What perfumes make you smell fresh? Whether you want a cooling scent for summer or something light for everyday wear, the fresh fragrance perfumes category has you covered – crisp, crowd-pleasing, and always refreshing. What scents smell fresh? Most fresh fragrance perfumes in this family feature notes from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other plants. Fresh...
Soft floral perfumes – sometimes called sweet floral perfumes – are a subgroup of the floral family. These scents typically have a “powdery” or “soapy” scent, a bit like baby powder or laundry detergent. They tend to lean feminine, though there are some unisex varieties. So what is a soft floral perfume? A soft floral...
What are aromatic perfumes? They’re a subgroup of the fresh family, which also includes citrus, watery, and green scents. They really are aromatic, meaning the spicier and more pungent side of fresh - think notes like coriander, rosemary, sage, or anise. This subgroup generally leans masculine, though there are plenty of great unisex and feminine...
Even if your idea of outdoorsy is picking a restaurant with a patio for brunch, there’s still a lot to love about mossy wood scents. This subgroup in the woods family focuses on the green, damp, and slightly funky aspects of the forest. You may also see this group listed as chypre - there’s some...
Fragrance trends don’t come and go as quickly as, say, fashion, fortunately. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that pistachio is big on the perfume front this year. That’s partly due to the mega-success of a certain Kayali (more on that below). But what about other options? Well, that’s where we are ever(fumed) helpful with a selection...
Rich, warm, and grounding, tobacco is an enduringly popular note in masculine, feminine, and unisex fragrances. It belongs to the Woodsy fragrance family and blends well with a variety of scents, including earthy, spicy, sweet, and gourmand notes. Unlike more exotic aromas, tobacco perfume price varies widely, meaning you can find great value tobacco scents...
Cedar has been prized for its rich, soothing scent since the earliest days of humanity. In ancient Mesopotamian myth, the Cedar Forest was even the home of the gods. In perfumery, cedar is a common note in many woodsy fragrances. It is not mossy woods or dry woods – it is simply woody. It harmonizes...
A rolling stone may gather no moss, but I’ve gathered a selection of the best mossy fragrances for you. Urgh! Lame, I know. But you get the point, hopefully. Strictly speaking, when I refer to mossy, I’m talking about oakmoss (Evernia prunastri), the species of lichen that mainly grows on the trunk and branches of...
Seeking a solid perfume to perfectly capture the serene notes of nature, paired with citrus, spice, and everything nice? Here we will explore nine distinct dry woods scents. With options layered with incense for unisex, our favorite feminine florals, soft and sultry sandalwood perfume selections, plus hearty men's cedarwood fragrance families, rich with layers of...
Woodsy perfumes have a loyal following in the fragrance world. They have a reputation for being mostly for men, but this is far from the truth. There are many explicitly feminine woodsy scents and many others that are suitable for anyone to wear. The Woodsy fragrance family comprises of the Mossy Woods sub-family - with...
The amber perfume family (sometimes referred to as Oriental) is vast – it includes super-sweet vanillas and caramels, spicy cloves and gingers, and skin-hugging musk notes. Soft amber perfumes explore the gentler side of this large family. While looking for soft amber scents, keep an eye out for notes like incense, cloves, and tonka bean....
The amber family (sometimes referred to as Oriental) may be perfume's most versatile grouping. Scents that are amber woody, meaning the woody subgroup of the amber family, explore the more robust and pungent side of things with notes like myrrh, oud, guaiac wood, sandalwood, and frankincense. Amber woody fragrances are great for colder weather and...
The gourmand fragrance family is considered by some to be pretty divisive – you either love it or hate it. But this family has a lot more nuance and versatility than you might realize. Read on to learn about what we think are the best gourmand fragrances of all time, including ones appropriate for work...
Great for signature scents and special occasions alike, a soft caramel and vanilla perfume makes a sweetly satisfying addition to virtually any agenda. Sugary caramel and warm vanilla are used as a base with a variety of complementary notes for complex, compelling combos. Today, we will explore the best options for caramel scented perfumes and...
Cinnamon is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, as at home in a spicy curry as it is in cakes and cookies. It is no different in the fragrance world – the scent is equally at home in spicy, gourmand, and woody scents. However, it can be an expensive ingredient. The steam distillation that's part...
2017. Seems like such a long time ago now, doesn’t it? Almost a different world. In fragrance terms, we remember it well for the release of one of our favourite tea scents, Elizabeth Arden White Tea EDT. We weren’t the only ones to be taken with it and the EDT turned out to be a...
Vetiver is a word that shows up almost everywhere in perfume, but do you really know what vetiver smells like? This tropical grass is as common in citrus scents as it is in woody ones and can be a bit hard to pin down. Read on to learn more about vetiver's uses, why it's such...
Amber is one of the most fabulous aromas, with a warm honey scent that is soothing and sensual. If you want a dazzling amber perfume to match your sparkling personality, check out our list of the 11 best amber perfumes. Whether you want bold, spicy, soft, or a sweet gourmand amber, one of the fragrances...
Have you ever wondered: what does amber smell like? You’ve probably heard of or seen it on fragrance labels, but what is this ingredient? If you love the scent of amber and want to know more about it, read this guide to learn about amber in perfume. What Is Amber? Genuine amber is different from...
Musk is the base note ingredient of many fragrance compounds, and it’s a sensual woodsy, warm earth scent associated with masculinity. Musk is an essential ingredient in fragrance and has strong lingering notes that draw attention with its subtle and alluring undertones. The scent was a byproduct discovered accidentally when hunters harvested the Tibetan Musk...
