Scents are a language. This guide is your lexicon, containing over 370 notes that explain what you are actually smelling when you spray on a perfume. What gives a note its tones? What does it do to the composition? Look it 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 perfume, the absinthe sensation is often built from anise, wormwood, and herbs, providing a mature, somewhat bohemian aromatics. Common in aromatic compositions, herbal scents, and niche green accords.

ACACIA WOOD

Sun-warmed wood with soft, powdery florals in the background, more velvety than strict. In perfume, acacia often refers to mimosa and its yellow-flowered, honey-toned signature, which can read as floral and slightly spicy. Common in floral oriental scents, powdery compositions, and warm woody bases.

AKIGALAWOOD

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

ALDEHYDES

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

ELM

A green woodiness with subtle forest nuances, a bit of moss, a bit of mushroom, like a cool walk in the shade. In perfume, elm is usually a stylized woody note that creates a subtle, lifelike forest feeling. Common in green woody compositions and forest scents.

AMARETTO LIQUEUR

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

AMBER ACCORD

Golden-warm glow with a long trail and a sense of embrace. In perfume, amber is usually a constructed accord of vanilla, balsams, resins, wood, and musk rather than amber in the literal sense. Common in oriental scents, gourmand, and warm woody bases.

AMBERGRIS

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

AMBRETTE

Powdery floral with a musky skin sensation, soft as powder over warm skin. Ambrette seed and ambrette notes are often used as plant-based musk inspiration in the perfume world. Common in musk scents, powdery compositions, and skin-close florals.

AMBRETTOLIDE

Clean, modern musk with a subtle fruity background that feels like 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

Salted mineral and warm skin, but with a modern twist. Ambroxan is a synthetic amber-like molecule that builds soft skin-warmth and acts as a fixative for longevity and presence. Common in modern woody scents, clean musks, and marine and mineral perfumes.

AMYL SALICYLATE

Green fruity-floral with a light 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 scents, ambery bases, and pure woody compositions.

PINEAPPLE

Sweet tropical fruitiness with a sunny shine and a slightly tart edge, like juice that is almost bubbling. In perfume, pineapple is in practice 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 quality that can lean toward celery, juniper berries, and spice. Angelica root and seed can provide an elegant, slightly bitter-green structure in compositions. Common in aromatic scents, 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 sensation or vintage spice. Common in spicy oriental scents, gourmand, and herbal accords.

ORANGE

Juicy citrus with sun 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 scents, fruity florals, and classic colognes.

ORANGE LEAF

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

ORANGE BLOSSOM

White flower with a citrus edge and soft luster that can feel both clean and sensual. In perfume, orange blossom can come as a distillate, providing a clear floral quality that pairs well with musk, vanilla, or bright woody notes. Common in white florals, neroli colognes, and ambery floral blends.

ORANGE PEEL

Sweet citrus with more pressure and more bitterness, like when you grate zest over a dessert. In perfume, the peel profile is used to provide stronger citrus and a more gourmand-leaning impression. Common in citrus-gourmand, spicy citrus scents, and warm fruit accords.

APRICOT

Velvety fruity sweetness with a light almond tone in the shade, soft but not flat. Apricot in perfume is often a constructed fruit accord that can feel both fruity and slightly lactonic. Common in fruity florals, gourmand florals, and sun-warmed scents.

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 scents.

BAMBOO SHOOT

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

BANANA

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

BASIL

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

BASMATI RICE

Soft, grassy, and slightly nutty warmth that feels like steamed fabric and comfort. In perfume, rice is often a fantasy note that builds a warm, mild, and powdery gourmand sensation. Common in soft gourmands and skin-close scents.

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 scents.

BELLADONNA

Dark floral fantasy with creamy powder tones and a slightly poisonous aura, more story than botanical realism. In perfume, belladonna is generally a synthetically constructed accord. Common in niche florals, gothic compositions, and dark gourmands.

BENZOIN

Vanilla resin with an incense sensation and soft warmth that rounds off the base. Benzoin provides balsamic sweetness and a smooth, slow glow. Common in amber scents, oriental compositions, incense accords, and gourmand.

BERGAMOT

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

MOUNTAIN HEMLOCK

Needle-like forest with a light smokiness and an unexpected streak of berry-like sweetness in the background. In perfume, this type of forest tone is used to provide a natural sensation with depth. Common in forest scents, woody compositions, and aromatic bases.

