Guides
Plain-language guides to understanding, choosing and wearing fragrance.
- Long-lasting perfumes: what makes a scent last, and ones to tryWhy some perfumes last all day and others fade fast: base notes, concentration and skin, plus long-lasting perfumes to try, tips to make scent last and a FAQ.30 October 2026 · 5 min read
- The best summer perfumes for hot weatherA guide to the best summer perfumes for hot weather: fresh citrus, aquatic, green tea and beachy scents, budget picks, tips for wearing scent in heat and a FAQ.30 October 2026 · 5 min read
- The best vanilla perfumes, from sweet to smokyA beginner's guide to the best vanilla perfumes: sweet and cosy, smoky and boozy, light and airy, plus budget picks, tips on wearing vanilla and a short FAQ.30 October 2026 · 5 min read
- How to choose a perfume: a beginner's step-by-step guideNew to perfume? Our step-by-step guide to choosing a scent: fragrance families, notes, testing on skin, EDT vs EDP, seasons, budgets, samples and decants.30 October 2026 · 6 min read
- What does Baccarat Rouge 540 smell like? Notes, history and who it suitsWhat Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian smells like: its saffron, jasmine and amberwood notes, the crystal story behind it, and who it suits best.30 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does Chanel No. 5 smell like? Notes, history and who it suitsWhat Chanel No. 5 smells like: its aldehydes, May rose and jasmine, the 1921 story of Coco Chanel and Ernest Beaux, why it lasted a century, and who it suits.30 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does Dior Sauvage smell like? Notes, history and who it suitsWhat Dior Sauvage smells like: its bergamot, pepper and Ambroxan notes, how the 2015 EDT differs from the EDP and Elixir, and who this famous scent suits best.30 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does Le Labo Santal 33 smell like? Notes, history and who it suitsWhat Le Labo Santal 33 smells like: its sandalwood, cardamom, violet and leather notes, the story behind the cult New York scent, and who it suits best today.30 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does apple smell like? The crisp, fresh note everyone recognisesEverything about apple in perfume: green vs red apple, why it is built from aroma molecules, its history, and the best apple perfumes to try in every style.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does caramel smell like? The sweet heart of gourmand perfumeEverything about caramel in perfume: what it smells like, how perfumers build it from ethyl maltol, its role in Angel, and the best caramel perfumes to try.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does cherry smell like? The dark, juicy note behind a perfume crazeEverything about cherry in perfume: what it smells like, why it is built in the lab, the almond link, its history, and the best cherry perfumes to try.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does Iso E Super smell like? The molecule that smells like youEverything about Iso E Super: what it smells like, who created it at IFF, why some people barely smell it, and perfumes from Molecule 01 to Terre d'Hermès.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does juniper smell like? The fresh, piney soul of ginEverything about juniper berry in perfume: its crisp gin-like smell, where it grows, how the oil is made, its smoky history, and the best juniper perfumes.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does lychee smell like? The juicy fruit that smells like a roseEverything about lychee in perfume: what it smells like, why it smells so much like rose, how perfumers build the note, and the best lychee perfumes to try.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does mint smell like? The coolest note in perfume, explainedEverything about mint in perfume: what it smells like, peppermint vs spearmint, menthol and carvone, its long history, and the best mint perfumes to try.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does pistachio smell like? The creamy green nut of modern perfumeEverything about pistachio in perfume: its nutty, creamy smell, where it grows, how perfumers build the note, its rise as a trend, and the best perfumes to try.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does plum smell like? The dark, jammy fruit of perfumeEverything about plum in perfume: what it smells like, how perfumers build it with no plum oil, its role in classic chypres, and the best plum perfumes to try.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does raspberry smell like? The jammy berry that loves rosesEverything about raspberry in perfume: what it smells like, raspberry ketone and ionones, its link to rose, its history, and the best raspberry perfumes.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does rum smell like? The warm, boozy note of dark perfumeEverything about rum in perfume: its sweet, boozy smell, how perfumers build a rum note, the story of bay rum, and the best rum perfumes to try this season.