Perfume and fragrance oil glossary – what do the terms and concepts on the packaging mean?

You may have encountered specific wine terminology, which can seem like black magic to the uninitiated. Perfumes and fragrances can pose similar challenges. How do you navigate the extensive descriptions on labels? What do notes and fragrance categories mean? This glossary will explain basic concepts and terms.

Picking up a bottle of fragrance and unsure what all these terms mean? Curious about what goes into perfumes to make them unique? We present a glossary of perfumes and fragrance oils that will clarify the most important concepts for you.

Note

A note is simply an ingredient. There are three categories: top, heart, and base. Together, they create a fragrance. The top note is the first thing you smell upon opening the bottle. As it evaporates, you begin to perceive the heart note. Finally, you perceive the base note, the one that lingers on the skin.

Sillage

It's the trace that perfume leaves behind. You're probably familiar with the experience of leaving your apartment and the scent of someone else's perfume wafting through the hallway. This is called sillage .

Accord

This isn't our Polish "accord." This term refers to the combination of two or more notes. Their blend creates an entirely new scent.

Concentration

Perfumes are available in four main concentrations: parfum (perfume), eau de parfum (eau de parfum), eau de toilette (eau de toilette), and eau de cologne (eau de cologne). The concentration refers to the ratio of fragrance oil to alcohol. The higher the concentration, the longer the fragrance lasts on the skin.

Gourmand

This is a popular category of fragrance compositions that smell sweet. Ingredients can be found in the kitchen or baked in the oven. These include chocolate, vanilla, honey, raspberries, and other fruits.

Aldehydes

In short, aldehydes are aromatic compounds found in many natural ingredients, such as roses. Synthetic versions can be created in laboratories. Adding aldehydes to a fragrance adds a touch of brilliance. A popular example of a perfume with aldehydes is Chanel No. 5.