CONCRETE

Raw, dusty mineralism with a damp chill, like a basement wall after rain. Concrete is a fantasy note created with earthy and mineral molecules. Common in conceptual niche scents, 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 builds where one wants soft resin volume and fixation. 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 gourmand, 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 darkness. Common in leather scents, smoky woody compositions, and niche dark woods.

BIRCH TAR

Dark, sweet smoke with a tarry leather sensation, 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 scents.

BLACKBERRY

Juicy berry sweetness with a dark fruity body, soft but distinct. Blackberry in perfume is usually a fruit accord that can lean toward a jammy or fresh style depending on the surroundings. Common in fruity florals, gourmand-fruit, and modern juicy scents.

BLACK CAVIAR

Salted, iodine-rich marine tone with a luxuriously sharp edge, like evening air by water and mineral. In perfume, this is a conceptual note built with marine and animalic nuances. Common in marine niche scents and mineral compositions.

BLOOD ORANGE

Citrus with more color, more juiciness, and a hint of berry-like sweetness. Blood orange is used to make citrus more expressive and more gourmand-leaning. Common in citrus scents, 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 feeling. Common in fruity scents and forest-like gourmand interpretations.

BLUEBELL

Sheer floral with spring-like greenness, light and airy as a bouquet in morning light. In perfume, bluebell is often a fantasy note built for transparency. Common in light florals and clean flower compositions.

FENUGREEK

Nutty, spicy, and slightly caramelized, with a warm, savory tone. In perfume, fenugreek is used to provide gourmand body and an odd, 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 velvet-dark elegance. Boronia is used when you want an unusual floral with depth. Common in exclusive florals and artistic compositions.

BROWN SUGAR

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

BREAD

Warm security with toasted dryness, like a freshly opened bag of bread in a quiet kitchen. Bread is an atmospheric fantasy note used to make gourmand less of a dessert and more everyday-close. Common in gourmand, tea and coffee accords, and conceptual scents.

BREADNUT

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

C

CABREUVA

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

CALONE

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

CAMPARI

Bitter orange and aromatic herbs with an alcoholic sharpness, like an aperitivo with red elegance. In perfume, Campari is a conceptual note that builds bitter citrus with a spicy herbal base. Common in citrus-bitter scents, herbal scents, and boozy gourmand.

CANNABIS

Green resinous herbalness with a distinct, warm bitterness that can lean toward a smoky tone depending on the composition. In perfume, the cannabis note is often built with terpenes and green resins to create a realistic sensation. Common in green niche scents, 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 provide warmth and luxury in gourmand. Common in gourmand scents, coffee and vanilla compositions, and boozy bases.

CASTOREUM

Leather and animalic warmth with a tarry shadow, historically raw and intense. In modern perfume, synthetic variants are usually used for ethical reasons, but the effect is the same: dark, skin-like, sensual. Common in leather scents, animalic bases, and smoky compositions.

CEDARWOOD

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

CITRON

Fresh, lemon-like citrus with more rind, a bitter white pith, and a distinct, classic zest character. Citron is used to give citrus notes more texture and less juiciness. Common in citrus fragrances and colognes.

CHAMPACA

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

CHAMPAGNE

Sparkling freshness with an illusion of bubbles, fruity acidity, and carbonated lightness. In perfume, champagne is a fantasy note constructed 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 a dark sweetness and an Italian aperitivo vibe. Chinotto is used to provide a more mature, sophisticated citrus profile than orange. Common in bitter citrus scents and aromatic colognes.

CHOCOLATE

Cocoa with a bitter sweetness and warm spice, like an adult-toned dessert. In perfume, chocolate is often built with cocoa accords, vanilla, and balsams for depth. Common in gourmand fragrances, ambery bases, and boozy compositions.

CISTUS (ROCK ROSE)

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

LEMON

Acidic clarity with immediate energy; short-lived but razor-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 an entire fruit basket in the top note; vibrant, energetic, and light. Citrus accords are built to provide breadth and modern freshness rather than focusing on a single fruit. Common in colognes, fresh fragrances, and as a top note in many families.

CLEARWOOD

A cleaner patchouli feel with long longevity; polished and modern rather than earthy. Clearwood is used to provide patchouli depth without the damp forest floor scent. Common in modern woody bases, woody amber, and contemporary chypré.

