The alphabet of perfume

The characteristics of the perfumes:

• Juice is a term in the world of perfumery, used to designate the alcoholic solution of a perfume.
• Fragrance means a pleasant smell of a perfumed product. A fragrance-free beauty product has no fragrance because it does not give off a pleasant smell.
• Essence means essential oil.
• Nose is the professional who creates the perfumes.
• Composition refers to the mixture of raw materials used in the creation of the product.
• Brume is lighter, softer and less concentrated than a perfume, so it evaporates faster.
• Eau de parfum is a dosed solution with a diluted concentration equal to 12 to 25% of a mixture of perfumes on an alcohol base. The eau de parfum is composed of 7 to 14% essential oils which are dissolved in 90 degree alcohol. The lifespan is quite substantial with a better hold on the skin which lasts for 4 to 6 hours. The perfect ally for the day!
• Olfactory that which relates to the sense of smell.
• Character is what makes the perfume unique, what sets it apart from other perfumes.

The olfactory families:

• Citrus is either a delicately bitter or tenderly sweet note. The citrus brings a touch of particular, but endearing originality. There are notes of lemon, grapefruit, orange or clementine, ingredients that bring a more spicy, but gourmet and fresh to the products.
• Amber/Oriental are captivating, suave and sweet notes, amber brings a touch of sensuality and elegance to fragrances. Under this term “amber” we find scents of vegetable origin such as vanilla, labdanum or even opoponax. This olfactory family is known for its tenacious notes, they are mainly present in the base notes. 
• Aquatique is a fresh and iodized note, it recalls the ocean, the air of the open sea. The aquatic olfactory family is intended to be light, it is often combined with floral notes, perfect for sunny days. In the aquatic notes, we generally find in raw material the lotus, the blue cypress, or even the christe-marine. They are present in the top notes.
• Aromatic is a natural and fresh note made from sage, thyme, rosemary, basil or even mint. These various ingredients give the perfume a raw and virile character. “Aromatic” notes are to masculine perfumes what floral notes are to feminine perfumes.
• Woody is a strong note and appreciated for its elegance. This olfactory family includes scents such as cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, birch or guaiac. Each woody aroma has its particularity, each tree gives off a different scent depending on its origin and the climate of the place where it grows. The perfumes of this olfactory family are used as a base note to structure the fragrance.

• Spicy is a note that is divided into two families: hot and cold. When we talk about hot spices, we are talking about cinnamon, nutmeg or even cloves bringing sensuality to the perfume. When we talk about cold spices, we are talking about cardamom or ginger bringing a spicy and modern side. Perfumes with spicy notes are made for both men and women.
• Floral is part of one of the most important families in perfumery, due to its wide choice. As its name suggests, its main accord honors one or more flowers. We generally find jasmine, orange blossom, rose or iris. It is a family that is synonymous with freshness, spontaneity and joy.
• Fruity is a note as intoxicating as the floral family. The fruit is seen as a symbol of sweetness, passion, but also pleasure. Very popular in perfumery, we often find melon, pear, red fruits or even peach. The fruity flavors have a growing success, they are irresistibly gourmet. Fruits are used in the composition of many mixed perfumes, both in fresh waters and colognes.
• Gourmand reveals taste notes ranging from caramel to cotton candy, toffee apple or tagada strawberries, a real cocktail of happiness! In these perfumes, we find ethyl maltol, tonka bean, furaneol, vanilla or even sacra sol, known substances. This olfactory family is the expression of sensuality and femininity. The gourmet side reveals an affirmation of the pleasures of living, of charm, of voluptuousness.

• Musky composed of these musks called “white musks” or “musky notes” bring together cottony and soft notes. They offer a cashmere sensation, some smell like baby's skin and are therefore clean, others are fruity, and others are woody. Musk is synonymous with sweetness and tenderness. Musk is mainly used in most perfumes, because it has the advantage of being an outstanding fixative.
• Solaire is a note that exudes holidays. It is generally composed either of tiare flower, carnation, ylang-ylang or frangipani. Regarding this olfactory family, perfumers compete in creativity to put emotions in bottles. Perfumes sometimes sweet or floral, or even more iodized or fruity, which make you travel beyond borders.

The notes of the perfumes:

The perfume is constantly changing throughout the day, this is due to its structure, called the olfactory pyramid. Indeed, the perfume each note evolves over time. First we find the top notes, then the heart notes and finally the base notes.

• Head : These are the notes that will impose themselves first on your nose. They are composed of fresh, light and volatile materials. However, the top notes evaporate very quickly, it takes between a few minutes to two hours.
• Heart : These notes are less volatile, they are more resistant than the top notes, but less than the base notes. The heart notes have a lifespan of several hours. They mark the transition between the fresh chords of the top notes and the warm fragrances of the base notes.
• Background : These are the final notes that will bring intensity to the perfume. When the heart notes provide volume, the base notes provide tenacity. They are generally made of heavy materials. Their lifespan is therefore longer, ranging from several hours to several days. The main function of the base notes is to fix the perfume.