Scents are a language. This guide is your lexicon, with over 370 notes explaining what you actually smell when you spray on a perfume. What gives a note its tones? What does it do to the composition? Look up and explore from A to Z.

A

ABSINTHE

Green bitterness with an aromatic, almost sparkling sharpness that feels like a cool glass on a marble counter. In perfumery, the absinthe sensation is often built with anise, wormwood, and herbs, providing a sophisticated, slightly bohemian aromatic. Common in aromatic compositions, herbal scents, and niche green accords.

ACACIA WOOD

Sun-warmed wood with soft, powdery florality in the background, more velvety than stark. In perfumery, acacia often refers to fragrant acacia and its yellow-flowered, honeyed signature, which can read as floral and slightly spicy. Common in floral oriental fragrances, powdery compositions, and warm woody bases.

AKIGALAWOOD

Woody spiciness with a modern, clean impression that feels like freshly planed wood with a peppery sheen. Akigalawood is a modern ingredient developed from patchouli oil, providing a peppery, woody, and slightly floral effect. Common in modern woody fragrances, spicy bases, and contemporary woody ambers.

ALDEHYDES

Like champagne bubbles over freshly washed laundry, with a clean and slightly metallic sparkle that makes the opening couture-crisp. Aldehydes are a family of molecules often used to give lift, air, and a soapy, shimmering clarity to florals and powders. Common in aldehydic florals, powdery classics, and clean fragrances.

ELM

A green woodiness with discreet forest nuances, a little moss, a little mushroom, like a cool walk in the shade. In perfumery, elm is most often a stylized woody note that creates a subtle, natural forest feeling. Common in green woody compositions and forest-like scents.

AMARETTO LIQUEUR

Bitter almond and soft sweetness, like a velvety glass with a dessert feel. In perfumery, this is almost always a constructed accord that imitates almond tones from kernels and liqueur. Common in gourmands, vanilla bases, and nutty oriental compositions.

AMBER ACCORD

Golden warm glow with a long trail and a sense of embrace. In perfumery, amber is most often a built accord of vanilla, balms, resins, wood, and musk rather than literal ambergris. Common in oriental fragrances, gourmands, and warm woody bases.

AMBERGRIS

Salty skin, soft mineral, and a discreet animalic depth that makes the scent feel alive for a long time. Ambergris forms in the sperm whale's digestive system and has historically been used as a fixative, but in modern perfumery, you often encounter ambergris accords and synthetic substitutes. Common in skin scents, marine and mineral compositions, and amber and musk bases.

AMBRETTE

Powdery florality with a musky skin feel, soft as powder over warm skin. Ambrette seeds and ambrette tones are often used as plant-based musk inspiration in the perfumery world. Common in musk fragrances, powdery compositions, and skin-like florals.

AMBRETTOLIDE

Clean, modern musk with a subtle fruity background that feels like a soft, white fabric. Ambrettolide is a macrocyclic musk that provides great diffusion and a classic, elegant musk profile. Common in clean scents, musk bases, and modern your skin but better perfumes.

AMBROXAN

Salty mineral and warm skin, but in a modern take. Ambroxan is a synthetic amber-like molecule that builds smooth skin warmth and acts as a fixative for longevity and presence. Common in modern woody fragrances, clean musks, and marine and mineral perfumes.

AMYL SALICYLATE

Green fruity florality with a slight tropical feel, like unripe banana in soft daylight. It is an aroma chemical often used to create a fruity floral sensation and add volume to the heart. Common in fruity florals, sun-warmed accords, and modern floral bases.

AMYRIS

Mild, warm wood reminiscent of sandalwood but lighter and more peppery in profile. Amyris is often used as a softer, more budget-friendly woody element and as a bridge between citrus and base. Common in woody fragrances, ambery bases, and clean woody compositions.

PINEAPPLE

Sweet tropical fruitiness with a sunny gleam and a slightly tart edge, like juice that almost fizzes. In perfumery, pineapple is practically a constructed fruit accord rather than a distilled fruit oil. Common in fruity florals, tropical gourmands, and modern freshies.

ANGELICA

Green, peppery, and dry, with an aromatic that can lean towards celery, juniper, and spice. Angelica root and seed can provide an elegant, slightly bitter-green structure in compositions. Common in aromatic fragrances, spicy green compositions, and herbal woody constructs.

ANISE

Sweet spice with licorice-like warmth and herbal roundness. Anise oil provides a distinct, classic anise profile often used to create a gourmand feel or vintage spice. Common in spicy oriental fragrances, gourmands, and herbal accords.

ORANGE

Juicy citrus with sunshine in it, round and generous rather than sharp. Orange oil is usually extracted from the peel and provides an accessible opening that makes the composition more welcoming. Common in citrus fragrances, fruity florals, and classic colognes.

ORANGE LEAF

Green citrus with a deeper, more coniferous and resinous echo, like the shade under a citrus tree. Orange leaf is used to make citrus less sweet and more botanical. Common in aromatic citrus fragrances, green colognes, and modern woody citrus compositions.

ORANGE BLOSSOM

White flower with a citrus edge and a soft radiance that can feel both clean and sensual. In perfumery, orange blossom can come as a distillate and provide a clear florality that is often accompanied by musk, vanilla, or light woody notes. Common in white florals, neroli colognes, and ambery floral blends.

ORANGE PEEL

Sweet citrus with more punch and more bitterness, like when you zest over a dessert. In perfumery, the peel profile is used to give stronger citrus and a more gourmand-like impression. Common in citrus gourmands, spicy citrus fragrances, and warm fruit accords.

APRICOT

Velvety fruity sweetness with a slight almond tone in the shade, soft but clear. Apricot in perfumery is often a constructed fruit accord that can feel both fruity and slightly lactonic. Common in fruity florals, gourmand florals, and sun-warmed fragrances.

B

BALSA WOOD

Light, soft wood with a clean freshness, more air than darkness. Balsa wood is used to build a mild woody base without weighing down the composition. Common in light woody compositions and modern clean fragrances.

BAMBOO SHOOT

Green, fresh, and watery clarity that feels like freshly cut stems and cool skincare. In perfumery, bamboo is often a stylized green note rather than a distinct distilled oil. Common in green fresh fragrances, aquatic compositions, and clean florals.

BANANA

Tropical sweet fruit with creamy softness and sometimes a bready tone, playful and unexpected. Banana in perfumery is practically a constructed accord used sparingly for character. Common in experimental gourmands and tropical fruit compositions.

BASIL

Aromatic greenness with a slight peppery, kitchen-fresh nerve that feels both clean and alive. Basil oil provides an herbal lift and can make citrus smarter. Common in aromatic citrus fragrances, green compositions, and modern colognes.

BASMATI RICE

Soft, grassy, and slightly nutty warmth that feels like steamed fabric and comfort. In perfumery, rice is often an imaginary note that builds a warm, mild, and powdery gourmand feel. Common in soft gourmands and skin-like fragrances.

BAY RUM

Spicy rum tone with West Indian bay leaves, barbershop, and Caribbean warmth in the same breath. Bay rum is often used as a nostalgic, masculine fresh spice. Common in classic aftershave profiles, spicy colognes, and aromatic fragrances.

BELLADONNA

Dark floral fantasy with creamy powdery tones and a slightly poisonous aura, more story than botanical realism. In perfumery, belladonna is usually a synthetically built accord. Common in niche florals, gothic compositions, and dark gourmands.

BENZOIN

Vanilla resin with an incense feel and soft warmth that rounds out the base. Benzoin provides balsamic sweetness and a smooth, slow glow. Common in amber fragrances, oriental compositions, incense accords, and gourmands.

BERGAMOT

The most well-dressed version of citrus, fresh and slightly bitter with an elegant tea feel. Bergamot is often used to provide a clean, expensive opening and build classic structure. Common in citrus fragrances, hesperidic compositions, and fragrance families such as chypré and fougère.

HEMLOCK SPRUCE

Coniferous forest with a slight smokiness and an unexpected hint of berry sweetness in the background. In perfumery, this type of forest tone is used to give a natural feel with depth. Common in forest-like fragrances, woody compositions, and aromatic bases.

CONCRETE

Raw, dusty minerality with damp coolness, like a cellar wall after rain. Concrete is an imaginary note created with earthy and mineral molecules. Common in conceptual niche fragrances, mineral accords, and urban compositions.

BISABOLENE

Warm sweet spiciness with balsamic roundness often used as a building block in oriental profiles. It appears in fragrance constructs where soft resinous volume and fixation are desired. Common in ambery bases and oriental compositions.

BEESWAX

Honey-toned warmth with waxy softness, like a warm candle flame near the skin. Beeswax is used to provide realism in honey accords and a dense, smooth base. Common in gourmands, florals with a honey feel, and warm bases.

BIRCH

Smoky bark that often leads into leather, dry and tactile. Birch and birch bark are used to create a leather-like smokiness and forest-like darkness. Common in leather fragrances, smoky woody compositions, and niche dark woods.

BIRCH TAR

Dark, sweet smoke with a tarry leather feel, powerful and characterful. Birch tar is used as a scent idea to build leather, smoke, and skin. Common in leather, smoky woody bases, and dramatic niche fragrances.

BLACKBERRY

Juicy berry sweetness with a dark fruity body, soft but distinct. Blackberry in perfumery is most often a fruit accord that can lean towards jammy or fresh style depending on the surroundings. Common in fruity florals, gourmand fruit, and modern juicy fragrances.

