The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The 7 Sinful Scents collection introduced Greed as part of a thematic lineup, with each fragrance in the series drawing from a different deadly sin. Greed takes its name from the most acquisitive of impulses: the I-want-it-all hunger that won't wait its turn. The composition mirrors that appetite. Banana, black pepper, lime, and vodka open with the rush of grabbing something before anyone else notices. Aldehydes flash across the top, lending a soapy, almost metallic lift that sharpens the fruit rather than softening it. A gourmand-leaning sweetness threads through the opening, giving the scent a candied edge that feels less like a clean Gendarme release and more like an indulgence bottled on purpose.
What makes Greed structurally unusual is the collision between aldehydes and a banana-vodka opening. Aldehydes are typically reserved for soapy, abstract freshness, the kind of bright, slightly waxy lift found in classic perfumery. Pairing them with a fruity, cocktail-spiked top creates a strange bridge between old-school French-style cologne making and something closer to a lounge at midnight. Guaiac wood and cedar ground the middle, adding smoke without heaviness, and the cashmere wood base keeps the drydown soft rather than sharp.
The evolution
The opening hits fast and loud. Banana leads, but not in a candy way, more like the fruit just sliced open with black pepper dusted on top, cut by the green snap of lime. Then vodka. Not a clean, neutral spirit, but the boozy, slightly sweet impression of a cocktail mid-pour. That top phase burns bright and relatively brief before the aldehydes take over, and the scent suddenly reads sharper, almost metallic-clean, like the glint off a highball glass. Cedar and guaiac wood follow, warming the aldehydes into something more grounded, and the banana sweetness retreats to a distant hum rather than disappearing entirely. The transition feels deliberate, like a cocktail giving way to a fireside seat. Eventually, you're in the drydown. Cashmere wood is the last voice, soft and woody with a faint creamy warmth that clings to skin and fabric for the rest of the day.
Cultural impact
Greed stands out within the 7 Sinful Scents series for its cocktail-and-cashmere structure, a combination that feels more hedonistic than the line's cleaner offerings. The banana-vodka opening reads playful, almost edible, while the cashmere wood base pulls it back toward something warm and intimate. That tension between indulgence and restraint has made Greed a curiosity for anyone exploring Gendarme's catalog beyond its simplest compositions.
