A commonly used ingredient, this floral top note lends a green aspect to white flowers. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: B is for Benzyl Acetate

This staple top note must be dosed well to achieve the desired effect. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: A is for Aldehyde*

Sharp, yet honeyed, like fruit ripened; soft like wrinkled, yellow satin. In perfume, you’ll know its presence—so impassioned is this essence! Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: Y is for Ylang-Ylang

It adds flair to warm, woody scents and smooths out some eager spices. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: W is for Whisk(e)y

A dashing and distinguished scent. It’s an earthy note, full-bodied with a hint of smoke. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: V is for Vetiver

Is it chocolate? Or a liqueur? Known to mix well with tobacco, tonka complements woods also. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: T is for Tonka

Rich, milky scent of mysteries—how well sandalwood has become a favorite base note in perfumes. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: S is for Sandalwood

By any other name, a rose would be as gorgeous in perfume. Is a perfect one hard to find? Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: R is for Rose

This cousin of mint is a base note commonly employed with rose and woods. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: P is for Patchouli

This sweet resin has been, in fact, used in perfume since ancient times. It reminds me of a dried fruit that’s called, in Chinese, “dragon eye.” Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: O is for Opoponax

Nutmeg goes under “fresh spicy.” In perfume, it’s done a long stint. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: N is for Nutmeg

Acacia or cassie are other names. It plays well in mixed floral things. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: M is for Mimosa

It’s versatile, familiar—a smell most people recognize. You’re bound to encounter it in perfume. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: L is for Lavender

Perhaps more popular in gin, it’s more of a spice than a fruit. Aromatic in a piney way. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: J is for Juniper Berry

Its high price rightly unquestioned, iris boasts many possible facets. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: I is for Iris

This fossilized excrement to use in perfume shares qualities of other animal notes, but is cruelty free. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: H is for Hyraceum

Is that maple syrup I smell? No. That’s the magic of fenugreek. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: F is for Fenugreek

A heart note and good fixative, elemi befriends most other notes. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: E is for Elemi

Cool and creamy, this timeless note… a versatile wood. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: C is for Cedarwood