BLACK CAVIAR

Salty, iodic sea tone with a luxuriously sharp edge, like evening air by water and mineral. In perfumery, this is a conceptual note built with marine and animalic nuances. Common in marine niche fragrances and mineral compositions.

BLOOD ORANGE

Citrus with more color, more juiciness, and a hint of berry sweetness. Blood orange is used to make citrus more expressive and more gourmand-like. Common in citrus fragrances, fruity florals, and sparkling top accords.

BLUEBERRY

Mild, fruity fullness with a soft forest tone in the background. Blueberry is often built as a berry accord and can provide both sweetness and a natural feel. Common in fruity fragrances and forest-like gourmand interpretations.

BLUEBELL

Delicate florality with springtime greenness, light and airy like a bouquet in morning light. In perfumery, bluebell is often an imaginary note built for transparency. Common in light florals and clean floral compositions.

FENUGREEK

Nutty, spicy, and slightly caramelized, with a warm savory tone. In perfumery, fenugreek is used to give gourmand body and an unusual, elegant spicy warmth. Common in spicy gourmands and oriental bases.

BORONIA

Rare floral scent that feels rich, soft, and slightly fruity, with a niche, almost velvety dark elegance. Boronia is used when an unusual floral with depth is desired. Common in exclusive florals and artistic compositions.

BROWN SUGAR

Caramelized sweetness with damp warmth, like brown sugar just meeting butter. In perfumery, brown sugar is often built with vanilla, caramel molecules, and balms. Common in gourmand fragrances and warm amber bases.

BREAD

Warm comfort with toasted dryness, like a newly opened bag of bread in a quiet kitchen. Bread is an atmospheric imaginary note used to make gourmands less dessert-like and more everyday. Common in gourmands, tea and coffee accords, and conceptual fragrances.

BREADNUT

Soft, nutty sweetness with tropical roundness, like chestnut meets exotic fruit. In perfumery, this is an unusual note used to create a warm, creamy impression. Common in gourmands and tropical compositions.

C

CABREUVA

Woody and floral with a metallic sheen, like polished wood with a citrus floral aura. Cabreuva is often used as a blending ingredient to give naturalness and longevity to floral and woody accords. Common in neroli and orange blossom compositions and modern woody bases.

CALONE

A sea breeze in a bottle, cool and ozonic with a saltwater feel. Calone is used to build aquatic fragrances and provide sporty transparency. Common in marine and ozonic fragrances and aquatic summer scents.

CAMPARI

Bitter orange and aromatic herbs with a boozy sharpness, like an aperitivo with red elegance. In perfumery, Campari is a conceptual note that builds bitter citrus with a spicy herbal base. Common in bitter citrus fragrances, herbal fragrances, and boozy gourmands.

CANNABIS

Green resinous herbaceousness with a distinct, warm bitterness that can lean towards a smoky tone depending on the composition. In perfumery, the cannabis note is often built with terpenes and green resins to create a realistic feel. Common in green niche fragrances, resinous compositions, and urban accords.

CAPPUCCINO

Creamy coffee with milky softness, less bitter and more embracing than black espresso. Cappuccino accords are often built to give warmth and luxury in gourmands. Common in gourmand fragrances, coffee and vanilla compositions, and boozy bases.

CASTOREUM

Leather and animalic warmth with a tarry shadow, historically raw and intense. In modern perfumery, synthetic variants are often used for ethical reasons, but the effect is the same: dark, leathery, sensual. Common in leather fragrances, animalic bases, and smoky compositions.

CEDARWOOD

Dry wood with a clean silhouette, like freshly sharpened pencils and warm sawdust air. Cedarwood provides structure and stability and acts as an elegant backbone in many families. Common in woody perfumes, fougère, citrus compositions, and leather fragrances.

CEDRAT CITRON

Fresh, lemon-like citrus with more rind, a more bitter white interior, and a distinct, classic zest sensation. Citron is used to make citrus more textured and less juicy. Common in citrus fragrances and colognes.

CHAMPACA

Creamy floral with warm tropical elegance, like magnolia with deeper sweetness. Champaca is used to provide a sun-warmed, luxurious floral body that feels both sensual and sophisticated. Common in florientals and sun-warmed florals.

CHAMPAGNE

Sparkling freshness with an illusion of bubbles, fruity acidity, and carbonated lightness. In perfumery, champagne is a fantasy note created with fruit, aldehydes, and transparent musk nuances. Common in festive top accords and fruity florals.

CHILI

Warm spicy heat that feels stimulating and electric in the opening. Chili in perfume is used as a spicy accent and is often constructed with peppery and warm molecules. Common in spicy fragrances and experimental compositions.

CHINOTTO

Bitter citrus with dark sweetness and an Italian aperitivo feel. Chinotto is used to provide a more mature, sophisticated citrus profile than orange. Common in bitter citrus fragrances and aromatic colognes.

CHOCOLATE

Cocoa with bitter sweetness and warm spice, like a dessert with a mature tone. In perfume, chocolate is often built with cocoa accords, vanilla, and balms for depth. Common in gourmand fragrances, amber bases, and boozy compositions.

CISTUS

Dry, warm resin profile with a leathery feel and a slight animalic shadow. Cistus and labdanum are often used as the heart in amber bases and incense constructions. Common in oriental fragrances, leather compositions, and incense accords.

LEMON

Tart clarity with direct energy, brief but sharp. Lemon oil from the peel provides a clean opening that feels like a light being switched on. Common in citrus fragrances, colognes, and aromatic compositions.

CITRUS ACCORD

A mix of citrus fruits that feels like a whole fruit basket in the top note, vibrant, energetic, and light. Citrus accords are built to provide breadth and modern freshness rather than a single fruit. Common in colognes, fresh fragrances, and as a top in many families.

CLEARWOOD

Cleaner patchouli feel with long longevity, polished and modern rather than earthy. Clearwood is used to give patchouli depth without damp forest soil. Common in modern woody bases, woody amber and contemporary chypré.

CLEMENTINE

Sweet citrus with soft, warm fruitiness and less bitterness than bergamot. Clementine provides a wearable, sunny opening that feels easy to love. Common in citrus fragrances and fruity florals.

COGNAC

Boozy warmth with oak barrels, dried fruit, and a spicy amber feel. In perfume, cognac is an atmospheric note that builds mature gourmand. Common in boozy gourmands, amber bases, and evening fragrances.

COPAIBA BALSAM

Soft, slightly peppery resinous woodiness with a soothing roundness. Copaiba is often used as a fixative and to provide a mild balsamic body in the base. Common in resinous fragrances, woody bases, and amber compositions.

COSTUS

Animalic, slightly dirty sensuality with a strangely powdery start that can lean towards violet before becoming darker. Costus is used to give depth and body to animalic and leather-like profiles. Common in niche animalic fragrances and leather compositions.

CURRY LEAF

Aromatic green with spicy warmth, more leafy than powder, more sophisticated than literal food scent. Curry leaf in perfume is used as an unusual spice accent. Common in spicy compositions and experimental herbal fragrances.

CYCLAMEN

Watery floralcy with a cool green tone, light, transparent, and modern. In perfume, cyclamen is often used to give an aquatic floral feel and lightness. Common in aquatic florals and clean bouquets.

CYPRESS

Dry coniferous greenness with a fresh citrus nuance, strict and aromatic. Cypress oil provides a clean forest line that often feels classically masculine but works equally well in unisex. Common in aromatic fragrances, woody compositions, and green bases.

CYPRIOL

Earthy, woody, and dry, with a smoky root feel that can evoke leather. Cypriol is used to create a dark, elegant base in woody and oud-like compositions. Common in woody fragrances, smoky bases, and oriental profiles.

D

DATE

Sweet, full fruitiness with a dark caramel feel, like dried fruit with a soft sheen. In perfume, date builds a warm gourmand body that feels rich but soft. Common in gourmand fragrances and oriental bases.

DAMASK ROSE

Rose with classic richness, honey warmth, and velvety depth. Damask rose is often used as a reference for a luxurious rose profile and provides a clear, elegant rose identity. Common in rose-dominated florals, amber florals, and rose with oud.

DAPHNE ACCORD

Delicate floral sweetness with a bright citrus feel, like an expensive flower that smells more than it looks. In perfume, daphne is often a stylized interpretation of an unusual floral profile. Common in exclusive florals and poetic niche compositions.

DAVANA ARTEMISIA

Sweet fruitiness with an herbal shadow and a soft, almost boozy woody tone. Davana offers a unique, slightly mysterious fruit and herbal profile that transforms beautifully on skin. Common in oriental fragrances and fruity resinous compositions.

TARRAGON

Green anise-like herbal spice with freshness and a slight citrus hint. Tarragon is used to provide an unusual, elegant aromatic quality in the top. Common in aromatic fragrances and herbal citrus compositions.

DRIFTWOOD

Wood with salty, musky marine nuances, like sun-bleached wood on a beach. The driftwood note is often an accord of wood, amber, and salty minerality. Common in marine fragrances, woody compositions, and skin-close summer profiles.

GRAPE

Mild, sweet fruitiness with a wine-like association, soft and juicy. In perfume, grape is used as a fruit accord, often as part of a boozy or fruity top. Common in fruity florals and vinous concept fragrances.

