Trust Me—This Grounding, Fragrance Note is Definitely Natasha Naginsky-Coded
As a beauty editor and admirer of all things Sex and the City, there’s one thing I know to be true about the story’s original show, three movies, and spin-off: SJP’s Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbes, and Samantha Jones all had aesthetics that were perfectly displayed through their style and surroundings. Its protagonist, Carrie, frequently began and concluded episodes in her Manhattan apartment with a looming question about her love life, a cigarette, and Diptyque candles sprinkled in the background. We also saw her circle of friends have their own lifestyle and beauty rituals here and there that helped paint a full picture of who these chic women were off-screen.
However, there is one minor character that didn’t have much screen time in SATC or And Just Like That… but lived rent free in my mind (and, evidently, also in the mind of our favorite romance-driven and impulsive protagonist, Carrie Bradshaw): Natasha Naginsky. Portrayed by Bridget Moynahan, this Manhattan socialite was the epitome of quiet luxury. Not only was she poised and polished, but there was something about her that was effortlessly chic. Like the rest of the women in the SATC universe, much of her beauty habits is up to the imagination of viewers, but I like to imagine that her taste in fragrances is as elegant as her wardrobe choices.
(Image credit: Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images)
I would pin Natasha as someone who would be most attracted to modern takes on classic fragrance profiles, with the majority of them featuring bamboo. While its frequently referred to as being part of the aromatic wood family due to its thick, woody stem and spear-shaped leaves, it’s technically considered to be a grass. The note is commonly green, crisp, and grounding while also possessing lightly citrus of floral undertones, one of the best options to wear as you transition from season-to-season. Below, I’m sharing every bamboo-infused and inspired scent I believe she would wear while dashing around the city without thinking much about the sex columnists qualms with her.
The Best Bamboo Fragrances, Listed
Demeter Fragrance
Bamboo Cologne Spray
Scent Type: Aromatic green
Notes: Bamboo
Photorealistic scents can be hard to successfully replicate from the original thing, but Demeter Fragrance always does an incredible job of bringing the most “niche” olfactory experiences to life at an affordable price point. Their Bamboo Cologne Spray, for example, offers a crisp, green take on bamboo that smells exactly like walked through a bamboo forest from stalk to stem.
Customer Review: “This is the freshest non-floral fragrance I’ve ever gotten. It has a really light, natural, smell about it. I know these terms are abstract but they go so well with the scent. Try it!”
Dime
Core Memory Eau de Toilette
Scent Type: Citrus floral
Notes: Apple, Sicilian mandarin, frozen grapefruit peel, bergamot, juniper, rosemary, bluebells, rose, jasmine, bamboo, cedarwood
For a bright, citrus interpretation of bamboo that’s versatile, get your hands on Core Memory Eau de Parfum. Boasting a mouthwatering, vibrant blend of crisp apple, frozen grapefruit peel, and blooming florals against a base of bamboo and cedarwood, it’s also non-toxic and safe for all skin types and lasts all-day without requiring reapplication. It’s the ideal year-round scent since its classic, fresh, and has an addictive coolness to it.
Customer Review: “I have been searching for a clean and natural perfume for a while, and so far have been loving Core Memory from Dime. It is a subtle, but present scent that is not too overpowering. It seems to last through most of the day which is great! I would definitely recommend this to others.”
Korres
Sikinos Eau de Toilette
Scent Type: Woody floral
Notes: Watermelon, freesia, bamboo, mimosa, lotus flower, salt notes, cedarwood, sandalwood, musk
Of all the fragrances included in this edit, I would argue that this one smells the most like a summer spent on the Mediterranean coast (exactly where I imagine Natasha to vacation in floaty layers of cream-colored linen). Sikinos blends sticky sweet watermelon with freesia before shifting into a heart of green bamboo, soft mimosa, and watery lotus flower accented by salt. This one is finished off with warm woody notes and a white, skin-like musk.
Customer Review: “Sikinos is a pretty fragrance. I purchased it during my last holiday in Greece and now it reminds me of the happy sunny days I had. Creamy, solar and very refined. Korres [has] some pretty stunning perfumes, true hidden gems! Sikinos and Lefko are my absolute favorites so far.”
