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Who knew figs in a perfume could smell so good? If you’re new here, I relate a lot of fragrance to food, because it’s fun for me! Fragrance and food have always gone together and it’s amazing to see how they truly play off of each other. As I dive deeper into fragrance, it brings back fun memories of food. It’s usually not the other way around. Food first! When I started this blog, I had thoughts of it being a food blog where I’d try different restaurants and share about them. I still do that from time to time as done with my Snooze, an A.M. Eatery review, however trying out different sweets and relating them back to scents is more fun. I used to love eating Fig Newtons as a child! At first they were an acquired taste, but once I acquired it, I craved the snack as it was a relatively healthy option and always hit the spot. The same is true for the three fig fragrances on this list.
Figs are more complex than you think. As someone who worked at the grocery store for seven years, I always thought of fig as a fruit. Well, I just learned that is basically nature’s piñata. The gift that keeps on giving. When you look at a fig, it gives energy of being soft and sweet. However, when you take the first bite, you get even more than you bargained for in it having a bit of a crunch with those seeds being the actual fruit part. You read that right. A single fig is basically made up of a bunch of fruits. Cool, right? Very!
That’s how I see fig perfumes now. On the outside they’re simple, but once you dive deeper, you’re even more amazed than before. I have tested several fig perfumes to bring that nostalgia into today, but as of this day, these are my three best fig perfumes. All things excellence, right to your inbox. Beauty essentials • Business strategy • Style curation Everything you need to nourish your confidence. FIGUE ÉROTIQUE BY TOM FORD
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At the top of the year, this fragrance was undeniably getting promoted heavily in Sephora. While shopping for my new favorite, Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist Deodorant, a beautiful theatrical display of Figue Érotique caught my attention. Its bottle is a deep, warm plum with personality. The unique spelling of fig — and most certainly the erotic part — had me wanting to know what made it so captivating.
Photo: Tiffany Johnson / So MoTiFFated
The first spray told me everything I needed to know. While still in Sephora, I called another department store that I know gives samples to secure more time with the product before making the scent investment. It reminded me of a fragrance that I love deeply, one that holds a great deal of sentimental value in my heart. While I keep that one close to my chest, just know that I pair them together and live in fig heaven often. In my eyes, it pays homage to my gatekept fragrance while adding a layer of rich energy that puts a pep in my step.
What makes the composition of Figue Érotique so irresistible is its complexity. Comprised of six scent notes, it smells incredibly fresh, sweet, and earthy, while shying away from the leafy green flare that most fig fragrances have. What I love about this perfume is that it stays true to its fruit essence, yet also feels like a fresh gourmand coated with coconut and brown sugar. Despite the order of notes perfumers list, they all hit my nose at once, and I describe them exactly as they feel to me. Rather than just offering a flat, sugary fruit note, it captures a true botanical lifespan. It opens with a crisp, green snap of Fig Leaf Accord. This isn't a harsh, bitter green. Instead, the leaf accord quickly unfurls to release its natural, velvety coconut milk essence, creating a captivatingly smooth, lactonic texture. That creamy layer beautifully cushions the arrival of the rare, honeyed Kadota Fig Accord. Finally, the entire blend is anchored by a decadent Muscovado Accord. Acting as a luxurious, dark brown sugar note with deep caramel facets, this intoxicating sweetness coats the fruit. It transforms the fleeting seasonality of the fig into a permanent, addictive, and deeply sophisticated amber-fruity dimension. I loved this scent so much that I bought it a few months ago. Luckily, the $405 product came with several gifts with purchase, including a 4 ml bottle of Figue Érotique and a bougie lip gloss in Tom Ford’s Casablanca, a soft pink color. When I wear both, I feel like I’m on top of the world. I wore the perfume for my birthday as I spent the day at Ballantyne Spa, and I have worn it several times since. It works for every occasion, even for picking up take-out. No matter the event, this is literally holding the top spot as my favorite fragrance of the year! It takes a tribe. This digital editorial provides high-vibrancy journalism without a paywall. As an independent publication, we thrive on reader support. Whether a one-time tip or a monthly gift, pledge your support via the pink button above. Your readership is valued! FATHER FIGURE BY PHLUR
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Father Figure got on my radar last year as I became intrigued by dupe culture. In early 2025, I went on a journey to find the scent matches for Bath & Body Works’ Designer Perfume Dupes. Within that collection they had a limited-time body mist in Guilty as Fig and its scent match was Father Figure by Phlur.
