Ever wondered how perfume is made? You are not alone! Part of the reason fragrances are so coveted is because of the mystery they hold. But don’t be intimidated…understanding perfumery is much easier than you think, and once you know how fragrances are formulated, it will be a no-brainer to pick the best ones!
Table of Contents
What goes into a perfume?
Before science changed the game, perfumers relied solely on natural resources like plants, fruits, and spices. These compounds are still used in perfumery today, with plant materials claiming the top spot in popularity. From the flowers, stems, and leaves to the roots and bark — each botanical contributes a unique aroma to the final fragrance. To get these raw materials “perfume ready”, they are distilled into essential oils through methods like boiling and expression.
A chemical romance
Scientific innovation at the end of the 19th century meant that natural ingredients could now be chemically manufactured, giving perfumers more creative freedom and the chance to work with new aromas that weren’t available before. This was great news since collecting raw materials from nature had become unsustainable. Did you know it takes 700 roses just to make 15ml perfume?
Synthetically produced ingredients drove perfumery forward and made mass production possible. What is more: chemical molecules proved to be more stable and consistent than their natural counterparts. Today, most perfumes contain a combination of natural and chemical ingredients, with more than two-thirds of all perfume ingredients manufactured in the lab!
The art of fragrance formulation
A perfumer masterfully combines the essential oils and synthetic molecules to create a captivating perfume oil. A winning recipe can take years to perfect, adding to the complexity and creativity of the art form.
Once the desired aroma is achieved, ethanol — and sometimes water — is added to the perfume oil. The percentage perfume oil in the final product plays an important role: it determines how costly the perfume will be, how long it will last, and how it will be classified. For instance: an eau de parfum consists of 20% perfume oil, while an eau de toilette only has about 10%.
Once the alcohol is added, the perfume is given time to mature, allowing the oils to bond to the alcohol. Perfumes are created with roughly 50 ingredients, but this number can be as high as 800!
Put our best-selling formulations to the test
There is no better way to experience how perfume is made than by trying some of the best perfume formulas on the market. We’ve compiled a list of our bestselling perfumes of all time, giving you the opportunity to experience exceptional formulas that stood the test of time.
1. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue EDT
It took master perfumer Olivier Cresp two years to perfect Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue EDT. The legendary fragrance contains only 25 ingredients, and you can immediately smell the signature 10% lemon essence. Cresp describes his formula as a fusion of fruits, florals, woods, musk, and amber. He intentionally kept the formula airy and bright; reminiscent of sunlight on water. Try Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue EDT NOW!
2. Issey Miyake L’eau d’Issey EDT
Issey Miyake L’eau d’Issey EDT was created more than three decades ago, but its unique formula made the perfume a timeless masterpiece. Fashion designer Issey Miyake employed master perfumer Jacques Cavallier to bring his idea of a scent that smells like “water with a touch of poetry” to life. The perfume blends white florals with woods, amber, and musk to create an unforgettable aroma. Try Issey Miyake L’eau d’Issey EDT NOW!
3. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist EDT
Donna Karan Cashmere Mist EDT is a luxurious scent with notes of suede, jasmine, vanilla, and cashmere. The fragrance was launched in 1994 and stood the test of time thanks to its comforting composition. The nose behind the enduring scent, Nicholas Calderone, formulated the signature cashmere accord in the drydown of the fragrance, allowing the aroma to linger on the skin. Try Donna Karan Cashmere Mist EDT NOW!
4. Clinique Happy EDP
Clinique Happy EDP is an upbeat floral fragrance launched in 1998 with notes of orange, grapefruit, apple, rose, and lily. The perfumers, Jean Claude Delville and Rodrigo Flores-Roux, wanted to capture the essence of joy, and with this composition they masterfully succeeded. Clinique Happy EDP is the quintessential blueprint of an upbeat perfume formulation. Try Clinique Happy EDP NOW!
5. Marc Jacobs Daisy EDT
Marc Jacobs Daisy EDT has one of the best floral formulas on the planet. The scent’s overwhelming success is evident in the countless variations available today — yet everyone keeps coming back to the original. The formula is as lovable as the whimsical bottle, with notes of violet leaf, strawberry, gardenia, and jasmine. Marc Jacobs created the fragrance with master perfumer Alberto Morillas, and it became the brand’s biggest success story: Daisy makes $300 million in sales every year! Try Marc Jacobs Dairy EDT NOW!
6. Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP
Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP symbolizes the brand’s distinctive timelessness. The scent was launched in 2006 and quickly won numerous awards. Tom Ford created the ground-breaking fragrance with master perfumers David Appel and Pierre Negrin. The scent immediately grabs your attention with an intriguing blend of black truffle, ylang-ylang, dark chocolate, patchouli, and vetiver. The exotic formula revolutionized the fragrance industry with its unique composition — making the scent a must-have piece for your dressing table. Try Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP NOW!
7. Prada Candy EDP
Prada Candy EDP is one of the all-time best gourmand fragrances. The addictive perfume entices with a simple yet winning formula consisting of only three ingredients: white musk, benzoin, and the signature caramel accord. The simplicity of the formulation is a masterclass in perfume creation. The scent was formulated by Master perfumer Daniela Andrier under the creative supervision of Miuccia Prada and became an instant bestseller — and an education in how perfume is made. Try Prada Candy EDP NOW!
8. Versace Bright Crystal EDT
Few perfumes can keep up with the success of Versace Bright Crystal EDT. The fruity-floral scent is ideal for any occasion and has been a worldwide bestseller since 2006. The scent, created by Donatella Versace and master perfumer Alberto Morillas, gained an immediate following thanks to its distinct aroma. The coveted formula includes pomegranate, peony, and magnolia — combined with a soothing base of mahogany, amber, and musk. A must-have perfume to understand the complexities of how perfume is made. Try Versace Bright Crystal EDT NOW!
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