Sesame Scents Predicted to Dethrone Pistachio in Fragrance Trends
A fragrance expert with a personal collection exceeding 150 perfumes has identified sesame as the emerging star in the world of scents, suggesting it could soon overshadow the long-reigning pistachio note. With extensive experience, including travels to Grasse, Paris, and Florence to study perfumery, the expert spends countless hours analysing olfactory trends and predicting which notes are rising or fading in popularity.
The Reign of Pistachio
Pistachio has dominated the fragrance landscape for an extended period, celebrated for its nutty, subtly sweet profile. It often pairs beautifully with complementary notes like salted caramel, as seen in Cheirosa 62 (£38), or coconut in Soleil Blanc (£145), creating beachy, inviting aromas. Despite its popularity, with beloved iterations such as Yum Pistachio Gelato (from £28) and D.S. & DURGA's Pistachio (£155), the expert questions whether its time at the top is nearing an end.
Emerging Contenders: Milk and Sesame
While other notes have surfaced as potential successors, such as creamy lactonic scents inspired by social media trends—like Commodity Milk (£140), Phlur Heavy Cream (£25), and Kayali Freedom Matcha Musk (£28) with its oat milk heart—the expert believes milk alone lacks the warmth and earthiness needed to dethrone pistachio. Instead, sesame emerges as a compelling alternative, offering a nutty, slightly earthy character that adds depth and intrigue.
The expert's discovery of sesame's potential began with Zadig & Voltaire ZADIG (currently reduced to £71.20 at LookFantastic), a fragrance that combines ginger, white and black pepper in the top notes, a floral heart, and a sweet base of Chantilly cream. This blend, though featuring savoury elements, captivated the expert, a self-professed sweet gourmand lover, who found herself repeatedly drawn to its unique aroma.
High-End and Accessible Options
Sesame is already making appearances in various perfumes, though often at a premium. For instance, Mind Games' Sissa (£270) from 2023 artfully merges sesame with milk and vanilla, while BORNTOSTANDOUT's Nuts (£173) includes sesame in its heart notes for longer wear, alongside pistachio and almond in the top. Even in more affordable ranges, like Croissant Café by Versatile Paris (£50.74 for 15ml), sesame subtly complements expected notes of coffee, vanilla, and milk.
The expert notes that as a note gains mainstream traction, it typically becomes more accessible—a pattern observed with pistachio, which now features in budget-friendly options like a £10 M&S Discover perfume and Le Monde Gourmand Pistachio Brûlée (now £19.60 at LookFantastic). This suggests sesame could follow a similar path, moving from luxury to everyday affordability.
Future Prospects
With sesame slowly but surely appearing in more fragrances, the expert is optimistic about its potential to become the next big trend. Excited to see how it evolves, she plans to continue enjoying her bottle of Zadig & Voltaire ZADIG while watching the market for new developments. As the fragrance world embraces this nutty, earthy note, sesame may well carve out a significant niche, challenging pistachio's long-held dominance and offering fresh olfactory experiences for perfume enthusiasts everywhere.
