This Floral Note Is So Sexy, It Was Banned in the Victorian Era

By Marianne Mychaskiw
Updated Oct 13, 2017 @ 4:15 pm
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Though tuberose is currently in bloom in the fragrance world, the seductive floral has some serious historical cred. In ancient Egypt, the flower's essences were extracted and used for aromatherapy purposes, and rumor has it, young girls were banned from smelling the bloom during Queen Victoria's reign out of fear that it would trigger a spontaneous orgasm. It has been immortalized in poetry by Thomas Moore and Percy Bysshe Shelley, the latter of whom referred to tuberose as "the sweetest flower for scent that blows."

Clearly, the note has staying power past the scent trail it leaves on your skin, which, by the way, is the very definition of sex appeal. Veering between sweet, sensual, and at times, almost creamy, it's a floral you definitely recognize, and is one everyone in your path will certainly remember.

Here, we put together a list of the 7 most gorgeous takes on the tuberose blossom so far. 

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Frederic Malle Carnal Flower

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No exaggerations when we say this is one of the top 5 sexiest fragrances on the planet. Tuberose takes a definite center stage, while musk and coconut act as backup singers, making the sensual floral creamier and more intense as the scent warms up. 

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Aerin Beauty Tuberose Le Jour and Tuberose Le Soir

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$215 each
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One bloom, two ways. Inspired by the India's night-blooming tuberose, these scents reflect the intensity of the flower during the time of day for each was so named. Tuberose Le Jour is the daytime iteration, with fresh notes of jasmine and neroli creating a fresh, sun-kissed aroma, while Le Soir is a much richer take. Tuberose is in full bloom, with a heady side of sandalwood, vanilla, and ylang-ylang. 

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Miller Harris Perfumer's Library Tuberosa Eau de Parfum

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$245
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Complementary florals like jasmine sambac and Turkish rose act as the olfactory exclamation point to the statement made by the starring tuberose bloom. 

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Diptyque Do Son Eau de Toilette

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$90
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We're not sure how they did it, but somehow, Diptyque took that fresh flower lei from your trip to Hawaii, and bottled it. The vacation vibes with this scent are so strong, if you close your eyes and take a whiff, you can almost feel the breeze coming off the shore.

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Jo Malone Tuberose Angelica Cologne Intense

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$180
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There's some serious depth between the tuberose and amber notes, but the twist of angelica adds a green freshness to the sultry aroma. 

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Flora by Gucci in Gracious Tuberose

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$78
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There's something a little nostalgic about this scent—the mix of violet leaves and orange flower make the tuberose heart feel like a familiar scent we used to douse ourselves in back in TRL's heyday. 

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By Marianne Mychaskiw