Perfume is described to have three notes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. The notes unfold over time, from the top notes leading to the middles notes and finally, the base notes during the final stage.

Top Notes - This is the initial burst of scent and your first impression of the fragrance when it contacts your skin. Therefore, the top notes are very important to the selling of perfume. Top notes are light, volatile, and evaporates very quickly. It is generally defined as fresh, bright, or sharp … read more »

Michael Edwards, a consultant in the perfume industry, developed a perfume classification method called the Fragrance wheel in 1983. It is used to simplify fragrance classification through visual representation of the fragrance families to show the relationships between each individual class.

The five major families are: Floral, Oriental, Woody, Fougère, and Fresh. The first four families are considered to be more classic compared to the latter, which are citrus and oceanic fragrances that are brighter and cleaner. Each of the families are divided into subgroups and arranged around a wheel, with the exception of the Fougère family. The Fougère family … read more »

When shopping for perfume, one will notice terms like ‘eau de toilette’ and ‘eau de parfum’. However, what is the difference between all the types of perfume?

Since you are reading this guide, I assume you are probably confused by all the different types of perfume available in the stores. Whether you are purchasing for yourself, significant other, parent, friend or dear pet, it is helpful to know the difference between the types of perfume in order to make the best decision.

Most perfumes are complex mixtures of natural ingredients, such as essential oils from plants, and synthetic compounds that help heighten the smell and its lasting effect. Perfume oil is generally diluted with a solvent because undiluted oils contain high concentrations of volatile elements that will very likely cause allergic reaction when applied to the skin. The most commonly used solvent is ethanol … read more »