DULCE DE LECHE

Milky caramel sweetness, creamy and slow, like a warm dessert in the base. In perfume, it is built with caramel, vanilla, and lactonic tones. Common in gourmand fragrances and warm amber bases.

E

EBONY

Dark, dry wood with elegant weight and a sense of polished shadow. Ebony in perfume is often a stylized wood idea that provides depth and sophistication. Common in woody bases and dark compositions.

OAK

Dry woodiness with classic structure, sometimes with associations to barrels and tannins. Oak in perfume can give a sober, furniture-polished feel or a wine barrel tone. Common in woody compositions and boozy accords.

OAKMOSS

Earthy, mossy greenness with bitter elegance, like forest floor and classic perfume history in one. Oakmoss is a signature in chypré and is used for contrast and depth. Common in chypré, fougère, and forest fragrances.

ELEMI

Citrusy incense, peppery and transparent, like incense in daylight. Elemi provides modern resinous freshness without being heavy. Common in incense accords, woody resins, and modern amber bases.

JUNIPER

Cool aromatic freshness with gin association, coniferous and slightly peppery. Juniper provides structure in aromatic tops and can enhance a forest feel. Common in aromatic fragrances, coniferous compositions, and boozy profiles.

EUCALYPTUS

Clean, camphor-fresh greenness with cool, almost medicinal clarity. Eucalyptus is used to provide a clear sense of cleanliness and a sharp green top. Common in fresh fragrances, spa-like compositions, and aromatic profiles.

F

PRICKLY PEAR

Green, dry, and floral fruitiness with an unusual, elegant tartness. In perfume, it is used to create a Mediterranean feel with a modern twist. Common in green florals and niche summer compositions.

FIG

Green milkiness with a Mediterranean feel, leafy and creamy at the same time. Fig accords are often built from leafy greens and lactonic softness. Common in green and woody fragrances as well as soft gourmands.

FIG LEAF

More greenery than fruit, with a dry, cool milky tone that feels like shade under large leaves. Fig leaf is used to create modern, skin-close green sensuality. Common in green fragrances, woody compositions, and clean niche profiles.

FINGER LIME

Sharp citrus with aromatic spiciness and modern acidity, like lime with extra energy. In perfume, it is used as an exotic citrus accent. Common in citrus fragrances and fresh compositions.

FLORAL NOTES

A whole bouquet in perfume form, from transparent flowers to creamy white florals. Floral notes can be true-to-life or stylized and form the heart of countless fragrances. Common in almost all fragrance families but especially florals and florientals.

FRANGIPANI

Sun-warmed floral core with creamy softness, like vacation skin but more polished. Frangipani is often built as an accord that leans towards jasmine and tropical flower. Common in sun-warmed florals and summery fragrances.

FREESIA

Bright floral freshness, transparent and clean, like a bouquet with a lot of air. Freesia provides a light, spring-like floralcy that is not heavy. Common in florals, fruity florals, and clean floral compositions.

FRUITY NOTES

Juiciness and sheen that make florals more wearable and bases more enticing. Fruitiness in perfume is often built from aromatic compounds and accords rather than fruit oils. Common in fruity florals, gourmands, and modern fresh fragrances.

FUCHSIA

Light floral tone with subtle sweetness, more sensation than botany. In perfume, fuchsia is often a fantasy note that provides soft, modern floral air. Common in light florals.

FENNEL

Sweet anise-like spice with a soft green undertone. Fennel is used to provide aromatic warmth and a licorice-like elegance. Common in spicy fragrances and aromatic compositions.

G

GALBANUM

Crushed green leaves, bitter and crisp like a broken stem. Galbanum provides an iconic green facet that makes florals sharper and more sophisticated. Common in green fragrances, chypré and aromatic compositions.

GARDENIA

Creamy white flower with a luxurious skin feel, often built as an accord. Gardenia provides a soft tropical floralcy that can feel both romantic and sensual. Common in white florals and sun-warmed florals.

GENTIAN

Bitter, sharp aromatic with tonic and aperitivo association. Gentian is sometimes used to provide a mature bitterness in the top or heart of a fragrance. Common in aromatic and conceptual fragrances.

GEOSMIN

Damp earth after rain, forest humus, and mineral, almost photographic in its realism. Geosmin is used in microdoses to provide an earthy feel and true-to-nature air. Common in earthy niche fragrances and rain accords.

GERANIUM

Rosy freshness with an herbal green nerve. Geranium provides clean structure and a barbershop feel with a slight minty, spicy tone. Common in fougère and aromatic fragrances.

GIN

Distinctly aromatic cocktail feel with juniper and citrus, crisp and modern. Gin in perfume is built as a boozy accord rather than a raw material. Common in boozy tops and aromatic citrus fragrances.

BROOM

Honeyed yellow flowers with bitter elegance and a slight tobacco-like depth. Broom is used as an unusual floral that provides character without being heavy. Common in floral oriental fragrances and citrus florals.

SPRUCE

Coniferous freshness with forest air and cool sweetness. Spruce is used to create a Nordic forest feel and provide aromatic purity. Common in forest fragrances and aromatic woody compositions.

POMEGRANATE

Fruity, slightly acidic sweetness with red sheen and modern juiciness. Pomegranate in perfume is often a fruit accord that provides energy without being childish. Common in fruity florals and modern fresh fragrances.

GRAPEFRUIT

Bitter freshness with a bite, drier and more modern than orange. Grapefruit provides a clean opening that feels sporty and chic. Common in citrus fragrances, aromatic freshies and woody fresh compositions.

MUGWORT

Herbal complexity with a wormwood nerve, a little bitter, a little warm, and unexpectedly deep. Mugwort provides a green, mature aromatic quality that feels artistic. Common in herbal fragrances and aromatic compositions.

CREAM

Creamy softness that makes gourmands smoother and closer to the skin. The creamy sensation is often built with lactonic tones and vanilla. Common in gourmand fragrances.

GRASS

Fresh, green, and slightly damp, like a freshly cut lawn and summer breeze. Grass notes are built for realism and to provide a natural feel. Common in green fragrances and aromatic compositions.

GREEN

A whole palette of leaves, sap, and stem, that makes sweetness smarter and fragrances more vibrant. Greenness is built with various green molecules and herbal ingredients. Common in green fragrances, chypré and fruity florals.

GREEN TEA

Soft, grassy transparency with a clean, calm aura. Green tea is used to provide a subtle, modern freshness that feels like skincare. Common in clean fragrances and transparent compositions.

GUAIAC WOOD

Smoky woody tone with a slight rose and violet feel in the background. Guaiac wood is used to create soft smokiness and elegant woody volume. Common in smoky woody compositions and leather profiles.

GOLD

Metallic luxury as an idea, more shimmer than raw material. The gold note is a fantasy note created to give an expensive, metallic impression. Common in conceptual niche fragrances.

GURJUN BALSAM

Woody resin profile with pine, camphor, and a slight licorice tone, calming and meditative. Gurjun is often used to provide body and fixation in resinous bases. Common in smoky and amber compositions.

CUCUMBER

Watery green freshness that feels clean, cool and modern. Cucumber notes are often built as a transparent green accord. Common in clean scents, aquatic florals and fresh compositions.

TURMERIC

Warm, earthy spice with a golden tone, softer than pungent. Turmeric is used as a spicy accent for depth and color in the base. Common in spicy scents and oriental compositions.

H

RASPBERRY

Fresh sweetness with a clear berry profile, often more of a scent idea than a fruit oil. Raspberry is built with aroma molecules that provide a clear, juicy berry sensation. Common in fruity florals and gourmand.

RESINS

Balsamic warmth that gives fragrances depth, fixation and a long resonance. The resin profile can be smoky, sweet, dry or church-like clear depending on the material. Common in amber scents, oriental compositions and incense accords.

HASHISH

Sweet, resinous and dark herbal tone that often feels smoky and warm. In perfume, this is a conceptual note built to create a rebellious, resinous aura. Common in niche smoky and resinous scents.

HAZELNUT

Nutty, soft gourmand with warm sweetness, like roasted nuts in pastries. Hazelnut is often built with praline, vanilla and milky notes. Common in gourmand fragrances.

SEA SALT

Clean minerality with a salty sting, like skin after a bath and wind. Salt accords are used to make scents more modern and skin-like. Common in marine scents, mineral compositions and skin scents.

SEA BUCKTHORN

Tart fruitiness with citrus-like freshness and a slight spicy twist. Sea buckthorn is used to provide Nordic energy and an unusual fruit profile. Common in fruity scents and fresh compositions.

HEDIONE

Jasmine light that feels like air, with transparent radiance. Hedione lifts the heart and makes florals more radiant without being heavy. Common in modern florals and light wood and floral compositions.

HELIOTROPE

Powdery vanilla sensation with an almond tone and retro glamour, like a makeup table and warm skin. Heliotrope is often built with heliotropin and used for soft gourmand powder. Common in powdery scents and gourmand.

HIMALAYAN GRASS

Mild muskiness with amber warmth, discreet and slow. In perfume, this type of grass note is used for soft fixation and a warm base. Common in soft musk bases.

HINOKI

Balsamic cypress sensation with subtle citrus, like a Japanese bathhouse and wood steam. Hinoki is used to create a clean, meditative wood profile. Common in woody scents and aromatic compositions.

HONEY

Golden sweetness with an animalic shadow that makes the scent sun-warmed and sensual. Honey can be smooth and soft or dark and wild depending on the dose and company. Common in amber scents, florals with white flowers and gourmand.

