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The main Fragrance Families in Perfumes

Fragrance families in perfumes encompass various scent groups, further divided into smaller branches within major categories. This makes it easier for individuals to select a perfume that aligns with their personal preferences.

1. FLORAL

The Floral family includes fragrances dominated by floral notes, with two prominent subgroups: Floral (sweet floral) and Soft Floral (fresh floral). Occasionally, Fruity or Floral Oriental (floral with spicy undertones) may be added to the Floral family. Floral fragrances predominantly represent the majority of women’s perfumes on the market.
Notable examples: Lancôme Miracle, Dior Poison, CK Eternity For Women, …

2. ORIENTAL

The Oriental family features distinctive East-inspired scents such as cinnamon, amber, incense, vanilla, musk, benzoin, cloves, and tobacco. Subgroups within Oriental include Soft Oriental, Oriental, and Woody Oriental (wood-spice blend with Eastern influences). Perfumes in the Oriental family often exude sensuality and allure. Representative examples: Habit Rouge, Samsara, Opium, Angel, Kenzo Amour, …

3. WOODY

Woody fragrances are composed of woody notes like Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, and sometimes leather. Woody scents can range from warm (leaning towards Oriental) to fresh (leaning towards Fresh), making them suitable for both men and women. Woody fragrances can be further classified into Woods (warm woods), Mossy Wood (with mossy accents), and Dry Wood (pure wood).
Examples for men: M7, Terre d’Hermès, Déclaration, Kenzo Homme, …
Examples for women: Dolce Vita Dior, Féminité du Bois Serge Lutens,…

4. FRESH

Fresh fragrances evoke summery notes such as citrus, sea breeze, and clean floral scents. Fresh is the most common fragrance family for men’s perfumes. Aromatic denotes fresh, woody scents. Water captures the essence of sea and water, providing a refreshing feel with alcohol-based formulations. Green combines floral and fresh notes, while Citrus is centered around citrus fruits like bergamot, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, and the essential oils derived from these fruits. The Fresh family also includes fruity notes like orange, lemon, lime, bergamot, etc.
Representative examples: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, CK One, Burberry Weekend For Men, Lancôme Ô De Lancôme, Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, Versace Bright Crystal,…

5. FOUGÈRE

Fougère is a popular fragrance family for men’s perfumes, characterized by a blend of lavender, coumarin, and various herbal notes. Fragrances in this family provide a fresh and aromatic sensation, commonly used in men’s perfumery.

Notable examples: Jicky, Brut Fabergé, Drakkar Noir, Equipage Hermès. YSL La Nuit de l’Homme and Byredo Parfums Sunday Cologne.

In conclusion, the world of perfume is a diverse landscape of scent families catering to individual preferences. With each fragrance family providing a unique olfactory journey, this categorization serves as a helpful guide for finding the perfect scent to express personal style and mood.