10 Types of Scent Categories (With Example Fragrances)

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Plus, expert advice for choosing a signature scent
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If you’re exploring the world of perfumes, you might have noticed that there are a lot of different types of scents to choose from. Luckily, we’re here to help you make sense of them all, so you can find the perfect perfume for you! In this article, we’ll go over scent families, as well as some of the specific scent notes within each type, and we’ll also provide example perfumes. We’ve even consulted professional perfumers and fragrance experts for tips on choosing your own signature scent, so keep reading!

Types of Scents for Perfumes

Perfume scents can be broken up into 4 main families: floral, fresh, woody, and amber. Within these families, there are sub-families such as fruity, green, citrus, aquatic, and aromatic. Perfumers often use a circular diagram called a “fragrance wheel” to display these different scent types.

Section 1 of 4:

Types of Scents

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  1. Floral scents are exactly what they sound like—scents that smell like flowers. According to perfumer and fragrance expert JK DeLapp, this would include popular scents like rose, jasmine, and lily, as well as more unique notes, such as blackcurrant buds, ylang-ylang, and neroli (orange blossom). [1] In general, floral perfumes tend to have a dewy, delicate, and feminine feel. [2]

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Mason Hainey is the founder and perfumer of MIZU, an all-natural perfumery based in Rhode Island.

    JK DeLapp is a perfume and fragrance expert and the owner of Rising Phoenix Perfumery.

    Alain Ferro is the director of the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in Grasse, France, the world’s perfume capital.

  2. 2
    Fresh Fresh scents are light, airy, and clean-smelling. Think just-washed laundry, a freshly cut lawn, a salty sea breeze, or the smell of the air after rain. [4] With their invigorating yet low-key vibes, fresh scents are perfect for daytime wear. (Note: Fruity, green, aquatic, & citrus are technically sub-families within the fresh family; we’ll go over each of them in more detail below).
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  3. 3
    Fruity This scent family encompasses a wide range of fragrance notes, including berry, apple, tropical fruits, and more. [6] Fruity scents are vibrant, juicy, and sweet, and they have a particularly youthful and playful energy.
  4. 4
    Citrus Citrus scents are (unsurprisingly) made from the essential oils from the skin of citrus fruits. These scents are bright, zesty, and energizing, and they tend to be less sweet than other scents in the fruity family. Because citrus scents are so sunny and invigorating, they usually work best in the daytime, and they’re especially popular in the spring and summer. [8]
  5. 5
    Aquatic Aquatic scents are another sub-family of fresh scents. They’re watery, clean, and crisp, like salty ocean spray or cool beachside breezes. Like the other fresh scents, aquatic perfumes have a zesty, invigorating energy, so they’re perfect for daytime wear. [10] With their beachy vibes, they also tend to be most popular in the summertime.
  6. 6
    Green Another sub-family of the fresh family, green scents are grassy, herbal, and bright. These fragrances are inspired by natural elements, and they have a super crisp and lush vibe. [13] If you’re interested in a fresh fragrance with a bit of earthiness to it, a green scent could be perfect for you!
  7. 7
    Woody Woody scents are warm, rich, and earthy. They tend to be slightly more masculine, and they’re also super elegant and sophisticated. Due to their warmth and smokiness, they work very well for evening wear, and they tend to be extra popular in the fall and winter seasons. [15]
  8. 8
    Aromatic Aromatic scents are a sub-category of the woody family, and they encompass a wide range of herbs, like lavender, sage, and mint. They have a heady, natural feel to them, and they tend to be on the more masculine side. Aromatic scents also fall between the woody and fresh families on the scent wheel, so they encompass elements from both. [17]
    • Example notes: Sage, rosemary, thyme, mint, lavender, basil, black tea, hemp, juniper, saffron, cypress, gin. [18]
    • Popular aromatic perfumes: Lavande 31 by Le Labo, De Los Santos by Byredo, and Silver Birch & Lavender by Jo Malone. [19]
  9. 9
    Amber Amber scents are warm, spicy, and exotic. These fragrances are sensual and mysterious, which makes them ideal for evening wear and fancy formal events. [20] Amber scents also have a cozy vibe, so they work especially well in the fall and winter seasons.
  10. 10
    Gourmand Perfumer Mason Hainey explains that gourmand scents are inspired by food, like vanilla and desserts. “Gourmand scents are mostly in the sweet, pastry-like realm—think vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. There are savory-inspired scents as well, but they’re less popular,” says Hainey. [23]
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Section 2 of 4:

What are top, middle, and base notes?

