Commodity NoteBook

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.

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Almond Blossom

What does Almond Blossom smell like in perfume?

An airy floral aroma with hints of almond. It’s more airy than gourmand, bridging floral and nutty accords.

Perfumes with Almond Blossom:

You can find Almond Blossom in Milk Orchid—exclusively available during our Editions Collection drops.

Amber

What does Amber smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Amber:

Gold Expressive

Amberwood

What does Amberwood smell like in perfume?

A synthetic ingredient created to add a woody, ambery element to fragrances.

Perfumes with Amberwood:

Juice- Personal
Juice Expressive
Juice+ Bold

Ambrocenide

What does Ambrocenide smell like in perfume?

Long-lasting with strong woody and ambery qualities. Adds depth to other notes in a fragrance.

Perfumes with Ambrocenide:

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

What does Amyris smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Amyris:

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

What does Benzoin smell like in perfume?

Often used to give "body" to ambery fragrances, Benzoin is a warm, woody resin reminiscent of Vanilla.

Perfumes with Benzoin:

Christelle Laprade, one of our perfumers, compares Benzoin to a favorite blanket that brings comfort and coziness.

Find Benzoin in:
Milk- Personal
Milk Expressive
Milk+ Bold

Bergamot

What does Bergamot smell like in perfume?

A steaming mug of Earl Gray tea.

The citrus is often used as a First note, and smells bright and bitter with a mild spice.

Perfumes with Bergamot:

Bergamot

Black Tea

What does Black Tea smell like in perfume?

The sharp, crisp inhale of a hot cup of tea. Adds a refreshing element to a fragrance.

Perfumes with Black Tea:

Book- Personal

Cashmere Woods

What does Cashmere Woods smell like in perfume?

The rich coziness of your favorite cashmere sweater.

The popular synthetic has an aroma of warm woods and Musk.

Perfumes with Cashmere Woods:

Milk- Personal
Milk+ Bold

Cedarwood

What does Cedarwood smell like in perfume?

A log cabin or a walk in the woods. Fresh, dry and woody, it adds a soothing, grounding quality to fragrances.

Perfumes with Cedarwood:

Maker Donna Ramanauskas considers Cedarwood a personal favorite. She admires how the note’s distinct woody, forest scent transports her right into nature.

Find Cedarwood in:
Book- Personal
Book Expressive
Book+ Bold
Paper Expressive

Clove Bud

What does Clove Bud smell like in perfume?

Warm and sweet, with a Cinnamon-like spice.

Clove Bud comes from dried flower buds of clove trees.

Perfumes with Clove Bud:

Velvet- Personal

Coconut Cream

What does Coconut Cream smell like in perfume?

Sweet, creamy and slightly nutty, it’s used to add a velvety richness and a touch of sun-kissed warmth.

Perfumes with Coconut Cream:

You can find Coconut Cream in Milk Orchid—exclusively available during our Editions Collection drops.

Coconut Water

What does Coconut Water smell like in perfume?

Not unlike the Coconut Water you'd find in your local supermarket, as a note in fragrance, Coconut Water is light, refreshing and slightly nutty.

Perfumes with Coconut Water:

Velvet Expressive

Coriander Seed

What does Coriander Seed smell like in perfume?

You might know Coriander by its other name: Cilantro.

Used in both perfumery and cooking, its leaves and stems bring a fresh, lemony aroma, while its seeds offer a warm, spicy, and subtly woody scent.

Perfumes with Coriander Seed:

You can find Coriander Seed in Orris—when we occasionally bring it out of the vault.

Cold Milk Accord

What does Cold Milk Accord smell like in perfume?

The perfect start to any day. A cool, clean glass of fresh Milk.

Perfumes with Cold Milk Accord:

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.

Cyclamen

What does Cyclamen smell like in perfume?

Evokes the light, clean scent of the Cyclamen flower. Typically found in floral and fruity fragrances, where it’s used to enhance other notes.

Perfumes with Cyclamen:

Juice- Personal
Juice Expressive
Juice+ Bold

Elemi

What does Elemi smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Elemi:

Moss+ Bold

Eucalyptus

What does Eucalyptus smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Eucalyptus:

Book Expressive
Book+ Bold
Magnolia

Fig Milk

What does Fig Milk smell like in perfume?

The lushness of ripe fig with a creamy, milky softness. It adds a slightly green, lactonic quality.

Perfumes with Fig Milk:

You can find Fig Milk in Milk Orchid—exclusively available during our Editions Collection drops.

Firewood Accord

What does Firewood Accord smell like in perfume?