For an ingredient as ubiquitous as bergamot, choosing just a few fragrances to feature is close to impossible. However, in these fragrances bergamot takes the mainstage and is not just a supporting role. Bergamot (and citrus in general) is usually considered a unisex scent appropriate for both men and women and is best worn in...
What does ylang-ylang smell like in perfume? It is one of the most complex aromas to describe to those that may not recognize the name. Ylang-ylang is a tropical yellow flower in its natural habitat. The scent it gives off is unique and enticing, with delicious hints of an almost jasmine-like note with a sweet...
If you’ve never heard of tonka beans, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Not many people are aware of these multi-purposeful and aromatic beans. After doing our research, we quickly became obsessed with the one-of-a-kind smell of these little beans. What does tonka bean smell like? Keep reading to discover more about this unique scent. 5...
If you enjoy wearing perfumes, we have the perfect collection for you. Fragrances can help you feel more confident, improve your mood, and bring back memories, which is why men and women of all ages and professions enjoy perfumes and fragrances. One of the best investments you can make in yourself is to purchase oud...
We all deserve to smell our absolute best. Whether you have an early morning business meeting or a late lunch with a sweetheart, knowing their first impression of you is of a Gardenia perfumea memorable fragranceinstills confidence. But, take a good look at any fragrance or beauty store, and you will find countless Gardenia perfume...
There are fragrances for all seasons. Honeysuckle tends to be a fragrance we turn to as the weather warms in the spring and gets hotter as we move towards summer. Honeysuckle's tiny white flowers recall long walks on the beach, strolls after dusk, and relaxing outside in the warm spring air. If honeysuckle is the...
Courtesy of its distinctive aroma and fixative properties, sandalwood is a highly prized fragrance oil that is often used in making any number of scented products. It is especially sought after for the manufacturing of perfumes and colognes. If you are looking for a new personal fragrance, I highly recommend choosing a sandalwood scented fragrance....
Though once relegated to cleaning products and potpourri, modern perfumery has recently come to embrace the wonderful complexity and versatility of lavender. It is no wonder, either; lavender has a long and storied history as a perfume. Many ancient cultures, such as the Greeks and Romans, valued it for its scent, and the Ancient Egyptians...
Jasmine is one of the few florals known just as much for its smell as its beautiful appearance. Even if you are unfamiliar with the plant, you’ve likely smelled it in perfume or the air on a summer night. But what does jasmine smell like? Read on to learn everything you need about romantic and...
Many floral fragrance notes used in perfumes are familiar, think rose, jasmine or orange blossom. However, an extremely popular floral is also relatively unknown: ylang-ylang. What does ylang-ylang smell like, and why is it in so many perfumes? What is Ylang-Ylang? The term ylang-ylang refers to both the tree and flower of Cananga odorata —...
Styles come and go, but the popularity of fruity fragrances (in particular fruity florals in recent years) shows no signs of abating. There’s a huge variety of fruity fragrances on offer. Popular notes include peach, pear, plum, fig, apricot, black currant and lychee. More exotic options include goji berries, maninka and dragon fruit. This list...
Nothing says playful, sweet, and youthful innocence like the uber-sweet scent of cotton candy. Most of us remember the smell from childhood, burying our noses in a wispy sugar cloud of sweetness. Cotton candy perfumes are not just cheapies for pre-teen girls anymore. Some high-end designers have taken on the scent to create unique cotton...
Vanilla gets a bad rap for being plain, basic and boring when it's anything but. In fact, it's so sensual, vanilla was once considered an aphrodisiac. The problem is it's the second most pricy spice in the world (after saffron) so many bad vanilla imitations have crowded the market and made us forget what a...
It is one of those scents many people have heard about but the question in their mind remains: what does patchouli smell like? Why Is Patchouli Linked To Hippies? Patchouli is associated with pot-smoking hippies as urban legend explains the scent masks the smell of marijuana (jury is still out on the accuracy of this...
Myrrh, similar to Frankincense, is perhaps best known in connection with spirituality, religion and, of course, the gifts of the three wise men. At Christmas time, the references to myrrh are inescapable. In fact, myrrh been used in religious rites since Ancient Egyptian times. We’ve all heard of myrrh but what is it exactly and...
Frankincense (along with myrrh) is perhaps best known in connection with spirituality. In fact, it's been used in religious rites and traded in the Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia, and the eastern Mediterranean for over 6,000 years. We've all heard of frankincense but what is it and how does it smell? What Is Frankincense? Frankincense (Olibanum) is...
Most citrus scents used in perfume are quite familiar: lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, or clementine are all fruits you've likely encountered before. However, there's one very widely used exception: bergamot. For many of us, the first time we hear of bergamot is on a fragrance description. What does bergamot smell like and why is it...
Sandalwood is the story of how the fragrant bark from India's Santalum trees enchanted the world. It's been used for thousands of years in both Hindu and Buddist religious rituals. Now that we know a little more about it, we're going to process the question 'What does sandalwood smell like?'. In the West, sandalwood is...
Nothing can transport you to a tropical beach faster than the smell of coconut. While many people associate coconut with the smell of sunblock, it's a remarkably nuanced and versatile scent. Coconut perfumes can range from sweet and fruity to beachy and aquatic to bold and sultry. Needless to say, they're usually best suited for...
Florals are a staple of most women's fragrances, with tuberose, jasmine, peony, honeysuckle, ylang-ylang, and aldehyde being particularly popular ingredients. Other florals that are less-used but make for beautiful floral fragrances include iris, orange blossom, narcissus, and magnolia. There's a huge and often intimidating variety of floral fragrances on the market. So to make your...