanillin, Benzoin, Tonka Absolute, Coumarin
Woody & Resinous Notes – Sandalwood, Frankincense, Douglas Fir, Timbersilk
Milky Notes – Lactones
My favourite Hygge perfumes are:
- Hypnotic Poison by Dior – soft fluffy musks and almond (Habanolide & Heliotropin)
- Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens – cosy amber (labdanum, vanilla, sandalwood)
- Anubis by Papillon Artisan Perfumes – soft suede and incense (labdanum, frankincense, sandalwood)
- Dries Van Noten for Frederic Malle – milky woods (Mysore Sandalwood & Vanilla)
- Fille en Aiguilles by Serge Lutens – a more outdoorsy Hygge, walking in the forest (Pine, incense bay)
Want to learn more? Why not come to a live perfumery class or study at home with my online perfumery course
