If one thing is for certain when it comes to perfume, it’s that there is no shortage of scents to choose from. From fruity and fresh to sweet and spicy, the perfume categories are basically endless. And the fact that there are so many different scent families means you don’t have to stick to just one (unless you want to have that “signature scent”); you can have fun with it and pick out the perfume that suits you and your mood the best, switching it up from day to night or season to season. Here, we tapped a fragrance expert for everything you need to know about all of the different perfume categories, including their notes, the best time to wear them and more.
Daytime perfume categories vs. nighttime perfume categories
Perfume truly is a personal experience and there really are no “rules” to picking a scent to wear. However, certain scent families are more associated with daytime wearing, while others tend to align more with nighttime outings.
“Lighter and refreshing fragrances such as aquatics, aromatics, citrus, fruity and florals have always been associated with daywear, while warm and rich scents have been suitable more for evenings,” says Leila Zagwolsky, fragrance expert and CEO & Co-founder of LUXSB.
However, this doesn’t mean you have to follow the norm. “As I always say, your fragrance will be your identity. It’s how others will recognize you. There are no rules to wearing fragrance,” affirms Zagwolsky. “I wear a warm, rich fragrance in the day if it fits my mood or if I want to make a bold statement such as in a meeting. And I also wear citruses, amber florals and gourmands in the day. Wear a scent that fits your mood, personality, scent style and preference type.”
What are the different perfume categories?
Don’t get us wrong, we love the fact that there are dozens of scent families to choose from when it comes to perfume, meaning there is a scent for everyone. However, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start (especially if you’re new to the perfume game) and what the differences between the perfume categories are. That’s why we asked Zagwolsky her insights on each perfume category, including their fragrance notes and more.
Citrus perfume category
If you want to spark joy, going for a citrus perfume won’t steer you wrong. “Citrus fragrances are bright, refreshing and energizing scents,” affirms Zagwolsky. “I like to reference citrus fragrances as uplifting and ‘happy’ scents, regardless of the season, it’s happiness in a bottle.” Some popular citrus perfumes are Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue, Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees and Clean Reserve H2Eau Golden Citrus.
When you think of citrus, you probably associate it with fruits like oranges and lemons—but there are other notes in the citrus family that you may not have considered that are just as good. Zagwolsky says orange and grapefruit are favorites, but there is also bergamot, mandarin, verbena and yuzu. The best part about citrus scents is how versatile they are: “Citruses are like a pair of jeans; you can transition from day to evening easily, such as from casual-sporty to dressy.”
Floral perfume category
Floral fragrances are a classic and run the gamut far and wide. “Floral notes are always timeless and elegant with a luxe feminine feeling,” says Zagwolsky. “For a lighter floral day fragrance, look for a combination of floral notes and citrus.” She mentions notes like jasmine, tuberose, neroli, rose and lilac. “For a floral evening scent with a richer balance, look for a combination of your favorite floral with a gourmand such as vanilla or amber.”
Some noteworthy floral perfumes are Marc Jacobs Daisy, Glossier’s new “You” addition Glossier You Fleur and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb.
Spicy perfume category
For those who like a little bit of spice, go for perfumes with notes of clove, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, saffron, cinnamon, pepper and coriander, suggests Zagwolsky. “Spicy scents are usually strong and bold. I refer to this family as ‘Exotic Scents’, rich and warm,” she says. Some popular spicy perfumes on the market today are YSL Black Opium and Glossier You.
Woody perfume category
If you like more earthy, musky perfumes, they probably are under the woody perfume category, which are fragrances “with depth, richness and boldness,” says Zagwolsky. “Look for common notes of patchouli, pine, sandalwood, vetiver and oud (agarwood).”
Popular woody perfumes include Le Labo Santal 33 and Kilian Straight to Heaven.
Gourmand perfume category
Want to smell like a delicious dessert? Look no further than gourmands. “These are the delicious smelling fragrances that attract and aren’t traditional,” explains Zagwolsky. “A gourmand fragrance turns your senses instantly into a sweet satisfaction. These are the ‘Foodie’ fragrances and are very sensual.”
Zagwolsky says that common gourmand perfume notes include caramel, cotton candy, chocolate, marshmallow, tonka bean and, a very common one, vanilla. Gourmands are almost always sweet. Some favorite gourmand perfumes are Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Bum Bum, By Rosie Jane Dulce and Kayali Vanilla 28.
Fruity perfume category
We know that citrus is a common perfume category that involves fruits, but there are other fruity scents that aren’t considered citrus. “Juicy fruit notes elevate energy while they are flirty and fun! I love a fruity scent in combination with a sweet combo note such as vanilla. It’s the perfect sweet combination to the tropics,” raves Zagwolsky.
Perfume notes for fruity scents can run the gamut from different berries to melons and more, including “apricot, apple, berries, cherry, peach, pear and watermelon,” Zagwolsky tells us. “A coconut or fig note can add a creamy effect. And any gourmand notes in combination with a fruit note can be the perfect date-night scent or an escape to the tropics.” A few fruity perfumes to try are Burberry Her and Tom Ford Lost Cherry.
Amber perfume category
Amber perfumes are one of my personal favorites, the perfect balance of warm, sweet and spicy. “I love an amber-floral fragrance. Look for a blend of fragrance notes such as spices, benzoin, labdanum and resins such as incense and vanilla,” suggests Zagwolsky. Popular amber perfumes include Phlur Amber Haze, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 and Nemat Amber Fragrance Oil.
Aquatic perfume category
Beachy, fresh-smelling scents are often under the aquatic perfume category. Zagwolsky says, “Think of nature, a feeling of being near water or the ocean. I call these types of scents calming as they evoke tranquility.”
Notes to search for when looking for aquatic perfumes are seawater, marine, seaweed and salty notes. We like Skylar Isle Escape and Dossier Aquatic Coconut.
Green/aromatics perfume category
Remember the iconic Gap Grass perfume? That’s what we’re talking about when it comes to green/aromatic perfumes. “Green fragrances are fresh and crisp. Think of fresh cut grass with vibrancy,” advises Zagwolsky.
Common notes include basil, mint, green tea, rosemary and leaves. Zagwoslky claims this category as the “perfect spring scent.”