Sometimes you have to laugh. Especially when it’s something as insignificant in the scheme of things as perfume. Yes, we all take it seriously, but we’re crazy. Rodrigo Flores-Roux and the folks at 27 87 don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. Take, for example, their 2025 offering, Hakuna Matata, which features an uncommon banana note as its lead.
At Esxence last year, 27 87 promoted banana as the next big thing in perfumery. Indeed, their tagline: “Bananas are taking the stage. The time for vanilla is over”! was either wildly optimistic or somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Regardless of their intentions, the perfume made me chuckle in much the same way as L’Artisan’s Bana Banana from a couple of years ago.
The banana accord in Hakuna Matata starts off on a fun note, and in a similar vein to Bana Banana, resembling those candied bananas we used to eat as children. Once the perfume gets into gear, honeyed and indolic floral notes of jasmine and broom begin to gain greater influence. It’s quite a sweet combination of notes, but harmonious, as jasmine and broom both have fruity, banana-like facets. Despite the fruity sweetness, Hakuna Matata remains sheer enough on my skin that I could wear it in moderately warm weather.
As Hakuna Matata transitions into its base, the banana note fades more into the background. Towards its closing stages, Hakuna Matata becomes more traditional and perhaps more recognisably perfume-like with a honeyed, floral, ambery finish. But for at least 3-4 hours, Hakuna Matata retains the creamy, sugary quirks one might expect from a banana.
I enjoy the perfume more than I should, though I’m not sure I’d wear it often. Still, its sunny, yellow, optimistic disposition can’t help but put you in a good mood. And underneath its opening eccentricities lies a serious floral scent from a fabulous perfumer. Vanilla isn’t going anywhere soon, but kudos to the brand for trying to upset the apple cart with a banana scent. Opinions will be split, but Hakuna Matata gets a thumbs up from me.
Your opinion on banana fragrances. Have you sampled Hakuna Matata?
Note: Sample purchased by me. Bottle image from 27 87, but all other photos are my own.
Well, Daniel, it appears that the trend projection for Naturalistic Fruits in 2026 has been given a proper nudge by the release of Hakuna Matata. Although I haven’t tried it yet, considering your positive endorsement, I’ll have to give it a shot. Banana fragrances aren’t typically my preference, but you should try everything at least once, right?
Yes, give it a go, Flaconneur. Banana scents aren’t my thing either, but this one is very well done. There’s a nice balance between the floral and fruity touches. I won’t need a bottle of it, but will happily drain my sample. Let me know what you make of it.
Banana is definitely a trend. Granado has also launched a banana scent recently. I already own Bana Banana, so I think it’s enough for me, I don’t think I need another Banana scent, but I am curious to try Banana Mania after reading your overview. Love the yellow flowers images 💛
Thanks very much, Tetê. Yes I had heard about that Granado scent. Hopefully I can try it, and hopefully you can try this 2787 perfume. I agree, that one banana scent is probably enough.
What is it about bananas that tends to make people smile? Perhaps they’re onto something! I haven’t tried banana fragrances but can imagine the note more easily than some other notes.
The fruit has that high level of mood boosting serotonin, and they’ve somehow managed to carry that over to the perfume. The yellow bright colour also helps. And yes, this one does exactly as the notes would imply. Hopefully you can sample it, Nose Prose.
Trying to remember what banana perfume I tried (the name or brand escaped me), I went to Fragrantica. Wow. It looks like only a lazy one hasn’t launched some banana-containing scent in the last several years (but older offerings are there as well). And I have never tried any of them!
But I remembered that there was something… It took some effort, but I remembered! Penhaligon’s Amaranthine was reported to have a green banana note! I tried it, but it wasn’t my favorite. So, I’m surprised I remembered.
If I get a chance, I’ll try Hakuna Matata. But it has to be pretty for me to want to wear it – “interesting” doesn’t cut it any longer.
I haven’t tried that one from Penhaligon’s. I’d be interested to know your thoughts on Hakuna Matata.