CLEMENTINE

Sweet citrus with a 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 a mature gourmand profile. Common in boozy gourmands, amber bases, and evening fragrances.

COPAIBA BALSAM

Soft, slightly peppery resinous woodiness with calming 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 ambery compositions.

COSTUS

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

CURRY LEAF

Aromatic green with spicy warmth; more leafy than powdery, and more sophisticated than a literal food scent. Curry leaf is used in perfume as an unconventional spice accent. Common in spicy compositions and experimental herbal scents.

CYCLAMEN

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

CYPRESS

Dry, needle-green with a fresh citrus nuance; taut and aromatic. Cypress oil provides a clean forest line that often feels classically masculine but works equally well in unisex scents. 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 wood and oud-like compositions. Common in woody fragrances, smoky bases, and oriental profiles.

D

DATE

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

DAMASK ROSE

Rose with classic richness, honeyed warmth, and velvety depth. Damask rose is often used as the reference for a luxurious rose profile, providing a distinct, elegant rose identity. Common in rose-dominant florals, ambery florals, and rose-oud combinations.

DAPHNE ACCORD

Delicate floral sweetness with a light citrus feel, like an expensive flower that smells more fragrant than it looks. In perfume, daphne is usually 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 wood tone. Davana provides a unique, slightly mysterious fruit and herb profile that evolves beautifully on the skin. Common in oriental fragrances and fruity-resinous compositions.

TARRAGON

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

DRIFTWOOD

Wood with salty, musky marine nuances, like sun-bleached timber on the shoreline. The driftwood note is often an accord of wood, amber, and salt minerality. Common in marine fragrances, woody compositions, and skin-like 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 note. Common in fruity florals and wine-themed concept fragrances.

DULCE DE LECHE

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

E

EBONY

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

OAK

Dry woodiness with a classic structure, sometimes associated with casks and tannins. Oak in perfume can provide a sober, furniture-polish feel or a wine-barrel note. Common in woody compositions and boozy accords.

OAKMOSS

Earthy, mossy greenness with bitter elegance, evoking forest floors and classic perfume history alike. Oakmoss is a signature in chypré and is used for contrast and depth. Common in chypré, fougère, and woody fragrances.

ELEMI

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

JUNIPER BERRY

Cool, aromatic freshness with a gin association; piney and slightly peppery. Juniper berry provides structure to aromatic top notes and can enhance a forest feel. Common in aromatic fragrances, piney compositions, and boozy profiles.

EUCALYPTUS

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

F

FICO D'INDIA

Green, dry, and floral fruitiness with an unusual, elegant roughness. 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 vibe; leafy and creamy at the same time. Fig accords are often built from green leaves and lactonic softness. Common in green and woody fragrances as well as soft gourmands.

FIG LEAF

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

FINGER LIME

Sharp citrus with aromatic spice 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

An entire bouquet in perfume form, from transparent florals to creamy white florals. Floral notes can be naturalistic 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 holiday skin only more polished. Frangipani is often built as an accord that leans toward jasmine and tropical flowers. Common in sun-drenched florals and summery scents.

FREESIA

Bright floral freshness; transparent and clean, like a bouquet with lots of air. Freesia provides a light, spring-like floral quality that never becomes heavy. Common in florals, fruity florals, and clean floral compositions.

FRUIT NOTES

Juiciness and sheen that make florals more wearable and bases more crave-worthy. 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

A light floral tone with subtle sweetness; more of a vibe than a botanical. In perfume, fuchsia is usually a fantasy note that provides a 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 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-like feel, often built as an accord. Gardenia provides a soft tropical floral quality that can feel both romantic and sensual. Common in white florals and sun-warmed florals.

GENTIAN

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

GEOSMIN

Damp earth after rain; forest soil and minerals, almost photographic in its realism. Geosmin is used in micro-doses to provide earthiness and true-to-life airiness. 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 slightly minty, spicy tone. Common in fougère and aromatic fragrances.

GIN

Distinctly aromatic cocktail feel with juniper berry 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

Honey-smooth yellow flowers with bitter elegance and a light tobacco-like depth. Broom is used as an unusual floral that gives character without becoming heavy. Common in floral orientals and citrus florals.

SPRUCE

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

POMEGRANATE

Fruity, slightly acidic sweetness with a red sheen and modern juiciness. Pomegranate in perfume is often a fruit accord that provides energy without becoming 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; slightly bitter, slightly warm, and unexpectedly deep. Mugwort provides a green, mature aromatic quality that feels artistic. Common in herbal scents and aromatic compositions.

