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Fragrance glossary

Lottie Storey July 29, 2018

On page 49 of August's The Simple Things, we enter the world of independent, small scale perfume makers. Flick through the feature for a handful of indie perfumers that are trying something different, and read on for our fragrance glossary.

Good to nose: Fancy fragrance-related words explained

Accord

This is where magic happens. A perfume’s accord is a blend of individual notes that lose their own identity to create an entirely new scent.

Ambergris

Made from a digestive secretion found in sperm whales (although much more likely to be synthetic today), ambergris, or amber as it is often called, is woody and sweet.

Base note

The deep, lasting scent of a perfume. It’s what you’re paying for, so make sure it lasts.

Chypre

In 1917, Coty launched their fragrance, Chypre, inspired by the island of Cyprus. It was so popular that it’s now the term used to describe woody and mossy scents.

Drydown

That lingering residue of scent that stays on your scarf for days.

Fougère

French for ‘fern’, this term refers to herbaceous plants – lavender, coumarin and oakmoss. It’ll make you think of the French countryside in the sunshine.

Gourmand perfumes

So good, you could eat them. These evoke the smell of food such as vanilla, honey and chocolate.

Middle note

The heart and dominant fragrance of the perfume – like the main film after the trailers.

Sillage

The glorious aerila trail of scent that a perfume leaves behind. We all want a perfume that does this, even though it’s not something you can smell on yourself.

Toilette

This is your everyday fragrance that’s a little easier to wear than eau de parfum.

Top note

The first burst of a fragrance, the moment it has been spritzed. This is what you smell in the shop, so hang out with your perfume for a while before you buy.

Vetiver

A green, mossy fragrance that’s often at the heart of a woody scent. Every perfume house has a vetiver perfume, and they are not all created equal, so shop around.

 

  Buy ,  download  or  subscribe   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Buy a copy of our latest anthology:  A Year of Celebrations   Buy a copy of  Flourish 2 , our wellbeing bookazine  Listen to  our podcast  - Small Ways to Live Well

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View the sampler here.

 

More from the August issue:

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The Comfort of Things | A guide to home fragrance
Aug 26, 2018
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Aug 26, 2018
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Aug 24, 2018
The tiny house movement
Aug 24, 2018
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Aug 24, 2018

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InThink Tagsissue 74, august, fragrance, perfume, glossary
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  Buy ,  download  or  subscribe   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Buy a copy of our latest anthology:  A Year of Celebrations   Buy a copy of  Flourish 2 , our wellbeing bookazine  Listen to  our podcast  - Small Ways to Live Well
Feb 27, 2025
Feb 27, 2025

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See the sample of our latest issue here

Buy a copy of our latest anthology: A Year of Celebrations

Buy a copy of Flourish 2, our wellbeing bookazine

Listen to our podcast - Small Ways to Live Well

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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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