Perfumery Guide: Become a Fragrance Expert

Welcome to this perfumery guide, a captivating journey through the mysteries and wonders of fragrances. Here you will discover olfactory families, perfume notes, and essential advice to refine your nose and enrich your knowledge of perfumes.

The 10 Major Olfactory Families

Perfumery uses rich and complex language to describe scents. We have classified them into ten main families to simplify your learning:

1. Floral

Dominated by floral notes such as rose, jasmine, and lavender, this family evokes femininity and softness.

2. Oriental

With warm, spicy notes like vanilla and musk, these scents evoke warmth and sensuality.

3. Wooded

Characterized by hardwood notes like cedar and sandalwood, this family reflects strength and masculinity.

4. Citrus

Fresh and invigorating, this family uses citrus fruits like lemon and bergamot for an energizing effect.

5. Cyprus

Composed of oakmoss and bergamot, it evokes mystery and sophistication.

6. Aromatic

With herbs and spices like lavender and rosemary, these scents are fresh and evoke cleanliness.

7. Fern

A blend of fresh, herbaceous, woody and spicy notes, often perceived as elegant and masculine.

8. Gourmet

Rich in sweet notes like caramel and chocolate, it evokes gluttony and sensuality.

9. Fruity

Joyful and refreshing, with notes of fruits such as strawberry and apple.

10. Aquatic

Marine and saline notes reminiscent of sea air, for a feeling of freshness.

The Structure of Perfumes: Head, Heart, and Base Notes

Each perfume is a complex composition that evolves over time, including top, heart and base notes:

Head Notes

First impressions of the perfume, light and volatile, often including citrus and light spices.

Heart Notes

The heart of the fragrance, which appears after the top notes, including deeper florals and spices.

Background Notes

The lasting base of the perfume, with rich and deep components like wood and musk.

Tips for Becoming a Perfumery Expert

Training and Exploration

Read books, visit specialty shops, and perhaps enroll in perfumery classes to sharpen your knowledge and your nose.

Experimentation

Test different scents to develop your olfactory palate. Create a personal collection that reflects different styles and compositions.

Trend Monitoring

Stay informed of new developments and trends in the world of perfumery to continually refine your expertise.

Patience and Practice

Perfumery is an art that requires time and patience. The more you practice, the more you will develop a sensitivity to different fragrances.