If you enjoyed B&BW’s version, then it’s time to spin the block and buy the perfume of which it was inspired. Father Figure is a calming scent that feels perfect for bedtime and a way to wind down. I know, you’re thinking spending money to go to sleep? Yes and no. It’s calming enough to give you support and relaxation as you wind down, but one that’s also a great fragrance to have with you throughout your day to keep you in a harmonious mood.
The way that Phlur puts it together is mesmerizing. I know you’ve heard the old saying, “often imitated never duplicated,” well . . . As someone who covers dupe culture a lot, I definitely call a spade a spade. That’s why in the video above I had to do a double take to see if they smelled similar because Phlur’s version was so rich. As someone whose worn Vanilla Skin by Phlur often, and received many compliments while wearing the fragrance, it goes without saying the same will apply to you when wearing Father Figure. This fragrance house is very intentional and there is a reason why they are being duped. The dry down on this scent is sensational. What intrigues my nose the most is its thorough incorporation of many scent notes that I adore. Its top note’s inclusion of lush fig and cassis buds gets off on the right foot. The latter which is a berry also known as blackcurrant, always gets me in a state of calm as I often speak of Raspberry Cassis by Archipelago as the fragrance that gave my desk tranquility during my time in corporate because it’s both sweet and fresh. Prior to that, I never smelled cassis, but since then I’ve never forgotten its beauty. Its middle notes are not an overpowering floral, rather the seamless combination of notes acts as the perfect binder so you never smell one ingredient over another. This chemical synergy leverages heavy orris fixatives to anchor flighty jasmine dew, evolving the scent into a charmingly subtle, modern floral veil that leads you to the base notes. Its base its pleasantly sweet with the addition of my favorites: vanilla, Madagascar, and sandalwood. Oh, my goodness. Its decadent combination smells right, definitely hug worthy. I’ve been known to have a calming presence about me where even strangers want to hug me. While I’m definitely aware of stranger danger, smelling this good with this great personality makes it easy to understand why my presence is inviting! PHILOSYKOS BY DIPTYQUE
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Diptyque is a brand that I was made aware of because of my shopping at Tiffany & Co. The renowned jewelry store has several of the perfumers’ products in their restroom, including their $85 Exfoliating Hand Scrub Wash. Its soft scrub always leaves my hands feeling rejuvenated with a scent trail that lasts for hours. It’s interesting because I knew the soap, but it’s technically unbranded as it solely contains and “s” on the bottle. So, I knew the brand but didn’t know the brand. Yet, I connected the dots when visiting the Diptyque store in Southpark Mall and was happy to realize they are the maker of a scent that I’ve loved for years.
Seeing all their fancy perfumes on display, made me want to give them a try. This fragrance house was founded in 1971 in Paris, France and takes pride in having clean, fresh fragrances that you won’t find anywhere else. Though I’ve smelled figs perfumes before, I’ve never smelled one so pure. After taking a whiff of Philosykos, its purity metaphorically transported me to a well-known fig orchid in California where I had fun pronouncing its enthralling name over and over again. With a fragrance name like that and my having to intentionally sound it out to get the phonetics right, it brought about a bunch of laughter where in failed attempts, I gave it the nickname of Philoctetes from the 90s favorite, Hercules.
This perfume isn’t last on my list because it’s my least favorite, but it is definitely an acquired taste. A quick glance at its scent notes tells you everything that you need to know. Fig, fig, fig, and black pepper. Literally. The pepper gives it a kick and that prevalent spice is needed to balance the three types of figs. I interpret that as Diptyque saying here, you’re getting all of nature’s piñata: from its leaves to its sap to its wood. Honestly, I love it though, but I have to be honest in saying my nose is still adjusting. I received a sample of this product and each time I wear it, I still get shocked at its purity as its earthy spicy vibe is similar to Tom Ford’s Figue Érotique minus its layer of sweetness. The uniqueness keeps me enticed and by the popularity of their store’s volume, I can see why others keep coming back for more.
That’s the beauty of the imagination. Three fragrance houses took a popular fruit in fig and turned it into something beautiful in their own way. There is a perfume for every mood and in this time in history, moods swings are so normal. You deserve a perfume that not only fits your mood swings, but allows you to set your mood for the day. Fragrance to me is very much a part of my mental health and it is a form of meditation for me. The perfume that I choose plays a role in my intention for the day and serves as aromatherapy with each breath. So, choose your fig wisely, and if you’re in doubt, get all three! No regrets!
Which fig fragrance are you looking most forward to purchasing?
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 Tiffany Johnson is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of So MoTiFFated. With an MBA in Digital Marketing and a background in branding, she curates excellence across beauty, business, and style with the eye of an executive and the heart of a hype woman... Read Her Story!
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