Fragrance 101: A Guide to Finding Your Signature Scent

Shopping for a perfume can be an overwhelming experience. What is the difference between Eau De Parfum (EDP) and Eau De Toilette (EDT)? What is a fragrance note? With countless scents to choose from, how do you decide? Don’t you worry, we have the ultimate guide to help choose that perfect fragrance.

Choosing between an EDP and EDT

Want to know the difference between Eau De Parfum and Eau De Toilette? It starts with how strong the scent is.A fragrance’s concentration refers to how strong the fragrance’s scent is. The higher the concentration, the purer the fragrance and the longer it will last on the skin after application.
Eau de Toilette fragrances have low levels of perfume oils, making them perfect for when you’re at work or if don’t fancy a potent scent.

However, if you’re going to an event or out with friends, then an Eau de Parfum’s intensity, with between 8 and 15% perfume oils, will be better suited and last longer.

WHAT ARE FRAGRANCE NOTES AND HOW TO READ THEM?

All fragrances tend to have top, middle (or heart) and base notes. These are the layers of the fragrance, denoting the different scents you might recognise.

Top notes

The top notes of a fragrance (also known as opening notes) are the first impression of a fragrance. They represent the initial scents that entice you in. However, top notes are the lightest of all notes, as a result, they are the first to fade.

Typical top notes include fresh citrus elements such as bergamot, lemon and orange zest.

Middle notes

The middle notes are the heart or character of the fragrance. They appear just as the top notes evaporate and they last longer than top notes. They make up approximately 70% of the scent and have a strong influence on the base notes to come.

Middle notes usually comprise of floral or fruity tones, infused with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom.

Base notes

The base notes give body and longevity to the fragrance. They appear for hours after the top notes are completely evaporated. They are often rich and strong, and they blend with the heart notes to create the full body of the fragrance. The job of the base notes is to provide the lasting impression.

Common base notes include cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla, amber, patchouli, oakmoss and musk. The composition of these three notes and their interaction with your skin are what make a perfume unique.

THE FRAGRANCE ACCORDS

When multiple notes are blended, they produce new scents, which called an accord. Accords usually describe the overall scent of the fragrance and thus they can be grouped under a fragrance family. To help, we’ve put together a list of the most common fragrance families.

Shopping for a perfume can be an overwhelming experience. What is the difference between Eau De Parfum (EDP) and Eau De Toilette (EDT)? What is a fragrance note? With countless scents to choose from, how do you decide? Don’t you worry, we have the ultimate guide to help choose that perfect fragrance.

Floral

Floral fragrances are the most popular accords used. They are very flirty and feminine in nature. Think light and airy, sweet and feminine. Floral is perfect for daytime fragrances. They are also unapologetically romantic and can range in intensity.

Oriental

Just like the climate of distant lands, this scent is warm, intense and spicy. It is a combination of woody notes and vanilla. Claimed to be ideal for someone who wants to attract attention, this fragrance is fitting for wearing on dates or a romantic night out.

Woody

The woody accord takes you back to nature. It has an earthy, herby and masculine scent, reminiscent of a walk in the outdoors or sitting around a fire.

Citrus

The citrus accord is fresh, and mood-enhancing. From hints of mandarin to the zingy zest of lemon, a citrusy note will add a freshness to your fragrance.

Fruity

Sweet berries, succulent peaches and juicy apples all fall under the fruity scent, making it the perfect fragrance for the summer.

Fougère

From the French word for ‘fern’, this is a woody, herby and slightly sweet fragrance family that’s traditionally masculine. with outdoorsy elements of lavender, hay, thyme, sage, and thicker, darker notes of oakmoss, vanilla and musk.

Chypre

Sweet and earthy, the Chypre accord includes patchouli, bergamot and oakmoss notes. Mostly used by corporate workers due to their strong and classical appeal.

Gourmand

Generally sweet fragrances are reminiscent of the syrupy aroma of cupcakes. Common notes include chocolate, burnt sugar, vanilla and caramel.

FIND YOUR FRAGRANCE

Feeling more confident when it comes to choosing your next fragrance? Put your new-found skills to the test and explore our full fragrance collection, which includes a little of everything – from feminine to masculine scents. Simply answer a few questions and our Fragrance Finder will recommend a scent for you or for someone special.