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I had major doubts when people wanted to smell like pancakes this spring. Or when tomatoes became the rising scent of June. But ultimately, I got on board—I am a beauty editor after all.
But now, there’s a new fragrance taking shape and it’s a HARD pass for me. According to my inner circle and social feeds, bananas are becoming a thing (bleh) and I’m already seeing them pop up in perfumes, candles and even lip balms. And, in the words of Ms. Gwen Stefani, this shit is, well, you get it.
As with most trends these days, the fervor started on TikTok, with folks showing off their go-to new perfumes like Ellis Brooklyn Banana Milkshake and Snif Hazel Split. Back in June, creator Samantha Kelly shared her haul of banana-esque products, from Hempz Sugared Banana & Vanilla Body Moisturizer to Sand + Fog Banana Cream Perfume Oil Dropper, and while her followers were divided on whether or not this was a good idea, it was undeniable that she was onto something.
Publications like WhoWhatWear and Marie Claire UK have reported on the rising trend, coining it the “coolest” or “most delicious scent” of summer. And even luxe brands like Prada Beauty and internet fave Glossier have gotten on board, recently launching a new addition to their best-selling lip balms.
According to fragrance expert and content creator Paul Fino, this surge in popularity makes sense. “We’re in an era of hyper-realistic gourmands, where the goal isn’t just to smell edible, but to feel transported. Banana taps into that perfectly. It’s playful, nostalgic and super fun.”
And look, while I’m all for experimenting with new smells (a tennis ball candle, anyone?), I genuinely can’t stomach eating bananas, let alone smelling like them. As I grow my fragrance collection, I’m more interested in warmer, woodier and muskier scents. Florals are fine, but bananas are simply too sweet. Plus, they remind me of the (two!) times I got sick after drinking a smoothie. When I’m getting ready for a night out, I don’t want to take a whiff of a Laffy Taffy or banana pudding or anything that could be mistaken for a lollipop.
However, as a beauty editor, it’s literally my job to test such things. So I asked the fragrance experts for tips on how to make banana more palatable. They told me to layer the scent with another tropical note (like coconut or vanilla) to balance it out or to add a woody or musky note to ground the sweetness.
The good news? I did find one banana scent I can stomach: Vacation Eau de Toilette. Yes, it has bananas, but you’ll also find a mix of coconut and orange blossom. It’s not too sweet and you can barely smell the banana, almost as if it’s not quite ripe. So, should you decide you do want to take the plunge, here are seven banana perfumes you might find (sorry) appealing.
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This perfume is categorized as ‘vacay in a bottle.’ It opens with sweet banana and coconut cream, before settling with jasmine and gardenia. If you’re a banana hater like me, you’ll appreciate hints of rum, vanilla bourbon and sandalwood peeking through. As one Sephora shopper shares, “I was really hesitant about buying this since I had no idea if I would like the smell. I have been using the same perfume for a long time but wanted a little change for the summer. [It] smells amazing and it’s soft, not too strong.”
If you love Marc Jacobs Daisy, then you might be interested in Daisy Wild. This perfume is known for its fruity floral fragrance. With notes of banana blossom, jasmine and vetiver, it’s meant to be fresh, playful and feminine. “This is sweet and the banana isn't obvious but it's very complimentary on my skin,” adds one Sephora reviewer.
Snif is known for creating deliciously good scents and this body mist is no different. You’ll find notes of cocoa, hazelnut spread, creamy banana, coconut, musk and amberwood. One customer said it best: “This smells just like a banana dipped in Nutella!! I love it!”
This perfume is a prime example of taking a classic banana flavor and turning it into a fine fragrance. It starts with a ripe banana aroma before settling into notes of ylang, jasmine, vanilla and patchouli. As the brand describes it, “It smells like a bowl of shapely, fruit-flavored candies, all grown up.”
Fino is a fan of this fragrance, which he describes as “pure vacation energy.” With hints of banana, rum wood, and vanilla, this one is tropical without being overbearing.
This is a prime example that mixing banana with other tropical notes can be a more refreshing (and downright pleasant) aroma. Aside from ripe banana and green banana peel, the fragrance also features bergamot, jasmine and honey. “[It has a] wonderful honey scent. Don't let the banana add fool you. The banana here is bright, a little chemical, cheerful, but it only lasts for 15-20 minutes. And then—magnificent honey with flowers appears, especially the broom [flower] stands out. [It’s] very sweet, but not cloying. Not too loud, won't be intrusive to others,” shares one reviewer.
If you’re hesitant about banana fragrances, this eau de toilette was my first introduction. It has banana, but also coconut, pineapple and orange blossom. As expected, there’s also notes of pool water (yes, pool water), pool toy and swimsuit lycra. If you want to smell like vacation, you’ll surely get it from this—and their other SPF products.
