Perfume, or parfum in French, is a distilled mixture of natural and synthetic aromatic compounds, fixative solvents and ethanol. It is applied to the skin at pulse points (behind ears, on the nape of the neck, elbow creases and knees) where it is warmed by the body and releases its scent. [1]
The perfume’s three structural parts are the head (the first smell your nose perceives), the middle and the base (the odour that remains after the perfume has evaporated). Each perfume is composed of different proportions of these components to create its specific personality.
Accords, which are groups of scent molecules that share a similar character, may also influence the perception of a perfume’s overall fragrance. Perfumes can be classified according to five major families: Floral, Oriental, Woody, Aromatic Fougere and Mossy Woods. These are further subdivided into a number of distinct categories such as chypre, aldehydic floral and fresh fruit. For example, Chanel No.5 is classed as an aldehydic floral while Hermes Rouge falls into the Mossy Wood category, although both are referred to as Floral Oriental in modern perfume nomenclature.
The odours of a perfume can evoke a variety of impressions and feelings, including memories and emotions. Perfume reviews often describe these impressions and emotions using words and pictures to evoke a vivid image in the reader’s mind. Those that can write in this style are sometimes described as literary fragrance writers. A more scientific approach can be found in perfume analysis which seeks to explore the individual odours of a perfume, particularly its accord composition.