Noyz
Only Human Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Sheer gourmand
Notes: Pink pepper, Italian bergamot, waterlily, bamboo, vanilla bean, ambroxan, cedarwood
My favorite thing about bamboo notes in fragrances is that they can add a touch of green to any olfactory blend, including gourmands. Noyz’s Only Human is a prime example of how a splash of bamboo can ground a more delicate, sheer gourmand fragrance when combined with a burst of pink pepper, zesty bergamot, and a dash of warm woods for an added layer of warmth.
Customer Review: “Coziness in a bottle. My new fave vanilla, I’m obsessed. There is something really addictive about this scent so it must be tripping some memory wires for me. This is what I want a warm vanilla to be. Already a lifer for me.”
Shay & Blue
Melrose Apple Blossom Fragrance
Scent Type: Amber floral
Notes: Apple blossom, salted toffee apple, bamboo, chilled amber
If you haven’t noticed, bamboo pairs beautifully with the fresh, crunchiness that apples (and apple blossoms) bring to vibrant floral blends like this one by Shay & Blue. One of my top picks for the warmer months, Melrose Apple Blossom offers soft blossoms spiked with salted toffee apple, bamboo, and chilled amber. While there’s definitely a warmth here, there’s definitely still a freshness with bamboo and a whisper of lemon just below the surface.
Customer Review: “This does definitely open with apple blossoms and they smell so airy and sweet, like a fresh spring/summer day. Then you quickly get the salted toffee and it’s not very strong and not overtly sweet, it’s a mild sweetness, but the salt is definitely there. The apple is definitely noticeable too, and it feels like a fiji apple, fruity and crisp, not too sweet like a red apple and not too sour like a green one”
Gucci
Bamboo Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Warm floral
Notes: Italian bergamot, orange blossom, Casablanca lily, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, Tahitian vanilla, amber
Enchanting Casablanca lily might be at its heart, but the stunning blend of ylang-ylang, sandalwood, and amber that give the scent it’s bamboo-like qualities. It has an undeniable green earthiness to the blend that echoes everything we love about the tall grass. I love how the Tahitian vanilla adds a smooth creaminess to the mix that feels nostalgic… It’s like taking a trip back to 2006!
Customer Review: “This gorgeous lily scent has this refinement to it that I have not been able to find anywhere else! The citrus balances out the white florals to keep it light while still keeping it grounded in the sandalwood. This scent was made for expensive brunches, cocktail parties, and late night emails.”
Björk and Berries
Never Spring Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Fruity floral
Notes: Lemon, blackberry, peach, jasmine, cyclamen, bamboo, musk, cedarwood, amber
I’ve identified the fragrance I think embodies a summer spent sunbathing along the Mediterranean, but this would be my top pick for a spring scent that’s the epitome of freshly cut grass, dew-covered flowers, and perfectly ripe fruits dangling from branches. Björk and Berries’ Never Spring Eau de Parfum is a fruit floral perfume that’s brilliant citrus and fresh with a blend of bright lemon, ripe blackberry, and juicy peach set underscored by soft florals, warm woods, and glowing amber.
Customer Review: “This one is a perfect blend of citrusy, floral, green and woody. The thing that stood out to me the most is that you can smell both the juice and the rind of the lemon at the same time. Very uplifting and dare I say… festive? The citrus might make it seem like a warm weather fragrance, but I actually think it can be worn in winter. It’s bright like fresh snow.”
Bulgari
Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette
Scent Type: Woody floral
Notes: Nashi pear accord, bamboo accord, lotus accord, white peony accord, balsa wood accord, crystal musk accord
Luminous, floral, and woody, Omnia Crystalline Eau de Toilette is elegance in a “crystal” bottle (so, basically Natasha Naginsky as a fperfume). It opens with a burst of pear accord and earthy bamboo before shifting into a heart of lotus and white peony. We’re then met with a base of balsa wood set off by crystal musk. The perfume’s eye-catching modern flacon design pays tribute to Omnia’s recognizable shape.
