PERFUMERY GUIDE: HOW TO BECOME AN EXPERT?

Welcome to our perfume guide, a captivating journey through the mysteries and wonders of fragrances. In this guide, we will explore the 10 major olfactory families, the different notes of a perfume, as well as our key tips to help you become an expert in the field.

THE 10 MAJOR OLFACTORY FAMILIES

Perfumery uses a complex language to describe fragrances, but we can group them into ten major olfactory families to help you understand them better:

  1. Floral : This family is dominated by floral notes such as rose, jasmine, lily of the valley, lavender, and many others. Floral fragrances often evoke femininity and sweetness.
  2. Oriental : Oriental perfumes are rich in warm, spicy and sweet notes. They contain ingredients like vanilla, cinnamon, incense, musk and sandalwood. These perfumes evoke warmth and sensuality.
  3. Wooded : Woody fragrances are characterized by woody notes, such as cedar, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, and guaiac wood. They evoke strength, stability, and masculinity.
  4. Hesperidea : Citrus fragrances are fresh, invigorating and energizing, thanks to citrus notes such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot and neroli.
  5. Cyprus : Chypre fragrances are often composed of notes of oakmoss, patchouli, bergamot, and fruits such as apple and peach. They evoke mystery and sophistication.
  6. Aromatic : Aromatic fragrances feature herbal and spicy notes, such as lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, and mint. They are fresh and evoke cleanliness.
  7. Fern : Fougère fragrances combine fresh, herbal notes with woody, spicy notes. They are often masculine and elegant.
  8. Greedy : Gourmet fragrances are rich in sweet and gourmand notes, such as chocolate, vanilla, caramel, coffee and candied fruits. They evoke gluttony and sensuality.
  9. Fruity : Fruity fragrances feature notes of fruit, whether sweet, juicy, tangy, or exotic. They include notes of apple, peach, pear, strawberry, raspberry, apricot, and more. They are fresh and cheerful.
  10. Aquatic : This family evokes marine, salty and fresh notes, reminiscent of sea air, with touches of seaweed, salt and aquatic notes. These fragrances are refreshing and reminiscent of the ocean.

TOP, HEART AND BASE NOTES

This is certainly the most important point in perfumery: each perfume is a complex composition that evolves over time. To understand this evolution, we must explore the top, heart and base notes.

  • Top Notes : These are the first notes you smell when applying the perfume. They are fresh, light, and volatile, capturing attention immediately. Top notes often include citrus, herbs, spices, or other fresh, sparkling elements. However, they fade quickly, making way for the middle notes.
  • Heart Notes : Heart notes emerge within minutes of application and are the heart of the fragrance. They are more subtle, longer lasting than top notes, and include deeper florals, herbs, spices, and other ingredients that create the fragrance's distinctive character. Heart notes form the emotional core of the fragrance.
  • Base Notes : Base notes are the most durable and linger long after application. They are rich, warm and sensual, fixing the olfactory memory of the perfume. Base notes often include woods, resins, musks, amber, and other deep ingredients. They give the perfume its stability and lasting character.

Our advice

  • Read Books and Visit Shops : There’s nothing better than combining knowledge with practice. Explore books, blogs, or other online resources to learn about legendary perfumers, fragrance creation techniques, and current industry trends. Then, pay visits to niche perfume boutiques, luxury perfumeries, and perfume workshops. Salespeople and perfume experts can guide you in discovering new fragrances and provide valuable insights. There are also many schools and workshops that offer perfumery classes. Joining a class will allow you to learn directly from the experts and develop your perfume creation skills.
  • Test, test, test ! Experimentation is the key to becoming a perfume expert. Try as many perfumes as you can. Smell them on your skin, on test strips, then wear them, finally compare. Repeat this as many times as possible! This will help you develop your olfactory palate. Then, and as soon as possible, start your own perfume collection. Choose a variety of fragrances to explore different styles and ingredients. This will allow you to better understand your preferences and broaden your expertise.
  • Follow the news : When it comes to perfumery, there is a lot of news! Stay up to date with the latest news. New perfumers, fragrance launches and trends are constantly emerging. Learn the key terms to familiarize yourself with the jargon, your understanding will only improve. Curiosity is a key quality to become an expert!
  • Be patient : Becoming an expert in perfumery takes time. It is a vast, complex, but incredibly captivating world. Be patient and keep practicing. The more perfumes you smell, the more you will understand them. Your nose will become more and more refined and sharp, and the olfactory signatures of each perfume will no longer hold any secrets for you!

Ultimately, perfumery is a never-ending sensory adventure. Each fragrance tells a unique story, and with this guide, you are now ready to fully discover and appreciate the wonderful world of perfumes.

Enjoy your olfactory journey!