Fragrance Buying Guide

• Category: Perfume

Of the various senses that we all possess, the sense of smell is perhaps the most sensitive. Many of us know what fragrance we like but are unable to express the same in words. Therefore, what we intend to do in this fragrance guide is to make the entire process simpler and easier for anyone to make a purchase online.

Types of Fragrance Families

There are many layers of scents (also called notes) in perfumes and fragrances. One can notice these notes especially when the fragrance dies down. Top, middle and base are the three notes by which they are identified. The scents of middle layer, the most noticeable notes, are where the perfumes and fragrances belong as a fragrance family. It is quite possible that a particular fragrance may not fall in a particular family as there many different types of fragrances and perfumes are available. Following are the most common families of fragrance and you can choose the ones that you desire. Once you are clear about the fragrance family, you can opt for the middle notes in that family.

Amber

These fragrances are also called oriental fragrances. The perfume ingredient, ambergris, generates the scent similar to incense. Earlier, natural ambergris was produced from digestive tract of the sperm whale. As the sperm whale is now an rare species, synthetic ambergris is opted for now. Amber Fragrance is also generated from the resin of plant in the Middle East. Wood and Vanilla scents combine well with these perfumes. The spicy warmth of the amber fragrance is very suitable for the people who desire a mysterious, exotic perfume or cologne.

Woody

The woody perfumes remind us of the silent, secretive feelings of the forest. It is available in the range of light, mossy and fresh to warm, dark and spicy. Cedar, Agar wood (also known as ‘Oudh’) and sandalwood are the woods that combine well with lavender, patchouli, bergamot, lime or ginger. The woody fragrance is popular with both men and women who prefer the outdoors.

Leather

Deep warm scents that remind us of leather or suede are the characteristic of this fragrance. Honey, cloves, tobacco and cedar are the source of this perfume. Often they are layered with citrus notes. For the people who choice leathery smells like a leather jacket or a leather armchair, this fragrance is very appealing. Mostly preferred by men though a few women too like this perfume.

Floral

It is commonly mistaken by people that all fragrances are floral. This is only a type of fragrances and a very popular one. There is vast range of floral fragrances - from soft floral to bright. Most common florals are roses, gardenia, jasmine, lilies and tuberose scents and they combine well with spices. Most women prefer these perfumes as they are associated with romance and feminity.

Aquatic

Fresh clean scents, reminiscent of an ocean, are known as aquatic fragrances. An ingredient called ‘calone’ is used to duplicate the floral scent of an ocean breeze. A combination of citrus scents and light floral is also used to create the aquatic fragrance. The typical user of the aquatic fragrance is young, energetic and sporty and is primarily preferred by men. They are also promoted as unisex fragrances.

Gourmand

This fragrance mimics the scents of food and the deserts. Fresh and light fragrances like citrus and fruity are popular choices. Most of the scents are synthetic, though a few are natural and come from blossoms or leaves. Smelling like a cookie, cupcakes or a pumpkin pie, are some vanilla fragrances. Nutty, bittersweet scents like dark chocolate the hallmark of chocolate fragrances. Men’s cologne and women’s perfume are favorites in this category of Gourmand fragrances.

Blends

Some fragrances which have a base of oak moss with citrus-top note are referred to as fragrances from the family of chypre (pronounced as ‘Sheepra’). The notes of bergamot and patchouli combine well with earthy, woody chypre fragrances. This combination leads to a dry scent. A top note of lavender and base notes of coumarin (found in plants like vanilla grass and Tonka green), bergamot and oak moss are contained in the fragrances of the fougere family.

Strangeness’ of Fragrances

The concentration of aromatic compounds, are the ingredients that determine the strength, provides scent, the duration for its lasting and finally the price of the fragrance. Ethanol or mixture of ethanol and water constitute the balance of the fragrance and is known as the liquid carrier.

- Eau de Perfume: At least 20 percent of the aromatic compounds make up the perfume.
- Eau de Toilette: About 10 percent of the aromatic compounds make up the Eau de toilette.
- Eau de cologne: 2 to 5 percent of aromatic compounds make up the cologne.
- Scented after shaves, powders, lotions and splash perfumes: Containing less than 1 to 2 percent of aromatic compounds make up these scented products. They are ideal for light scent or for layering.

Quantity of Perfume in a Bottle

There is no exact measure to determine how many sprays you would get from one bottle. A typical woman may spray each pulse point while it is acceptable for a man to spray his neck twice per wearing. One can only make a rough estimate of how many sprays one can get from a bottle as it varies from person to person and from manufacturer to manufacturer and it is as follows:

- A bottle of 0.11 ounce provides average 20 - 60 sprays
- A bottle of 1.70 ounce provides average 400 - 1000 sprays
- A bottle of 3.40 ounce provides average 800 - 2000 sprays