What are fragrance families?
Fragrance families can be found in a fragrance wheel which categorises notes into their respective groups.
These are the main families:
- Floral
- Ambrée/Oriental
- Woody
- Fresh
Floral
The floral family is often described as a classic, delicate soft feminine family as the floral family are mainly used in women’s fragrances.
There are subfamilies that fall within the floral family such as fruity, floral, soft floral and floral oriental (The Perfume Society, 2024).
Popular notes include:
- Jasmine
- Rose
- Peony
- Cherry Blossom
Occasion
Floral fragrances are generally used during the spring – summer seasons where the scent of light, powdery & freshly cut flowers thrive the most in the daytime basked in sunlight.
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Ambrée (Oriental)
The ambrée family or better known as the oriental family are described as a warm, heavy and sensual fragrance family (The Perfume Society, 2024).
This fragrance family encompasses notes from woody amber, amber and soft amber.
Popular notes include:
- Vanilla
- Myrrh
- Cinnamon
- Anise
Occasion
Amber or oriental fragrances are generally used during the autumn – winter seasons where the warm, sensual & exotic scents thrive the most in the deep night.
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Woody
The wood fragrance family is described as a warm, deep and opulant family.
The subfamilies that fall within the wood family include woody, mossy woods, dry wood and woody aromatic (The Perfume Society, 2024).
Popular notes:
- Cedar wood
- Sandalwood
- Hinoki wood
- Vetiver
Occasion
Woody fragrances are generally used during the cold winter season where the deep and earthy scents thrive the most in the cold air of winter mornings.
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Fresh
The fresh fragrance family is described as being a clean, aquatic and bright fragrance family – typically used in both men and women’s fragrances.
The subfamilies that fall within the fresh fragrance family include aromatic, citrus, green & water.
Popular notes:
- Bergamot
- Citrus
- Sage
- Aldehydes
Occasion
Fresh fragrances are generally used during the spring – summer seasons where the clean, bright & invigorating scents thrive the most in sunny days & near the beach.
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More to know …
There are other fragrance families that are on the rise! They include:
- Chypre – consisting of woody & mossy scents e.g. bergamot, patchouli & oakmoss
- Fougère – consisting of green scents e.g. lavender, geranium & vetiver
- Gourmand – consisting of warm & delectable scents e.g. caramel, chocolate & bubblegum
References
Serras, L. (2023a). Your Guide to the Fragrance Wheel and Scent Families. [online] FragranceX.com. Available at: https://www.fragrancex.com/blog/fragrance-wheel/?srsltid=AfmBOoqtj2GeqmMG7JueLIxAB1b89OrtoH4aPFo5nDv4tVNOdieCvNTo [Accessed 17 Feb. 2025].
The Perfume Society. (2024). Gourmand – The Perfume Society. [online] Available at: https://perfumesociety.org/fragrance-families/gourmand/ [Accessed 17 Feb. 2025].