Cinnamon in perfume: what it smells like and which FAAN bottles use it

What cinnamon smells like (and what it does not)

Cinnamon in perfume comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree. The smell is warm, sweet and woody, with a small sharp bite that tickles the nose. It sits somewhere between a baked apple, a stick of spiced tea and a warm wooden spoon.

It does not smell like a cinnamon bun by itself. That impression needs vanilla, sugar and butter around it. On its own, cinnamon is more dry and glowing than sugary.

How perfumers use cinnamon: top, heart or base

Cinnamon is a strong material, so a little goes a long way. Perfumers usually put it high or in the middle, where its heat gives a scent energy, and then let sweeter notes like vanilla and praline take over underneath.

In a pyramid, a spice in the top gives the first impression. It is the first thing you notice and the first thing to soften. Our guide to the perfume notes pyramid shows how that works in practice.

Cinnamon in the FAAN range

Only one FAAN bottle lists it.

• Qasida Signature: top, with bergamot, almond and cardamom. An Eau de Parfum from the Qasida line, unisex, projection 3, longevity 4, autumn and winter, listed for evenings and special occasions.

No other FAAN bottle names cinnamon. That makes the question simple: if cinnamon matters to you, this is the one.

What it is paired with in this pyramid

Around the cinnamon in Signature you will find:

• Bergamot: a bright citrus lift that keeps the spice from feeling heavy in the first minutes.
• Almond: a marzipan sweetness that makes the cinnamon feel baked.
• Cardamom: a green, slightly eucalyptus-like spice that sharpens the whole top.
• Praline, vanilla and dry amber in the base, which take the sweetness from the cinnamon and carry it for hours.

The result is warm and gourmand, but the cinnamon is not a bun. It is the glow at the start that dries into amber.

How the cinnamon moves through the day

Because cinnamon sits in the top, it is a note you meet early. In the first fifteen minutes it is the loudest thing on your skin, bright with bergamot and edged with cardamom. By the second hour the middle of the scent takes over: orange blossom, coconut and guaiacwood, which is a smoky, tea-like wood. Cinnamon is now a warm background rather than the lead.

From hour three the praline and vanilla carry the scent. The spice is mostly a memory, and the dry amber and cashmeran keep it from going sticky. If you want to catch the cinnamon at its best, spray when you dress and judge it before you leave the house.

Wearing advice: season, sprays, who tends to like it

Cinnamon works in cool weather, and Signature is listed for autumn and winter.

• Two to three sprays is enough. Cinnamon is spicy and carries well.
• A spray on a scarf shows off the opening and the praline base.
• Wear it in the evening, or on a cold morning when you want something warm.

People who like gourmand, amber and spiced scents tend to enjoy it. If you find cinnamon too sweet or too Christmassy, you may prefer a spice without it. Qasida Al-Badr has nutmeg and cardamom with iris and vetiver, and it is dry and powdery. Qasida Bakhour has clove and saffron with rose and incense.

If you like cinnamon, where to start

Start with Qasida Signature. It is the only FAAN bottle with cinnamon in the pyramid, and it is the most approachable of the warm, sweet bottles in the range.

Not sure about the sweetness? Read which FAAN perfume to choose, or see all fourteen bottles. If Signature shows as sold out, ask to be notified on the product page.

FAQ

Which FAAN perfume has cinnamon?

Only Qasida Signature, in the top notes.

Is cinnamon a sweet note?

It is warm and slightly sweet, but it needs vanilla, almond or praline to turn gourmand. Signature has all three.

Is Qasida Signature a winter perfume?

It is listed for autumn and winter, and for evenings and special occasions.

Related reading

• Notes map of the FAAN range
• FAAN Qasida Signature review: notes, strength and wear
• The perfume notes pyramid explained