CREAM

Creamy softness that makes gourmand scents smoother and more skin-like. The cream feel is often built with lactonic notes and vanilla. Common in gourmand fragrances.

GRASS

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

GREEN

An entire palette of leaves, sap, and stems, which makes sweetness smarter and scents 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 discreet, modern freshness that feels like skincare. Common in clean scents and transparent compositions.

GUAIAC WOOD

Smoky wood tone with a light 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 sheen 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 light licorice tone; calming and meditative. Gurjun is often used to provide body and fixation in resinous bases. Common in smoky and ambery 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 it is pungent. Turmeric is used as a spice accent for depth and color in the base. Common in spicy scents and oriental compositions.

H

RASPBERRY

Fresh sweetness with a distinct berry profile, often more of a fragrance 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 reverberation. The resin profile can be smoky, sweet, dry or church-like, depending on the material. Common in amber scents, oriental compositions and incense accords.

HASHISH

Sweet, resinous and darkly 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 scents.

SEA SALT

Pure minerality with a salty sting, like skin after bathing and the wind. Salt accords are used to make scents more modern and skin-close. 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 weighing them down. Common in modern florals and bright 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 discreet 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 dosage and pairing. Common in amber scents, white floral scents and gourmand.

HYACINTH

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

HYRACEUM

Deeply 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 quality with honey-sweet warmth, sometimes with a slight curry tone, 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 musk. Ginger brings citrus and flowers to life and can feel both modern and clear. 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 depth 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-close, sophisticated softness. Orris root is often used as a heart or base to make everything more elegant and cohesive. Common in powdery scents, suede 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 distinct 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 wood bridge in the heart. Common in florals and woody scents.

JAPANESE ROSE HAMANASU

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

JASMINE

White flower with pulse, from sun-warmed softness to a slightly narcotic presence. Jasmine gives sensuality and life to the heart and can feel both clean and deep. Common in white florals, florientals and floral-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 sandal profile and long durability. 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 tone with a distinct summer feeling. Strawberry in perfume is a built fruit accord that can be made both candy-like and more lifelike. Common in fruity scents and gourmand.

STRAWBERRY LEAF

Green freshness with a slight sweet leaf tone, like a berry bush rather than the berry itself. 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 bodily rather than sweet. Earthiness is often built with vetiver, patchouli, moss and orris. Common in woody scents, chypré and niche nature 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.

COOKIE

Dry sweetness like a cookie, more crumb than frosting. Cookie is a fantasy note that provides a homely gourmand feeling. Common in gourmand.

COCOA

Bitter warm chocolate core with spicy roundness, more adult and less sugary than a pure chocolate tone. Cocoa 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 feeling 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 chill. Common in aromatic scents and eucalyptus-like profiles.

CHAMOMILE

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

CANDIED JUJUBE

Sweet fruitiness with a dried fruit sensation and a light 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 bodily 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 bag. Kaolin is a conceptual fragrance idea that builds powdery minerality. Common in powdery niche scents and clean compositions.

HONEYSUCKLE

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

CARAMEL

Buttery sweetness with a roasted sugar sensation, the heartbeat of gourmand. Caramel accords are often built with maltol tones and vanilla. Common in gourmand scents.

CARDAMOM

Aromatic spice with cool elegance and a light citrus shine. 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 fragrance idea rather than a specific type of wood, built to provide smooth woody comfort. Common in modern wood bases and musky compositions.

CHESTNUT

Soft, sweet nutty warmth with a roasted sensation, like an autumn evening and a 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 calm breeze. Clover in perfume is usually a stylized green note. Common in green fragrances and nature-inspired compositions.

CANDY APPLE

Sweet, warm, and lightly burnt sugar scent over crispy fruit. Candy apple is a fantasy note that builds caramel and apple into a nostalgic gourmand profile. Common in gourmand.

COCONUT

Creamy tropics with soft sweetness, from sunscreen to dessert depending on context. Coconut is often built with lactones and vanilla. Common in solar fragrances and gourmand.

CORIANDER

Citrus spice with dry elegance, peppery and slightly aromatic. Coriander provides structure without becoming sweet and often feels very perfumer-smart. Common in aromatic fragrances 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-focused fragrances.

