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Perfume Olfactory Groups
Each perfume in this family is primarily composed of citrus scents such as bergamot, lemon, orange, tangerine and grapefruit, to which other orange-tree elements (orange blossoms, petit grain or neroli oil) have been added. Floral or even chypre accords are sometimes present as well. These perfumes are characterized by their freshness and lightness including the first "Eaux de Cologne"
- Aromatic-Citrus. The citrus accord is enhanced by the addition of aromatic notes, such as thyme, rosemary, tarragon or mint.
Chypre by Coty enjoyed such success in 1917 that "chypre" is now a generic name for a whole category of timeless, classic perfumes. The compositions are based on oak moss, ciste-labdanum, patchouli and bergamot accords. The richness of chypre notes mixes wonderfully with fruity or floral notes. This family is made up of distinguished, instantly recognizable fragrances.
- Floral-Chypre. Floral notes such as lily of the valley, rose or jasmine are added to the chypre structure.
- Fruity-Chypre. The chypre accord is enriched and embelished with fruity notes such as peach, mirabelle plum and exotic fruit.
This family is composed of a large variety of creations ranging from sumptuous bouquet arrangements to "soli flora" compositions. Perfumers can let their creativity run wild, enriching florals with green, aldehydic, fruity or spicy hints. With its natural scent, the floral note is one of the most widely used in women's perfumes.
- Aldehydic-Floral. Animal, powdery or slightly woody notes often enhance the floral bouquet. The top note is a marriage of aldehydes and hesperidia. This sub-family came into existence with the creation of Chanel n°5, the first floral-aldehydic perfume with an unusually high amount of aldehydes.
- Aquatic-Floral. A traditional floral bouquet is enhanced with several marine notes during the evaporation process.
- Carnation-Floral. The poet's flower is also found in perfumery and plays a part in the development of rich and harmonious fragrances.
- Fruity-Floral. Since 1995, new fruity notes have blossomed in the world of perfumery. The floral body is easily identifiable, and the fruity notes are obvious. Among these are apricot, raspberry, lychee and apple.
- Green-Floral. Green notes can add a sharper freshness to the floral bouquet. Galbanum is a typical ingredient in this type of perfume as well as combinations that evoke freshly-cut grass.
- Jasmine-Floral. Also known as « The Flower », jasmine enhances the floral top note. It helps give perfume a complex and refined structure.
- Muget-Floral. A floral bouquet whose keynote is lily of the valley, a timeless white flower which gives perfumes a fresh note of springtime.
- Orange-Tuberose. Introduced in 1948 with Fracas de Piguet, this sub-family has kept all of its appeal. It includes original scents of a unique sensuality.
- Rose-Violet Floral. The key floral accord of this sub-family is rose and violet. This widely used flower duet was launched by Paris, the famous Yves Saint Laurent perfume.
- Woody Musk-Floral. Always based on a floral accord, this family includes fragrances with an additional woody and/or musky note, which gives a richer, more contemporary structure than that of a traditional floral perfume.
Orientals -- also known as 'amber' fragrances - stand out because of their unique blend of warmth and sensuality. They draw their richness from heady substances like musk, vanilla and precious woods, often associated with exotic floral and spicy scents.
- Floral-Oriental. Traditional oriental base composed of sweet, powdery elements, accompanied by an exotic floral note such as tiare flower or 'spicy' flowers such as carnation.
- Spicy-Oriental. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg join the oriental accord to enhance the originality and character of these unmistakeable perfumes.
- Vanilla-Oriental. Vanilla and classical amber notes accentuate the original oriental aroma.
- Woody-Oriental. Warm and opulent notes like amber and sandalwood, or dry notes like cedar are added to the oriental accord to further accentuate it.
