They probably won’t get as much love from the press as Burger King’s “Flame” scent, but chef François Payard has created new chocolate-themed perfumes called Inspirations. There are three scents (in order of potency): Lychee Mousse ($42), said to have notes of white chocolate and rose water; Pistachio Ganache, described as milk chocolate with jasmine undertones ($45); and Bergamot Truffle ($48), a darker chocolate-and-citrus blend. The gift-boxed bottles are for sale at Payard Patisserie and will be available online come Monday. For better or worse, this stuff smells like candy. You can spray it on your body, but Lychee hits a fruity high note and Pistachio reminds us of an Anthropologie sugar-cookie-scented candle our roommate had in college, so unless you’re buying for a Lip Smackers–loving teenager, the richer Bergamot might be a wiser call for use as an eau de cologne. Since they also work as room sprays, use the sugary scents to underplay your lack of holiday baking. Conveniently, Monsieur Payard can also supply the real sweets.
