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Expert Advice

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FRAGRANCE FAMILIES

There's nothing quite like a fragrance to remind you of memorable moments or create fresh new memories, so here's our guide to all things scent-related – from the lowdown on the big four fragrance families and their renowned iconic scents to the cult counterparts switching things up.

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Expert Advice

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FRAGRANCE FAMILIES

There's nothing quite like a fragrance to remind you of memorable moments or create fresh new memories, so here's our guide to all things scent-related – from the lowdown on the big four fragrance families and their renowned iconic scents to the cult counterparts switching things up.

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FLORAL

The fragrance equivalent to dancing in the rain to a soundtrack of ‘90s slow jams, the floral family is unapologetically romantic. OK, so they may have fallen out of favour over the last decade, but we’re standing firm: when it comes to a timeless perfume, florals are our top choice.

The icon:

Jo Malone London Red Roses

Few names are as synonymous with fragrance as Jo Malone. Infused with a blend of seven different roses (plus, a honeycomb base note that makes it sweeter than your average red rose fragrance), it doesn’t get more fragrant than Red Roses. Spring in a bottle? Yes, please.

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The cult counterpart:

Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique

If you love Red Roses, try Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique. This floral scent is an indulgent but light mix of floral notes, rooted in headier and muskier scents, with moss and transparent wood giving it an alluring, contemporary edge.

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WOODy

The smash hit scent of the past decade, the woody family is the chicest of the four. And it’s not hard to sense why: as with all good things admired from afar, they’re moody, warm and opulent. Popular with both men and women, they’re also great for sharing.

The icon:

Tom Ford Oud Wood

Taking centre stage in this captivating scent family is incense-like oud wood – one of the rarest ingredients in any perfumer’s arsenal (less than 2% of the world’s Agar trees produce it). It’s an acquired taste but the scent is smoky and delicious.

Coming soon

The cult counterpart:

Byredo Super Cedar

Love Oud Wood? Then Byredo’s Super Cedar should be next on your scent list. Like all Byredo scents, it’s a modern take on a classic. Mixing cedarwood and rose, this warm, inviting scent is designed to evoke nostalgic memories of school days – although we can’t remember the maths classroom smelling this good. 

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FRESH

Like a breath of cooling air, scents belonging to the fresh family are clean, crisp, and have the power to stop you in your tracks. Easily identifiable by their combination of floral, citrus and fruity scents, they’re uplifting and refreshing.

The icon:

Creed Aventus

As one of our bestselling men’s fragrances, it’s likely a bottle of Creed Aventus takes pride of place on your nightstand. It’s a refreshingly clean blend of summer fruits and light florals that is underpinned with a woody centre and Creed’s signature ingredient, ambergris. 

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The cult counterpart:

Le Labo Bergamote 22

No stranger to creating signature perfumes that quickly become household favourites (Santal 33, anyone?), Le Labo is a big deal in the world of fragrance. Famed for their unconventional yet luxurious olfactory offerings, Bergamote 22 is no different. This complex, unisex scent is full of unusual pairings (floral notes combine with woody and sweet scents) that make it an instant hit.

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ORIENTAL

Comprising scents usually associated with the heady opulence of the Middle East, this nostalgic fragrance family brings to life luxurious aromas of amber, vanilla and myrrh.

The icon:

YSL Opium

As synonymous with YSL as No.5 is to Chanel, Opium has been a true cult classic for over 30 years. Created by Saint Laurent himself, its instantly recognisable scent boasts a list of warm, sensual ingredients (think: mandarin, bergamot, jasmine, vanilla...). 

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The cult counterpart:

Penhaligon’s Changing Constance

If you like your fragrances rich, sweet and spicy, try Penhaligon’s Changing Constance. Notes like salted-butter caramel (because what isn’t made better by salted caramel?) add a modern twist to an otherwise traditional list of ingredients.

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THE FRAGRANCE CHEAT-SHEET:

Accord:

A scent made up of several different perfume notes or ingredients that blend together to create a unique scent.

 

Aldehydes:

Aromatic chemicals that give scents a little lift and sometimes have their own scent as well.

 

Ambergris:

A popular ingredient due to its rarity and cost, ambergris is a by-product of a sperm whale’s diet. Made from indigestible elements of their prey (cuttlefish, squid), ambergris is washed up on the shore or found floating in the ocean. Its scent? Earthy, sweet and reminiscent of tobacco.

 

Bergamot:

An essential oil from the citrus family.

 

Cashmeran:

A spicy woody note that’s known for its velvety, musky feel.

Top note:

The lightest molecules in a fragrance and usually those you can smell first.

 

Note:

Put simply: the ingredients of a perfume.

 

Middle or heart note:

Sitting between top and base notes, they are usually the most powerful scents in a fragrance and are often florals.

 

Base note:

Base notes are the heaviest and enhance the scents of other ingredients, to help the perfume to last longer.

 

Vetiver:

An essential oil distilled from the roots of tall grass. It’s earthy, peppery and lemony.

 

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