The Manual Guide to Vetiver

By Ann Binlot Published June 27, 2014

If you pay any attention to fragrances at all, we’re sure that you’ve heard the word vetiver. If you’ve ever wondered what vetiver is, it’s a tall grass that has a multitude of uses. It can help stabilize soil, act as animal feed, and protect crops against animals and pests. It also has an alluring scent that is refreshing, woodsy and earthy all at once, which is why so many fragrance companies use it. Vetiver also has the power to stimulate a developing economy; in Haiti it provides work for over 30,000 small-scale farmers. Now how’s that for an added benefit in purchasing a fragrance? If you happen to be feeling overwhelmed by the array of scents that use vetiver, we’ve listed a few of our favorites:

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
Orange flower, grapefruit, and aromatic sage add freshness, while orris, nutmeg, and pimiento put in woodsiness and spice. This fragrance is clean, fresh and masculine.
$90 for 1.7 oz at sephora.com

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Diptyque Vetyverio
Fresh and light, Diptique Vetyverio is ideal if you don’t want anything too heavy.
$90 for 50 ml at diptiqueparis.com

Oliver & Co. Vetiverus
We get compliments every time we wear Oliver & Co.’s Vetiverus, which has a uniquely intoxicating flair that people find irresistible.
$145 for 50 ml at luckyscent.com

Ulrich Lang New York Aperture
Pink, black and white peppers infused with cedar wood, musk and tobacco make for a spicy, yet woodsy fragrance.
$200 for 3.4 oz at ulrichlangnewyork.com

Le Labo Vetiver 46
If you want something labeled just for you, head to Le Labo in New York for a vetiver fragrance that leaves a mark.
$160 for 1.7 oz at lelabofragrances.com

Byredo Bal d’Afrique
Bergamot and lemon, and violet, jasmine and cedar wood make Bal d’Afrique a joyous symphony that is both citrusy and floral.
$145 for 50 ml at byredo.com

Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire
If you want something truly extraordinary, Frederic Malle’s Vetiver Extraordinaire will do the trick.
$190 for 50 ml at fredericmalle.com

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…

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