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 fragrances.

GUNPOWDER

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

CLOVE

Warm spiciness with a sweet, almost medicinal sharpness and a classic holiday feel. Clove provides depth in 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 gourmand. Common in spicy fragrances and oriental compositions.

ALLSPICE

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

CHRYSANTHEMUM

Mild, fresh florality with a slightly herbal tone, like the air in a florist shop. Chrysanthemum in perfume is often a stylized floral for a soft bouquet feel. Common in florals.

COUMARIN

Freshly mown 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 fragrances.

CUMIN

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

KUMQUAT

Sweet and tart citrus with a lively sheen and a slight exotic twist. Kumquat provides citrus with more fruity body. Common in citrus fragrances and fruity top notes.

QUINCE

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

CHERRY

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

CHERRY BLOSSOM

Sheer, sweet, and delicate floral sensation with a spring-like aura. Cherry blossom in perfume is usually 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 fragrances, leather compositions, and incense accords.

LACTONE OF CIS JASMONE

Creamy, waxy floral sensation 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 solar compositions.

BAY LEAF

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

MASSOLIA LACTONE

Coconut-like creaminess with milky sweetness, gourmand but not always dessert-like. Massoia lactone is used to build coconut and soft wood cream. Common in gourmand and solar fragrances.

LAPSANG SOUCHONG

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

LAVENDER

Purity, barbershop, and calm, aromatic and clear. Lavender is a cornerstone of fougère and provides a fresh-out-of-the-shower self-confidence. Common in fougère, colognes, and aromatic fragrances.

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 fragrances.

LIME

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

LINDEN BLOSSOM

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

LINGONBERRY

Fresh acidity with a berry tone, somewhat Nordic and slightly austere. Lingonberry is used to add berry notes that don't become too sugary. Common in fruity fragrances and green berry compositions.

LYCHEE

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

CANDLE WAX

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

LORENOX

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

LEATHER

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

MAPLE

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

M

MADONNA LILY

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

MAGNOLIA

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

MAHOGANY

Warm wood feel with a spicy tone, sometimes with vanilla associations. Mahogany in perfume is often a stylized wood idea with furniture-polish 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 fragrances. Common in florals and clean fragrances.

MALT

Roasted barley sensation with warmth and a light boozy undertone, like beer or whisky associations in a soft form. Malt is used for gourmand with an adult edge. Common in boozy gourmand and warm bases.

WORMWOOD

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

MANDARIN

Rounder citrus with a soft solar feel, sweeter and gentler than lemon. Mandarin makes the opening wearable and warm. Common in citrus fragrances, 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 provide structure and a botanical feel. Common in aromatic citrus fragrances.

ALMOND

Creamy nut tone with a bitter almond glimmer, luxurious and soft rather than sugary. Almond accords are often built to provide gourmand with elegance. Common in gourmand and powdery fragrances.

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 florality with a warm tone. Common in florals and gourmand florals.

ALMOND MILK

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

MANGO

Sweet, lush tropical 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 scents and tropical gourmands.

MANINKA

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

MARINE NOTES

A sense of the sea without being a single raw material, more an accord than an ingredient. Marine notes are built with ozonic and salty effects for purity and space. Common in aquatic scents and summer profiles.

MARSHMALLOWS

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

MASTIC

Green, piney resin with a bark feel and a clean, chewing gum-like association in the background. Mastic is used to provide resinous freshness and a sense of nature. Common in resinous scents and wood compositions.

MATE

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

METAL

Cool, sharp 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 scents.

METHYL IONONE ALPHA EXTRA

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

MIMOSA

Dry, honey-sweet flower with powdery softness and a yellow sunny 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 clear green top note. Common in aromatic scents and fresh compositions.

MIRABELLE

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

MILK

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

SUEDE

Velvety soft leather sensation with musk and wood, softer than it is smoky. Suede is often built as a synthetic leather accord. Common in leather scents and powdery wood compositions.

MOEPEL MILKWOOD

Honey and tobacco feel with a sensual, full-bodied presence. In perfume, it is used as an unusual, warm and rich floral and wood profile. Common in niche oriental scents.

MONOI

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

CARROT

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

IVY

Fresh, green leafiness with a cool, clean sense of nature. Ivy in perfume is usually a stylized green note to provide lively top-note airiness. Common in green scents.

