The world of perfume is a big one and I'm sure there are still many words that you don't know. In the glossary below, we take a look at some of the most commonly used terms in perfumery so that you can learn a little more about this wonderful universe that we love so much. Take note!
DIVAIN Perfume Dictionary
In the DIVAIN perfume dictionary you will find the most commonly used terms in perfumery. Discover them all and become an expert in this world.
Essential oil
Essential oil is an aromatic substance extracted from different plants, flowers, fruits, spices or woods. Although various processes can be used to extract the oil, the most common are distillation and cold pressing.
In the following post we show you which are the best essential oils used in the manufacture of the most addictive fragrances.
Cologne
The cologne is notable for having one of the lowest concentrations of essential oils on the market. This concentration is between 1% and 8% depending on the brand. Its duration is more volatile than other compositions such as perfume or eau de parfum.
Eau de Parfum (EDP) or Eau de Parfum (Eau de Perfume)
The eau de parfum or eau de parfum is a term used to designate those olfactory compositions that have between 16% and 18% of essential oils. EDP is between perfume and Eau de Toilette (EDT) in terms of scent concentration. They are a good choice if you want to go for a long-lasting, yet economical scent. Our EDP DIVAIN-155 similar to Hypnotic Poison will surely conquer your heart with its great elegance. Try it!
Eau de Toilette (EDT) or Eau de Cologne
The term Eau de Toilette or Eau de Toilette refers to formulas with a scent concentration between 8% and 15%. Their price is cheaper than perfumes and Eau de Parfum. The duration of the scent is also shorter. If you want to go into detail, take a look at our post on the differences between the terms: perfume, cologne, EDP and EDT.
Gourmand
The term "gourmand" in perfumery is used to classify sweet perfumes designed for those with a sweet tooth. Aromas with edible and irresistible notes such as honey, chocolate or caramel. They are warm and are often combined with other base notes such as patchouli. Visit our article with the best sweet perfumes and delight yourself with their delicious scents.
Layering
Layering is the art of combining existing fragrances to create totally new and personalised ones. At DIVAIN we invite you to discover this technique through our Layering Set collection that includes two perfumes and a vaporiser so you can create unique scents and live sensory experiences from another world.
Raw material
Raw materials in perfumery are all those natural or synthetic ingredients that are used in the manufacture of a perfume. When several raw materials are combined, a so-called "chord" is formed, which can be simple or complex, depending on the number of notes that are mixed.
Nose
When we talk about the Nose behind a perfume, we are referring to the creator of that fragrance: the master perfumer. The one who is capable of endowing a scent with a unique personality and creating indescribable sensations in people through each note that composes it. Without a doubt, for us, the most beautiful profession in the world.
Olfactory note
This is the name given to each of the different scents that can be distinguished in a perfume. In general, a perfume is a set of olfactory notes whose combination gives rise to a unique aroma that characterises it. There are three types of notes that can be recognised in a fragrance: top notes, heart notes and base notes.
Headnote
The top notes that make up a perfume are the ones we smell first and therefore the first to fade over time. And although they only last a few seconds, they are quite important if you want to make a good first impression. It is very common for top notes to be citrus, fruity or green.
Heart note
When the top notes evaporate, the body of the fragrance is followed by the middle or heart notes. These are essential and tend to be mainly floral and spicy notes. They take several minutes to develop on the skin and can linger for hours.
Base note
These notes are the most intense and therefore the ones that last until the end. They are perceived after the heart notes and usually bring depth to the perfume. They are heavy notes such as woods or resins. Three of the most commonly used ingredients for fragrance bases are amber, vanilla and tonka bean.
Perfume
This term is used to refer to the olfactory composition that has a high concentration of essential oil of between 20% and 30%. Thanks to this characteristic, its aroma is very long-lasting and intense.
Scent pyramid
The olfactory pyramid is a representation of the different types of olfactory notes that make up a fragrance. This structure is divided into three parts: top notes, heart notes and base notes.
Sillage
The term "sillage" or "trail" is used in perfumery to define the olfactory trace left behind by a person who has applied perfume. As soon as the perfume is applied to the skin, the sillage will be higher than after a few hours.
Steamer
A vaporizer is a container in which you can take your favourite fragrances with you wherever you go. At DIVAIN you can buy your vaporiser in mini format. It fits perfectly in any bag and you can refill it as many times as you want.