Easily one of the most recognizable fragrances out there, lavender is a staple in soothing aromatherapy scents and relaxing spa products. It’s fresh and floral without being overwhelmingly pungent.
Typically classified as an herb, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an evergreen shrub that produces bright purple flowers. It’s popular for use in aromatherapy, skincare, and cosmetics for its soothing, stress-relieving properties. Used medicinally, lavender offers healing, circulatory, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Though you can undoubtedly identify the fragrance of lavender, the scent itself can be difficult to describe. Here’s what you need to know about what lavender smells like, what scents compliment it, and which LAFCO fragrances feature it.
What Does It Smell Like?
Lavender is largely a floral fragrance. It’s delicate and sweet with both herbal and woody notes. In most cases, lavender is a mild scent, though some varieties can have an almost medicinal camphorous undertone or even hints of pine.
The essential oil of lavender is typically made through steam distillation of the flowers, though there is a distinction between lavender flower oil and lavender spike oil. There are more than 45 species of lavender, but true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly used variety for essential oils. The flowers are usually harvested between late June and August then steamed so the fragrance oil condenses on a cold pipe for collection in a holding tank.
21 Complementary Fragrances
Given its sweet, herbal fragrance, lavender is typically used as a top note, though it can also be used to lighten herbal or woody middle notes.
Lavender blends well with the following fragrances:
- Bergamot
- Cedarwood
- Chamomile
- Clary Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Jasmine
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Mandarin
- Myrrh
- Neroli
- Orange
- Patchouli
- Peppermint
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Vetiver
- Ylang-ylang
When used as a top note, lavender is best complemented by bright fragrances like orange, lemongrass, bergamot, or peppermint. Floral or herbal middle notes like rosemary, clary sage, rosemary, and geranium pair well with lavender and it works best as a base aroma with warm and woody fragrances like cedar, myrrh, sandalwood, vetiver, and frankincense.
Enjoy Lavender in 7 LAFCO Products
As one of the most recognizable fragrances on the planet, lavender is a popular inclusion in aromatherapy and home fragrance products. It’s featured in some of LAFCO’s most popular fragrances including Chamomile Lavender and Spice Lavender.
Try these 7 LAFCO products featuring the fragrance of lavender:
1. Chamomile Lavender
Bright notes of bergamot blend with the soothing scent of chamomile, hovering over a heart of lavender and eucalyptus. These notes fade to a lasting undertone of rosemary, honey flower, and Indonesian patchouli.
Enjoy this fragrance in a wide variety of LAFCO products including reed diffusers, candles, room mist, and body care products. Try it out with the complementary fragrance of Retreat in The Chill Out gift set which includes two soothing scents in a classic reed diffuser and fragranced candle.
2. Spike Lavender
Presented as an intricate bouquet of floral fragrances, this scented candle features top notes of eucalyptus, bergamot, and clove bud. Middle notes of geranium and rose complement Tuscan lavender while bottom notes of white woods, patchouli, and vanilla round out the fragrance.
Enjoy this fragrance in the Signature 15.5-ounce scented candle, presented in a smoky gray hand blown glass vessel.
3. Bluemercury Spa Scent
Fresh and calming, this scent features bright notes of orange, lime, and cucumber balanced with the floral fragrance of lavender. You’ll also pick up notes of geranium, Egyptian basil, and African rosemary complemented by woody undertones of cedarwood and sandalwood.
Enjoy this fragrance in the Signature 15.5-ounce scented candle or 3-Wick 30-ounce scented candle, presented in a bright blue glass vessel. Bluemercury is also available in the Classic 6-ounce reed diffuser, room mist, liquid soap, bar soap, hand cream, and hand sanitizer.
4. Lavender Amber
A delightfully herbal fragrance, this scent combines the unique fragrances of lavender and spike lavender with middle notes of rosemary and musk. Bottom notes of amber and vanilla give the fragrance warmth and depth.
Enjoy this fragrance in the Signature 15.5-ounce scented candle or Classic 6.5-ounce scented candle, presented in a deep purple art glass vessel.
5. Lavender Flower Absolute
Featuring lavender absolute (Lavandula angustifolia), this fragrance balances the potent scent of herbal lavender with the brightness of citrus and the freshness of mint. The scent is sweetened with a hint of vanilla and is infused with notes of aromatic rosemary and floral violet petals.
This fragranced candle is only available in the Signature 15.5-ounce size. Enjoy it with complementary fragrances from the Absolute Collection like Balsam Black Pepper, Orange Blossom, or Clary Sage.
6. Balsam Black Pepper Absolute
Featuring fir balsam absolute (Abies balsamae), this woody fragrance is accented with fresh notes of blood orange and spicy notes of pepper. Notes of rosemary, lavender, and oakmoss complement the fir balsam absolute while warm cedarwood, amber, and patchouli round out the fragrance.
This fragranced candle is only available in the Signature 15.5-ounce size. Enjoy it with complementary fragrances from the Absolute Collection like Rose de Mai, Clary Sage, or Lavender Flower. It is presented in a marbled blue art glass vessel.
7. Vetiver Sage
Reminiscent of a quaint country house, this fragrance welcomes you with an initial impression of black pepper, white lavender, and sage before fading into a warming heart of orris, iris, chamomile, and sage clary. As these fragrances fade, you’re left with a lasting undertone of vetiver, amber, patchouli, and Santal Amyris.
Enjoy this fragrance in the Signature 15.5-ounce scented candle or Classic 6.5-ounce scented candle, presented in a neutral beige art glass vessel. Vetiver Sage is also available in a Signature 15.5-ounce reed diffuser presented in a matching glass vessel with all-natural hand-cut reeds.
Lavender belongs to the floral fragrance family, though it is sometimes subclassified as an aromatic scent. Try using the LAFCO Fragrance Finder to pick a complementary fragrance for one of the products above or sample three of them with the LAFCO Discovery Trio.
With the Discovery Trio you’ll enjoy sample-sized scented candles in three LAFCO fragrances for just $16, free shipping include. When you’re ready to make a full-sized purchase, you can save $16 with the email code you’ll receive with your Discovery Trio purchase.