CLARY SAGE

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

MACE

Warm spiciness with sweet roundness, softer than nutmeg but just as elegant. It is used to provide spicy warmth without becoming sharp. Common in oriental and spicy scents.

NUTMEG

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

MINT

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

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 scents.

MUSK

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

N

NAIL POLISH

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

CARNATION

Spice-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 scents.

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 flower with a light bitterness, clean and tailored in its feeling. Neroli provides 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 scents.

O

OLIBANUM FRANKINCENSE

Incense that sparkles; citrusy, balsamic and clear. Olibanum provides smoky transparency and spiritual purity without becoming heavy. Common in incense accords and resinous wood 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 scents.

OLIVE WOOD

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

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 scents and ambery 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 ambery wood compositions.

OREGANO

Intensely herbal pepperiness, dry and lively. Oregano is used as a clear green spice accent in small doses. Common in aromatic compositions and herbal scents.

ORCHID

Floral fantasy with soft sweetness and often vanilla associations, more of a feeling than a specific botanical. Orchid in perfume is usually an accord intended to feel elegant and creamy. Common in florals and gourmand-florals.

FERN FOUGÈRE

Woody 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-like or modern depending on the execution. Common in classic and modern aromatic scents.

OSMANTHUS

Fruity flower 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 scents.

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, ambery wood compositions and leather.

OZONIC NOTES

Chilly, metallic sense of air that smells like rain, sea or freshly laundered clothes depending on the composition. Ozonic effects are built with synthetic molecules for transparency and space. Common in marine scents and clean scents.

P

PALMAROSA

Floral 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 holy, soft smoke that feels both modern and ritualistic. Common in incense accords and woody scents.

PAPRIKA

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

PAPYRUS

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

PARADISONE

Airy, jasmine-like freshness with a hint of lemon, 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 tropics with juicy energy and a distinct exotic character. Passion fruit accord is used to provide a fruity punch in the top notes. Common in fruity fragrances and tropical compositions.

PATCHOULI

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

GERANIUM

Green, fruity, and rosy tone with aromatic freshness. Geranium provides a clean, slightly barbershop-like rose profile. Common in aromatic fragrances and fougère.

GINGERBREAD

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

PEACH

Velvet fruit with soft sensuality, round and creamy with a slight skin-like feel. Peach makes florals softer and more intimate. Common in florals and gourmand florals.

PEACH BLOSSOM

Floral tone 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 sensation. 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 fragrances and ambery 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 fragrances.

PETITGRAIN

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

PEONY

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

PISTACHIO

Nutty sweetness with a slightly leathery shadow, gourmand yet sophisticated. Pistachio is used to make gourmand scents more mature and textured. Common in gourmand.

PLUM

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

POMAROSE

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

POMELO

Citrus leaning towards grapefruit but softer and sweeter in feel. Pomelo provides clean, aromatic freshness with mild bitterness. Common in citrus fragrances.

BITTER ORANGE

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

PRALINE

Caramel, chocolate, and nut in a velvet-soft gourmand form, often built with maltol notes. Praline provides a warm, luxurious dessert sensation in the base. Common in gourmand fragrances.

POWDERY NOTES

A collective sense 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 sensation. Common in powdery fragrances and classic compositions.

DAFFODIL NARCISSUS

Mild, sweet florality with spring-like clarity. Narcissus is used to provide a classic, lightly 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 fragrances.

R

RHUBARB

Fresh acidity with a green, slightly metallic feel, like stems and spring wind. Rhubarb is used to provide a modern, crisp, fruity-green top note. Common in fruity florals and fresh fragrances.

RAIN

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

CALENDULA

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

RICE

Mild sweetness with a powdery, soft body, like dry rice and warm textile. Rice accord is used for comfort and intimate gourmand sensations. Common in powdery fragrances 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 feel in perfume form. Common in tea compositions and gourmand.

ROSE

The flower that can be anything, from green and peppery to jammy and velvet-soft. Rose provides romance and structure and can carry a fragrance alone or serve as a backbone. Common in florals, rose and oud, chypre, and ambery florals.

COSMOS

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

ROSEWOOD

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

ROSE WATER

Mild rose with a clean, airy, and light aquatic feel. Rose water provides a soft, transparent rose profile that feels skin-like. Common in florals and clean compositions.

