Understanding Fragrance Families

Every fragrance can be traced back to one or more scent families — the broad categories that describe its character before you get into specific notes.

Fresh, citrus, and aquatic families tend to sit lighter and brighter; oud, amber, and smoky families sit deeper and warmer. Floral, powdery, and sweet families are typically softer and more approachable; spicy and oriental families tend to announce themselves.

Most people gravitate toward two or three related families rather than one — which is exactly what our Fragrance Explorer and quiz are built around.