Understanding Scent Notes

Scent notes can be a little confusing because the words used to describe them don't always smell exactly how you might expect. They're often based on things we recognise from everyday life, but what a scent reminds you of can depend on your experiences, memories and culture.

Take powdery as an example. To some people, powdery might mean baby powder, talcum powder or clean laundry. To others, it could bring to mind face powder, cosmetics, soft fabrics or even certain traditional perfumes. The same word can create completely different expectations depending on what you're familiar with.

This is why scent notes are best thought of as guides rather than exact definitions. They give you an idea of the feeling or direction of a fragrance, but the actual smell can be interpreted differently by everyone. When exploring scents, it can be helpful to think about familiar things you can smell rather than relying only on the name of a note.

Fresh

crisp, clean

A light, airy scent that feels bright, clean and just washed. Fresh scents often remind you of cool water, clean laundry, cucumber, freshly cut grass or a cool breeze. They make a space feel open, refreshing and energising.

Smell: cucumber · fresh linen · rain · mint · freshly cut grass

Sweet

sugary, delicious

A soft, sugary scent that smells almost good enough to eat. Sweet notes can remind you of vanilla, caramel, honey, marshmallow, chocolate and candy. They create a cosy, playful and comforting feeling.

Smell: vanilla · caramel · honey · marshmallows · sweets

Warm

cosy, comforting

A rich and comforting scent that feels soft, cosy and inviting. Warm notes are often found in vanilla, amber, cinnamon, sandalwood and tonka bean. They can remind you of warm blankets, cosy evenings and freshly baked treats.

Smell: vanilla · amber · cinnamon · sandalwood · tonka bean

Fruity

juicy, bright

A juicy, fresh scent inspired by ripe fruit. Fruity notes can be sweet like peach and strawberry, fresh like apple and pear, or bright and zesty like orange and grapefruit. They add a fun, uplifting and easy-to-love quality.

Smell: strawberries · peach · pear · mango · apple

Floral

soft, fresh

A scent inspired by flowers, ranging from light and delicate to rich and heady. Rose, jasmine, lavender and peony are common floral notes. They can make a fragrance feel fresh, romantic, soft or elegant.

Smell: roses · jasmine · lavender · fresh flowers · peonies

Woody

earthy, smooth

A natural scent that brings to mind trees, forests and freshly cut wood. Woody notes can be dry and crisp like cedarwood, or smooth and creamy like sandalwood. They add warmth, depth and a natural feel.

Smell: cedarwood · sandalwood · oak · pine · freshly cut wood

Spicy

warm, aromatic

A warm and lively scent with a little bit of heat. Spicy notes include cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg and black pepper. They can make a fragrance feel rich, warming and slightly exotic.

Smell: cinnamon · cloves · ginger · nutmeg · black pepper

Earthy

grounded, natural

A deep, natural scent that reminds you of the outdoors. Earthy notes can smell like damp soil, moss, roots, leaves and forests after rain. They give a fragrance a calm, grounded and slightly mysterious feeling.

Smell: damp soil · moss · wet leaves · forest floor · patchouli

Creamy

soft, smooth

A smooth and comforting scent with a rich, almost milky quality. Creamy notes often come from coconut, vanilla, milk, almond and sandalwood. They make a fragrance feel soft, sweet and luxurious.

Smell: coconut · vanilla cream · milk · almond · coconut milk

Powdery

soft, clean

A delicate, soft scent that feels smooth and airy, almost like freshly applied powder. Powdery notes can remind you of baby powder, face powder, soft fabrics and clean skin. They give a fragrance a gentle, cosy and nostalgic feel.

Smell: baby powder · face powder · clean cotton · talc · iris

Musky

soft, warm

A subtle, skin-like scent that adds warmth and depth to a fragrance. Musk can smell clean and fresh, or soft, warm and slightly powdery. It often gives a scent a cosy, intimate feeling and helps it linger on the skin.

Smell: clean skin · soft cotton · warm laundry · white musk · powder

Citrusy

zesty, refreshing

A bright and sparkling scent made from citrus fruits. Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit and bergamot all bring a fresh, juicy quality. Citrus scents are often uplifting and clean, with a sharpness that makes them feel energising.

Smell: lemon · lime · orange peel · grapefruit · bergamot

Herbal

green, fresh

A green, natural scent inspired by fresh herbs and plants. Herbal notes can be cool and refreshing like mint, or more earthy and aromatic like rosemary and sage. They often give a fragrance a clean, calming and natural feel.

Smell: fresh mint · basil · rosemary · sage · lavender

Gourmand

edible, delicious

A rich scent inspired by sweet foods and desserts. Gourmand notes can smell like freshly baked cakes, biscuits, chocolate, coffee and creamy desserts. They are usually warm, sweet and comforting, with a strong edible quality.

Smell: cake · biscuits · chocolate · coffee · freshly baked bread

Smoky

deep, mysterious

A deep, slightly burnt scent that brings to mind wood smoke, incense and cosy fires. Smoky notes can be dry and woody or rich and sweet, depending on what they are blended with. They add depth and a more mysterious character.

Smell: wood smoke · burnt wood · campfire · toasted marshmallow

Green

leafy, crisp

A fresh scent that smells like leaves, plants and the outdoors. Green notes can be crisp and watery or slightly bitter and earthy. They create a natural, refreshing feeling and often work well alongside fresh and floral notes.

Smell: crushed leaves · grass · cucumber · green tea · tomato leaves

Aquatic

cool, watery

A clean, airy scent inspired by water, sea air and cool breezes. Aquatic notes can smell fresh, slightly salty or almost mineral-like. They give a fragrance a light, open feeling that is especially refreshing.

Smell: sea air · fresh water · rain · ocean breeze · cucumber

Scent Notes and You

Just like scent notes themselves, fragrance is a personal experience. Two people can smell the same scent and notice completely different things, depending on their memories, experiences and what they naturally gravitate towards.

The notes on this page are designed to help you understand the character of a fragrance and make choosing a scent a little easier. They're not strict rules or exact descriptions, but a guide to the types of smells and feelings you might experience.

As you explore different fragrances, you may discover notes you instantly recognise and others that surprise you. The best way to find what you enjoy is simply to follow your nose.