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does suede smell like? Soft leather, explainedEverything about suede in perfume: what it smells like, how it differs from leather, how the accord is built, its glove-making history, and scents to try.23 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What do aldehydes smell like? The sparkle behind Chanel No. 5Everything about aldehydes in perfume: what they smell like, what the C-numbers mean, how Chanel No. 5 made them famous in 1921, and the best aldehydic perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does almond smell like? Marzipan, cherry and a hint of dangerAlmond in perfume explained: its sweet marzipan and cherry smell, benzaldehyde, how bitter almond oil is made safe, related notes like heliotrope, and almond perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does ambergris smell like? The ocean's rarest treasureEverything about ambergris: how it forms in sperm whales, what aged ambergris smells like, why its legality varies by country, and the perfumes that capture its glow.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does benzoin smell like? Vanilla's resinous soulEverything about benzoin: its sweet, vanilla-like smell, how the resin is tapped from styrax trees in Laos and Sumatra, its incense history and the best benzoin perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does black pepper smell like? The spice that built empiresA plain-English guide to black pepper in perfume: its dry, woody, crackling smell, the rotundone molecule, how the oil is made, its spice-trade past and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does blackcurrant smell like? Tart, green and a little wildEverything about blackcurrant (cassis) in perfume: its tangy and catty sides, how bud absolute is made in Burgundy, the molecules behind it, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does clove smell like? Hot spice with a vintage soulA plain-English guide to clove in perfume: its hot, sweet, medicinal smell, eugenol and carnation, the Spice Islands story, regulation and the best perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does coconut smell like? Sunshine, cream and holidays in a bottleCoconut in perfume explained: its creamy, sweet, beachy smell, why perfumers can't extract it, the lactones that rebuild it, monoï oil, and the best coconut perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does cypress smell like? The scent of a Mediterranean hillsideEverything about cypress: its dry, green, resinous smell, the Mediterranean tree it comes from, how the oil is made, its symbolic history and the best cypress perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does frankincense smell like? The scent of ancient templesA plain-English guide to frankincense in perfume: its bright, smoky, resinous smell, Boswellia trees, the old incense routes, sustainability worries, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does gardenia smell like? Creamy, heady and almost impossible to bottleGardenia explained: its creamy, mushroomy white-flower smell, why perfumers can't extract it, how they rebuild it, tiaré and monoï, and the best gardenia perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does geranium smell like? The rosy, minty leaf behind classic colognesGeranium explained: its rosy, minty, green smell, the scented pelargonium it comes from, how the oil is distilled, its role in fougères and rose scents, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does ginger smell like? Zesty, warm and full of energyA plain-English guide to ginger in perfume: its fresh, lemony, warming smell, where it grows, how the oil is made, its long history, and the best ginger perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does green tea smell like? Calm, clean and quietly freshEverything about green tea in perfume: what it smells like, why most tea notes are built by perfumers, the 1992 scent that started the trend, and the best tea perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does guaiac wood smell like? Smoke, tea and roses in one woodEverything about guaiac wood: its smoky, rosy, tea-like smell, the South American tree it comes from, how the oil is made, its trade protections and the best perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does heliotrope smell like? Almond, powder and cherry pieEverything about heliotrope: its almond, vanilla and powdery smell, why the flower is so hard to extract, the molecule heliotropin, and the best heliotrope perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does honey smell like? Sweet, golden and a little wildEverything about honey in perfume: its sweet, waxy and surprisingly animal smell, how perfumers recreate it with beeswax and molecules, and the best honey perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does labdanum smell like? The resin that goats once gatheredEverything about labdanum: its rich, leathery amber smell, how the sticky resin is taken from rockrose shrubs, its ancient history, and the best labdanum perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does lily of the valley smell like? The flower perfumers have to inventLily of the valley explained: its fresh, green, dewy smell, why the flower can't be extracted, how perfumers rebuild it, the EU bans, and the best muguet perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does magnolia smell like? Lemon, cream and spring sunshineMagnolia explained: its lemony, creamy, tea-like smell, the trees it comes from, how champaca oils are made, how perfumers build the note, and the best magnolia perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does myrrh smell like? The bittersweet resin of ancient kingsMyrrh explained: its bitter, balsamic, mushroomy smell, the desert trees it comes from, how the resin is harvested, its ancient history, and myrrh perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does nutmeg smell like? The soft spice with a wild pastA plain-English