Customer Review: “I love this because its simplicity and pleasant nature is its strength. The bamboo, lotus and tea combination is very calming to me, and the musky dry-down gives the fragrance a comforting and modest quality, while still having a touch of elegance. This is the fragrance I wear when I don’t want to bring attention to my fragrance, yet still want to smell clean and put together.”
Donna Karan New York
Cashmere & Wild Fig Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Woody floral
Notes: Black pepper, bergamot, freesia, rose, wild fig, bamboo
Fresh and woody fragrances are my go-to when transitioning from fall to winter, and Donna Karan New York’s Cashmere & Wild Fig Eau de Parfum has been one of my top picks over the past couple of years. Opening with black pepper intwined by bergamot, freesia, and rose, the true magic can be found in its combination of wild fig and bamboo. It feels raw and earthy, while also being soft and effortlessly romantic. Upon dry down, I also sense a mineral musk that lingers on the skin.
Customer Review: “The composition strikes such a beautiful balance between the raw earthiness of freshly turned soil and the luscious, almost honeyed quality of fig. It’s not pretty in a conventional sense, but it’s real and grounding in a way that feels both sophisticated and wonderfully unpretentious.”
d’Annam
Arashiyama Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Green woods
Notes: Bamboo leaves, rain, fresh grass, violet, bamboo wood
If you’re looking for another green, woody fragrance to add to your rotation, but have a soft spot for perfumes that are fresh, consider trying d’Annam’s Arashiyama Eau de Parfum. It combines the earthiness of bamboo leaves and fresh grass with rain, powdery fresh violet, and bamboo wood. When I smell it, I’m immediately transported to the quiet afternoon I spent in Kyoto’s bamboo forest for my 21st birthday.
Customer Review: “Arashiyama means so much to me. I grew up in a place surrounded by bamboo, and the scent brought me right back to those memories. It’s soft, green, and comforting, like a breath of fresh air through bamboo stalks. smelling it feels like home. Peaceful, familiar, and full of heart.”
Fugazzi
Thirsty Extrait de Parfum
Scent Type: Fresh fruits
Notes: Apple, galbanum, bamboo, bluebell, fig, jasmine, rose, neroli, cedarwood, amber, musk
Crisp and refreshing, Fugazzi’s Thirsty Extrait de Parfum is one of the best modern interpretations of a bamboo scent. It opens with crisp apple and galbanum before unfurling to reveal a heart of bamboo, bluebell, fig, and a stunning floral bouquet. Warm woods set alight by amber and musk add an addictive, resinous warmth to the otherwise lush, fruity fragrance. It’s also worth noting that this one lasts for hours and has impressive sillage.
Customer Review: “Really nice! I’ve never tried bamboo in a fragrance before. Reading the notes I thought it would be something up my alley, I love fig, neroli and apple. If you like green fragrances you should give it a try. [The] first time I tried it, I was scared because it smelled slightly masculine, since then I’ve grown more into green fragrances and would place it in the unisex section.”
D’Orsay
Nous Sommes Amants, M.D.
Scent Type: Aromatic woods
Notes: Black pepper, juniper berry, palo santo, sandalwood, cedar
This D’Orsay perfume is one of the best examples of a fragrance that uses a woody, dry olfactive blend to successfully capture the green earthiness of our starring note without actually including it in the composition. Black pepper and juniper berry might be what I pick up on first, but the presence of palo santo and cedar adds the woody spiciness that I crave before cedar and sandalwood round it out.
Customer Review: “If you’re looking for a palo santo fragrance that smells the way the wood you burn in your house smells, look no further than D’Orsay’s [Nous Sommes Amants], MD. The aromatic, fresh, juniper scent added to this fragrance gives it a sparkly freshness that is both modern and cool.”
Chris Collins
Lost in Paradise Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Woody floral
Notes: Coconut water, ylang-ylang, peach skin, wild orchid, bamboo, driftwood, marine accord, salted musk
I long for the tropical escape that no doubt inspired this scent every time I give it a spritz. This one transports its wearer to a sun-soaked, tropical oasis with a splash of refreshing coconut water and marine notes warmed by languorous ylang-ylang and salted musk. While I certainly pick up on the peach skin and wild orchid, the bamboo adds the green freshness that lets this one be the perfect beach-y fragrance long after summer has reached its end.