HYACINTH

Green-floral intensity with a clear spring feeling and a slightly sharp floral nerve. Hyacinth is often used to provide realism and green floral volume. Common in florals and green bouquets.

HYRACEUM

Deep animalic tone with tobacco, leather and dark warmth, complex and long-lasting. Hyraceum is used in niche perfumery to create a strong, sensual base. Common in animalic scents and smoky compositions.

HAY

Sweet, warm summer meadow with dry grass and sun. Hay accords are often built with coumarin and used to provide nostalgic comfort. Common in fougère, gourmand and nature-inspired scents.

I

IMMORTELLE

Dry herbal with honey-sweet warmth, sometimes with a slight curry note, like a sun-yellow flower that never quite lets go. Immortelle provides a unique, warm aromatic signature. Common in oriental scents and spicy compositions.

GINGER

Spicy energy with a fresh sting, more snap than fuzz. Ginger brings life to citrus and flowers and can feel both modern and bright. Common in spicy fresh scents and citrus compositions.

IRIS

Powdery elegance with soft woodiness and a slight violet sensation. Iris is used to create an expensive, textile feel that often reads as powder and makeup. Common in powdery scents and elegant florals.

IRIS BUTTER ORRIS BUTTER

Luxurious, buttery powder with deep and long-lasting softness, like expensive powder in a silk pouch. Orris butter is concentrated and used for a sophisticated iris profile. Common in powdery bases and exclusive compositions.

ORRIS ROOT

Powder, lipstick and expensive textile, with a skin-like, sophisticated softness. Orris root is often used as a heart or base to make everything more elegant and more cohesive. Common in powdery scents, suede leather and lipstick iris.

ISO E SUPER

Woody aura in soft focus, warm and transparent like wood air around the skin. ISO E Super is used to create sillage and a discreet glow without a clear raw material edge. Common in modern woody scents and your skin but better perfumes.

J

JACARANDA ROSEWOOD

Soft woodiness with a floral rose nuance, like wood with a romantic echo. Rosewood profiles are used to provide an elegant, slightly rosy woody bridge in the heart. Common in florals and woody scents.

JAPANESE ROSE HAMANASU

Wild rose sensation with fruity sweetness and a slight acidity, fresh yet romantic. It is used as a rose variant for a more natural, coastal rose profile. Common in florals and rose-dominated compositions.

JASMINE

White flower with pulse, from sun-warmed softness to slightly narcotic presence. Jasmine gives sensuality and life to the heart and can feel both clean and deep. Common in white florals, florientals and flower and wood compositions.

JASMINE SAMBAC

Sweeter, more exotic jasmine with a musky, sometimes slightly animalic tone. Sambac is used to provide a richer, more tropical jasmine heart. Common in white florals and florientals.

JASMINE TEA

Soft tea warmth with floral jasmine, a calm yet sensual aura. Jasmine tea accords provide both transparency and body in the heart. Common in tea compositions and soft florals.

JAVANOL

Modern sandalwood molecule with a creamy, rich sandalwood profile and long longevity. Javanol is used to build a sandalwood effect with strength and purity. Common in woody scents and woody amber.

STRAWBERRIES

Sweet, fruity and playful berry note with a clear summer feeling. Strawberry in perfume is a built fruit accord that can be made both candy-like and more natural. Common in fruity scents and gourmand.

STRAWBERRY LEAVES

Green freshness with a light sweet leaf tone, like a berry bush rather than berries. In perfume, it is used to provide a green contrast to fruit. Common in fruity florals.

EARTHY NOTES

Forest floor, root and mineral, a depth that feels corporeal rather than sweet. Earthiness is often built with vetiver, patchouli, moss and orris. Common in woody scents, chypre and niche natural compositions.

K

COFFEE

Rich, dark aroma with roasted warmth, bitter and sensual at the same time. Coffee accords are used to create gourmand with an adult edge. Common in gourmand scents and boozy compositions.

CAKE

Dry sweetness like a biscuit, more crumb than frosting. Cake is a fantasy note that gives a homely gourmand feeling. Common in gourmand.

CACAO

Bitter warm chocolate core with spicy roundness, more adult and less sugary than a pure chocolate tone. Cacao is used for depth in gourmand and oriental bases. Common in gourmand and amber compositions.

CACTUS

Fresh, green and slightly watery tone that feels modern and clean. Cactus in perfume is usually a stylized green accord. Common in fresh scents and aquatic florals.

CALAMUS ROOT

Aromatic root with a spicy, slightly bitter tone that can feel both green and warm. Calamus is used to provide a vintage feel and structure in spicy scents. Common in aromatic and oriental compositions.

CAMELLIA

Mild, delicate floral tone with soft sweetness, more a whisper than a crescendo. Camellia in perfume is often a stylized floral that provides clean elegance. Common in light florals.

CAMPHOR

Cool, medicinal freshness with sharp clarity, like menthol and dry air. Camphor is used in small doses to provide purity and aromatic coolness. Common in aromatic scents and eucalyptus-like profiles.

CHAMOMILE

Soft herbal flower with warm, tea-like florality and discreet honey tone. Chamomile provides a calm, soft aromatic in the heart. Common in herbal scents and soft florals.

CANDIED JUJUBE

Sweet fruitiness with a dried fruit feel and a slight almond nuance. In perfume, it is used as an exotic gourmand fruit. Common in gourmand and fruity compositions.

CINNAMON

Warm spice with a cozy glow, dry-sweet and embracing. Cinnamon makes amber and vanilla more corporeal and evening-warm. Common in amber scents, gourmand and spicy compositions.

KAOLIN CLAY

Soft, dry mineral powder, subtle and clean, like stone dust in a silk pouch. Kaolin is a conceptual scent idea that builds powdery minerality. Common in powdery niche scents and clean compositions.

HONEYSUCKLE

Sweet, warm flower with a vanilla nuance and a slight citrus glimmer. Honeysuckle can provide a nostalgic, generous floral body. Common in florals and florientals.

CARAMEL

Buttery sweetness with a roasted sugar feel, the heartbeat of gourmand. Caramel accords are often built with maltol notes and vanilla. Common in gourmand fragrances.

CARDAMOM

Aromatic spice with cool elegance and a slight citrus sheen. Cardamom lifts wood and gourmand and provides a well-composed opening. Common in spicy woody scents and amber compositions.

KARO KAROUNDE

White flower with a peppery, slightly animalic edge, like gardenia with more nerve. It is used to create a niche white floral with character. Common in white florals and sensual compositions.

CASHMERE WOOD

Soft wood and musk blend that feels textile, warm and embracing. Cashmere wood is often a scent idea rather than a specific wood type, built to provide smooth woody comfort. Common in modern wood bases and musky compositions.

CHESTNUT

Soft, sweet nut warmth with a roasted feel, like an autumn evening and warm dessert. Chestnut accords are used for gourmand without becoming pure confection. Common in gourmand and warm bases.

CLOVER

Green grassiness with a soft natural tone, like a meadow in a gentle breeze. Clover in perfume is usually a stylized green note. Common in green scents and nature-inspired compositions.

TOFFEE APPLE

Sweet, warm, and slightly burnt sugar scent over crisp fruit. Toffee apple is a fantasy note that combines caramel and apple in a nostalgic gourmand profile. Common in gourmand fragrances.

COCONUT

Creamy tropical with soft sweetness, ranging from sunscreen to dessert depending on the context. Coconut is often built with lactones and vanilla. Common in sun-drenched scents and gourmands.

CORIANDER

Citrus spice with dry elegance, peppery and slightly aromatic. Coriander adds structure without becoming sweet and often feels very perfumer-smart. Common in aromatic scents and spicy compositions.

CORK

Damp cardboard and wood with a slightly musty nuance, a conceptual material feel. Cork is used as a fantasy note to create realism and texture. Common in niche material scents.

CHALK

Dry, soft mineral powder with dusty elegance, like chalk on fingertips. Chalk in perfume is a fantasy note built to provide dryness and texture. Common in powdery and mineral niche scents.

GUNPOWDER

Metallic, dry, and slightly smoky sensation that signals energy and friction. Gunpowder is a fantasy note created for a sharp, industrial effect. Common in conceptual niche scents.

CLOVE

Warm spiciness with a sweet, almost medicinal sharpness and a classic Christmas feel. Clove adds depth to spicy bases. Common in oriental fragrances and spicy gourmands.

SPICES

A whole palette from dry seeds to warm bark tones, providing movement and character. Spice accords are used to build everything from barbershop to dark gourmands. Common in spicy scents and oriental compositions.

ALLSPICE

Warm, peppery spice that can read as cinnamon and clove in the same breath. Allspice is used to add roundness and warmth. Common in spicy scents and oriental bases.

CHRYSANTHEMUM

Mild, fresh floral with a slight herbaceous tone, like the air in a flower shop. Chrysanthemum in perfume is often a stylized floral for a soft bouquet feel. Common in florals.

COUMARIN

Freshly cut hay, warm sweetness, and a classic fougère feel. Coumarin is used to build hay and tonka bean-like effects. Common in fougère, gourmand, and aromatic scents.

CUMIN

Spicy, anise-like sharpness with a distinct character. Cumin is used in small doses to provide a dry, masculine spice tone. Common in spicy and aromatic compositions.

