What Are the Different Types of Fragrances

When it comes to perfumes, the question ‘what are the types of fragrances?’ can mean one of the two things –

1) What are the different types of Perfumes or 2) What are different types of fragrance notes in a perfume. While both relate to perfumes, both questions have different answers. The answer to fist question - would cover perfume fragrance types in terms of perfume concentration; Eau De Toilette (EDT), Eau De Parfum (EDP) or Extrait De Parfum. We have a detailed blog that covers this aspect of different types of fragrances. Check it out here. 

The answer to the second question would cover the types of fragrance notes or fragrance smells in perfumes. The understanding of types of fragrance notes in a perfume, according to us, is the most important as well as interesting aspect of perfumery. And mind you, we are talking from the point of view a perfumer user or customer.  Buying a perfume without understanding of the types of fragrances is like going to a music concert without knowing who’s performing. Despite that, in our customer interactions, we realize that the knowledge about types of fragrance notes is half baked and confused. You know, why? Because fragrance descriptions given by international perfume brands are like English literature essays – all fancy & nice but its left to everyone's interpretation.

At Dopamine, simplicity of communication is a promise we have made to ourselves. In this blog, we will explain the different kinds of fragrances in a simple and lucid way. After reading the blog, you will be able to aptly imagine or feel a fragrance simply by reading about the fragrance notes & accords in a perfume, which is very relevant when you are choosing to a buy a perfume online. Read our blog on that here.

What are Fragrance Notes & Accords?

As a first step in understanding types of fragrances, let’s get the basics out of the way. So, what are fragrance notes? Simply put, the smell or scent of the ingredient that you put in a perfume is referred to as its ‘Note.’ The smell of rose when converted to a fragrance or perfume oil, will be referred to as ‘Rose Note’. Now many ingredients go into making a perfume. Hence a perfume consist of different types of fragrance smells i.e. fragrance notes. Easy?

Let’s move on. What is an accord then? When Perfumers develop a scent profile by combining notes of two or more ingredients, it becomes an accord. Such accords developed by experts and are widely accepted and used in the perfumery industry while making perfumes. Imagine a PowerPoint template, for want of simpler analogy. The most famous accord is the masculine ‘fougere’ developed by Houbigant owner Paul Parquet in 1882.  He combined the notes of Lavendar, Coumarin and Oakmoss to mimic the smell of freshly cut grass.

What are Fragrance Families?

Ok, let’s take an Indianized analogy for easier understanding – just like Gujaratis are from Gujarat, and Punjabis are from Punjab, notes and accords are broadly classified as belonging to certain ‘Fragrance Family’. This classification is based on certain similar characteristics of each ingredient’s smell.  Going deep, just like we have Patels, Shahs and Mehta (sub-families) all falling under ‘Gujaratis’, there are sub families under in each Fragrance family. So, a fragrance family called ‘Fresh’ will have ‘Citrus Oils’, ‘Aquatic or Aqua’ or ‘Green notes.’   

Going deeper, just like Gujaratis have Marathi's near them on one side and Marwaris on the other side, Fragrance Families are put next to each other in a Fragrance Wheel based on similarities and characteristics. The most referred to Fragrance Wheel is the one made by Micheal Edward, which can be seen here. This fragrance wheel is an important reference for understanding which notes will go well with each other, just like a colour wheel.

But hey listen, ultimately you are a perfume user, a consumer. So, you don’t have to get to dig more deep than this unless you want to start a perfume business. This elementary understanding is more than enough to understand types of fragrances while making a purchase decision.

What are the different Fragrance Types or Fragrance Families?

As we mentioned earlier, we believe in simplifying communication, and we have made this content from the standpoint of a perfume user – consumer. Therefore, in our explanation of different fragrance families, we have clubbed a few fragrances sub-families together and made a simpler version. This should help you understand relatable and relevant information from the clutter on the net. The following are the main perfume fragrance types:

Fresh

Sub-families – 1) Citrus Oils, 2) Aqua or Marine Notes

Imagine the refreshing, energetic scent of lemon or orange. Yes, that citrusy, tarty, tangy notes. These notes are intense and volatile. Usually used as a Top Note in perfumes. The main profile is based on lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit or mandarin. Additionally, Aquatic notes- the refreshing scent of sea or ocean which is very similar in profile to Citrusy notes are also a part of ‘Fresh’ fragrance type.

