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Six Fragrance Types at a Glance
The big trend right now in fragrance is gourmand, or food-based aromas, according to perfume expert Mandy Aftel. So what does it all mean anyway? Are you a floral kind of gal or does chypre do it for you?
Definition: Citrus
As the name might suggest, the citrus family of fragrances includes such notes as bergamot, lemon, orange, tangerine and grapefruit. Typically, other parts of the orange tree (petit grain, orange blossoms, and/or neroli oil) are added, which lend a slightly exotic feel.
Words used to describe these types of refreshing fragrances are: fresh, light, tangy, crisp, sharp, energizing, and uplifting.
Definition: Orientals
When it comes to women's perfume, orientals are one of the more intense, longer lasting fragrance groups. Warm, sensual, exotic, and spicy, orientals are composed of rich notes such as musk, vanilla, balsam, and oakmoss. Floral types (aka, florientals) are naturally softer, while spicier versions can include nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or clove.
Definition: Fougère
Fougère, which means "fern" in French, is a fragrance family including fresh, floral, herbaceous and woody/warm elements, typically blended with notes like: bergamot, oakmoss, lavender, coumarin (tonka bean), sandalwood, and geranium. While a fern doesn't have a distinctive smell per se, this particular fragrance classification implies a mossy green, forest-like aroma.
Pronounced "foozh-air," fragrances from this group take their name from the 1885 scent, Houbigant's Fougère Royale.
Definition: Florals
While it's not an exact science, fragrances can be separated into various categories, or olfactory groups, if you will. Florals comprise the most popular and largest group of all of the perfume blends. Often carefully mixed with elements of fruity, spicy, or powdery notes, florals are known for their natural smoothness and feminine, romantic qualities.
Definition: Gourmand
If you're a "foodie" like Yum, a gourmand is someone who truly appreciates good food. In Bella's world, however, gourmand is a classification of the fragrance kind.
While often associated with sweeter notes, gourmand fragrances encompass edible, food-flavored aromas, such as coffee, cupcake, whiskey, chocolate, almond, caramel, vanilla, and even cotton candy.
Definition: Chypre
Chypre — that's French for cyprus — is a family of fragrances featuring fresh notes (usually citrus) blended with herbaceous, woody-animalic notes like patchouli, oakmoss, and/or labdanum. Woody and warm, chypres often have leatherish characteristics, and are often paired with fruity or floral notes.
Since Coty's 1917 perfume called Chypre was so wildly popular, the term chypre (pronounced "sheepra") became the generic word to describe these rich, aromatic blends.
Other Search Results
Take a Look at the 2009 CEW Award Winners!
What do all of these products have in common? They're just a few of the select winners of this year's 2009 Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Awards. If you're not familiar, each year, members of the CEW, who are working professionals in the industry, gather together to select their top beauty picks of the year.
Avon Puts Courteney Cox in the Spotlight
You might know that actress Courteney Cox currently serves as celeb spokesperson for the antiaging skincare line, Kinerase. Well, now she's headed to the fragrance category.
Nope, the botox dabbling Cox isn't joining the already crowded bundle of celebrity perfume makers.
Beauty Mark It! Fragrances Under $25
The term "cheap perfume" doesn't exactly have positive connotations. But just because it might cost less, does that mean a fragrance should be discredited? Nope — there are plenty of good ones lumped into the inexpensive category.
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