KUMQUAT

Sweet and tangy citrus with lively brightness and a slight exotic twist. Kumquat provides citrus with more fruity body. Common in citrus scents and fruity top notes.

QUINCE

Soft fruitiness with sweet, mild roundness, like pear meets apple in silk. Quince is used for subtle fruitiness that feels elegant. Common in fruity florals.

CHERRY

Sweet and sour fruit with a bitter kernel nuance that can feel luxurious and mature. Cherry accords are often used in boozy and gourmand fragrances. Common in gourmand and fruity scents.

CHERRY BLOSSOM

Sheer, sweet, and delicate floral feel with a spring aura. Cherry blossom in perfume is often a fantasy note built for romantic transparency. Common in light florals.

L

LABDANUM

Amber-warm resin with a leathery feel, balsamic and slightly animalic. Labdanum provides drama and long-lasting base warmth. Common in oriental scents, leather compositions, and incense accords.

LACTONE OF CIS JASMONE

Creamy, waxy floral feel that adds realism and milky warmth to white florals. It is used to build jasmine, frangipani, and tuberose-like creaminess. Common in exclusive florals and sun-drenched compositions.

BAY LEAF

Herbaceous freshness with a green spicy tone, dry and aromatic. Bay leaf is used to add structure to herbal scents and spicy top notes. Common in aromatic scents and spicy compositions.

MASSOIA LACTONE

Coconut-like creaminess with milky sweetness, gourmand but not always dessert. Massoia lactone is used to build coconut and soft woody cream. Common in gourmand and sun-drenched scents.

LAPSANG SOUCHONG

Smoked tea with tarry smokiness and a warm, dark aroma. Lapsang is used to create a clear smoke and tea identity. Common in smoky scents, tea accords, and niche compositions.

LAVENDER

Cleanliness, barbershop, and calm, aromatic and clear. Lavender is a cornerstone of fougère and provides freshly laundered confidence. Common in fougère, colognes, and aromatic scents.

PRIVET BLOSSOM

Sweet, floral, and slightly spicy, with honeyed softness. Privet in perfume is a stylized floral note that provides mild luxury. Common in florals.

LILY OF THE VALLEY

Green-white flower with a clean aura and slight soapy freshness. Lily of the valley is often built as a clean floral accord. Common in florals and clean scents.

LIME

Green, fresh citrus with extra zing and aromatic sharpness. Lime provides an energetic top note that feels light, modern, and summery. Common in citrus scents and colognes.

LINDEN BLOSSOM

Warm, sweet flower with a soft honey tone and a slight woody shadow. Linden provides a romantic, slightly nostalgic floral quality. Common in florals and soft compositions.

LINGONBERRY

Fresh acidity with a berry tone, a bit Nordic and a bit austere. Lingonberry is used to provide fruitiness that isn't too sugary. Common in fruity scents and green berry compositions.

LYCHEE

Exotic fruitiness with glossy sweetness and a slight rosy aura. Lychee is often used to make florals juicier and more modern. Common in fruity florals.

CANDLE WAX

Waxy warmth as a material feel, sometimes with a discreet petroleum tone depending on the interpretation. Candle wax is a fantasy note that builds atmosphere and nostalgia. Common in conceptual and cozy scents.

LORENOX

Ambergris-like effect with animalic, leathery, and musky complexity. Lorenox is used as a substitute for ambergris profile in modern bases. Common in ambery bases and animalic woody compositions.

LEATHER

Tactile dark elegance, from suede-soft to smoky and tarry. Leather is often built with smoke, wood, and resins for a distinct character. Common in leather scents, smoky woody compositions, and ambery leather.

LIPSTICK

Powdery makeup feel with iris, rose, and sometimes violet, like vintage glamour in a handbag. Lipstick accords are built to provide cosmetic elegance. Common in powdery florals and iris-dominated scents.

MAPLE

Sweet, warm syrup feel with woody roundness and an autumnal gourmand body. Maple is used to provide a soft caramel profile that feels mature. Common in gourmand fragrances.

M

MADONNA LILY

Full white flower with intoxicating sweetness and classic drama. It provides a rich, traditional floral body that feels stately. Common in florientals and white florals.

MAGNOLIA

Bright white flower with citrus sheen, soft and elegant. Magnolia provides a clean, sophisticated floral that lifts without dominating. Common in florals and clean bouquets.

MAHOGANY

Warm woody feel with a spicy tone, sometimes with a vanilla association. Mahogany in perfume is often a stylized woody idea with furniture-polished warmth. Common in woody bases and spicy compositions.

MAHONIAL

Floral molecule with a lily-of-the-valley-like feel, fresh and clean. It is used to create modern floral freshness in many types of scents. Common in florals and clean scents.

MALT

Roasted grain feel with warmth and a slight boozy undertone, like beer or whiskey association in a soft form. Malt is used for gourmand with an adult edge. Common in boozy gourmands and warm bases.

WORMWOOD

Bitter greenness with herbaceous sharpness and complex aromatics. Wormwood is used to create an absinthe feel or to add bitter elegance to the composition. Common in herbal scents and aromatic fragrances.

MANDARIN

Rounder citrus with a soft sunny feel, sweeter and gentler than lemon. Mandarin makes the opening wearable and warm. Common in citrus scents, fruity florals, and modern fresh scents.

MANDARIN LEAF

Green citrus with more bitterness and aromatics, like a citrus grove rather than a fruit bowl. Mandarin leaf is used to add structure and a botanical feel. Common in aromatic citrus scents.

ALMOND

Creamy nutty tone with a hint of bitter almond, luxurious and soft rather than sugary. Almond accords are often built to provide gourmand with elegance. Common in gourmand and powdery scents.

ALMOND BLOSSOM

Floral with nutty sweetness in the background, like a flower with a dessert shadow. In perfume, almond blossom is often a fantasy note that provides light, airy floralcy with a warm tone. Common in florals and gourmand florals.

ALMOND MILK

Soft, sweet, and milky comfort with a slight nuttiness. Almond milk accords are built with lactones and vanilla for creamy skin-like gourmand. Common in gourmand and musky scents.

MANGO

Sweet, lush tropicality with juicy fruitiness and sunny energy. Mango is used as a fruit accord that can feel both youthful and luxurious depending on the base. Common in fruity fragrances and tropical gourmands.

MANINKA

Sweet fruitiness with a dark gourmand tone, often described as strawberry and passionfruit with a chocolatey feel. Maninka is used as an exotic fruit accord with depth. Common in gourmand and fruity niche fragrances.

MARINE NOTES

Oceanic feel without being a single raw material, more an accord than an ingredient. Marine notes are built with ozonic and salty effects for cleanliness and space. Common in aquatic fragrances and summer profiles.

MARSHMALLOWS

Vanilla sweetness with fluffy softness, like sugar clouds over warm skin. Marshmallow accords are often built with vanilla and powdery musk tones. Common in gourmands.

MASTIC

Green, coniferous resin with a bark-like feel and a clean, chewing gum-like association in the background. Mastic is used to provide resinous freshness and a natural feel. Common in resinous fragrances and woody compositions.

MATE

Sweet smokiness with a tea profile, energetic yet soft. Mate accord is used to build a modern tea identity with a hint of smoke. Common in tea compositions and aromatic fragrances.

METAL

Cool, pungent and clean, like cold jewelry and air after rain. Metal in perfume is an effect built with aldehydes and mineral molecules. Common in clean scents, ozonic compositions and conceptual fragrances.

METHYL IONONE ALPHA EXTRA

Iris-like powderiness with a leather-toned shadow and great longevity. It is used to give fullness to iris and the violet family and create elegant volume. Common in powdery fragrances and iris bases.

MIMOSA

Dry, honey-sweet blossom with powdery softness and a sunny yellow aura. Mimosa provides an elegant, slightly nostalgic floral that often feels French. Common in florals and powdery compositions.

MINT

Green spiciness with warm aromatics, often softer than pure peppermint. Mint is used to provide freshness and a distinct green top. Common in aromatic fragrances and fresh compositions.

MIRABELLE

Sweet, fresh stone fruitiness, like plum with a brighter sheen. Mirabelle is often a fantasy note that provides fruity warmth. Common in fruity florals.

MILK

Soft, creamy comfort that makes gourmand more skin-like. Milk accords are built with lactones for a smooth, warm base. Common in gourmands.

SUEDE

Velvet-soft leather feel with musk and wood, softer than smoky. Suede is often built as a synthetic leather accord. Common in leather fragrances and powdery woody compositions.

MOEPEL MILKWOOD

Honey and tobacco feel with a sensual, full body. In perfumery, it is used as an unusual, warm and rich floral and woody profile. Common in niche oriental fragrances.

MONOI

Sunscreen feel with tiare and coconut, vacation in a breath. Monoi is a scent idea often used to create tropical skin warmth. Common in sun-warmed fragrances.

CARROT

Earthy, green and slightly sweet root feel that can provide a powdery tone in the heart. Carrot seed and carrot accord are used to give natural earthiness. Common in earthy florals and woody compositions.

IVY

Fresh, green foliage with a cool, clean natural feel. Ivy in perfume is usually a stylized green note to provide vibrant top air. Common in green fragrances.

CLARY SAGE

Sweet aromatics with hay, wood and light citrus, rich and herbaceous depth. Clary sage provides both freshness and body and can feel barbershop clean yet soft. Common in aromatic fragrances and fougère.

