Good to nose

Fancy fragrance-related words explained

Accord This is where magic happens. A perfume’s accord is a blend of individual notes that lose their own identity to create an entirely new scent.

Ambergris Made from a digestive secretion found in sperm whales (although much more likely to be synthetic today), ambergris, or amber as it is often called, is woody and sweet.

Base note The deep, lasting scent of a perfume. It’s what you’re paying for, so make sure it lasts.

Chypre In 1917, Coty launched their fragrance, Chypre, inspired by the island of Cyprus. It was so popular that it’s now the term used to describe woody and mossy scents.

Drydown That lingering residue of scent that stays on your scarf for days.

Fougère French for ‘fern’, this term refers to herbaceous plants – lavender, coumarin and oakmoss. It’ll make you think of the French countryside in the sunshine.

Gourmand perfumes So good, you could eat them. These evoke the smell of food such as vanilla, honey and chocolate.

Middle note The heart and dominant fragrance of the perfume – like the main film after the trailers.

Sillage The glorious aerila trail of scent that a perfume leaves behind. We all want a perfume that does this, even though it’s not something you can smell on yourself.

Toilette This is your everyday fragrance that’s a little easier to wear than eau de parfum.

Top note The first burst of a fragrance, the moment it has been spritzed. This is what you smell in the shop, so hang out with your perfume for a while before you buy.

Vetiver A green, mossy fragrance that’s often at the heart of a woody scent. Every perfume house has a vetiver perfume, and they are not all created equal, so shop around.