If you're in your perfume or fragrance era like we are, there is so much to learn. There are countless notes to sniff and terms to learn, and some can be hard to understand.
Fragrance families are one of the various terms we often see, but it is not as complicated as you might think. When it comes to picking out a scent that you're drawn to, chances are, you probably like it because it is in the same category as other scents you might own. This is the premise of fragrance families.
What is a fragrance family?
According to Cranbourn.com, fragrance families are a system that the perfume industry uses to classify, organize, and describe scents. The families are defined by dominant characteristics. Think of fragrance family as a genre of book or movie; there is always something you are drawn to, and it is the same when it comes to scents.
What are the fragrance families?
There are four primary fragrance families, and many of the scent categories you know and love are smaller categories under these families. The four main categories are fresh, woody, floral, and amber.
Fresh is the category in which you will find many bright, light, and crisp scents. Think of them as very spring-type scents that would be perfect to wear during the day. One of the common types of notes that fall under this category is citrusy notes. Other subcategories you will find under this fragrance family are aromatic, green, and watery scents. When it comes to common notes in this family, you will find sage, grapefruit, bergamot, and more.
Woody is another fragrance family, and it is obviously all about woodsy scents. Scents in this category are a little more warming and luxurious, with many opulent, buttery, and sweet notes. The subcategories you'll find under this family are dry woods, mossy woods, and woods. Some notes that fall under this include scents like sandalwood, leather, patchouli, and so much more.
The floral scent family encompasses flower-based fragrance. Something to note is that sometimes, scents in this category can also smell powdery. When it comes to the subcategories for florals, the most common are fruity, soft floral, floral, and floral amber. Notes you'll typically find in this category are rose, jasmine, and orange blossom.
The last category is amber, which was previously known as "oriental." When it comes to scents in this category, think of herbs, spices, and powdery resin notes, according to ScentBeauty.com. The subcategories in this family are soft amber, amber, and woody amber. Some of the most famous notes in this category are vanilla, cinnamon, amber, and more.