MACE

Warm spiciness with sweet roundness, softer than nutmeg but equally elegant. It is used to give spicy warmth without becoming sharp. Common in oriental and spicy fragrances.

NUTMEG

Sweet, warm spice with a dry woody tone, classic and structuring. Nutmeg provides a spicy body in the base and often feels a bit vintage. Common in spicy fragrances and oriental compositions.

MINT

Cold freshness with a sharp line, like ice in a herbal drink. Mint provides an alert top and a clean feeling when properly dosed. Common in aromatic fresh fragrances.

MYRRH

Dark resin with balsamic weight, slightly medicinal but softly sweet. Myrrh provides depth and long-lasting warmth in the base. Common in incense accords and oriental compositions.

MYRTLE

Spicy herbal scent with peppery freshness and soft sweetness. Myrtle is used to provide Mediterranean aromatics and clean structure. Common in aromatic fragrances.

MUSK

Skin, softness, and what remains, the perfume's soft focus filter. Musk can be clean and washed or warm and animalic depending on type and dose. Common in almost all fragrances, but especially clean, powdery, and skin-like compositions.

N

NAIL POLISH

Sharp, solvent-like effect with powdery musk or aldehydic background, like a real-time beauty moment. Nail polish is a synthetic scent idea used to create modern, edgy texture. Common in conceptual niche fragrances.

CARNATION

Spicy flower with warm, peppery sweetness and classic character. Carnation provides floral spice that can feel both romantic and dramatic. Common in spicy florals and oriental fragrances.

NECTARINE

Velvety fruitiness with creamy sweetness and a slight tropical tone. Nectarine in perfume is a fruit accord that provides soft, wearable juiciness. Common in fruity florals.

NEROLI

Citrus blossom with a light bitterness, clean and tailored in feel. Neroli provides a freshly washed citrus floral with aromatic clarity. Common in colognes and citrus florals.

CANTALOUPE MELON

Mild, sweet and watery fruitiness with summery freshness. Cantaloupe is often a fantasy note that provides light, bright juiciness. Common in fruity fragrances.

O

OLIBANUM FRANKINCENSE

Incense that glitters, citrusy balsamic and clear. Olibanum provides smoky transparency and spiritual purity without being heavy. Common in incense accords and resinous woody compositions.

OLIVE

Green, slightly bitter fruit tone and Mediterranean feel, more salty air than sweet fruit. Olive in perfume is often a stylized idea that provides a sophisticated green profile. Common in aromatic and Mediterranean-inspired fragrances.

OLIVE WOOD

Rich, woody scent with classic warmth and a slightly oily softness. Olive wood provides a sober, furniture-polished woody base. Common in woody fragrances.

OPO PONAX

Sweet myrrh, warm and powdery resin with a soft incense feel. Opoponax provides a rounder, sweeter resin profile that feels smooth and old-fashioned luxurious. Common in oriental fragrances and amber bases.

ORCANOX

Ambroxan-like modern ambergris profile with more power and complexity. Orcanox is used to build a warm, musky and woody base with strong longevity. Common in modern bases and amber woody compositions.

OREGANO

Intensely herbaceous pepperiness, dry and lively. Oregano is used as a distinct green spicy accent in small doses. Common in aromatic compositions and herbal fragrances.

ORCHID

Floral fantasy with soft sweetness and often vanilla association, more a feeling than specific botany. Orchid in perfume is usually an accord meant to feel elegant and creamy. Common in florals and gourmand florals.

FERN FOUGÈRE

Foresty freshness as a fragrance family, built from citrus, lavender and warmer bases like coumarin and moss. Fougère is a classic structure that can feel barbershop or modern depending on execution. Common in classic and modern aromatic fragrances.

OSMANTHUS

Fruity blossom with plum and apricot nuances, sometimes with a light leather shadow. Osmanthus provides exotic luxury and a soft, sensual body. Common in florals, leather and fruity niche fragrances.

OUD AGARWOOD

Dark wood resin with smoky luster and sometimes animalic warmth, dramatic and long-lasting. Oud is used to build signature bases and powerful presence. Common in rose and oud, amber woody compositions and leather.

OZONIC NOTES

Cool, metallic air feel that smells like rain, ocean or freshly washed depending on the composition. Ozonic effects are built with synthetic molecules for transparency and space. Common in marine fragrances and clean scents.

P

PALMAROSA GRASS

Flowery grassiness with green aromas, soft and intoxicating in a quiet way. Palmarosa provides rosy freshness with an herbal base. Common in florals and aromatic compositions.

PALO SANTO

Woody incense with a citrus glimmer, warm and meditative. Palo Santo provides a sacred, soft smoke that feels both modern and ritualistic. Common in incense accords and woody fragrances.

PAPRIKA

Green, fresh and slightly tart spice tone, more vegetable energy than warm spice. Paprika is used as an odd, lively top accent. Common in experimental spicy fragrances.

PAPURUS

Dry, smoky tartness with an earthy undertone, like old paper and warm sand. Papyrus provides texture and a slight leather and smoke association. Common in woody and smoky compositions.

PARADISONE

Airy, jasmine-like freshness with a lemon nuance, like a bright floral breeze. Paradisone is used to create modern jasmine transparency. Common in florals and florientals.

PASSION FLOWER

Floral lightness with a hint of exotic fruitiness, often more poetic than botanical. Passion flower in perfume is often a fantasy note that provides tropical floral radiance. Common in fruity florals.

PASSION FRUIT

Tart tropicality with juicy energy and a clear exotic character. Passion fruit accord is used to provide a fruity punch in the top. Common in fruity scents and tropical compositions.

PATCHOULI

Earthy wood sensuality, from raw forest soil to polished elegance depending on quality and treatment. Patchouli provides depth, signature, and a lasting base. Common in chypre, amber scents, woody compositions, and gourmand.

GERANIUM

Green, fruity, and rosy note with aromatic freshness. Geranium provides a clean, somewhat barbershop-like rose profile. Common in aromatic scents and fougère.

GINGERBREAD

Spicy sweetness of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, warm and nostalgic. Gingerbread accord is gourmand with a wintery feel. Common in gourmand.

PEACH

Velvety fruit with soft sensuality, round and creamy with a slight skin-like feel. Peach softens florals and makes them more skin-like. Common in florals and gourmand florals.

PEACH BLOSSOM

Floral note with fruity radiance and a slight citrus nuance, romantic and soft. In perfume, it is often a fantasy note that provides a spring-like fruit blossom feel. Common in fruity florals.

PERU BALSAM

Dark, resinous warmth with vanilla, cinnamon, and clove in the background. Peru balsam provides depth and a dense, sweet base. Common in oriental scents and amber bases.

PETALIA

Fresh floral note leaning towards peony, lily-of-the-valley, and rose, light and diffuse like a clean bouquet in the air. Petalia is used to provide modern florality and transparency. Common in florals and clean scents.

PETITGRAIN

Citrus leaf and twig, greener and more aromatic than the fruit's peel. Petitgrain provides a dry, elegant citrus aromaticity that often feels tailored. Common in colognes and aromatic citrus scents.

PEONY

Fresh florality with a green tone, modern and light. Peony in perfume is often an accord that provides a clean bouquet feel. Common in florals.

PISTACHIO

Nutty sweetness with a slight leathery undertone, gourmand but sophisticated. Pistachio is used to make gourmand more mature and textured. Common in gourmand.

PLUM

Fruity fullness with a slight herbaceous tone, darker and softer than berries. Plum gives body to fruit accords and can feel boozy. Common in fruity scents and oriental compositions.

POMAROSE

Powerful rosy fruit molecule that gives rose with a juicy, modern radiance. It is used to create an intense, contemporary rose profile. Common in rose-dominated scents.

POMELO

Citrus similar to grapefruit but softer and sweeter in feel. Pomelo provides a clean, aromatic freshness with mild bitterness. Common in citrus scents.

BITTER ORANGE

Bitter citrus with a spicy edge, more mature and robust than orange. Bitter orange is used to provide traditional citrus structure and a slight Christmassy association. Common in citrus scents and spicy tops.

POPCORN

Buttery, toasted note with a warm, almost caramelized body. Popcorn accord is used to create playful gourmand with a distinct atmosphere. Common in gourmand and conceptual scents.

PRALINE

Caramel, chocolate, and nut in a velvety gourmand form, often built with maltol tones. Praline provides a warm, luxurious dessert feel in the base. Common in gourmand scents.

POWDERY NOTES

A collective sensation of powder rather than a single ingredient, often built from iris, violet, vanilla, musk, and soft resins. Powderiness provides a makeup feel and expensive textile. Common in powdery scents and classic compositions.

DAFFODIL NARCISSUS

Mild, sweet florality with spring-like clarity. Narcissus is used to provide a classic, slightly green-floral tone. Common in florals.

PEAR

Juicy transparency that makes florals glossier and more modern. Pear accord provides light fruitiness without heaviness. Common in fruity florals and clean scents.

R

RHUBARB

Fresh acidity with a green, slightly metallic feel, like a stalk and a spring breeze. Rhubarb is used to provide a modern, crisp fruity-green top. Common in fruity florals and fresh scents.

RAIN

Air after rain, moist minerality, and cool clarity, more atmosphere than ingredient. Rain notes are built with ozonic and earthy effects. Common in clean scents and nature-inspired niche fragrances.

