Overview

How you choose a fragrance typically depends on your emotions, but logic is also a key factor, since it is likely that some of your favorite scents belong to the same family. Fragrance families are classifications of fragrances. The family they belong to depends on the notes that make up the scent. Fragrance families can be further divided into subcategories. For example, the Oriental fragrance family has four subcategories: Soft Orientals, Floral Orientals, Woody Orientals, and other Orientals. Each fragrance family has a unique personality and, instinctively, you will prefer fragrances from some and dislike ones from others. Read on to find out about the different fragrance families and to learn what specific notes traditionally make up each family.

Family

It is the primary classification of a fragrance and each fragrance has only one Family. There are 14 distinct families. Each family leads to the next. For example, Florals become Soft Florals when blended with sparkling aldehydes and balanced by a powdery iris or vanilla drydown. Soft Florals are transformed into Floral Orientals by adding the scents of orange flowers and sweet spices. Aromatic Fougères, a universal fragrance family, includes elements from many of the other families. This universal appeal makes masculine Aromatic Fougères a perfect match to almost any feminine fragrance.

Tone

The tone is the intensity of each fragrance. Each fragrance has only one tone.

Notes

The summary (or sub group) fragrance descriptor that capture the dominant notes characterizing the fragrance. For example, Green notes will add the sharp freshness of green leaves, or crushed grass. A hint of green will make a fragrance crisp, a touch more will make it fresh.