Perfumery Terms

Term Definition
ABSOLUTE A very concentrated fragrant material, often made by extracting aromatic compounds from natural raw materials with solvents and then refining the result with alcohol.
ACCORD A blend of notes or ingredients combined so they create a new overall smell, rather than each part standing out on its own.
ANIMAL A term used for rich, sensual facets once associated with animal-derived materials such as musk or ambergris. In modern perfumery, these effects are usually recreated with synthetic ingredients.
AROMA MOLECULE A single scent molecule used as a building block within a fragrance composition.
BASE NOTES The deepest and longest-lasting part of a fragrance. These notes remain after the top and heart notes fade and form much of the perfume’s lasting impression, or dry down.
BOTANICAL An ingredient that comes directly from plant material or another natural source.
CHYPRE A classic fragrance style known for a contrast between fresh citrus notes and a deeper mossy, woody, or patchouli-like base.
CITRUS A fragrance family built from bright, zesty notes inspired by fruits such as bergamot, lemon, orange, grapefruit, and mandarin.
CONCRETE A dense, waxy aromatic material produced by solvent extraction from plant matter. It is often processed further to create an absolute.
DISTILLATION A method of extracting fragrant compounds from raw materials, often using steam to separate the aromatic elements from the plant.
DRY DOWN The scent that remains after the top and heart notes have settled. It is the later stage of wearing a fragrance and is often where the base notes become most noticeable.
EAU DE COLOGNE A lighter fragrance format, generally made with a low concentration of perfume oil in alcohol.
EAU DE PARFUM A fragrance format with a higher concentration of perfume oil than eau de toilette, usually offering more depth and longer wear.
EAU DE TOILETTE A fragrance strength that usually sits above cologne and below eau de parfum, with a moderate level of perfume oil.
ESSENTIAL OILS Concentrated aromatic oils obtained from plant material, most commonly through distillation.
EXTRACT A concentrated aromatic material obtained from a natural source, or recreated in a lab to represent that source more consistently or sustainably.
FIXATIVE An ingredient or material that helps slow evaporation and supports the staying power of a fragrance, allowing the scent to last longer on skin or fabric.
FOUGÈRE A fragrance family with a fresh green aromatic character, often built around lavender, citrus, woods, and mossy notes.
HEADSPACE A technique used to capture and analyse the scent molecules around an object, then recreate that smell in fragrance form.
HESPERIDIC A perfumery term used for the bright, sparkling qualities associated with citrus oils.
LONGEVITY A term used to describe how long a fragrance remains noticeable after it has been applied.
MACERATION A process in which fragrant materials are soaked so their aromatic components can be drawn out into another medium.
MATURATION The resting period that allows a perfume concentrate to settle, develop, and become more rounded before final use.
MIDDLE NOTES Also called heart notes, these are the central notes of a fragrance. They shape the perfume’s main character and connect the freshness of the top with the depth of the base.
MOLECULAR DISTILLATION A refining process used to purify essential oils or extracts by removing colour, heavier elements, or unwanted impurities.
NATURAL A perfume ingredient derived from a natural source rather than created entirely by chemical synthesis.
NATURE IDENTICAL A lab-made ingredient that matches the structure and scent of a molecule also found in nature.
NOSE A perfumer or fragrance expert with a highly trained sense of smell who creates, evaluates, or describes scent compositions.
OLFACTIVE FAMILIES A way of grouping perfumes by their dominant scent character, such as citrus, floral, woody, aromatic, or chypre.
OLFACTORY Relating to the sense of smell.
OLFACTORY FATIGUE A temporary reduction in the ability to notice a smell after being exposed to it for a period of time. This is why a fragrance may seem to disappear even though others can still detect it.
PARABEN A preservative used in some products to help prevent spoilage. Some parabens have raised concerns because of possible hormone-related effects. UULA fragrances do not contain parabens.
PARFUM The most concentrated mainstream fragrance format, typically containing a high percentage of perfume oil in alcohol. The term is often used interchangeably with perfume.
PHTHLATE A group of ingredients sometimes used to help fragrance perform or remain stable. Some phthalates have raised concerns around hormone and reproductive effects. UULA fragrances do not contain phthalates.
PROJECTION The distance a fragrance travels from the skin or clothing. A perfume with stronger projection is easier for people nearby to notice.
RESINOID A thick aromatic material obtained from natural resins using solvent extraction, often used as a starting point for other fragrance ingredients.
SILLAGE The scented trail that lingers in the air after a person wearing perfume has passed by.
SYNTHETIC A perfume ingredient created through chemical synthesis rather than extracted directly from a natural material. Synthetics can improve consistency, safety, affordability, and sustainability.
TOP NOTES The lightest and most immediately noticeable notes in a fragrance. These are the first impressions you smell when the perfume is applied.
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