Customer Review: “This scent is so nostalgic. It smells like the adult version of fresh braids with parts greased with Super Grow. It’s sweet and coconut-y, but the musk matures it with a ‘my skin but better’ smell. I can’t wait to wear it at the beach! I bought the discovery set and this was my favorite. I already ordered the full size.”
Vilhelm Parfumeire
Room Service Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Warm floral
Notes: Mandarin nectar, blackberry, pink orchid, bamboo, violet, black amber, musk, sandalwood
The first of the two Vilhelm Parfumerie scent that have landed themselves on this list is inspired by the luxurious baths taken alone in an opulent hotel room that a silver screen star like Greta Garbo would approve of. Mandarin nectar, blackberry, and pink orchid open the perfume before ushering in citrus and red fruits, bamboo, violet, black amber and sandalwood. All I need is an oversized hotel robe to wear with this, and I’ll be good to go.
Customer Review: “I love this so much! I have a sample from Vilhelm’s discovery kit and this is my favorite from the kit. Since trying it, I crave this one after a bubble bath. It smells so clean and perfectly blended. The combination of the blackberry in the top notes, the bamboo and violet in the middle notes and the sandalwood and black amber in the base notes, make this so comforting and unique. I might have to get a full bottle of this one!”
Vilhelm Parfumerie
Poets of Berlin Eau e Parfum
Scent Type: Gourmand woods
Notes: Blueberry, lemon, vanilla, green wild orris, vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver
Inspired by the magnetic city of Berlin and Bowie’s most prolific years in the ’70s, this fragrance explores creative movement with what Vilhelm Parfumerie describes as, “a bold collision” or blueberry, lemon, and bamboo with green wild orris and Haitian vetiver. I really like the pairing of bamboo with the smooth gourmand in this one: it’s not to sweet and possesses a quiet boldness that’s utterly chic.
Customer Review: “This is definitely a multi-dimensional fragrance. At times I get a strong blueberry and creamy vanilla and then I smell again and the green notes and tartness of lemon is more in the forefront. Altogether a fresh scent that isn’t overpoweringly sweet but has a touch of sweetness. Great for spring/summer!”
Ormonde Jayne
Champaca Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Classic floral
Notes: Neroli, pink pepper, bamboo, champaca absolute, freesia absolute, basmati notes, myrrh, green tea, musk
This perfume served as my first introduction to the champaca flower, and I have worn it every spring since I made the discovery in 2022 (the scent was launched 20 years prior to that). Champaca Eau de Parfum is a classic floral with neroli, pink, pepper, and bamboo at its opening followed by a burst of champaca and freesia absolute. Wearers are then ushered into a base of basmati, myrrh, green tea, and musk that lingers beautifully on the skin.
Customer Review: “The flower has a swoon-y, tropical, narcotic, almost fruity scent, but here it’s treated in an ethereally fresh and subtle manner, with clean green notes in the opening, and a dry green-tea background hum, as well as some milky toasted rice in the heart. This is actually as much a rice scent as a champaca scent. It makes me think of a shady tropical verandah.”
Kilian Paris
Bamboo Harmony Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Green citrus
Notes: Bigarade, neroli, bergamot, mimosa, white tea leaves
I refuse to believe that oakmoss and bamboo weren’t at least sitting next to this perfume as it was being created, because Bamboo Harmony by Kilian Paris is one of the closest things I’ve smelled to a Japanese tea house. The scent blends bigrade with neroli, bergamot, a bright, honeyed mimosa note thats softened by white tea leaves. While I wouldn’t characterize the perfume as woody, the green citrus notes remind me of bamboo harvested at the end of rainy season.
Customer Review: “Gosh, it’s beautiful. Bergamot can be shrill and hard to tame, and I feel that it is so well blended here with the neroli, bitter orange, tea, fig leaf, spices and earthy oakmoss. It is so perfectly balanced. Harmony is the perfect title for this fragrance, actually, because that is just what was achieved in this blend.”
How We Tested
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To identify the 20 best bamboo scents on the market, we relied on perfumer insights and our knowledge and first-hand experiences as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including silage, versatility, ease of layering, and packaging. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Who What Wear
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we’d truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
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