Floral

Sub-families – 1) Soft Florals, 2) White Florals, 3) Powdery/ Floral Aldehydes

A very popular and widely used fragrance family. This family has a wide range of smells. Given our exposure to flowers, the best way to imagine a floral note mentioned in a perfume composition is to think about how that specific flower smells. Because a Rose’s smell is soft, sweet and musky which is different from Mimosa flowers whose smell is Citrusy, and Jasmine whose smell intense and greener. Some flowers like violet and Iris have a powdery smell.  

Aromatic

Sub-families – 1) Green Notes, 2) Herbs, 3) Fourgere Accord

Intense grassy- spicy scents fall under this fragrance type. It’s like combining smells of Fresh Fragrance Family with herbs like anise, rosemary, cumin etc. The best way to imagine this fragrance family is to think about freshly mowed grass. Its intense and masculine.

Amber (also known as Oriental)

Sub-families – 1) Spices, 2) Resins/ Balms

Think of Oriental region. The smell of incense – intense and warm. The smell of Resins like Elemi, Benzoin– balmy and opulent. Basically, scents that have accentuated warmth and sensuality. Includes warm spices like cardamom, saffron etc, and sharp spices clove, cinnamon, pepper. The ingredients belonging to this type of fragrances have been used in perfumery since old times.

Gourmand/ Sweet

Sub-families – 1) Fruits & Nuts, 2) Sugary Food Smells

A tenacious and mouthwatering fragrance family which is very popular in perfumery these days. The Fruity sub-family consists sweeter smells like Plum, Peach and Berries. Some scents of nuts like almond and hazelnuts. The sugary food smells are fragrances are suggestive of foody smells, specifically sweets and desserts, from chocolate to fresh cream to caramel. 

Woody

Sub-families – 1) Woods, 2) Mosses, 3) Leather

As the name suggests, ingredients that are earthen, woody and mossy. The smells of nature.  The scent profile of woods ranges wildly across the different trees but basically, they hold all different types of fragrances together, like elders in a family. Woods can be resinous, creamy, sometimes rich and sometimes soft. Think of oud perfume or Sandalwood. Vetiver and Patchouli, though not exactly wood, have a similar profile. The same is the case with Leather.

Choosing the right Fragrance Types for you?

While Perfumes have a combination multiple fragrance families, there are only 2 to 3 ingredients/ fragrance that dominate the perfume. The rest of them support the main ingredients. You need to understand if you like the main notes & accords. For e.g., Our vanilla perfume collection features Vanilla as a key ingredient in both Dark Side of Vanilla and Deliciously Spicy. But the difference is Vanilla is the main note in previous one and just a small supporting note in the latter. So, you have read up and imagine the broad type of smell it will be. If you don’t like intense fragrances, then you can stay away from Oriental, Woody families. Contrary to the inherited view about sticking to one fragrance family, you must try various combinations of perfume fragrance types and widen your repertoire.

Fine fragrances offered by Dopamine Shop

At Dopamine Perfumes, for instance, we believe that Perfumes don’t have to smelt, but they must be felt. And the feeling for each occasion varies. How you want to feel on a date is vastly different than how you want to feel at Work, or how you want to feel at a Party.

Every Dopamine Perfume has perfume concentration levels of 25%. Check out our below collections for more details.

Man in the Mirror – Extrait De Parfum collection for him

Magic of Oud – Unisex Oud Collection

Molecules of Mood – Unisex Fine Fragrance

Conclusion

Fragrance Notes, Accords and Families are pillars for different types of fragrances. Type of Fragrances appears daunting, but it is not, once you get your basics right. Knowing about different types of Fragrances is as necessary for a consumer as it is for a Perfumer. The only difference is the depth of knowledge needed between the two. Next time you read about the ingredients of a perfume and fragrance, try to decipher the fragrance families and use the above information as a guiding tool to truly experience the perfume and fragrance.