Everything You Need to Know About Frangipani, The Popular Perfume Ingredient

Each season, we can undoubtedly look forward to a new crop of fragrances to help make transitioning into the new season a little more fun, no matter your scent preferences. As of late, we've heard of a bunch about a fragrance ingredient called frangipani. Ahead, we explore where this popular fragrance ingredient comes from, what it smells like, and we share the best perfumes that contain frangipani.

What Is Frangipani?

Frangipani is a fragrant flowering tree, also known as plumeria. The oil of the colorful flower, also known as the Hawaiian Lei flower, has been used in perfumery since the 16th century, usually as a top or heart note. The flowers from a frangipani tree are either white, yellow, pink, or multi-color.

Where It's Found

The frangipani tree (Plumeria Rubra) is native to warm tropical areas of the Pacific Islands, Caribbean, South America, and Mexico.

What It Smells Like

The oil of the frangipani flower has a sophisticated, lush, rich floral fragrance. The flowers have been widely hybridized for cultivation, and there are many varieties available—each with its unique scent. Frangipani flowers may smell like roses, gardenias, pineapple, plum, citrus, ripe banana, grapes, coconut, ginger, candy, or spices.

Other Uses of Frangipani

Frangipani is a common ingredient in many fragranced soaps, candles, massage oils, and potpourris. The flowers of the plant are also considered sacred in certain tropical nations such as Bali and India, where they are used in religious ceremonies.

Frangipani Fragrances to Try

Ahead, we share our top three go-to perfumes featuring frangipani in their composition.

Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum Spray $135.00

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The only thing more luxe than a Chanel fragrance is a Chanel bag. But if you're like us and an investment purse is out of your budget, then try a stunning fragrance from the brand instead. The frangipani lingers throughout the day but isn't overwhelming. You'll feel confident wearing a classic scent that's appropriate to wear to the office, on a date, or at brunch with your best friends. Beige by Chanel ($350) also contains frangipani, if you prefer a light and airy fragrance.  

Ormand Jayne Frangipani $225.00

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The name of this perfume says it all. Ormand Jayne's Frangipani is the perfect blend of floral notes (linden blossom, magnolia flower frangipani, rose, water lilies, and orchid oil) with the added surprise of a base note featuring warm Madagascan vanilla, amber, musk, and cedar. Mist this truly chic fragrance onto your pulse points (the inner wrists and sides of your neck) for the scent to last longer.

Gianni Versace Versace Woman $82.00

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Versace was known for both his extravagant designs and his friendships with the '90s supermodels. (Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista have all walked his catwalk and fronted his campaigns.) So it's no wonder his fragrance, Versace Woman, is an ode to the bold sensuality that his fashion designs echoed.

Now that you found your dream frangipani scent, you're probably wondering how long does perfume really last? Up next, Byrdie editors complete a deep dive on the shelf life of your go-to perfumes, so you don't have to.