Main Fragrance Families
When we previously discussed how to layer fragrances, we went into fragrance families, but we barely scratched the surface. We stated that there are four main fragrance families: floral, amber, fresh, and woody.
But there is much more to it, and now that you have mastered detecting the main fragrance families, it’s time for you to meet their obscure relatives who live abroad and only visit occasionally.
Obscure Fragrance Families
In addition to the four main fragrance families, there are other groups in the fragrance wheels that are more specific. The notes in these families are usually used by niche fragrances for a niche audience.
Some might see a peak in popularity every now and then, and we start seeing them used in mainstream fragrances, but the trend usually dies down, and we move on to another one. Some argue that these fragrance families are actually part of the main four. Hence me calling them “the obscure relatives.”
If you were to ask me, I would say that some of these families could easily fall into another one due to their similarities and how well the notes in them blend together and have similar effects, while others definitely stand out as a family of their own.
Without further ado, here are the rest of the families on the fragrance wheel. Some you might be familiar with, and some you might be hearing about for the first time:
- Gourmand
- Spicy
- Aromatic
- Citrus
- Green
- Fruity
- Marine/Ozonic
As you can see, many (me included) would categorize citrus, green, fruity, and marine notes under the fresh fragrance family, but these have enough notes in them that evoke much more than just freshness. Spicy and aromatics would be grouped with amber fragrances, and gourmand wasn’t mentioned much until edible perfumes became a trend on TikTok.
Fragrance Family Table
| Fragrance Family | Notes |
|---|---|
| Floral | Rose, Neroli, Jasmine, Geranium, Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, Lily of the Valley, Violet, Peony |
| Woody | Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Oud, Cedarwood |
| Fresh | Citrus, White Flowers, Bergamot, Lemon, Sea Salt, Apple, Kiwi, Pineapple |
| Amber | Vanilla, Cinnamon, Orris, Jasmine, Orchid, Orange Blossom |
| Gourmand | Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Maple Syrup, Vanilla, Tonka Beans, Coffee, Toasted Nuts, Popcorn |
| Spicy | Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Pepper, Saffron, Mace, Piquant Cassia, Bay Leaf, Aniseed, Star Anise, Mustard Seeds |
| Aromatic | Juniper, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Mentholated, Lemon, Anise |
| Citrus | Lemon, Lime, Blood Orange, Mandarin Orange, Pomelo, Bergamot |
| Green | Crumpled Leaf, Cut Stem, Fresh Wet Grass with Dew, Angelica Roots, Bamboo, Black Currant Bud, Cut Grass, Fig Leaf, Galbanum |
| Fruity | Apple, Pear, Strawberry, Berries, Pineapple, Orange, Cherry, Watermelon, Lemon, Passion Fruit, Mango |
| Marine/Ozonic | Sea Salt, Algae, Aquatic, Clean, Ozone, Metallic, Sea Breeze |
Perfumes and Their Aura
As you can see, some notes are found under more than one fragrance family, which might lead to confusion. But what determines the fragrance family isn’t just the notes in the perfume but the dominant notes.
Gourmand perfumes, for example, can have fruity notes and notes of patchouli as well, but when you smell this fragrance, it makes you feel like eating it because it’s so delicious smelling. Each perfume has a dominant aura, which you can use to identify the specific fragrance family regardless of the notes.
| Fragrance Family | Aura |
|---|---|
| Floral | A fresh bouquet of flowers or powdery |
| Woody | Earthy and warm |
| Fresh | Light, sparkling, and clean |
| Amber | Exotic and eastern |
| Gourmand | Delicious and edible |
| Spicy | Hot with the smell of fresh spices at the opening |
| Aromatic | Herbal and fresh |
| Citrus | Fresh and zesty |
| Green | Fresh, earthy, and grassy |
| Fruity | You can smell the specific dominant fruit in these perfumes |
| Marine/Ozonic | Fresh, clean, and limpid |
A fragrance doesn’t have to be categorized under only one family. For example, it could be woody floral, spicy fruity, aromatic amber, ozonic fresh, or any of many other types.
Every individual has their own unique preferences when it comes to fragrances. That’s why V Perfumes offers an exclusive selection of perfumes from a wide range of fragrance families. We strive to cater to everyone’s personal tastes and ensure that there’s something for everyone.
