17 Popular Fragrance Ingredients + What They Smell Like
Discover some of the common fragrance ingredients used in perfumery, what they smell like, and the ways that they can influence a scent.
- 14th May 2024
- By Charlotte Tilbury
12 minute read
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Amber
What is Amber?
Amber is the hardened form of tree resin. Tree resin is produced to patch gaps within the bark of a tree, and over time it hardens and becomes amber. Amber is famous for its warm, yellow-toned glow and is often used in jewellery making.
What Does Amber Accord Smell Like?
Amber has a warm, distinctive scent that often contains elements of sweetness and spice. Amber accords are an effective base note in perfume, acting as a warm, glowing base that wonderfully complements spicy fragrance notes like cinnamon, black pepper, and clove.
Fragrance Family: Amber
Amber accords belong to the Amber fragrance family.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Amber Accord:
Cosmic Power features a mystical Amber Accord that radiates cosmic connection.
Amber Woods
What are Amber Woods?
Amber woods are a compound of amber and wood, marrying the earthy qualities of the woody fragrance family and the warm, spiced glow of the amber fragrance family.
What Do Amber Woods Smell Like?
Amber Woods have a similar, warm scent to Amber Accords, although they have a woody character that makes them deeper and moodier. Due to their earthy aroma, Amber Woods are often used as base notes to give a scent longevity and build ambience.
Fragrance Family: Amber Woody
Amber Woods belong to the Amber fragrance family and fall under the subcategory of Amber Woody.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Amber Woods:
Love Frequency has a base of captivating Amber Woods that anchors its love spell.
Bergamot
What is Bergamot?
The bergamot orange is a type of fruit that’s native to Italy, sitting within the citrus fruit family. They are similar in size to a classic orange but have yellow or green colouration depending on how ripe they are. Bergamot oranges have a bitter, acidic taste but are beautifully fragrant.
What Does Bergamot Smell Like?
As it is a citrus fruit, bergamot has a zesty, tart fragrance similar to that of an orange. Bergamot is a light, fruity scent that blends beautifully with a variety of fragrance notes including woods, florals, and other fruits. It’s often present in a perfume’s top notes as it is quick to appear and quick to fade.
Fragrance Family: Fresh Citrus
Bergamot belongs to the Fresh fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Fresh Citrus.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Bergamot Oil
Magic Energy is infused with reawakening Bergamot Oil for a sparkling, citrusy debut.
Black Pepper
What is Black Pepper?
Black pepper or Piper negrum grows from plants in the Piperaceae family. Their fruitful vines are cultivated for their dark fruits which are dried to become peppercorns. Black peppercorns can then be ground ready to be cooked with, offering peppery seasoning for culinary dishes.
What Does Black Pepper Smell Like?
Black pepper is a spicy, aromatic scent that tickles the senses. It adds nuance to a fragrance, giving it a smoky, peppery undercurrent. It can pair expertly with musks and leather accords to create an atmospheric aroma, or with other spices like cinnamon and clove to spice up a scent.
Fragrance Family: Amber Spicy
Black Pepper belongs to the Amber fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Amber Spicy.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Black Pepper Oil
More Sex is spiced with bold Black Pepper Oil to elicit a tantalising scent.
Cedarwood
What is Cedarwood?
Cedarwood is an evergreen, coniferous wood. It’s one of the sturdiest types of wood and can thrive in damp, cold climates. When distilled, cedarwood produces a natural oil that smells fresh and earthy with a semblance of citrus.
What Does Cedarwood Smell Like?
Cedarwood is a natural, earthy scent that’s reminiscent of a dewy forest floor. It’s a predominantly woody scent that can feature elements of citrus and balsamic, leading it to take on smoky, mossy qualities. Cedarwood is a popular base note for its ability to ground a scent like a great tree trunk.
Fragrance Family: Woody
Cedarwood belongs to the Woody fragrance family.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Cedarwood:
Magic Energy has a base of cedarwood that asserts itself as stoic and strong.
Cinnamon Bark
What is Cinnamon Bark?
Cinnamon bark is the bark of the Cinnamomum cassia. These trees originated in southern China and are cultivated for their aromatic tree bark. Cinnamon bark is used as a natural spice and is often featured in recipes for curries, savoury dishes, and fragrant rice bowls.
What Does Cinnamon Bark Smell Like?
Cinnamon bark is a warm, spicy scent with a hint of sweetness. A sprinkling of cinnamon bark can add subtle warmth to a fragrance, and a generous helping can create an intense, spicy scent. Cinnamon bark pairs wonderfully with vanilla bean extract to create a moment of sweet-meets-spice, as well as with other spices like pink and black pepper.