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  1. 1
    Top notes are the first scents you smell when you apply a perfume. They’re sort of like your perfume’s first impression—you’ll notice them before you notice the middle and base notes. Top notes also tend to be lighter and more volatile, meaning that they don’t last very long (only about 10-15 minutes). [26]
    • Top notes are typically light citrus or herbal scents, such as lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, or lavender. [27]
  2. 2
    Middle notes emerge after the top notes evaporate. Also called heart notes, these scents are sort of like the main character of the perfume. They last for about 2-3 hours, and they make up anywhere from 40-80% of the total scent. [28] Middle notes also tend to determine the fragrance family the perfume falls into (if the fragrance has floral heart notes, it will likely be categorized as a floral perfume, even if its top and/or base notes are in different scent families). [29]
    • Middle notes are usually more potent floral or spicy scents, such as rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, neroli, cinnamon, or nutmeg. [30]
  3. 3
    Base notes are the longest-lasting notes in a perfume. They’re the scents you can still smell once the top and middle notes have evaporated. They’re usually richer and heavier than middle or top notes, and depending on the perfume, they can last up to 24 hours. [31]
    • Base notes are often heavier woody or amber scents, like cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, or vanilla. [32]
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Section 3 of 4:

Different Perfume Strengths

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  1. There are 4 different fragrance strengths on the market. In order from lightest to strongest, they are eau fraîche, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, and eau de parfum. Here’s a breakdown of each type:
    • Eau fraîche: This is the lightest fragrance type, made up of only 1-3% concentrated perfume oil. These scents have a barely-there feel, so they’re a good choice if you want something extremely subtle.
    • Eau de cologne: These scents are made with 2-6% concentrated fragrance oil. They’re still subtle and understated, though slightly stronger than eau fraîche. The term “cologne” has evolved to become mostly associated with men’s scents, but it originally had to do only with the fragrance’s strength, not with gender.
    • Eau de toilette: These scents are made with 5-15% concentrated fragrance oil. They’re softer and more muted than eau de parfum, but stronger and longer-lasting than eau fraîche or eau de cologne, making them suitable for everyday wear.
    • Eau de parfum: “With 18-20% fragrance concentration, eau de parfum is the gold standard for longevity,” says Hainey. [33] These scents are the strongest and longest-lasting options, and they tend to be more nuanced and complex, as well. [34]
Section 4 of 4:

Expert Advice for Choosing a Signature Scent

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  1. According to Hainey, the best way to get started with picking a signature scent is to smell everything. “Department stores can be great resources for beginners. Go to a play like Macy’s or Sephora, and explore different scents to see what you respond to. Do you like citrus notes? Earthy vetiver? Woody or floral scents? Test them on your skin because fragrance reacts differently to each person’s body chemistry. Once you find something you like, explore fragrances within that scent family,” Hainey says. [35]
  2. 2
    Pick something that complements your unique personality. Instead of following trends for what’s popular, Hainey suggests looking for something that suits your one-of-a-kind vibe. “The key is to avoid mainstream options. Find something unique and less commercialized,” he says. “A friend of mine wears a patchouli-based scent, which can be quite polarizing, but it works beautifully with his personal chemistry.” [36]
    • Hainey says you can even combine more than one perfume to get this effect. “If you only have access to mainstream fragrances, try mixing them to create something more personalized. Buy three or four scents you love and layer them in different combinations to create a fragrance unique to you.” [37]
  3. 3
    Explore lesser-known perfume brands. “Some people prefer well-known luxury brands, like Dior, Chanel, or Guerlain, because they’re crafted by expert perfumers and widely recognized. However, these are mass-produced fragrances, so many others will be wearing the same scent,” explains fragrance expert Alain Ferro. “Another option is niche fragrances, which are created by independent perfumers in smaller quantities and often feature more creative compositions.” [38]
    • If you do decide to go for a niche fragrance, Ferro does suggest doing your research and making sure you’re buying from a quality perfumer. “Niche fragrances vary greatly in quality—some are outstanding, while others are not very well balanced,” he says. [39]
  4. According to DeLapp, “In warmer months, you’re probably going to want to wear lighter scents. In colder months, you’re going to want to wear heavier scents.” This doesn’t mean you can’t switch things up if you’d like, but “generally speaking, you’re going to want to wear fragrances for the temperature and atmosphere you’re in,” he says. [40]
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      References