MARIGOLD

Soft florality with a slight herbaceous, warm tone, discreet and calming in feel. In perfume, it is used as a mild floral accent. Common in florals and herbal scents.

RICE

Mild sweetness with a powdery, soft body, like dry rice and warm textile. Rice accord is used for comfort and skin-like gourmand. Common in powdery scents and gourmand.

RUM

Boozy warmth with sweet, alcoholic roundness, like dark sugar and oak in the background. Rum accord provides a mature gourmand feel. Common in boozy gourmand and oriental bases.

ROOIBOS

Sweet, fruity tea profile with raisins, vanilla, and soft nuttiness. Rooibos provides a warm, caffeine-free tea sensation in perfume form. Common in tea compositions and gourmand.

ROSE

The flower that can be everything, from green and peppery to jammy and velvety soft. Rose provides romance and structure and can carry a scent on its own or serve as a backbone. Common in florals, rose and oud, chypre, and amber florals.

COSMOS FLOWER

Sweet, velvety florality with a cocoa-toned hint in some interpretations. It is used as a poetic, slightly gourmand floral accent. Common in florals and conceptual scents.

ROSEWOOD

Rosy woodiness with soft florality, like rose through wood fiber. Rosewood profile is often used to create an elegant bridge between floral and wood. Common in florals and woody scents.

ROSEWATER

Mild rose with a clean, airy, and slightly watery feel. Rosewater provides a soft, transparent rose profile that feels skin-like. Common in florals and clean compositions.

PINK PEPPER

Rosy spice with glitter, light and fruity with modern sharpness. Pink pepper provides an expensive opening and a light peppery energy. Common in modern florals and fresh scents.

ROSEMARY

Aromatic greenness with a Mediterranean pulse, herbaceous and slightly camphoraceous. Rosemary makes scents botanical and vibrant. Common in aromatic scents and fougère.

RAISIN

Dried fruit with a dark gourmand tone and a slight boozy feel. Raisins are used to provide depth and sweet warmth in the base. Common in gourmand and oriental compositions.

RED GINGER

Exotic florality with spicy radiance and musky warmth. Red ginger provides a richer, more floral ginger interpretation. Common in florals and oriental scents.

RED BERRIES

Tart, berry accord that can range from fresh currant tone to dark jamminess. Red berries are used to provide energy and juiciness in the top. Common in fruity florals.

RED CURRANT

Clear acidity and red berry character, fresh and crisp. Red currants provide berries that feel more mature than candy. Common in fruity scents and fruity florals.

SMOKE

An effect rather than an ingredient, from dry fire smoke to soft chimney warmth. Smoke is often built with tar, resins, and smoky wood notes. Common in leather, woody scents, and incense compositions.

INCENSE

Church-cool smoke with a warm base, built from olibanum, labdanum, benzoin, and sometimes myrrh. Incense accord can be dry spiritual or warm amber. Common in resinous scents, wood compositions, and leather.

S

SAFFRON

Golden spice with a metallic honey tone and sometimes a leather undertone. Saffron provides luxurious spicy warmth and pairs particularly well with rose and oud. Common in rose and oud, amber scents, and leather.

SAFRALEINE

Saffron feel with leather and tobacco facets, warm and vibrant. Safraleine is used to provide a modern, powerful saffron effect with depth. Common in spicy wood compositions and leather.

SALT LIQUORICE SALMIAK

Salty and tart liquorice bite, dark and addictive in scent form. Salmiak accord is used to create a Nordic, distinct gourmand edge. Common in gourmand and conceptual scents.

SAGE

Dry aromaticity with a clean, crisp finish and barbershop feel. Sage can provide a slight smoky effect in woody bases. Common in aromatic scents and fougère.

VELVET

A scent idea of soft texture, often built with patchouli, floral notes, and woody molecules for a smooth feel. Velvet provides a sense of softness and volume. Common in modern bases and musky wood compositions.

SANDALWOOD

Creamy wood with soft warmth and skin-like radiance. Sandalwood makes compositions rounder, softer, and longer-lasting. Common in woody fragrances, ambery bases, and gourmand.

SAPODILLA NESBERRY

Brown sugar, caramel, and soft fruitiness, like a tropical dessert fruit with spicy warmth. In perfume, it is used as an exotic gourmand fruit. Common in gourmand.

SEQUOIA

Coniferous, resinous woody feel with a slightly damp bark note. Sequoia provides a large forest body and a clean, aromatic base. Common in woody fragrances and forest compositions.

SESAME SEED

Softly nutty, slightly caramelized note with bread and spice associations. Sesame provides a warm gourmand texture that feels unusual and elegant. Common in gourmand and oriental compositions.

SHISO

Peppery greenness with an Asian herbal feel, fresh and distinct. Shiso is used as a modern, crisp green accent. Common in aromatic and green fragrances.

CIVET

Animalic warmth with musky, smoky, and slightly sweet nuances, historically strong but often softer in modern interpretation. Today, synthetic civet notes are often used. Common in animalic fragrances and classic bases.

SICHUAN PEPPER

Coolly hot spice with an electric tingle, citrus, and wood in the same blink. Sichuan pepper provides a modern, lively spicy top note. Common in spicy fresh fragrances and modern woody compositions.

SEAWEED

Salty, iodic, and aromatic sea note, more raw coast than vacation perfume. Seaweed is used for realism and a mineral marine feel. Common in niche marine fragrances.

SKATOLE

In micro-doses, a floral realism; in high doses, animalic and dirty, an ingredient that can give jasmine and orange blossom depth. Skatole is used extremely carefully for effect. Common in complex florals and animalic compositions.

BUTTER

Round, creamy gourmand note, soft and warm like melted butter. Butter accords are built to make gourmands smoother and more pastry-like. Common in gourmand.

BUTTERSCOTCH

Buttery caramel with brown sugar warmth and roasted sweetness. Butterscotch provides a distinct, comforting gourmand base. Common in gourmand.

SUGAR

Sugary sweetness that makes gourmands more distinctly confectionery or icing-like depending on the dose. Sugar accords are often built with caramel molecules and vanilla. Common in gourmand.

SUGAR ICING

Powdered sugar sweetness with a soft citrus glimmer, like the final touch on a baked good. Icing accords provide a light, bright sweetness. Common in gourmand.

SUGARCANE

Sweet, warm note that can lean towards rum and caramel. Sugarcane is used to create a boozy gourmand feel without heavy vanilla. Common in gourmand and boozy profiles.

COTTON CANDY

Sweet, slightly burnt sugar scent that feels like a fairground and nostalgia. Cotton candy accord is a classic playful gourmand. Common in gourmand.

CISTUS

Dry, warm resin profile with an amber-like feel and a slight leather association. Cistus forms the heart of the amber base and an elegant incense body. Common in oriental fragrances and leather.

STAR ANISE

Sweet licorice spice with a warm, distinct profile. Star anise adds drama and signature to spicy top notes. Common in spicy fragrances and gourmand.

STYRAX

Warm balsamic sweetness with vanilla, almond, and an incense-like feel, soft and melting. Styrax gives the base a smooth, resinous glow. Common in ambery fragrances and oriental compositions.

STARCH

Dry powder with a mild, soft scent, like potato starch and a freshly ironed shirt. Starch accords are used for powdery cleanliness. Common in powdery fragrances.

SUMAC

Tart, fruity freshness with a red berry feel and a slight spicy note. Sumac provides an unusual acidic effect in the top. Common in fruity and aromatic fragrances.

SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen feel with coconut, tropical notes, and a clean mineral tone at the base. Sunscreen is a scent idea that evokes memories of sun-warmed skin and beach air. Common in sun-drenched fragrances.

SOUR CHERRY

Rich, juicy cherry note with extra tartness and a hint of almond from the pit. Sour cherry creates a more mature cherry gourmand. Common in gourmand.

BLACK INK

Dark, damp, and mineralic feel that can lean towards moss and a rainy paper note. Black ink is a conceptual note that builds atmosphere. Common in niche material fragrances.

BLACK TEA

Dry, aromatic tea profile with a slight bitterness and warm body. Black tea provides structure and a mature freshness. Common in tea compositions and aromatic fragrances.

BLACKCURRANT

Juicy berry with a bud-like green tone and distinct attitude. The cassis profile provides energy and contrast in fruit and flowers. Common in fruity florals and rose with patchouli.

BLACK PEPPER

Dry pepperiness with warm energy and a slightly woody sharpness. Black pepper provides a modern, clean spicy kick in the top. Common in spicy fragrances and woody compositions.

SWEDISH CANDY

A fantasy note of sour, sweet, and sometimes salty, playful and poppy. It is built as a scent collage rather than a raw material. Common in gourmand and conceptual fragrances.

SNAKE PLANT

Green plant feel with an unexpectedly intense floral scent in some interpretations, sharp and distinct. In perfume, it is used as an unusual, green-floral idea. Common in experimental niche fragrances.

SWEDISH FISH CANDY

Fruity gummy candy feel with a distinct candy profile, often berry-like and sweet. This is a fantasy note built for nostalgia and playfulness. Common in gourmand.

LILAC

Floral spring feel with soft sweetness and a slight green shadow. Lilac in perfume is often built as an accord because the natural material is difficult to extract in classic form. Common in florals.

SWEET LICORICE

Sweet licorice root with anise and fennel associations, rounder than salmiak. Licorice provides gourmand with a distinct character. Common in gourmand and spicy fragrances.

