At Maison Diaphane , every fragrance is an encounter. But even before experiencing its notes, there is a true language of perfumery, at once poetic, technical, and sensory. To better understand this subtle world, we offer you this comprehensive guide to olfactory vocabulary , designed as an introduction to the codes of our craft.
The Words of Perfume
Haze
A light and ephemeral version of perfume, the mist offers a discreet trail, perfect for a refreshing and delicate gesture throughout the day.
Character
The character of a perfume is what makes it recognizable, vibrant, and unique. It is its intimate personality, its emotional imprint.
Composition
This is the architecture of perfume: the meticulous assembly of raw materials, measured and balanced with expertise, giving birth to a harmonious and unique creation.
Eau de parfum
Concentrated between 12 and 25%, eau de parfum is one of the most popular formats for its balance between intensity and longevity. It accompanies you throughout the day with elegance and persistence, often lasting 4 to 6 hours.
Essence
Essence refers to the concentrated extract of a natural material: flower, bark, resin, wood… It constitutes the noble raw material of many compositions.
Fragrance
Fragrance is the olfactory imprint left by a perfume: that trail that charms the senses, that invisible signature that moves us.
Juice
Within the intimacy of creative houses, the "juice" refers to the final perfumed solution: the subtle blend of essences, alcohol and know-how.
Nose
A craftsman of the invisible, the nose is the creator of perfume. Like a composer, it assembles materials and shapes olfactory works, giving life to unique emotions.
Olfactory / Olfactory
Everything related to the world of smells, the perception of scents and the emotions they evoke.
The major olfactory families
Amber / Oriental: voluptuousness, warmth and mystery
Warmth, opulence, and sensuality characterize this family. Vanilla, labdanum, benzoin, and opoponax define these deep and captivating accords, often present as base notes.
Aromatic: green freshness and natural breeze
Sage, thyme, basil, rosemary or mint make up these herbaceous and invigorating accords, often associated with a natural and timeless elegance.
Woody: structure, warmth and depth
The noble framework of perfume, woods — cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, guaiac — lend depth, refinement and long-lasting quality to compositions, often as base notes.
Chypre: assertive elegance and refined sophistication
The chypre accord blends bergamot at the top with a floral heart (rose, jasmine) on a base of oakmoss, patchouli, and labdanum. This sophisticated family offers a structured, complex, and ever-evolving olfactory experience.
Floral: the beating heart of classic perfumery
The queen of perfumery families. Rose, jasmine, iris, orange blossom, tuberose… Here, flowers express delicacy, spontaneity, and elegance in all their facets.
Ferns: fresh virility and timeless elegance
The fougère accord is structured around lavender, oakmoss, coumarin, geranium, and vetiver. Very common in men's fragrances, it embodies cleanliness, care, freshness, and tradition.
Citrus: original freshness and luminous flight
Bright and sparkling, citrus fruits bring a luminous freshness from the first notes: lemon, orange, mandarin, grapefruit, bergamot… Compositions that are often lively and energizing.
The olfactory pyramid: the evolution of a perfume
Heart notes
The heart of the perfume: less volatile, they develop the fragrance's personality for several hours. Flowers, fruits, and spices are often expressed here.
Background notes
The memory of perfume: woods, resins, musks or ambers anchor the fragrance on the skin and ensure it lasts a long time, sometimes for several days.
Top notes
The first impression: vibrant, fresh and volatile, they evaporate quickly (a few minutes to 2 hours). Citrus, fresh herbs and light spices dominate.
At Maison Diaphane , we believe that every fragrance is a language of feeling. Understanding this vocabulary means entering the creators' inner world and better understanding the emotions that each scent carries within it. ✨✨✨
