A Guide to Fragrance Families

Scent is a subtle form of expression that can speak for us; who we are — or who we want to be. We believe choosing a perfume should be like having a conversation with yourself — tender, mindful, free of expectations. That’s why we prepared a guide to olfactory groups — to help you find your way in this incredibly rich and complex world. Below you will find descriptions of the main fragrance families: their essence, characteristic notes and examples of compositions in which they flourish best. Not to confine you to categories, but to open new doors. We believe scent knows no borders and has no gender — so we encourage exploring all groups without limits or divisions.

FAMILY
CITRUS

The freshest, most dynamic of the fragrance groups. Citruses often form the top notes, introducing a bright and energetic opening to a composition. Due to their refreshing character, we usually wear them in warm temperatures. 

• Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle Bigarade Concentree
• Matiere Premiere Cologne Cedrat
• Les Bains Guerbois 2018 Roxo Tonic


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FAMILY
FLORAL

Here the range of possibilities is endless: from a single flower captured in a bottle to multi-floral compositions, from light and powdery to dense and sharp, from natural essence to molecular interpretation (many flowers are impossible to extract). 

• Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady
• Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique
• Diptyque Do Son


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FAMILY
WOODY

Dry, damp, milky, creamy. Trees, rich in oils and resins, have many faces, but above all they ground and add depth. In many cultures, branches burned during religious rites served (and still serve) as incense, which ties closely to the origin of perfumes – “per fumum” literally means “through smoke”. 

• Penhalihon's The Blazing Mister Sam
• Essential Parfums Bois Imperial
• Liquides Imaginaires Forti


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FAMILY
AMBER

The name owes itself to amber. In amber fragrances you will therefore find vanilla, resins, woods and spices – these are responsible for the characteristic hue. Typically dense and balsamic, often sweet, sometimes smoky-leathery, amber scents — often called oriental — are like liquid gold with an extraordinarily seductive, elegant character. 

• Les Eaux Primordiales Ambre Superfluide
• Ex Nihilo Amber Sky
• Penhaligon's AlUla


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FAMILY
MUSK

Musk is a binder that excellently connects individual notes and enhances a perfume’s longevity. Historically an animal-derived ingredient, for over 50 years it has been produced synthetically or obtained from plants. How does it smell? Largely powdery and sensual, though floral, fruity, clean and fresh aspects can also be perceptible. 

• Diptyque Fleur de Peau
• Matiere Premiere Parisian Musc
• Arquiste Peau


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FAMILY
GOURMAND

Sweet, sometimes cloying, appetizing, comforting, giving the impression of melting in your mouth. Gourmand fragrances are a very realistic translation of various desserts, sweets and delicacies such as cakes, ice cream, chocolate or... bubble gum. Delicious! 

• Byredo Eyes Closed
• Arquiste Anima Dulcis
• Beaufort Lignum Vitae


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FOUGÈRE FAMILY

Originating from 19th-century Great Britain, specifically barber shops, fougère fragrances were originally dedicated to men. And today? Although the smell of soap or shaving foam may still be associated with established masculinity, these fresh, aromatic, clean accords are not reserved exclusively for men. 

• Ormaie Le Passant
• Penhaligon's The Tragedy of Lord George
• Heeley Cologne Officinale

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FAMILY
CHYPRE

A classic of French elegance and the decadent 1920s. Its timeless character is evidenced by the fact that fragrances from this group continue to be created, surprise and attract, and the rose-and-patchouli duo, so chic, absolutely does not lose relevance. 

• Diptyque Eau Capitale
• Santa Maria Novella Melograno
• Bibbi The Other Room


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FAMILY
LEATHERY

Originally, to obtain the scent of leather, perfumers used birch tar with its pitchy, dark color. Today they can rely on synthetic molecules that faithfully reproduce it. And rather “them”, because there is no single leather scent — we know smoky and oud-like leathers, dry and sweet ones, the smell of a saddle leather removed from tack, but also delicate saffiano used to make elegant accessories. 

• Le Labo Santal 33
• Matiere Premiere Falcon Leather
• Liquides Imaginaires Buveur de Vent



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FAMILY
AQUATIC

Breeze, iodine, sand, driftwood. Everything salty, spacious, light and crisp that sends you to the sea, on vacation, at home or abroad. Marine fragrances are an ideal option for summer — after all, not only citruses have that magical refreshing power. Close your eyes and you’re on the beach. 

• Heeley Sel Marin
• Maison Crivelli Rose SaltifOlia
• Maria Candida Gentile Finisterre



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FAMILY
GREEN

There are scents that immediately provoke the reaction: “So green!”, and indeed — notes of grass, leaves, herbs or moss strongly influence perception. One breath transports us to the forest, meadow or park — hence the strong association with calm and well-being. 

• Aesop Tacit
• Trudon Deux
• Bibbi Swimming Pool



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FAMILY
FRUITY

When we hear “fruity”, we first think of red fruits — these are most often placed in bottles. Others, like pear, effervescent and cool, appear less frequently. So: currant, raspberry, blackberry, pomegranate; they can be juicy, zesty or jammy, caramelized. 

• Ojar Infusion Velours
• Byredo Mixed Emotions
• Eau d'Italie Graine de Joie



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