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TAGETES

Green herbalness with an unexpected caramel note, sunny but tart at the edges. Tagetes is used to provide a distinct, slightly bitter floral-spicy element. Common in niche florals and oriental compositions.

PINE

Coniferous coolness with sweet resin and forest air, like Nordic nature on the skin. Pine provides a fresh, clean forest line that can feel both sporty and poetic. Common in woody fragrances and aromatic compositions.

PINE NEEDLE

Sharper coniferous feel with a distinct, cool freshness. Pine needle is used to enhance the forest feel and provide a clean, aromatic top note. Common in aromatic fragrances.

TANGERINE

Warm citrus that lies between mandarin and orange in feel, soft and sunny. Tangerine provides a wearable freshness with a little more body. Common in citrus fragrances and fruity florals.

TEA

A whole scent universe from green and grassy to black and dry, with a calm, clean aura. Tea accords are used for transparency, elegance, and a modern skin feel. Common in clean scents and aromatic compositions.

TEAK

Wood with a warm, slightly leathery and amber feel, furniture-polished and robust. Teak is used to provide a rich woody base with a distinct character. Common in woody fragrances.

TEA HYBRID ROSE

Rose profile with a historical feel, often tea and flower with soft elegance. In perfume, it is used as a reference to classic rose cultivation and romantic rose structure. Common in florals.

THYME

Herbal sweetness with aromatic freshness, warm but green. Thyme provides a distinct botanical feel and makes citrus more mature. Common in aromatic fragrances and herbal scents.

TOBACCO

Rich, warm, and earthy note that can feel honey-sweet, smoky, or dry depending on the composition. Tobacco gives the base a sensual, mature weight. Common in oriental fragrances and boozy compositions.

TOBACCO FLOWER

Sweet floral scent that often feels stronger in evening light, soft and warm. Tobacco flower provides a romantic, slightly nostalgic floral with a gourmand shadow. Common in florientals and gourmand florals.

TOLU BALSAM

Resinous sweetness that feels softer and more amber-like than Peru balsam. Tolu balsam provides a smooth, warm base with good fixation. Common in ambery fragrances and oriental compositions.

TOMATO LEAF

Green aromatic with earthy freshness and a slight tang, like crushed leaves between the fingers. Tomato leaf provides a modern, slightly edgy greenness. Common in green fragrances.

TONKA BEAN

Vanilla's darker cousin, almond-vanilla with hay and tobacco edge. Tonka provides warm sweetness that feels tailored rather than sugary. Common in fougère, gourmand, and ambery bases.

DRIED FRUIT

Dark fruit sweetness with depth, like figs, dates, and raisins in the same bowl. Dried fruit is used to make gourmands richer and more mature. Common in oriental fragrances and gourmand.

DRIED LEAVES

Green autumn note with a dry natural feel, like fallen leaves and cool earth. Dried leaves are a fantasy note for season and atmosphere. Common in woody and aromatic compositions.

TROPICAL FRUITS

Lush fruitiness like coconut, pineapple, and mango in an accord, sunny and generous. Tropical accords often evoke a holiday feeling in the top. Common in fruity fragrances and gourmands.

TRUFFLE

Earthy gourmand with a luxurious dark tone, like forest and chocolate in the same whisper. Truffle accords are used to make gourmands more mature and deep. Common in gourmands and oriental fragrances.

WOODY ACCORDS

A whole base world of wood, from dry cedar to creamy sandalwood and dark oud. Woody accords provide structure, body, and longevity. Common in many fragrance families, but especially woody and ambery scents.

TUBEROSE

White flower with drama, creamy and intense with a clear presence. Tuberose gives a statement feel and can range from sun-warmed to almost bubblegum-like depending on style. Common in white florals and florientals.

TULIP

Mild, sweet floral sensation, discreet and spring-like. Tulip in perfume is often a fantasy note that provides a soft floral touch. Common in florals.

COLTSFOOT

Light, fresh, and earthy floral tone with a subtle herbal feel. In perfume, it is used as a poetic spring note. Common in nature-inspired compositions.

SOAP

Clean, powdery, and slightly citrusy feel, like freshly laundered and newly cleaned in the best sense. Soap notes are often built with aldehydes and musk tones. Common in clean scents.

TWEED

Wool, countryside, and robust elegance, like a classic blazer with weather in its fibers. Tweed is a material fantasy built with wood, moss, and dry aromatic tones. Common in niche material scents.

V

VANILLA

Sweet comfort that can be dessert or dry elegance depending on dose and company. Vanilla binds compositions together and makes the base embracing. Common in gourmand and oriental fragrances.

VANILLA FLOWER

A scent idea rather than a fragrant flower, constructed to give a floral vanilla sensation. It is used to make vanilla lighter and more floral. Common in gourmands and florientals.

WATER LILY

Sweet, elegant watery floral feel with a clean luster. Lotus accord creates an aquatic floral that feels airy and modern. Common in aquatic florals.

WATERMELON

Watery fruitiness with clean summer freshness. Watermelon in perfume is usually a fantasy note that provides light juiciness. Common in fruity fragrances.

VELVIONE

Powdery musk with rich volume and a soft animalic shadow. Velvione is used to create an elegant musk body and a stable base. Common in musky and powdery compositions.

VERBENA

Citrus-sharp freshness with a soft rosy glimmer, like a clean, green citrus herb. Verbena provides a clear, invigorating top. Common in citrus fragrances and colognes.

WHEAT

Mild, sweet grassiness with a soft, warm tone. Wheat is used for a discreet, savory comfort feel. Common in gourmands and nature-inspired fragrances.

VETIVER

Rooty woodiness with dry freshness and sophisticated depth. Vetiver can feel earthy, smoky, or citrus-fresh depending on style. Common in woody fragrances, fougères, and chyprés.

VIOLET LEAF

Green, grassy scent with a cucumber-like freshness, cool and modern. Violet leaf provides a distinct green texture and makes florals more botanical. Common in green fragrances and florals.

VIOLET FLOWER

Powdery flower with a purple shadow and soft retro tone. Violet provides powder and romance that becomes modern with musk and wood. Common in powdery fragrances and iris bases.

WHITE CHOCOLATE

Creamy, sweet chocolate tone with milky roundness and less bitterness. White chocolate accord gives a dessert-like feel with smooth softness. Common in gourmands.

WHITE MUSK

Clean, soft, and sweet musk profile that feels washed and skin-like. White musk is often synthetic and used for a clean feel and fixation. Common in clean scents and skin scents.

WHITE FLOWERS

An accord of jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, and similar notes that provides a luxurious, often creamy florality. White flowers can be pure or deeply sensual. Common in florientals and white florals.

WHITE PEPPER

Peppery warmth with a sharper, drier line than black pepper. White pepper provides a clean spicy edge in the top. Common in spicy fragrances.

WHITE WINE

Fresh acidity and light fruitiness with a vinous sheen, like a cool drink and a bright evening. White wine is a conceptual note that builds spirited freshness. Common in fruity and boozy top accords.

VODKA

Mild alcoholic tone with a clean, slightly piquant freshness. Vodka accord is used to create a cocktail feel and clean boozy transparency. Common in boozy tops.

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WASABI

Sharp, fresh heat with green aromatics, electric and modern. Wasabi in perfume is a spice idea that provides a distinct, unusual top. Common in experimental compositions.

WHISKY

Boozy warmth with a smoky, woody, and sometimes slightly burnt tone. Whisky accord is used to give a grown-up gourmand and bar feel. Common in boozy gourmands and oriental bases.

Y

YLANG YLANG

Sun-warmed flower with creamy sensuality and tropical softness. Ylang ylang provides a rich floral that feels both classic and skin-like. Common in florientals and ambery florals.

YUZU

Exotic citrus with grapefruit, mandarin, and lime in the same sharp radiance. Yuzu provides a modern citrus profile that feels luxuriously clean. Common in citrus fragrances and fresh compositions.

Z

Z11

Modern synthetic building block with a soft woody and slightly amber-like character that provides structure and longevity. It is used to enhance wood and amber balance in the base. Common in modern woody bases and ambery compositions.

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PRECIOUS WOODS

An umbrella term for fine woods, from cedar to sandalwood and vetiver, often polished and elegant. Precious woods are used to signal quality and a clear, sophisticated base. Common in woody fragrances and ambery compositions.

APPLE BLOSSOM

Sheer fruit blossom with a crisp spring feel, lightly sweet and floral. Apple blossom in perfume is often a fantasy note that provides fruity florality. Common in fruity florals.

APPLE

Crisp fruitiness that feels clean and light, often more shampoo-like sheen than fruit compote. Apple in perfume is usually a constructed accord rather than an essential oil. Common in fruity florals and clean scents.

GORSE

Warm, sweet coconut-like floral tone with a soft exotic feel. Gorse is used as an unusual floral profile that can read as tropical but elegant. Common in florals and sun-warmed compositions.

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HERBS

A botanical whole of aromatic leaves and stems that gives fragrances character, purity, and nerve. Herbaceousness can be cool, bitter, sweet, or peppery depending on the plant. Common in aromatic fragrances and fougères.

HERBAL NOTES

Lavender, mint, rosemary, thyme, and more that build a clean, lively aromatic quality that can feel like a barbershop or a Mediterranean garden. Herbal notes make fragrances more structured and more bodied. Common in aromatic fragrances, fougères, and citrus compositions.