Decoding Perfumes: The Ultimate Guide to Fragrance Families
A perfume is more than a mere accessory; it’s a reflection of your essence, encapsulating your preferences, personality, and even the mood of the day.
With the ever-growing number of new perfumes introduced each year, navigating through this olfactory landscape can be challenging.
Fortunately, fragrance families emerge as beacons, guiding you through this aromatic labyrinth and aiding in the selection of your perfect scent.
Understanding Fragrance Families:
Fragrance families, or olfactive families, are not just a method for categorizing ingredients; they delve into the essence of scents.
Rather than focusing on what a perfume contains, these families dissect and classify how a perfume smells.
Once you’ve identified the family that resonates with you, it becomes a compass, instilling confidence in your choices and encouraging exploration of new olfactory experiences.
The Two Principal Perfume Classifications:
Traditional Fragrance Families
Established by the French Society of Perfumers in 1984, the current perfume classification system, that stands as the main reference in the perfume industry, comprises seven main families: woody, chypre, leathery, floral, fougère, citrus, and oriental.
In recent times, these primary categories have evolved with the addition of sub-categories known as “facets.” There are a total of 11 main categories, allowing each perfume within a family to present a distinct facet, such as aldehydic, amber, spicy, fruity, gourmand, marine, musky, fresh, powdery, or green.
The Fragrance Wheel:
A more contemporary classification method, the Fragrance Wheel, introduced in 1983 by Michael Edwards, a consultant in the perfume industry, has gained widespread acceptance in both retail and the fragrance sector. This wheel visually organizes fragrances into families and subfamilies, featuring four primary families (FLORAL, ORIENTAL AMBERY, WOODY, FRESH) and fourteen subfamilies.
By grouping scents based on their aromatic characteristics, the Fragrance Wheel not only provides a visual representation but also offers insights into how fragrances blend and contrast. The proximity of subfamilies on the wheel indicates their compatibility, making it a valuable tool for both enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