Fragrance Family: Amber Spicy
Cinnamon Bark belongs to the Amber fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Amber Spicy.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Cinnamon Bark Oil:
Cosmic Power has a warming top note of divine Cinnamon Bark Oil to add masterful spice to its scent profile.
Frankincense
What is Frankincense?
Frankincense is formed from the sap of Boswellia trees. It has a tough, gummy, resin texture and is commonly used in incense and aromatherapy.
What Does Frankincense Smell Like?
Frankincense has an invigorating, woody scent that marries earthy and spicy qualities to create a distinctive scent profile. It mixes codes of fresh pine woods and glowing amber to create a mystical middle ground that enthrals the senses.
Fragrance Family: Woody
Frankincense belongs to the Woody fragrance family.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Frankincense:
Cosmic Power has an empowering Frankincense Accord that inspires everyone to step into their inner power.
Lavender
What is Lavender?
Lavender is a perennial flower that’s easy to grow in warm, breezy climates. It’s known for its delicate, lavender-coloured petals and unique floral fragrance. Lavender is often said to evoke feelings of calm and relaxation; it’s commonly used in self-care and wellness products like candles, pillow sprays, and body lotions.
What Does Lavender Smell Like?
Lavender is a heady, floral scent that has a distinctive, herbal character. It’s easy to distinguish the scent of lavender as it’s much more potent than other common florals like geranium, jasmine, or rose. The fresh and airy nature of lavender pairs beautifully with other mood-setting fragrance notes like warm vanilla, fresh bergamot, and blissful orange blossom.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Lavender belongs to the Floral fragrance family.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Lavender:
Calm Bliss opens with relaxing Lavandin Oil to serenade with feelings of calm and tranquillity.
Leather Accord
What is a Leather Accord?
A leather accord is a synthetic molecule used in fragrance that mimics the natural scent of leather. Smokey woods and musks are often used to replicate the sensation of slipping into a vintage leather jacket or taking a new pair of shoes fresh out of the box.
What Does Leather Accord Smell Like?
Leather Accords are designed to resemble the rich, smoky qualities of natural leather. Fragrance ingredients like woods and musks come together to create an animalic aroma that has the depth associated with genuine leather. Think of leather brogues, designer handbags, and motorcycle jackets – that’s the sense that leather accords attempt to recreate.
Fragrance Family: Woody Leather
Leather Accord belongs to the Woody fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Woody Leather.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Leather Accord:
More Sex comes alive with an addictive Leather Accord that you just can’t say no to.
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Neroli Oil
What is Neroli Oil?
Neroli oil is sourced from bitter orange trees and is extracted from the flowers that blossom from its branches. These same flowers are used to source orange blossom which explains its similarities to neroli oil.
What Does Neroli Smell Like?
Neroli is a beautiful blend of fresh, floral, and citrus elements that come together to create a sparkling, green aroma. Neroli is light, bright, and botanical, but can have a slightly bitter tinge thanks to its citrus tree origins. Neroli is a similar fragrance ingredient to bergamot but can be distinguished by its floral overtones.
Fragrance Family: Fresh Citrus
Neroli belongs to the Fresh fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Fresh Citrus.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Neroli Oil:
Joyphoria features a top note of uplifting Neroli Oil that emerges like a ray of summer sunshine.
Palo Santo
What is Palo Santo?
Palo santo is a South American tree species that’s native to Peru and Venezuela. Also known as holy wood, Palo santo is often burned as incense and is said to be able to cleanse the energy around us.
What Does Palo Santo Smell Like?
Palo Santo is a woody scent that smells slightly sweet, sometimes even being compared to liquorice. There is a soft quality to Palo Santo that makes its scent feel more subdued than other woody notes like amber woods and cedarwood. Palo Santo pairs beautifully with bright, citrusy notes like bergamot.
Fragrance Family: Woody
Palo santo belongs to the Woody fragrance family.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Palo Santo:
Magic Energy features a smoky, spiritual Palo Santo Accord that feels balanced and in tune with nature.
Pink Pepper
What is Pink Pepper?
Pink pepper is similar to black pepper in the sense that it is the dried berry of a plant; however, pink pepper is sourced from a rose plant. Pink peppercorns have a vibrant, pinkish-red colour and a more subtle level of spice than black pepper, which gives them a brighter, fruiter taste.
What Does Pink Pepper Smell Like?
Pink pepper smells similar to black pepper and has a spicy and aromatic scent profile. The key difference between the scent of black pepper and pink pepper is that pink pepper has a lighter, rosier body that’s particularly tantalising when paired with dark woods.
