A great place to start your search for the ultimate signature scent is by exploring the different fragrance families — since knowing the different olfactive groups is like an instant education in perfume!
Most perfumes are made up of a collection of aromas from different fragrance families, but the dominant notes will determine the category of a perfume. Once you discover the fragrance family you love best, it will instantly narrow down your search for “the one”.
Table of Contents
Discover the top fragrance families
Keep it in the family and explore the mesmerizing aromas of each olfactive group.
The Floral Fragrance Family
Floral fragrances are the most popular category among women — and it is men’s favorite scent to smell on women too! Floral scents are mostly made up of aromas derived from flowers, and popular notes include peony, rose, jasmine, tuberose, and gardenia. Part of this fragrance family’s appeal is the versatility of the notes: floral scents can be light and bright or daring and strong — it is all down to your own preference.
Perfumes from the Floral fragrance family:
1. Gucci Bloom EDP is meant to “bloom” on your skin, just like a flower, revealing one aroma after another. This white floral fragrance is minimalism at its best and only contains three mesmerizing ingredients from the floral fragrance family: jasmine, tuberose, and Rangoon creeper.
2. Roses are the most used ingredient in perfumery — 75% of all female perfumes contain rose! Sisley Izia EDP celebrates the star in the floral fragrance family by focusing on a unique rose: the D’Ornano Rose — it is bright, timeless, and chic.
The Woody Fragrance Family
Woody scents are warm, textured, and comforting and are often used as base notes. Popular woods in perfumery include sandalwood, cedarwood, oakwood, and agarwood (also known as oud). Interestingly, vetiver and patchouli fall in the woody category, although technically they aren’t woods (rather leaves and roots) — since their aromas so closely match that of woods, they are considered a perfect fit.
Perfumes from the Woody fragrance family:
1. Heretic Parfums Scandalwood EDP takes the hypnotic aromas of sandalwood to new heights. This scent from the woody fragrance family pairs its star ingredient with rose, white musk, and labdanum to create an unforgettable sensual scent.
2. Get a woody infusion of aromas with Scents Of Wood Sandalwood In Oak EDP. This woody scent blends sandalwood with guaiac wood and oak for a must-have woody perfume.
The Gourmand Fragrance Family
Gourmand perfumes categorize scents with aromas that smell good enough to eat. This new category in perfumery has become a staple in a short time — the aromas are simply too good to resist. Gourmand perfumes are packed with edible aromas like caramel, praline, chocolate, toffee, candy floss, and vanilla…it is like an unforgettable trip to a candy store that will leave you smelling yummy.
Perfumes from the Gourmand fragrance family:
1. Get an overdose of caramel from one delicious spritz of Prada Candy EDP. This gourmand fragrance manages to linger irresistibly on your skin and is only made up of three ingredients: musk, benzoin, and, of course, caramel!
2. Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid EDP is a modern vanilla scent. This vegan fragrance from the Gourmand fragrance family pairs velvety vanilla with cassis, jasmine, bamboo, and sandalwood.
The Fruity Fragrance Family
Fruity fragrances have much in common with gourmand perfumes — both feature edible aromas — but these spellbinding scents have their own die-hard followers. The mouthwatering and playful aromas make fruity fragrances one of the most popular categories in female perfumery. These joyful scents are packed with aromas like cherry, peach, berry, litchi, strawberry, and apple.
Perfumes from the Fruity fragrance family:
1. DKNY Be Delicious EDP is inspired by New York — aka the Big Apple — and you will immediately smell the mesmerizing notes of Granny Smith apples blending with cucumber and grapefruit. Even the bottle resembles an apple!
2. Get a joyful infusion of fruits in Sue Phillips Artisan Scents Fruity Blend Extrait de Parfum. This perfume from the Fruity fragrance family is packed with delicious fruity aromas your senses will crave: papaya, melon, nectarine, guava, strawberry, and apricot.
The Chypre Fragrance Family
The Chypre fragrance family is named after the French name for Cyprus, where many of the aromatic plants in this category thrive. This olfactive group is recognized by a specific blend of aromas consisting of bergamot, jasmine, labdanum (a resin), oakmoss, and patchouli. A fragrance from the Chypre fragrance family has a mossy-woody base that balances the bright citrus top notes and floral heart notes, giving a fragrance a distinct aroma.
Perfumes from the Chypre fragrance family:
1. Michael Kors Sexy Ruby EDP is a modern chypre with a sensual side. This perfume from the Chypre fragrance family blends the chypre formula with fruits like raspberry and apricot for added allure.
2. Sisley Eau Du Soir EDP is one of the most timeless chypre perfumes of all time. The scent was created in 1990 and launched in 1999 — and the iconic formula has stood the test of time, making it one of the quintessential perfumes from the Chypre fragrance family.
The Amber Fragrance Family
Amber is the new name for the Oriental fragrance family, and similar to Chypres, this olfactive group is characterized by a hypnotic blend of aromas. Amber scents are a mix of notes, including amber, woods, resin, tobacco, vanilla, and spices. These scents have an alluring depth that makes them addictive, luxurious, and extravagant.
Perfumes from the Amber fragrance family:
1. Celebrate the allure of amber with Rag & Bone Amber EDP. The scent brings out the best qualities of amber by fusing it with oud, aged liquor, and vanilla.
2. Hermetica Amberbee EDP features amber’s dazzling qualities with a blend of honey, bergamot, and woods — but amber remains the dominant, alluring aroma.
* Explore our encyclopedia of fragrance families and learn more about the various categories. Once you know your preferred fragrance family, you can browse by olfactive groups like woody, spicy, citrusy, floral, and fruity.
