ACCORD: It is equivalent to a chord in music. An accord in perfumery describes a balanced complex of 3 or 4 fragrance notes which loose their individual identity to create a completely new, unified odour impression. Each component material is in balance and harmony with each other so that no single component can be detected.
• Top note is strongest when a fragrance is first applied
• Middle note develops next and will last for a few hours
• Base note lasts all day
PERFUMES
Perfume (Extract): Most highly concentrated form of fragrance, containing a high percentage of perfume compounds (about 20-50%), the strongest and the longest lasting.
Eau de Parfum: An alcoholic perfume solution containing a relatively high percentage of perfume compound (about 10-15%).
Eau de Toilette: An alcohol/water based perfume solution containing a moderate percentage perfume compound (about 3-8%).
Cologne (Women’s): A light form of specific fragrance with a relatively low concentration of perfume compound (about 3%) in an alcohol water base. The term is derived from Eau de Cologne, one of the original fragrance compositions.
Compound: Term used in the industry for the concentrated perfume or flavour mixture before it is diluted or used in products.
Cologne (Men’s): More concentrated than the women’s cologne (about 5-8%). It is similar to the strength of a women's Eau de Toilette. A men’s After Shave by comparison will be somewhat lighter (about 3-5%).
Pheromones: Chemicals produced by living organisms and are used to transmit messages to other member of the same species. Nature has provided them so that we can communicate rapidly and efficiently by means of scents. The secret to pheromones lies in their discreet strength and the way they affect our personal environment.
PERFUME FAMILY
Chypre: The basic chypre accord consists of a combination of fresh notes (example: citrus) and a mossy-woody complex. The inspiration of 20th century chypre-type perfumes is ‘Chypre de Coty’, created by Francois Coty, launched in 1917.
Citrus: Fragrance accords are reminiscent of fresh impressions coming from citrus peels, example: Lemon, Bergamot, Orange, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Lime.
Floral: Fragrance accords are reminiscent of flowers, such as the "first ladies of flowers": Jasmine, Rose, Tuberose and Ylang-Ylang.
Floriental: It is a lighter variant of the typically heavy Oriental type of perfume, in which floral notes are accentuated.
Fougère: It is a French word meaning ‘fern’. Fragrance accords result from a harmonious blend of fern-like notes blended with herbal notes such as Lavender. It was coined after Houbigant’s ‘Fougère Royale’ a century ago. One of the first modern fougère perfumes to become highly popular was the masculine fragrance ‘Brut’, launched by Fabergé in 1964.
Fruity: It refers to sweet or sour edible fruit odours (excluding citrus), example: apple, berries or melons.
Oriental: Fragrance accords create corresponding associations by the interplay of balsamic, sweet and ambery aspects, example: wood, benzoin, tolu, amber, and vanilla, often contrasted with fresh, citrus aspects. These fragrances tend to be more heavy and intense.
Woody: It refers to the aroma of freshly cut, dry woods such as Cedarwood, Patchouli, Vetiver or Sandalwood.
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