Perfume Glossary: 209+ Fragrance Terms Explained

A fragrance glossary is a comprehensive dictionary of perfumery terms and definitions. It explains terminology used in the fragrance industry, including fragrance families (floral, oriental, woody, fresh), concentration types (Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette), extraction methods (distillation, enfleurage), and raw materials used in perfume creation.

Eau de Parfum (EDP) contains 15-20% fragrance concentration and typically lasts 6-8 hours. Eau de Toilette (EDT) contains 5-15% fragrance concentration and usually lasts 3-4 hours. EDP is more intense and longer-lasting, while EDT is lighter and more suitable for everyday wear.

Fragrance notes are the individual scent ingredients that make up a perfume. They are divided into three layers: top notes (the initial scent that lasts 15-30 minutes), middle notes or heart notes (the main body of the fragrance lasting 2-4 hours), and base notes (the foundation that can last up to 24 hours). This structure is called the fragrance pyramid.

The main fragrance families are: Floral (rose, jasmine, lily), Oriental (vanilla, amber, spices), Woody (sandalwood, cedar, vetiver), Fresh (citrus, aquatic, green notes), Fougère (lavender, coumarin, oakmoss), and Chypre (bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli). Each family has distinct characteristics and subfamilies.

Sillage (pronounced see-yazh) is a French term meaning "wake" or "trail". In perfumery, it refers to the scent trail left behind by a person wearing fragrance. A perfume with strong sillage projects well and can be detected from a distance, while one with soft sillage stays closer to the skin.

An accord in perfumery is a blend of two or more fragrance notes that combine to create a new, harmonious scent that is distinct from its individual components. Just like a musical chord, an accord creates a unified impression. Common examples include the fougère accord (lavender, coumarin, oakmoss) and the chypre accord (bergamot, oakmoss, labdanum).