The fragrance is an art and not everyone can master it. With various notes(ingredients that make up a fragrance) and touches, there are thousands of smells that are not recognised by the nose. Does it feel daunting to you too? But it's not meant to be. Not everyone can be trained perfectly to understand fragrance, but the Fragrance Family chart is here to help you with it.

In this tour, you will learn about the fragrance family and their categories.

What Is A Fragrance Wheel?

Fragrance families are not a tool but the types of scents. Initially, it was a way to break down and classify how the scents smell rather than what they are made up of. 

Earlier, the first grouping of scent families was done by seven families. But at the end of the 19th century, the procedure for scent making became more complex.

Austrian perfumer Paul Jellinek introduced the first Fragrance wheel in 1949. A Fragrance wheel works by developing a relationship based on similarities and differences. It helps not only in identifying them but also in developing new compounds.

Later, Michael Edwards rebuilt the fragrance wheel from the ground. The wheel created by him was successful and became a standard for industries. Michael Edwards has developed a scent wheel, blending perfumes into various perfume families. It distinguishes four main families: floral, oriental, woody and fresh. These are further subdivided into subcategories. 

Now, moving forward to the Family fragrance chart:

Aromatic Family

Aromatic is one of the mains in the Fragrance Family. This category is based on fresh green herbs and it is often mixed with citrus and spicy notes. However, as a result, it becomes more masculine. 

Common aromatic family notes

• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender

Chypre Family

Chypre is an ancient and special family. The name has been originated from the French word i.e. Cyprus.

Cyprus is more than a family and can be considered mainly as a symbol by today's standards. It has different properties that vary from floral, fruity, grey, aromatic and leathery notes. It is a worm moss base that compares with a fresh citrus head.

Yet, it is difficult to split them.

Common Chypre family notes

• Oak Moss
• Patchouli
• Labdanum
• Bergamot

Floral Family 

Even being one of the largest in the Fragrance Family chart, Floral Family has been reserved by women till now.

This category consists of either a single flower or several. Changes in the making pattern have also made them popular in the men's category.

Common floral family notes

• Bergamot
• Lemon
• Mandarine
• Grapefruit
• Orange
• Lime

Citrus Family

Citrus notes are used in all seasons and have been used for decades. Citrus fragrances have a similar smell of either juice, aroma or fruit blossom such as lemon, orange, mandarin and grapefruit. Citrus family is paired with another Fragrance family i.e. floral to provide a beautiful smell. 

Common citrus family notes

• Jasmine
• Rose
• Geranium
• Patchouli
• Iris

That's all about the fragrance families. Hope it helps you identify your signature fragrance with relevant research made available to you. 

Keep Reading - Origin of Woody Perfumes