Perfumes with star anise

Star anise smells sweet, warm and licorice-like with a gentle spice; it resembles anise but is perceived as sharper and spicier, with a slightly woody warmth.

The dried star-shaped fruits of Illicium verum, a tree grown in China and Vietnam, are steam-distilled into an essential oil dominated by anethole. The scent recalls licorice sweets and warm spice. Star anise is used mostly in the top of a fragrance and often in the heart. It pairs with cinnamon, clove, lavender, tonka, vanilla, cardamom and woods.

star anise appears in 921 perfumes in the Fisfis catalogue and is used mostly as a top note.

Popular perfumes with star anise

• Mix Bar Honey Milk Mix:Bar (2025)
• Givenchy Very Irresistible Poesie d’un Parfum d’Hiver Cedre d’Hiver (2010)
• Christina Aguilera Glam X Eau de Parfum (2017)
• Paris Elysees Petit Bisou (2011)
• Cofinluxe Taxi
• Yves Saint Laurent In Love Again Jasmin Etoile (2005)
• Amouroud Silk Route (2016)
• Chopard Or de Calambac (2019)
• Bond No. 9 Lexington Avenue (2013)
• Demeter Fragrance Chai Tea (2009)
• Mauboussin Pour Lui (2012)
• Ormaie Papier Carbone (2018)
• DedCool Fragrance 05 Spring (2018)
• Mark Buxton Wood & Absinth (2008)
• ALREHAB PERFUMES Zidan
• Linari Notte Bianca (2008)
• Genyum Sculptor (2018)
• Mercedes-Benz Infinite Spicy by Olivier Cresp Mercedes-Benz (2015)
• Jo Malone London Sweet Milk (2011)
• Remy Latour Cigar Commander Rémy Latour
• 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noire (2010)
• Sorce This is Not a Love Spell (2024)
• L Erbolario Petali & Fiori L'Erbolario
• Giorgio Armani Armani Code Special Blend (2015)

Notes most often paired with star anise

• Patchouli
• Bergamot
• Vanilla
• Musk
• Sandalwood
• Amber
• Cedar
• Vetiver
• Mandarin Orange
• Jasmine
• Rose
• Tonka Bean