The cozy crackling of a fireplace. Warm, woody and smoky. Will have you reaching for a warm blanket and a good book.

Perfumes with Firewood Accord:

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

What does Grapefruit smell like in perfume?

A bitter, sweet and sparkling citrus. Goes well in a cocktail, salad, or the beginning of a fragrance.

Perfumes with Grapefruit:

Moss Expressive
Gin

Iso E Super

What does Iso E Super smell like in perfume?

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...

Perfumes with Iso E Super:

You’ll find Iso E Super in many of our Personal Scent Space scents, as well as in the Paper Scent Space trilogy.

Juniper Berries

What does Juniper Berries smell like in perfume?

The piney, aromatic and invigorating smell of Gin, which is predominantly flavored with Juniper Berries.

Perfumes with Juniper Berries:

Gin

Labdanum

What does Labdanum smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Labdanum:

Velvet+ Bold
Leather

Lily of the Valley

What does Lily of the Valley smell like in perfume?

A perennial that blooms in spring, Lily of the Valley symbolizes awakening and renewal—a quality it brings to perfumery.

Its scent is a delicate blend of fresh, green, and sweet florals, adding an airy lightness to fragrances.

Perfumes with Lily of the Valley:

You can find Lily of the Valley in Orris—when we occasionally bring it out of the vault."

Macadamia Milk

What does Macadamia Milk smell like in perfume?

A smooth, buttery scent. It brings a rich, nutty warmth with a hint of sweetness, adding body and coziness.

Perfumes with Macadamia Milk:

You can find Macadamia Milk in Milk Orchid—exclusively available during our Editions Collection drops.

Magnolia

What does Magnolia smell like in perfume?

A soft, citrus-tinged floral scent with a creamy edge. Elegant and quietly radiant.

Perfumes with Magnolia:

You can find Magnolia in Milk Orchid and Magnolia, both available in limited releases as part of our Editions Collection.

Mahogany Wood

What does Mahogany Wood smell like in perfume?

A warm, rich, woodsy aroma with a hint of spice.

Perfumes with Mahogany Wood:

Milk- Personal
Milk Expressive
Milk+ Bold

W*****y

Marshmallow

What does Marshmallow smell like in perfume?

That creamy air of sweetness. Pairs well with graham crackers, chocolate and a fire.

Perfumes with Marshmallow:

Milk Expressive
Milk+ Bold

Mimosa

What does Mimosa smell like in perfume?

Mimosa isn't only a fun brunch cocktail. It's also a bright, yellow flower used in perfumery. Our Mimosa fragrance is an ode to both.

The Mimosa flower is bright, powdery and honey-like with light green facets.

Perfumes with Mimosa:

Mimosa

Musk

What does Musk smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Musk:

Book+ Bold
Gold Expressive

Neroli

What does Neroli smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Neroli:

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

What does Nutmeg smell like in perfume?

A warm, nutty, sweet spice similar to—yet more subtle than—Cinnamon, Vanilla and Clove.

Perfumes with Nutmeg:

Gold+ Bold

Oakmoss

What does Oakmoss smell like in perfume?

Think lush, damp forest floor. It's earthy, green and woody with a hint of bitterness.

Perfumes with Oakmoss:

Moss- Personal
Moss Expressive
Moss+ Bold

Orange Blossom

What does Orange Blossom smell like in perfume?

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

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.

Perfumes with Orange Blossom:

Nectar
Mimosa

Orris

What does Orris smell like in perfume?

Also known as Iris, Orris refers to the root of the iris plant—where the scent can be found.

Orris is also one of the most expensive raw fragrance materials, coveted for it’s earthy, powdery, soft and clean scent.

Perfumes with Orris:

You can find Orris in Orris—when we occasionally bring it out of the vault.

Patchouli

What does Patchouli smell like in perfume?

The deep, smoky and earthy aroma of an incense shop.

Noteworthy

.

Perfumes with Patchouli:

You’ll most commonly find Patchouli in our Bold Scent Space fragrances due to its robust nature

Petitgrain

What does Petitgrain smell like in perfume?

A green, woody citrus from the leaves and twigs of orange trees.

It's found in many fresh fragrances due to its uplifting, energizing quality.

Noteworthy

It’s a favorite of perfumer Donna Ramanauskas. The note immediately transports her to lush citrus groves under a warm, vibrant sun.

Perfumes with Petitgrain:

Moss- Personal
Moss Expressive

Pink Pepper

What does Pink Pepper smell like in perfume?

