The emotions within a fragrance
A fragrance is an agreement reached thanks to a knowledgeable combination of ingredients having natural and synthetic origins. As in a musical composition, the harmony of a chord depends on the equilibrium of proportions and the olfactive intensity of each note.
The three life moments of a fragrance, according to the volatility of its components are: top, heart and base.
Notes and olfactive families
Top notes
They are the notes creating the first impression of a fragrance, they intrigue and fade away after some ten minutes.
Heart notes
They are the most persistent notes and represent the soul and character of the fragrance.
Base notes
Composed of absolute and concrete natural resins, musks and synthetic fixators, they are the base of the fragrance, the notes that persist longer.
Top notes
FRESH AND STIMULATING
fresh light notes of essential oils such as bergamot, lemon, orange, mandarin, citron, grapefruit, etc.
fresh light notes of essential oils such as bergamot, lemon, orange, mandarin, citron, grapefruit, etc.
LIVELY AND EFFERVESCENT
fresh and pleasant, these notes remind you of water, the sea, ozone and salt.
fresh and pleasant, these notes remind you of water, the sea, ozone and salt.
PENETRATING AND SPONTANEOUS
obtained mainly from leaves, stalks or fresh mown grass. Vivacious and zesty, they can also hint at certain flowers, such as violets, or fruit, such as coconut.
obtained mainly from leaves, stalks or fresh mown grass. Vivacious and zesty, they can also hint at certain flowers, such as violets, or fruit, such as coconut.
PENETRATING AND INTENSE
pungent, fresh, healthy notes such as mint, eucalyptus and camphor
pungent, fresh, healthy notes such as mint, eucalyptus and camphor
REFINED AND IMAGINATIVE
These notes consisting of synthetic molecules, sweet or fresh and pungent make it possible to obtain new unusual combinations and thus give strength and body to the fragrance
These notes consisting of synthetic molecules, sweet or fresh and pungent make it possible to obtain new unusual combinations and thus give strength and body to the fragrance
AROMATIC AND ASSERTIVE
obtained from the plant kingdom, these are closely connected with green notes but with greater complexity. They have a fragrance reminiscent of the land, of grass and roots.
obtained from the plant kingdom, these are closely connected with green notes but with greater complexity. They have a fragrance reminiscent of the land, of grass and roots.
REGENERATIVE AND MELLOW
Notes typical of aromatic herbs such as lavender, basil, sage, thyme, rosemary and laurel
Notes typical of aromatic herbs such as lavender, basil, sage, thyme, rosemary and laurel
VIGOROUS AND LIVELY
cheerful and captivating, these notes come mainly from green or yellow fruits. Belonging to this group are fragrances such as apple, pear, melon and pineapple.
cheerful and captivating, these notes come mainly from green or yellow fruits. Belonging to this group are fragrances such as apple, pear, melon and pineapple.
Heart notes
CAPTIVATING AND PLEASING
characterising the middle and base notes, they come from sweet intense fruits such as mixed berries.
characterising the middle and base notes, they come from sweet intense fruits such as mixed berries.
FEMININE AND SOPHISTICATED
the characteristics may vary depending on whether they come from a single note or a flowery bouquet. In any case it is a large family containing different types:
the characteristics may vary depending on whether they come from a single note or a flowery bouquet. In any case it is a large family containing different types:
- fresh: obtained from typical spring flowers such as lily of the valley, lilac, freesia or some varieties of slightly fruit-scented roses;
- green: the violet is a distinctive example, but in general they suggest flower buds, with a fragrance reminiscent of elements closer to the earth such as leaves or grass.
- intense: reminiscent of flowers from particularly hot climates: jasmine, tuberos, orange blossom, narcissus. These notes often contain accentuated notes of balm, spices or animal origin.
- “hybrid”: all these floral notes with a mix of fragrances. For example hyacinth has a scent that is both fresh and intense, just as the violet could be considered not only green but also slightly woody.