PINK PEPPER

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

ROSEMARY

Aromatic greenness with Mediterranean pulse, herbal and slightly camphoraceous. Rosemary makes fragrances feel botanical and alive. Common in aromatic fragrances and fougère.

RAISIN

Dried fruit with a dark gourmand tone and a slightly boozy feel. Raisin is 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 fragrances.

RED BERRIES

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

RED CURRANT

Clear acidity and red berry character, fresh and crisp. Red currant provides a berry feel that feels more mature than candy. Common in fruity fragrances and fruity florals.

SMOKE

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

INCENSE

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

S

SAFFRON

Golden spice with a metallic honey tone and sometimes a leathery shadow. Saffron provides luxurious spicy warmth and pairs particularly well with rose and oud. Common in rose and oud, ambery fragrances, 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 woody compositions and leather.

SALTED LICORICE SALMIAK

Salty and tart licorice bite, dark and addictive in fragrance form. Salmiak accord is used to create a Nordic, distinct gourmand edge. Common in gourmand and conceptual fragrances.

SAGE

Dry aromatics with a clean, austere finish and a barbershop feel. Sage can provide a slightly smoky effect in woody bases. Common in aromatic fragrances 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 sensation of softness and volume. Common in modern bases and musky woody compositions.

SANDALWOOD

Creamy wood with soft warmth and skin-like radiance. Sandalwood makes compositions rounder, softer, and longer-lasting. Common in woody scents, amber 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

Resinous woodiness with a slightly damp bark note. Sequoia provides a large forest body and a clean, aromatic base. Common in woody scents and forest compositions.

SESAME SEED

Softly nutty, slightly caramelized tone 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 scents.

CIVET

Animalic warmth with a musky, smoky, and slightly sweet nuance; historically strong but often softer in modern interpretations. Today, synthetic civet notes are often used. Common in animalic scents 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 spice top note. Common in spicy fresh scents and modern wood compositions.

SEAWEED

Salty, iodine-rich, and aromatic sea tone, more raw coast than vacation perfume. Seaweed is used for realism and a mineral marine effect. Common in marine niche scents.

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 tone, soft and warm like melted butter. Butter accords are built to make gourmand scents smoother and more pastry-like. Common in gourmand.

BUTTERSCOTCH

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

SUGAR

Sugary sweetness that makes gourmand scents more clearly confectionary or glaze-like, depending on the dose. Sugar accords are often built with caramel molecules and vanilla. Common in gourmand.

SUGAR GLAZE

Confectioners' sugar sweetness with a soft citrus glimmer, like the final finish on a pastry. Glaze accords provide a light, bright sweetness. Common in gourmand.

SUGARCANE

Sweet, warm tone that can lean toward 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 accords are a classic playful gourmand. Common in gourmand.

CISTUS LABDANUM

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

STAR ANISE

Sweet licorice spice with a warm, clear profile. Star anise provides drama and signature in spicy top notes. Common in spicy scents and gourmand.

STYRAX

Warm balsamic sweetness with vanilla, almond, and incense feel, soft and melting. Styrax gives the base a smooth, resinous glow. Common in amber scents and oriental compositions.

STARCH

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

SUMAC

Tart, fruity freshness with a red berry feel and a slight spice tone. Sumac provides an unusual acid effect in the top notes. Common in fruity and aromatic scents.

SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen feel with coconut, tropical, and a clean mineral tone in the bottom. Sunscreen is a fragrance concept that evokes memories of sun-warmed skin and beach air. Common in sun-drenched scents.

SOUR CHERRY

Rich, juicy cherry tone with extra acidity and a hint of almond from the pit. Sour cherry provides a more adult cherry gourmand. Common in gourmand.

BLACK INK

Dark, damp, and mineral feel that can veer toward moss and rainy paper notes. Black ink is a conceptual note that builds atmosphere. Common in niche material-focused scents.

BLACK TEA

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

BLACKCURRANT

Juicy berry with a budding green tone and clear attitude. The cassis profile provides energy and contrast in fruit and floral scents. Common in fruity florals and rose with patchouli.

BLACK PEPPER

Dry pepperness with warm energy and slight woody sharpness. Black pepper provides a modern, clean spice kick in the top notes. Common in spicy scents and wood 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 single raw material. Common in gourmand and conceptual scents.

SNAKE PLANT

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

SWEDISH FISH CANDY

Fruity wine gum feel with a clear 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 light 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 salted licorice. Licorice provides a gourmand note with clear character. Common in gourmand and spicy scents.