      1. ↑ JK DeLapp. Perfumer and Fragrance Expert. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.candlescience.com/the-fragrance-wheel-notes-families-and-how-to-use-it/?srsltid=AfmBOor9RmaGs1RxNlBO7YJtsf06sQmbiJQR_7DmdbeewQtLnrXRc6pA
      3. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/best-floral-perfumes
      4. ↑ https://www.lancome.in/en_IN/beauty-magazine/perfume-blogs/different-types-of-perfumes.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6lHAfIMOkUOuVLmOrVNb-yVE8mMaj0NH7c4sOg-GFxzgsZwTL
      5. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/best-clean-smelling-perfume
      6. ↑ https://www.lancome.in/en_IN/beauty-magazine/perfume-blogs/different-types-of-perfumes.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6lHAfIMOkUOuVLmOrVNb-yVE8mMaj0NH7c4sOg-GFxzgsZwTL
      7. ↑ https://www.allure.com/story/best-fruity-perfume
      8. ↑ https://www.lancome.in/en_IN/beauty-magazine/perfume-blogs/different-types-of-perfumes.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6lHAfIMOkUOuVLmOrVNb-yVE8mMaj0NH7c4sOg-GFxzgsZwTL
      9. ↑ https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/best-citrus-fragrances/
      1. ↑ https://www.candlescience.com/the-fragrance-wheel-notes-families-and-how-to-use-it/?srsltid=AfmBOor9RmaGs1RxNlBO7YJtsf06sQmbiJQR_7DmdbeewQtLnrXRc6pA
      2. ↑ https://www.fragrancesoftheworld.com/FragranceWheel
      3. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/jewelry/panthere-de-cartier-collection
      4. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/jewelry/panthere-de-cartier-collection
      5. ↑ https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/fragrance/best-green-perfumes
      6. ↑ https://www.lancome.in/en_IN/beauty-magazine/perfume-blogs/different-types-of-perfumes.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6lHAfIMOkUOuVLmOrVNb-yVE8mMaj0NH7c4sOg-GFxzgsZwTL
      7. ↑ https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/fragrance/woody-perfumes
      8. ↑ https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/fragrance-wheel/
      9. ↑ https://www.candlescience.com/the-fragrance-wheel-notes-families-and-how-to-use-it/?srsltid=AfmBOor9RmaGs1RxNlBO7YJtsf06sQmbiJQR_7DmdbeewQtLnrXRc6pA
      10. ↑ https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/fragrance/herby-perfumes
      11. ↑ https://www.lancome.in/en_IN/beauty-magazine/perfume-blogs/different-types-of-perfumes.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6lHAfIMOkUOuVLmOrVNb-yVE8mMaj0NH7c4sOg-GFxzgsZwTL
      12. ↑ https://blog.dossier.co/what-are-the-different-types-of-scents/
      13. ↑ https://www.allure.com/story/best-amber-perfumes
      14. ↑ Mason Hainey. Perfumer. Expert Interview
      15. ↑ https://www.candlescience.com/the-fragrance-wheel-notes-families-and-how-to-use-it/?srsltid=AfmBOor9RmaGs1RxNlBO7YJtsf06sQmbiJQR_7DmdbeewQtLnrXRc6pA
      16. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/best-gourmand-perfumes
      17. ↑ https://www.perfumedirect.com/blogs/news/perfume-notes-explained-understanding-the-different-types-of-notes-in-perfume
      18. ↑ https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/the-notes-of-fragrance
      19. ↑ https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/the-notes-of-fragrance
      20. ↑ https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/secrets/what-are-top-heart-base-fragrance-notes
      21. ↑ https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/the-notes-of-fragrance
      22. ↑ https://www.perfumedirect.com/blogs/news/perfume-notes-explained-understanding-the-different-types-of-notes-in-perfume
      23. ↑ https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/the-notes-of-fragrance
      24. ↑ Mason Hainey. Perfumer. Expert Interview
      25. ↑ https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/secrets/eau-de-toilette-vs-parfum
      26. ↑ Mason Hainey. Perfumer. Expert Interview
      27. ↑ Mason Hainey. Perfumer. Expert Interview
      28. ↑ Mason Hainey. Perfumer. Expert Interview
      29. ↑ Alain Ferro. Fragrance Expert. Expert Interview
      30. ↑ Alain Ferro. Fragrance Expert. Expert Interview
      31. ↑ JK DeLapp. Perfumer and Fragrance Expert. Expert Interview
      32. ↑ JK DeLapp. Perfumer and Fragrance Expert. Expert Interview

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