Fragrance is a combination of organic compounds that produce a distinct smell or odour. It is used to create cosmetic products that emit a pleasant scent such as perfume, cologne and aftershave. Fragrance is often made from fragrant essential oils derived from plants and spices or synthetic aromatic chemicals.
Scents and fragrances have been proven to affect mood, emotion and even memory. The ability of a fragrance to evoke an instant reaction in people is largely due to the fact that our sense of smell is directly linked to the part of the brain that processes emotions. A person can smell a beautiful flower and immediately feel exhilarated or excited, while at the same time, another person might experience a soothing feeling as they smell the aroma of a scented candle.
Perfumes are the most common product that contains a fragrance, but they can also be found in creams, detergents and other cleaning products. Fragrance is skillfully assembled and mixed by a perfumer to give the product a unique and desired character. The process of creating a fragrance can take months and sometimes years to complete the final product.
A fragrance is a mixture of chemical ingredients that are skillfully put together by a perfumer and can be made up of essential oils, extracts, chemicals or blends. It is a complex blend of molecules that produce a particular aroma. Fragrance is available in many forms including fine perfumes, which are applied to the skin with a spritzer, or in other liquid combinations such as colognes and aftershaves. It can also be found in perfumed body sprays, shampoos and deodorant products.
Fragrances are classified into five main groups loosely based on their concentration of aromatic compounds. These are Eau de Parfum (which contains the highest concentration of fragrance at 20%-30% scent), colognes (1-3% scent), toilettes (3-5% scent), Eau de Cologne (5-6% scent) and eau de toilette (9-15% scent).
The top notes are usually the most prominent parts of a fragrance. They are the first impression that is emitted from a fragrance and usually consist of fruity, citrus or floral aromas. The scent can last from ten to twenty minutes after the fragrance is applied to the skin.
Middle or heart notes are the core of a fragrance and determine the overall character of the perfume. They are often rich and tenacious and are used to classify a particular fragrance family or accord. Examples of the most popular heart notes include iris, oakmoss and tuberose.
Base notes are the longest-lasting components of a fragrance. They are usually sweet and syrupy. They are a base for the higher-level notes and add stability to the perfume. They can be herbal, woody or musky.
The International Fragrance Association and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials set voluntary standards for chemicals that are considered a fragrance ingredient. The IFRA and RIFM guidelines are used worldwide for fragrance safety testing. They are responsible for determining how long a fragrance will remain stable and what concentration of the scent will be safe to use. They also perform hazard identification, hazard quantification and exposure assessment.