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MARIGOLD

Green herbal quality with an unexpected caramel tone, sunny but with a rough edge. Marigold is used to provide a distinct, slightly bitter floral spice element. Common in niche florals and oriental compositions.

PINE

Needle-like 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 forest scents and aromatic compositions.

PINE NEEDLE

Sharper needle feel with clear, cool freshness. Pine needle is used to reinforce forest atmosphere and provide a clean, aromatic top note. Common in aromatic scents.

TANGERINE

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

TEA

An entire 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 warm, light leather and amber feel, furniture-polished and robust. Teak is used to provide a rich wood base with distinct character. Common in woody scents.

TEA 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 clear botanical feel and makes citrus notes feel more adult. Common in aromatic scents and herbal scents.

TOBACCO

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

TOBACCO BLOSSOM

Sweet floral scent that often feels stronger in evening light, soft and warm. Tobacco blossom 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 excellent fixation. Common in amber scents and oriental compositions.

TOMATO LEAF

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

TONKA BEAN

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

DRIED FRUIT

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

DRIED LEAVES

Green autumn tone with a dry nature feel, like fallen leaves and cool soil. Dried leaves is a fantasy note for season and atmosphere. Common in forest and aromatic compositions.

TROPICAL FRUITS

Lush fruitiness like coconut, pineapple, and mango in one accord—sunny and generous. Tropical accords often build a holiday vibe in the top notes. Common in fruity and gourmand fragrances.

TRUFFLE

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

WOODY ACCORDS

An entire 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 amber scents.

TUBEROSE

White floral with drama, creamy and intense with a distinct presence. Tuberose provides a statement feel and can range from sun-warmed to almost bubblegum-like depending on the 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 sensation, like fresh laundry and a clean house 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 jacket with the scent of weather in its fibers. Tweed is a material fantasy built with wood, moss, and dry aromatic notes. Common in niche material-focused fragrances.

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VANILLA

Sweet comfort that can be dessert-like or dryly elegant depending on the dose and pairing. 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, built to provide a floral vanilla feel. It is used to make vanilla lighter and more floral. Common in gourmand and florientals.

WATER LOTUS

Sweet, elegant watery floral sensation with a clean luster. Lotus accords provide 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 full volume and a soft animalic shadow. Velvione is used to create an elegant musky 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 note. Common in citrus scents and colognes.

WHEAT

Mild, sweet grassiness with a soft, warm tone. Wheat is used for a discreet, nourishing sense of comfort. Common in gourmand and nature-inspired scents.

VETIVER

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

VIOLET LEAF

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

VIOLET

Powdery bloom with a purple shadow and soft retro tone. Violet provides powder and romance, rendered modern with musk and wood. Common in powdery scents and iris bases.

WHITE CHOCOLATE

Creamy, sweet chocolate tone with milky roundness and less bitterness. White chocolate accords provide a dessert feel with smooth softness. Common in gourmand.

WHITE MUSK

Clean, soft, and sweet musk profile that feels laundered 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 flowers that provides a luxurious, often creamy floral quality. White flowers can be clean 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 sharpness in the top note. Common in spicy fragrances.

WHITE WINE

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

VODKA

Mild alcoholic tone with clean, slightly piquant freshness. Vodka accords are used to create a cocktail feel and clean, boozy transparency. Common in boozy top notes.

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WASABI

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

WHISKY

Boozy warmth with a smoky, woody, and sometimes slightly burnt tone. Whisky accords are used to provide mature gourmand and cask-like qualities. Common in boozy gourmand and oriental bases.

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YLANG YLANG

Sun-warmed flower with creamy sensuality and tropical softness. Ylang ylang provides a rich floral quality that feels both classic and close to the skin. Common in florientals and amber florals.

YUZU

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

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Z11

Modern synthetic building block with a soft woody and slightly amber-like character that provides structure and longevity. It is used to strengthen wood and amber balance in the base. Common in modern wood bases and amber 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 scents and amber 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 like shampoo 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 yet elegant. Common in florals and sun-warmed compositions.

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HERBS

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

HERBAL NOTES

Lavender, mint, rosemary, thyme, and others that build a clean, lively aromatics that can feel like a barbershop or a Mediterranean garden. Herbal notes make scents more structured and corporeal. Common in aromatic scents, fougère, and citrus compositions.