Fragrance Family: Amber Spicy
Pink pepper belongs to the Amber fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Amber Spicy.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Pink Pepper:
Love Frequency opens with addictive Pink Pepper to mimic the feeling of falling in love at first sight.
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Rose
What is Rose?
Roses are voluminous, flowering plants that often have long stems and spiky thorns. There are hundreds of species of rose in a spectrum of colours from passionate reds to sweet pinks, sunny yellows, and bright whites. The rose has become a symbol of love and romance and is a popular gift for Valentine’s Day and date nights.
What Does Rose Smell Like?
The scent of a rose is as delicate as its petals, blending beautiful and classic florals with velvety gardenia. Rose scents can have a spectrum of undertones from sweet honey to aromatic spice to leafy greens, helping true rose to blossom in complex, nuanced ways.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Rose belongs to the Floral fragrance family.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Rose:
Love Frequency has a heart of romantic Rose Ultimate Absolut and hypnotic Rose Essential to create the most magical floral arrangement.
Vanilla Bean Extract
What is Vanilla Bean Extract?
Vanilla Bean Extract is the sweet extract from vanilla pods. Vanilla pods are the dried fruits of the Vanilla orchid, and when they are macerated, they release a sweet substance that mixes with water and ethanol to create vanilla bean extract. It’s a warming, sugary essence that’s the perfect sweetener for desserts and bakes.
What Does Vanilla Bean Extract Smell Like?
Vanilla Bean Extract is a sweet, sugary scent that every dessert-lover adores. Vanilla brings warmth and levity to a fragrance, introducing a sweet-as-can-be quality that’s the secret to creating any gourmand perfume worth its salt. Vanilla Bean Extract is a more understated alternative to hyper-sweet fragrance notes like whipped cream and marshmallow and interacts beautifully with a range of floral and spicy notes like lavender and cinnamon.
Fragrance Family: Amber Gourmand
Vanilla Bean Extract belongs to the Amber fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Amber Gourmand.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Vanilla Bean Extract:
Joyphoria is powered by enchanting Vanilla Bean Extract, an Emotion-Boosting Molecule that’s proven to enhance feelings of happiness.*
Watery Accord
What are Watery fragrance notes?
Watery fragrance notes often feature fresh, green, and salty elements that come together to create an oceanic feel. The aquatic nature of a fragrance doesn’t refer to how much water has been used in its creation, but rather having notes that paint a picture of being bathed in crystal waves.
What Does a Watery Accord Smell Like?
Watery Accords and other aquatic fragrance notes resemble the refreshing scent that fills the air through magical moments by the water. Aquatic notes are often fresh and invigorating, capturing the magic of the marine from the damp scent of morning rain to the salty flavour of ocean air.
Fragrance Family: Fresh Aquatic
Watery Accord belongs to the Fresh fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Fresh Aquatic.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Watery Accord:
A refreshing Water Accord runs through the heart of Calm Bliss, giving it the tranquil feeling of an aquatic escape.
White Musk
What is White Musk?
White musk is a synthetic alternative to natural musk that’s created without the use of animals. Instead, potent florals and synthetic compounds are used to create an airier musk than the deep, animalic ingredients that inspired its creation.
What Does White Musk Smell Like?
White musks smell soft and powdery, taking on a more subdued character than other types of musk. White musk often has a dry, woody aroma and may take influence from white florals and fresh pine.
Fragrance Family: Amber Musk
White Musk belongs to the Amber fragrance family and falls under the subcategory of Amber Musk.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with White Musk:
Calm Bliss features pure White Musk to create a poised and peaceful base for its floral and aquatic notes to ebb and flow across.
Ylang Ylang
What is Ylang Ylang?
Ylang ylang is a towering tree that grows in topical, sun-soaked environments. Its flowers are a vibrant yellow colour with long, sprawling petals that droop down from the heights of its branches.
What Does Ylang Ylang Smell Like?
Ylang Ylang has a floral scent that’s slightly sweet and medicinal. It’s a summery, green floral that transports you to an island escape with its radiant personality. Ylang Ylang pairs well with other florals like jasmine and tuberose to orchestrate a floral scent that feels sunny and euphoric.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Ylang Ylang belongs to the Floral fragrance family.
Charlotte’s Fragrance with Ylang Ylang:
Joyphoria features radiant Ylang Ylang as a floral heart of gold with a beaming, sunshine quality.
Shop Joyphoria
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Author Details
Charlotte Tilbury
Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.