guide to nutmeg in perfume: its warm, woody, slightly sweet smell, nutmeg vs mace, how the oil is made, the bloody Banda history, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does oakmoss smell like? The forest-floor note behind the classicsEverything about oakmoss: its damp, inky, forest smell, the lichen it comes from, its role in chypre perfumes, why it is now restricted, and the best oakmoss perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does orange blossom smell like? The bridal flower with a secret sideEverything about orange blossom in perfume: what it smells like, how it differs from neroli, how it is extracted, its bridal history and the best orange blossom perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does osmanthus smell like? Apricots, tea and a touch of leatherOsmanthus explained: its apricot, tea and leather smell, the Chinese tree it comes from, how the costly absolute is made, its long history in China, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does peach smell like? Velvet skin, juice and a famous secretPeach in perfume explained: its juicy, velvety smell, why real peach can't be extracted, the lactones that rebuild it, its role in Mitsouko, and peach perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does pear smell like? Juicy, crisp and made in the labEverything about pear in perfume: what it smells like, why there is no natural pear oil, the molecule behind the note, and the best pear perfumes from fresh to sweet.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does peony smell like? The fresh, rosy flower perfumers must rebuildEverything about peony in perfume: what it smells like, why it cannot be extracted, how perfumers recreate it, its long history in China, and the best peony perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does sea salt smell like? The beach on your skinEverything about sea salt in perfume: why salt itself has no smell, how perfumers build the scent of sea air and salty skin, the marine perfume story, and scents to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does violet smell like? The powdery flower made by chemistryEverything about violet in perfume: what it smells like, why the flower is rarely used, how ionones changed perfume, violet leaf, and the best violet perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does amber smell like? The warm glow that isn't a stoneWhat amber means in perfume: a warm, resinous accord of labdanum, benzoin and vanilla. Not fossil amber, not ambergris. Its history, smell and the best amber perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does Ambroxan smell like? The molecule behind modern trailsEverything about Ambroxan: what it smells like, how it links whales and clary sage, why it lasts so long, and the famous perfumes built on this ambergris molecule.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does bergamot smell like? The citrus that built cologneEverything about bergamot: what it smells like, why it grows almost only in Calabria, how its oil is pressed, its role in the first eau de Cologne, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 6 min read
- What does cardamom smell like? The cool spice with a warm heartA plain-English guide to cardamom in perfume: its fresh, eucalyptus-like spice, where it grows, how the oil is made, its long history, and the best perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does cedarwood smell like? The backbone of woody perfumeEverything about cedarwood: its dry, pencil-shaving smell, the different cedars used in perfume, how the oil is made, its long history and the best cedar perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does cinnamon smell like? Warmth you can almost tasteA plain-English guide to cinnamon in perfume: its sweet, hot smell, Ceylon vs cassia, how the oil is made, why it is regulated, its spice-trade past, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does coffee smell like in perfume? Roasted, dark and addictiveA plain-English guide to the coffee note in perfume: its roasted, bitter-sweet smell, how perfumers capture it, its history, pairings and the best perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does fig smell like? Green leaves, milky sap and summer shadeEverything about fig in perfume: what it smells like, why fig notes are mostly built by perfumers, the landmark fig scents of the 1990s, and the best fig perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does grapefruit smell like? The bitter-bright wake-up callEverything about grapefruit in perfume: what it smells like, the molecules behind its bitter, juicy sparkle, how the oil is made, and the best grapefruit perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does incense smell like in perfume? Sacred smoke for every dayEverything about incense notes in perfume: what they smell like, the resins and woods behind them, their roots in temples and churches, and the best incense perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does iris smell like? The costly root behind powdery perfumeEverything about iris (orris) in perfume: what it smells like, why it comes from the root, how it is aged for years, its history, and the best iris perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does jasmine smell like? The night-blooming heart of perfumeEverything about jasmine in perfume: what it smells like, grandiflorum vs sambac, how it is extracted, why indole matters, its history, and the best jasmine perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does lavender smell like? Far more than your grandmother's drawerEverything about lavender in perfume: what it smells like, true lavender vs lavandin, how it is distilled, how it shaped men's perfume, and the best lavender perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does leather smell like in perfume? Smoke, suede and luxuryEverything about leather notes in perfume: what they smell like, how perfumers build them from birch tar and synthetics, their history and the best leather perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does lemon smell like? Pure sunshine in a bottleEverything about lemon in perfume: what it smells like, where the best lemons grow, how the oil is pressed, why it fades so fast, and the best lemon perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does mandarin smell like? The sweetest, softest citrusEverything about mandarin in perfume: what it smells like, green vs red mandarin, how the oil is pressed, the molecules behind its candy-like sweetness, and perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does musk smell like? The scent of clean, warm skinEverything about musk in perfume: what it smells like, the deer it once came from, how chemists replaced it, why some people can't smell it, and the best musk perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does neroli smell like? Sunlight in a bottleEverything about neroli: what it smells like, how it is distilled from bitter orange blossoms, how it differs from orange blossom, its history and the best neroli perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does oud smell like? The world's most dramatic noteEverything about oud (agarwood): what it smells like, how it forms inside Aquilaria trees, its 4,000-year history, why it is so expensive, and the best oud perfumes for beginners.16 October 2026 · 6 min read
- What does patchouli smell like? From hippie oil to haute perfumeEverything about patchouli: its earthy, dark, chocolatey smell, the leaf it comes from, how the oil is made in Indonesia, its history and the best patchouli perfumes.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does pink pepper smell like? The sparkle that isn't really pepperA plain-English guide to pink pepper in perfume: its bright, rosy fizz, why it isn't true pepper, where it grows, how the oil is made, and the best perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does rose smell like? The queen of flowers, explainedEverything about rose in perfume: what it smells like, damask vs May rose, rose otto vs absolute, its long history, synthetic roses, and the best rose perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does saffron smell like? Gold thread, leather and honeyA plain-English guide to saffron in perfume: its leathery, honeyed smell, where the world's priciest spice comes from, why it is usually synthetic, and what to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does sandalwood smell like? The creamiest wood in perfumeEverything about sandalwood: its soft, creamy smell, how the oil is made, why Indian sandalwood became so scarce, Australian alternatives and the best sandalwood perfumes.16 October 2026 · 6 min read
- What does tobacco smell like in perfume? Honey, hay and warm leavesEverything about tobacco notes in perfume: why they smell sweet, not smoky, how tobacco absolute and accords are made, their history and the best ones to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does tonka bean smell like? Vanilla's wilder cousinEverything about tonka bean in perfume: its hay, almond and vanilla smell, where it grows, why coumarin changed perfume forever, and the best tonka perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does tuberose smell like? The most seductive flower in perfumeEverything about tuberose: what it smells like, where it grows, how its absolute is made, its scandalous history, Fracas and the best tuberose perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does vanilla smell like? The world's favourite comfort noteEverything about vanilla in perfume: what it smells like, how hand-pollinated orchid pods become fragrant, real vs synthetic vanillin, and the best vanilla perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 5 min read
- What does vetiver smell like? The root that smells like rain on earthEverything about vetiver: its earthy, smoky, green smell, the grass roots it comes from, how the oil is made in Haiti, India and Indonesia, and the best vetiver perfumes.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- What does ylang-ylang smell like? The sunny flower of the tropicsEverything about ylang-ylang: what it smells like, where it grows, why it comes in grades like Extra and III, its history, and the best ylang-ylang perfumes to try.16 October 2026 · 4 min read
- Attar vs perfume, and what EDP and EDT actually meanAttars, perfume oils and sprays explained, plus what parfum, EDP, EDT and EDC mean, so you can pick the right type for your skin, climate and budget.3 October 2026 · 4 min read
- How to make perfume last longer in Indian heatPractical, no-nonsense ways to make your perfume or attar last longer in hot, humid weather: where to apply it, what to pair it with, and which notes hold up best.3 October 2026 · 3 min read
- Top, middle and base notes: how to read a perfumeWhat top, heart and base notes really mean, how long each lasts, and how to use a notes list to choose a perfume you will still love three hours later.3 October 2026 · 4 min read