Perfume dictionary: Most used terms in perfumery
The world of perfume is very big and there are certainly still many words that you may not know. In this glossary that we leave you below, we review some of the most used terms in perfumery so that you can learn a little more about this wonderful universe that we love so much. Take note!
DIVAIN Perfume Dictionary
In the DIVAIN perfume dictionary you will find the most used terms in perfumery. Discover them all and become an expert in this world.
Essential oil
Essential oil is an aromatic substance extracted from different plants, flowers, fruits, spices or woods. Although various processes can be used to extract the oil, the most common are distillation and cold pressing.
In the following post we show you which are the best essential oils used in the manufacture of the most addictive fragrances.
Cologne
Cologne stands out for having one of the lowest concentrations of essential oils on the market. This concentration is between 1% and 8% depending on the brand. Its duration is more volatile than other compositions such as perfume or eau de parfum.
Eau de Parfum (EDP) or Water of Perfume
Eau de parfum or water of perfume is a term used to designate those olfactory compositions that have between 16% and 18% essential oils. EDP is between perfume and Eau de Toilette (EDT) in terms of essence concentration. They are a good choice if you want to go for a long-lasting and affordable scent at the same time. Our EDP DIVAIN-155 similar to Hypnotic Poison is sure to win your heart with its great elegance. Try it!
Eau de Toilette (EDT) or Eau de Cologne
The term Eau de Toilette or Cologne refers to formulas that have an essence concentration between 8% and 15% . Its price is cheaper than perfumes and Eau de Parfum. The duration of the trail is therefore also shorter. If you want to go into detail, check out our post on the differences between the terms: perfume, cologne, EDP and EDT .
Gourmand
The term “gourmand” in perfumery is used to classify those sweet perfumes designed for those with a sweet tooth. Aromas with edible and irresistible notes such as honey, chocolate or caramel . They are warm and are usually combined with other base notes such as patchouli. Visit our article with the best sweet perfumes and delight yourself with their delicious smells.
Layering
Layering is the art of combining existing fragrances to create completely new and personalized ones. At DIVAIN we invite you to discover this technique through our Layering Set collection , which includes two perfumes and a vaporizer so you can create unique aromas and live sensory experiences from another world.
Raw material
Raw materials in perfumery are all those natural or synthetic ingredients that are used to make a perfume. When several raw materials are combined, the so-called “accord” is formed , which can be simple or complex, depending on the number of notes that are mixed.
Nose
When we talk about the Nose behind a perfume, we are referring to the creator of the fragrance: the master perfumer . The person who is able to give a scent a unique personality and create indescribable sensations in people through each note that composes it. Without a doubt, for us, the most beautiful profession in the world.
Olfactory note
This is the name given to each of the different scents that can be distinguished in a perfume. Generally, a perfume is a set of olfactory notes whose combination gives rise to a unique aroma that characterizes it. There are three types of notes that can be recognized in a fragrance: top notes, middle notes and base notes.
Top note or departure note
The top notes that make up a perfume are the ones we smell first and therefore the first to fade over time. And although they only last a few seconds, they are quite important if you want to make a good first impression. It is very common for top notes to be citrus, fruity or green.
Heart note
When the top notes evaporate, the body of the fragrance is replaced by the middle or heart notes. These are essential and are usually mainly floral and spicy notes. They take several minutes to develop on the skin and can last for hours.
Base note
These notes are the most intense and therefore the ones that last until the end. They are perceived after the heart notes and usually add depth to the perfume. They are heavy notes like wood or resin. Three of the most commonly used ingredients for fragrance bases are amber, vanilla and tonka bean.
Perfume
This term is used to refer to the olfactory composition that has a high concentration of essential oil of between 20% and 30% . Thanks to this characteristic, its aroma is very long-lasting and intense.
Olfactory pyramid
The olfactory pyramid is a representation of the different types of olfactory notes that make up a fragrance. This structure is divided into three parts: top notes, middle notes and base notes.
Sillage
The term “sillage” or “estele” is used in perfumery to define the olfactory trace left behind by a person who has applied perfume. As soon as the perfume is applied to the skin, the sillage will be higher than after a few hours.
