Virtually every fragrance description contains a list of notes. But what are notes exactly, why are certain ones used, and how are you supposed to know what they smell like from behind a screen?
Notes are generic terms for ingredients in a fragrance, while ingredients refer to specific molecules or materials in a scent. Notes give an idea what a scent should smell like, while ingredient lists provide an account of what’s inside. And when a few notes are specially combined to make a distinct aroma, they are together referred to as an "accord".
Take a scroll through the Commodity NoteBook to read more about any note—and maybe discover something new.
Plot twist: the natural resin, Amber, doesn't actually have a scent. In perfumery, Amber is an inspired scent that has quickly become a building block of warm fragrances. The synthetic accord often contains Vanilla, resins like Benzoin and Labdanum, and musks, to add an underlying element of sweetness and warmth.
Long-lasting with strong woody and ambery qualities. Adds depth to other notes in a fragrance.
Noteworthy fact
It’s a favorite of perfumer Christelle Laprade. She used it in Milk Expressive to balance out the fragrance’s fluffier, more edible notes.
Amyris
A warm, woody balsamic with a hint of citrus.
It's often used as a fixative, a Final note that holds a fragrance to the skin and increases its longevity. Also commonly used as a replacement for Sandalwood.
Noteworthy fact
Amyris is one of the Final notes in our Bergamot fragrance. Maker Stephen Nilsen wanted to dry down the fragrance’s blend of bright, tonic First notes with a clean, woody finish.
Benzoin
Often used to give "body" to ambery fragrances, Benzoin is a warm, woody resin reminiscent of Vanilla.
Noteworthy fact
Christelle Laprade, one of our perfumers, compares Benzoin to a favorite blanket that brings comfort and coziness.
A log cabin or a walk in the woods. Fresh, dry and woody, it adds a soothing, grounding quality to fragrances.
Noteworthy fact
Maker Donna Ramanauskas considers Cedarwood a personal favorite. She admires how the note’s distinct woody, forest scent transports her right into nature.
The perfect start to any day. A cool, clean glass of fresh Milk.
Noteworthy fact
A fragrance accord is a blend of several ingredients or notes used to create a fuller picture. Milk Maker Christelle Laprade featured this accord in Milk Expressive.
Elemi
A spicy balsamic scent with hints of fresh pine and lemon.
Elemi is often used as a fixative, anchoring other notes to the skin that would otherwise fade quickly.
In aromatherapy, a heavy dose of the scent is used to open your sinuses and soothe your mind. In fragrance—where a significantly smaller portion is used by perfumers—Eucalyptus is a fresh and woody aromatic that usually opens a fragrance.
The cozy crackling of a fireplace. Warm, woody and smoky. Will have you reaching for a warm blanket and a good book.
Noteworthy fact
A fragrance accord is a blend of several ingredients or notes used to create a fuller picture. Christelle Laprade, one of our Makers, used Firewood Accord for the blazing finale of Milk+ Bold.
Grapefruit
A bitter, sweet and sparkling citrus. Goes well in a cocktail, salad, or the beginning of a fragrance.
Despite its complex name, you won't actually smell much of anything if you hold a bottle of pure Iso E Super up to your nose. The popular synthetic was created to interact with your unique skin chemistry for a one-of-a-kind scent experience. Once on the skin, the ingredient is warm, ambery and woody, but you'll have to try it for yourself to be sure...
Did you read how Amber isn't actually an ingredient with a scent? That's where Labdanum comes in. This warm, leathery note adds depth to many Amber-based fragrances.
It's also used as a fixative, tethering other ingredients to the skin.
Not to be confused with must (that stinky attic smell), Musk is a versatile, synthetic ingredient that usually smells delicately sweet and dry. Used in a vast majority of perfumes, Musk is both a fixative that holds the scent to skin and a rounding note that adds soft balance to the entire blend.
Like Orange Blossom, Neroli originates from the flowers of orange trees. What separates these two notes is their extraction processes, resulting in two olfactory profiles.
Neroli is a light, aromatic citrus with hints of orange and honey. It's often used in white floral scents.
Noteworthy fact
Noteworthy: Neroli served as one of Mathieu Nardin’s main sources of inspiration for our Nectar fragrance. He paired the delicate, captivating flower with the bright, juicy Pomelo.
