Discover the World of Perfume
Exploring Fragrance Families
Fragrances are categorized into four main families on the fragrance wheel: Floral, Amber (previously known as Oriental), Woody, and Fresh.
Each family groups together scents that share similar qualities or harmonize well with one another. Within these families are sub-categories that offer more specific descriptions of a fragrance’s character. The wheel’s layout is intentional—it helps show how different scent types transition and complement each other.
For instance, a traditional floral perfume can shift into a Soft Floral with the addition of powdery or creamy notes.
Many perfume lovers tend to gravitate toward one or two fragrance families, guided by personal taste. Still, emotional connections and memories often open the door to new favorites across the spectrum.
The Scent Families of the Fragrance Wheel
Exploring Fragrance Families
Fragrances are categorized into four main families on the fragrance wheel: Floral, Amber (previously known as Oriental), Woody, and Fresh.
Each family groups together scents that share similar qualities or harmonize well with one another. Within these families are sub-categories that offer more specific descriptions of a fragrance’s character. The wheel’s layout is intentional—it helps show how different scent types transition and complement each other.
For instance, a traditional floral perfume can shift into a Soft Floral with the addition of powdery or creamy notes.
Many perfume lovers tend to gravitate toward one or two fragrance families, guided by personal taste. Still, emotional connections and memories often open the door to new favorites across the spectrum.
Floral Fragrance Family
Fragrances inspired by freshly cut flowers are among the most loved around the world. Often associated with femininity and romance, floral notes usually form the heart (middle) of a perfume composition. Timeless blooms like jasmine, lily, and rose give these scents their irresistible charm.
Floral fragrances can be both delicate and complex, depending on their concentration and how they’re blended with other notes. They range from light and airy to rich and opulent.
Floral Sub-Families:
1. Floral Fresh
These scents feature bright, blooming notes such as spicy lily or smoky rose, often blended with woody or green undertones for a clean, radiant finish.
2. Soft Floral
Known for their soft, powdery character, these blends typically include aldehydes and delicate floral notes, offering a vintage elegance and smooth texture.
3. Floral Ambery
This category combines sweet floral elements like orange blossom with hints of warm spices, creating a sensual and subtly exotic bouquet.
Whether light and breezy or deep and romantic, floral fragrances continue to captivate with their timeless beauty.
Fresh Fragrance Family
This lively scent family is defined by its crisp, vibrant, and invigorating character. Featuring citrus, herbal, green, and oceanic notes, fresh fragrances often feel energetic and clean. While commonly associated with masculine scents, more sophisticated blends introduce spicy or woody undertones for added depth.
Expect uplifting combinations like zesty grapefruit, bright bergamot, and earthy sage—each bringing a unique twist to the fresh profile.
Sub-Families of Fresh:
1. Aromatic (Fougère)
Known for their clean and classic feel, these fragrances mix crisp herbs like rosemary and basil with soft lavender and warm woody bases, creating a refined and timeless scent.
2. Citrus
Zingy and effervescent, citrus fragrances are built on notes like bergamot, mandarin, orange, and grapefruit. These scents are often energizing and perfect for daytime wear.
3. Water
This sub-family evokes the essence of the ocean with marine and aquatic notes that are breezy, cool, and effortlessly modern.
4. Green
Inspired by nature, green fragrances are infused with the scent of fresh leaves, cut grass, and herbal notes, delivering a revitalizing and natural aroma.
Whether you're drawn to crisp herbs, juicy citrus, or clean marine air, the Fresh family offers a perfect everyday scent that feels light, bright, and effortlessly stylish.
Amber Fragrance Family
Often considered the most luxurious and sensual of all fragrance families, Amber scents are known for their rich, warm, and exotic character. These fragrances combine sweet, spicy, and resinous notes to create a deeply captivating aroma that lingers on the skin.
Common notes include creamy vanilla, powdery orchid, inviting cinnamon, and aromatic cardamom—each contributing to an aura of opulence and mystery.
Sub-Families of Amber:
1. Ambery
Classic amber fragrances are built around warm musks, resins, and spices such as vanilla and cinnamon, offering a bold and enveloping scent experience.
2. Soft Ambery
These blends are more delicate, combining light floral notes and touches of anise, perfect for those who enjoy warmth without overwhelming intensity.
3. Woody Ambery
A sophisticated fusion of earthy woods and sweet amber tones, this sub-family often features ingredients like sandalwood and patchouli, adding depth and smoothness.
Ideal for evening wear or cooler seasons, amber fragrances are perfect for anyone who loves indulgent, long-lasting scents with an exotic twist.
Woody Fragrance Family
Woody fragrances are known for their warm, grounding, and luxurious character. Centered around notes like creamy sandalwood, dry cedarwood, and rich amber, these scents exude natural elegance and depth.
While inherently warm and earthy, woody notes often carry a subtle sweetness, making them ideal for blending with floral or fresh elements to create more vibrant and balanced compositions.
Sub-Families of Woody:
1. Woody
This classic sub-family highlights bold and earthy notes such as sandalwood and patchouli, offering a rich, sophisticated base.
2. Mossy Woods
Light and smooth, these fragrances feature soft, earthy accords with a mellow green undertone—elegant and timeless.
3. Dry Woods
Defined by smoky and leathery notes, this sub-family combines warm woods like sandalwood with subtle spice or dry leather, resulting in a rugged yet refined scent.
4. Aromatic Woody
Blending woody bases with fresh herbs like lavender, this group sits between the woody and fresh families, offering a clean yet grounded aromatic profile.
Perfect for cooler weather or evening wear, woody scents appeal to those who appreciate earthy sophistication and timeless charm.
Understanding Perfume Notes
Perfume notes are the distinct layers of scent that unfold over time as a fragrance develops on the skin. They are grouped into three categories based on their evaporation rate and lasting power:
Top Notes
These are the initial, fleeting impressions you smell when the perfume is first applied. Light and fresh, top notes typically last 10–15 minutes. Common examples include citrus (like lemon or grapefruit), herbs, and fruity accords.
Middle Notes (Heart Notes)
As the top notes fade, the heart of the fragrance begins to shine through. Middle notes form the core identity of the perfume and usually last 2–3 hours. Popular examples include floral notes like rose and jasmine, or spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.
Base Notes
These are the longest-lasting elements of the fragrance, developing once the middle notes begin to fade. Rich and grounding, base notes can linger for up to 24 hours. Common base notes include sandalwood, musk, amber, and vanilla.
Together, these layers create the full olfactory journey of a perfume—from the initial spark to the lingering finish.
