Perfume Education
What is a fragrance?
Fragrance is a term used to describe a sweet or pleasant odor, such as flowers or perfume. Fragrance oils may include natural aromatic raw materials, obtained from plants using distillation, extraction, or synthetic materials.
What is an accord?
An accord is a combination of aromatic ingredients and naturals balanced and combined in order to produce a novel scent. Accords are the building blocks in a complex fragrance.
The Perfumers Triangle
v- high
o Top Notes
l 5-15 minutes- what you smell first
a
t Heart Notes
I 20-60 minutes- what you smell after
l
t Base Notes
y- low Several hours to Several Days- what is left over
Fragrance Composition
Top Notes- Initial impression of the fragrance. They are volatile and diffuse quickly, this provides immediate appeal.
Heart Notes- Blend of less volatile ingredients. It is the signature of the fragrance.
Base Notes- Diffuse slowly and support the heart and top. These are the long lasting and will remain on the skin in depth.
Fragrance Glossary
Accord: Combination of two or more different materials that create a novel effect.
Aromatic: Green and camphoraceous notes present in herbs like lavender, rosemary, and sage.
Amber: A fragrance family that uses rich notes of various balsams, sandalwood, patchouli and musk to create a sensual aura.
Balsamic: Sweet, heavy scent with hints of pine needle and sticky sap.
Character: Defining idea or primary signature.
Cool: Cool fragrance characters are associated with freshness and marine scents.
Creamy: Reminiscent of vanilla, musky and milky notes, often combined with woody notes.
Floral: A fragrance composed of flowery notes. Can be single or a bouquet of notes.
Green: Leafy, grassy notes that give a natural impression.
Gourmand: An edible, dessert reminiscent such as vanilla, caramel, chocolate and marshmallow.
Herbaceous: Dry green aromas of herbs such as basil, marjoram, chamomile and mint.
Musky: Synthetic fixative that helps fragrance stay on the skin. Found in the back notes of every scent.
Oriental: Uses rich notes of various balsams, sandalwood, patchouli and musk to create an heady sensual aura. AKA Amber.
Resinous: Dry sharp odor like incense, myrrh and wood sap.
Rich: Idea of opulence oriental, woody and musk scents.
Solar: Sun kissed notes, white floral orange blossom.
Warm: luxurious and deep base notes. Oriental and Gourmand.
White Floral: Jasmine family of florals: gardenia, orange blossom, tuberose.
Woody: Evoking the dry and classic woods: sandalwood, cedar wood and pine.
Zesty: Fizzy and astringent such as citrus peel.
Olfactive Glossary
Aquatic/Aqueous- Wet and dewey notes. Ozone-marine, sea salt water fruits. Fresh Family.
Aromatic/Herbal- Fresh green garden herbs rosemary, thyme and sage and aromatic lavender.
Citrus-Lemon, lime, bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit to yuzu, kumquat, tangelo.
Fruity-Apple, pear, pineapple, strawberry, stone fruits, berries, mango, papaya dragon fruit, pitanga
Green- nature, grass, green leaves, green tea leaves, moss and forest.
Gourmand- sweet vanilla, sugar, cotton candy notes, caramel, praline, sugar crystals, chocolate and honey.
Amber- Cinnamon, nutmeg, spices, myrrh, tonka and amber.
Woody- fresh cut wood, cedar chips, soft buttery sandalwood.
Musk- clean crisp darker sensual notes.
Differences of Perfume Categories:
Perfume- Strongest Riches fragrance 15-30% concentration of perfume oil. Luxury and Prestige last longest on the skin.
EDP Eau de Parfum- Lighter than perfume 18-20% concentration of perfume oil.
EDT Eau de Toilette- Lighter than EDP concentration of 10-15% of fragrance oil.
Eau de Cologne- lightest form splash or mist- 3-5% perfume oil.
