Fragrance families explained: floral, fresh, gourmand and amber
Perfume descriptions can sound like a foreign language. Here's a simple decoder.
The four main families
Floral
The biggest family: rose, jasmine, lily, peony, tuberose, orange blossom. Ranges from fresh and green to rich and powdery. Try: Miss Dior, Marc Jacobs Daisy.
Fresh
Citrus, green notes, fruits, aquatic and "clean" musks. Light, bright and easy to wear in warm weather. Try: Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia.
Gourmand
Edible notes: vanilla, caramel, praline, coffee, chocolate, pistachio. Cozy and sweet. Try: Ariana Grande Cloud, Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62.
Amber (sometimes called "oriental")
Warm resins, vanilla, spices and woods. Rich and glowing, great for evenings and cold weather. Try: Mugler Alien.
Woody (sandalwood, cedar, vetiver) and musky notes run through all of these, often in the base.
Top, heart and base notes
- Top notes: the first impression, usually citrus or light fruit, lasting minutes.
- Heart (middle) notes: the core character, often florals, lasting a few hours.
- Base notes: woods, musks, vanilla and amber that linger longest.
EDP, EDT and more: concentrations
| Name | What it means | Typical feel |
|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Extrait | Highest concentration of perfume oils | Rich, close to the skin, long-lasting |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | High concentration | Strong, lasts most of the day for many people |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | Medium concentration | Lighter, often brighter; may need reapplying |
| Eau de Cologne / body mist | Low concentration | Light and refreshing; short-lived |
Exact percentages vary by brand; there's no single legal standard.