Nutmeg
A warm, nutty, sweet spice similar to—yet more subtle than—Cinnamon, Vanilla and Clove.
Although Orange Blossom and Neroli both originate from the same place—the flowers of orange trees—these notes have different olfactory profiles. (That’s because they have two distinct extraction processes, creating two distinct ingredients.)
Neroli is a light citrus, while Orange Blossom is a warmer, headier floral with lush green facets.
Noteworthy fact
Orange Blossom is a favorite note of Mathieu Nardin, one of our perfumers. This note takes him back to his childhood in Grasse in the South of France, among the orange trees in his grandparents' garden.
The scent of a Rose varies greatly depending on the color and the region. In our case, think softly-strewn Rose Petals—delicately spicy and distinctly floral.
The note is commonly used in women’s fragrances; however, you might be surprised to hear that it’s a popular choice for men’s (and genderless!) fragrances, as well.
Noteworthy fact
Noteworthy: The note immediately takes Maker Jerome Epinette to springtime in the South of France, when roses are in full bloom and their scent fills the air.
A popular fragrance note, you've probably smelled Sandalwood before even if you didn't realize it. Next time, look for its classic warm, creamy and rich aroma.
A mild nutty, earthy note reminiscent of warm bread.
Noteworthy fact
Noteworthy: Christelle Laprade, one of our perfumers, enjoys exploring Sesame both in the kitchen and in perfumery. She uses it to add a toasted element and applied this concept to Milk Expressive, creating a toasted facet reminiscent of s’mores.
A lighter take on Musk, Skin Musk is meant to smell like you (but better). The note lays like a second skin, keeping your scent close and balancing out other notes.
Noteworthy fact
Noteworthy: You’ll find Skin Musk within the Personal Scent Space, since it helps keep fragrances close to the skin.
Tangerine
A sweet, juicy citrus.
Noteworthy fact
It’s a favorite of Mathieu Nardin, one of our perfumers. To him, Tangerine adds joy and a sparkling energy to a scent.
Tonka Bean
A sweet spice similar to Vanilla or Toasted Almond. But Tonka Bean doesn't always call sticky-sweet gourmands to mind due to its more neutral nutty, woody aroma.
The nostalgic reminder of childhood and the sultry scent of adulthood.
Sweet, warm and versatile, Vanilla can either play a leading role or discretely round out a fragrance thanks to its ability to blend well with other notes.
Noteworthy fact
Noteworthy: It’s a favorite of Donna Ramanauskas, one of our perfumers. Vanilla calls to mind memories of baking with her grandmother, who always used the finest ingredients, including real Vanilla Beans, creating a nuzzly aroma that was both playful and cozy.
Vanilla is actually an exotic jungle plant with two distinct parts used in perfumery: the pod (Vanilla Bean) and the flower. Vanilla Flower is rich, warm and alluring.
Noteworthy fact
Noteworthy: Vanilla Flower is a favorite of perfumer Jerome Epinette. To him, it’s reminiscent of a warm, golden paradise, evoking its tropical landscape, endless sunshine and sweet, sultry aura.
Vetiver varies depending on what part of the world it comes from. Most commonly, we use the Haitian version, which is clean, woody and green.
Noteworthy fact
Noteworthy: Mathieu Nardin, one of our artisans, still remembers smelling this note for the first time in a workshop as a young perfumer. He was blown away by Vetiver’s duality—a woody, earthy scent with a fresh facet.
Noteworthy: Maker Jerome Epinette most appreciates the note’s ability to add a layer of sophistication to a fragrance. To him, White Birch is reminiscent of winter ski trips—days spent in the fresh outdoor air and nights spent by the roaring fire at the lodge.
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The Blacklist
Regulatory agencies like IFRA and the EU each have a list of banned ingredients that cannot be used in fragrance products. Beyond their lists, we’ve gone ahead and blacklisted even more ingredients from our formulations that may be considered toxins. See what we've Blacklisted below:
2-methoxyethanol
acetaldehyde
acetone
acetonitrile
Allergens including Nuts, Gluten, etc
animal-derived ingredients, including fats, oils, and musks