FRESH AND TRADITIONAL
from an unmistakeable harmony of delicate, fresh and persistent notes of lavender and spike lavender.
from an unmistakeable harmony of delicate, fresh and persistent notes of lavender and spike lavender.
REFINED AND VELVETY
found in blends of Mediterranean ingredients, bouquets that contain different types of notes, such as tree moss or oakmoss, vetiver, bergamot, amber, jasmine, patchouli and labdanum, mixed harmoniously in different ways.
found in blends of Mediterranean ingredients, bouquets that contain different types of notes, such as tree moss or oakmoss, vetiver, bergamot, amber, jasmine, patchouli and labdanum, mixed harmoniously in different ways.
Base notes
BALMY AND DELICATE
for softness, refinement and persistence in compositions. Examples include vanilla, honey, almond, marzipan and aniseed.
for softness, refinement and persistence in compositions. Examples include vanilla, honey, almond, marzipan and aniseed.
REFINED AND MASCULINE
traditional blend with notes of lavender, coumarin, geranium and oakmoss.
traditional blend with notes of lavender, coumarin, geranium and oakmoss.
INTENSE AND PERSISTENT
There are two classes of musky fragrances with completely different characteristics:
There are two classes of musky fragrances with completely different characteristics:
- Musk: in the past these notes were obtained from a secretion of the musk deer. Today they are reproduced synthetically but still retain the typically animal scent with aphrodisiac properties.
- Moss: obtained from lichens that grow on trees and which in the case of oak take on a particular greenish hue, in most cases they have an odour reminiscent of wood, resin and soil. They are often found in bouquets in which a note of lavender is combined with coumarin, bergamot, geranium and oakmoss.
SWEET AND PERSISTENT
captivating gourmand notes, typical of vanilla.
captivating gourmand notes, typical of vanilla.
WARM AND SENSUAL
An evolution of the famous ambergris, these notes obtained originally from the natural secretions of the sperm whale are now reproduced synthetically. They have a particular scent, woody-oily with metallic elements, but also slightly balsamic, with a typically erogenous animal suggestion. In general this synthetic derivative is a mixture of vanilla, labdanum, benzoin, Peru balsam, labdanum cistus absolute, patchouli and sandalwood.
An evolution of the famous ambergris, these notes obtained originally from the natural secretions of the sperm whale are now reproduced synthetically. They have a particular scent, woody-oily with metallic elements, but also slightly balsamic, with a typically erogenous animal suggestion. In general this synthetic derivative is a mixture of vanilla, labdanum, benzoin, Peru balsam, labdanum cistus absolute, patchouli and sandalwood.
DRY AND CAPTIVATING
this note comes from a unique formulation which aims to recall the scent of leather through the dry odour of smoked leather, burnt wood and birch. It can also be found with some undertones:
this note comes from a unique formulation which aims to recall the scent of leather through the dry odour of smoked leather, burnt wood and birch. It can also be found with some undertones:
- floral: these make the note less aggressive thanks to the influence of flowers such as the violet or iris;
- tobacco: the dryness of the leather is softened with blends of wood, honey and hay which characterise some tobaccos.
SWEET AND AROMATIC
these notes can recall all the different fragrances of tobacco.
these notes can recall all the different fragrances of tobacco.
LIVELY AND SENSUAL
they can be spicy like cloves, nutmeg and pepper, or stimulating like ginger, cardamom, angelica, cinnamon and coriander.
they can be spicy like cloves, nutmeg and pepper, or stimulating like ginger, cardamom, angelica, cinnamon and coriander.
MASCULINE AND ENERGETIC
characteristics vary depending on the case. Cedar for example has a particularly dry odour while sandalwood is softer and warmer. Vetiver has a marked fragrance of soil and roots while patchouli, although also reminiscent of the ground, has more fruity suggestions.
characteristics vary depending on the case. Cedar for example has a particularly dry odour while sandalwood is softer and warmer. Vetiver has a marked fragrance of soil and roots while patchouli, although also reminiscent of the ground, has more fruity suggestions.