Raw Materials
Ingredient | Function |
ALDEHYDES: | An aromatic chemical first synthesized in the early 20th century that “lifts” a fragrance. Abstract olfactory notes range from soapy to metallic, waxy to starchy, fatty to citrusy. |
AMBER: | Full-bodied accords of natural and synthetic materials like patchouli, frankincense, myrrh, and vanilla. Often used in oriental fragrances to give off a rich, warm, sweet, spicy feel. |
AMBERGRIS: | One of the most valuable raw materials in perfumery, natural ambergris is derived from sperm whale vomit and gives off a musky marine, sweet earthy aroma. Ours is synthetically and sustainably made (see ambroxan below). |
AMBROXAN: | A synthetic, sustainable substitute for ambergris that emits an intense woody-ambery, sweet-earthy, musky odor with a delicate animal tonality. |
BERGAMOT: | Extracted from the rind of bergamot orange, its spicy, sunny aroma mingles with tart acidity. Often used in the perfumer’s palette due to its sparkling, multifaceted silhouette. |
CLOVE: | A coveted spice for centuries, clove comes from the French word, clou. It’s often used as a middle note due its warm and spicy, sweet smelling essence. |
FRANKINCENSE: | A fragrant gum resin, frankincense was burned as incense by the ancient Romans. An aromatic blend of citrus, smoke, oriental spices, rosemary and resins. |
GERANIUM: | A flowering plant that’s similar to rose, but with leafy greens, a lemony twist and less of the powderiness. |
IRIS: | Orris is the “butter” from the dried roots of the iris flower. It takes a minimum of five years to cultivate, making it one of the most prized and expensive fragrances. The final aroma is rich, earthy, carroty and powdery. |
JASMINE: | A sweet, narcotic-like floral from the olive family, easily distinguishable due to its deeply intoxicating, sensual aroma. Often used as a base note. |
LABDANUM: | Originating from the rockrose bush, it covers itself in a sticky, aromatic resin when the temperature rises, giving off a woody, amber, and sometimes leathery odor. |
LEATHER: | An accord of synthetic or natural raw materials that invokes a sweet and smoky, woody and earthy, tobacco odor profile, reminiscent of leather. |
LILY OF THE VALLEY: | Because processing destroys it delicate odor, this timeless flowering plant—also known as Muget—is recreated synthetically (hydroxycitronellal), and gives off a watery, green, perfumey aroma with facets of jasmine. |
MAGNOLIA: | A blooming plant with over 200 species, magnolia gives off a deep citrus aroma of candied lemon that’s sweet, fresh, and tart-like, with spicy and musky undertones. |
MUSK: | Originally derived from the glands of musk deer, today’s musk accords are synthetically and sustainably made. Often used to extend the life of fragrances, it adds a distinctive warm and sensual, soft and sweet, skin-like smell. |
NEROLI: | Derived from the Seville orange, neroli boasts a sharper, more citrus scent than traditional orange blossom. We use the synthetic, nerolidol, for greater sustainability. |
OAK MOSS: | Extracted from a lichen that grows on oak trees in moist, shady forest floors, oakmoss emits a strong, earthy, mossy aroma with bark-like qualities and a leather-like undertone. |
OUD: | The Arabic word for wood, oud is made from Aquilaria tree resin, and is revered for its animalic, earthy, dark and rich woody profile. |
PATCHOULI: | Often considered a “hippie scent”, patchouli originated in India and was traditionally used as insect repellent. A member of the mint family, it has a strong, sweet, pungent scent that blends well with sweet accords. |
ROSE: | One of the most beloved scents throughout history— said to be Cleopatra’s favorite flower—rose is often thought of as a powdery fragrance, although today’s accord can be woody, musky, spicy or earthy. |
SANDALWOOD: | One of the oldest known perfumery ingredients, sandalwood is prized for its smooth, milky, creamy, woody profile. Historically derived from sandal trees in India, ours is synthetically—and sustainably—made, since it’s now a vulnerable species. |
TUBEROSE: | Despite its name, this intoxicating flower is not a member of the rose family. Tuberose is so heady that just a few stems can fill a room. Often blended alongside other white flowers, synthetic versions are frequently used to amplify its creaminess. |
VETIVER: | An essential oil distilled from the roots of a tall grass, vetiver is dry and earthy, peppery and lemony, with woody undertones—like uncut grass on a warm day. |
WHITE MUSK: | Often used to boost a scent’s longevity, white musk is a clean and cottony, sweet and powdery, soft and smooth synthetic scent that lacks the animal elements of natural musk accords. |