Most commonly used as a First note in perfumery—meaning what you’ll smell upon the First spritz—Pink Pepper provides a fresh, spicy warmth with floral undertones. It adds a bright, lively energy to a fragrance’s opening.

Perfumes with Pink Pepper:

You can find Pink Pepper in Bois and Orris —when we occasionally bring them out of the vault.

Raspberry Pulp

What does Raspberry Pulp smell like in perfume?

The tart, juicy scent of puréed raspberries.

Perfumes with Raspberry Pulp:

Juice- Personal
Juice Expressive
Juice+ Bold

Roasted Almond

What does Roasted Almond smell like in perfume?

The sweet, nutty scent of oven-roasted almonds.

*No nuts or nut-derivatives ingredients are used. The roasted almond effect is achieved using a mix of non-allergenic ingredients.

Perfumes with Roasted Almond:

Velvet- Personal
Velvet Expressive
Velvet+ Bold

Rose Petal

What does Rose Petal smell like in perfume?

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

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.

Perfumes with Rose Petal:

Velvet- Personal
Velvet Expressive
Velvet+ Bold

Rhubarb

What does Rhubarb smell like in perfume?

A red, celery-looking vegetable that’s treated more like a fruit in culinary, commonly found in jams, pies and other baked goods.

In perfumery, Rhubarb adds a refreshing green zing to a fragrance.

Perfumes with Rhubarb:

Juice- Personal
Juice Expressive
Juice+ Bold

Saffron

What does Saffron smell like in perfume?

Not just for your spice rack. Saffron is leathery, spicy and lightly-honeyed.

Perfumes with Saffron:

Gold+ Bold
Velvet+ Bold

Sandalwood

What does Sandalwood smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Sandalwood:

Paper Expressive
Paper+ Bold

Strawberry

What does Strawberry smell like in perfume?

A sweet, mouthwatering fruit

Perfumes with Strawberry:

Juice- Personal
Juice Expressive
Juice+ Bold

Sesame

What does Sesame smell like in perfume?

A mild nutty, earthy note reminiscent of warm bread.

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.

Perfumes with Sesame:

Milk Expressive

Skin Musk

What does Skin Musk smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Skin Musk:

You’ll find Skin Musk within the Personal Scent Space, since it helps keep fragrances close to the skin.

Tangerine

What does Tangerine smell like in perfume?

A sweet, juicy citrus.

Noteworthy

It’s a favorite of Mathieu Nardin, one of our perfumers. To him, Tangerine adds joy and a sparkling energy to a scent.

Tea Blossom

What does Tea Blossom smell like in perfume?

Tea Blossom has a delicately sweet, airy freshness. It often carries subtle hints of tea leaves, providing fragrances with an herbal quality. It’s commonly used to add a refreshing, bright touch to fragrances.

Perfumes with Tea Blossom:

You can find Tea Blossom in Orris—when we occasionally bring it out of the vault.

Tonka Bean

What does Tonka Bean smell like in perfume?

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.

Perfumes with Tonka Bean:

Milk- Personal
Milk Expressive
Milk+ Bold

Vanilla

What does Vanilla smell like in perfume?

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

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.

Perfumes with Vanilla:

Gold- Personal
Gold Expressive
Gold+ Bold

Orris

Vanilla Flower

What does Vanilla Flower smell like in perfume?

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

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.

Perfumes with Vanilla Flower:

Velvet- Personal

Vanilla Orchid

What does Vanilla Orchid smell like in perfume?

A more refined, floral interpretation of Vanilla. It adds a creamy, petal-like sweetness.

Perfumes with Vanilla Orchid:

You can find Vanilla Orchid in Milk Orchid—exclusively available during our Editions Collection drops.

Vetiver

What does Vetiver smell like in perfume?

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

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.

Perfumes with Vetiver:

Vetiver

Violet

What does Violet smell like in perfume?

Fresh fields wrapped in morning dew.

Perfumes with Violet:

Book+ Bold
Magnolia

Violet Leaf

What does Violet Leaf smell like in perfume?

Different from the Violet flower, Violet Leaf has a green, fresh scent reminiscent of cucumber.

Perfumes with Violet Leaf:

Juice- Personal

Warm Cotton

What does Warm Cotton smell like in perfume?

Freshly laundered linens basking in sunlight. It’s soft and fluffy, evoking a feeling of coziness.

Perfumes with Warm Cotton:

You can find Warm Cotton in Milk Orchid—exclusively available during our Editions Collection drops.

White Birch

What does White Birch smell like in perfume?

A smoky wood with a unique crispness.

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.

Perfumes with White Birch:

Velvet Expressive