Select Fragrance by your Favorite Scent to Help your Fragrance Decision

Fragrances and perfumes have been categorized into families or types, and composed of many layers of scents. These scents are broken down into groups of scents known as top notes middle notes, and base notes.

Understanding fragrance families can help make a difference in how you shop for a fragrance. Here are some broad terms that describe categories of fragrances.

Floral

Floral fragrances the most popular and feminine family, these fragrances can include single flower or classic floral blends like rose, jasmine, carnation, and violet. Floral fragrances are often soft, powdery, these scents range from sweet to subtle and everything in between.

Examples of Women’s Floral Fragrances:

Ralph by Ralph Lauren
Romance by Ralph Lauren
Envy Me by Gucci
Paris Hilton by Paris Hilton
Dior Addict 2 by Christian Dior
Bvlgari Rose Essentielle by Bvlgari
Incanto Charms by Salvatore Ferragamo
Burberry London by Burberry
Clinique Happy by Clinique
J’adore by Christian Dior

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Citrus and Fruity

Composed of citrus notes such as bergamot, lemon, orange, peach, apricot, citrus fragrances are characterized by their freshness and lightness and are perfect for daywear or warm eveningwear. For ladies citrus takes a floral or fruity twist while for the men woods and spices are more prominent.

Examples of Women’s Citrus Fragrances:

CK One by Calvin Klein
Eau de Cartier by Cartier
DKNY Be Delicious by Donna Karan
Bvlgari Eau Parfume Green Tea by Bvlgari
Bvlgari Eau Parfume White Tea by Bvlgari

Examples of Men’s Citrus Fragrances:

Azzaro Chrome by Azzaro
Fahrenheit 32 by Christian Dior
Armani by Giorgio Armani
Lacoste Pour Homme by Lacoste
Kenneth Cole Reaction by Kenneth Cole

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Woody and Chypre

Fragrances that are dominated by woody scents are warm and rich when based on sandalwood or patchouli. The mixture of woods, moss, and flowers can lean towards a fruity or leathery combination, usually exotic, slightly dry not very sweet. Woody notes offer a moderate to strong scent, and they are recommended for cooler evenings, and outdoors.

Examples of Women’s Woody Fragrances:

Gucci Rush by Gucci
Versace Woman Gianni Versace
Fendi Palazzo by Fendi
Miss Dior Cherie by Christian Dior
Miss Boucheron by Boucheron

Examples of Men’s Woody Fragrances:

Vetiver Guerlain by Guerlain
212 Men by Carolina Herrera
Fahrenheit Dior by Christian Dior
Burberry Touch For Men by Burberry
Armani Mania For Men by Giorgio Armani

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Green and Natural

The principal notes of these fragrances are from green plants such as pine, grass, and herbs. The result is something fresh, bright, and clean with a hint of sharpness. Ideal for wearing to work and during warm weather, it is almost a sporty fragrance.

Examples of Women’s Green Fragrances:

Clean Lather
L'Eau D'Issey by Issey Miyake
Splash Grass by Marc Jacobs
Oscar Bamboo by Oscar de la Renta

Examples of Men’s Green Fragrances:

Hugo Boss Hugo
Calvin Klein Euphoria Men
Kenneth Cole R.S.V.P.
Jean Paul Gaultier Fleur Du Male
Lacoste Style In Play

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Oriental or Amber

Sometimes referred to as ambers, oriental fragrances make use of things like woods, mosses, vanilla, cinnamon and oriental resins, offering a stronger longer lasting fragrance. Oriental fragrances are both spicy as well as exotic, very sensual they are great for eveningwear, fall, and winter months.

Examples of Women’s Oriental Fragrances:

Shalimar by Guerlain
Must de Cartier by Cartier
Obsession by Calvin Klein
L de Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka
Angel by Thierry Mugler

Examples of Men’s Oriental Fragrances:

Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein
Herrera for Men by Carolina Herrera
Gucci Envy for Men by Gucci
Armani Code by Giorgio Armani
Valentino V pour Homme by Valentino

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Aromatic - Fougere

Aromatic notes are composed primarily of citrus and lavender but also of spicy herbal notes such as anis, rosemary and sage. These fragrances are mainly in the masculine family, which is characterized by its sharp herbaceous, exotic scent.

Examples of Men’s Aromatic Fragrances:

Paco Rabanne pour Homme by Paco Rabanne
Pasha de Cartier by Cartier
Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme by Dolce & Gabbana
Narciso Rodriguez for him by Narciso Rodriguez
Boss Selection by Hugo Boss

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Fresh Water

Very clean, fresh scent that can be associated somewhat with the fragrance of soap. Light, refreshing water scent perfect for wearing during warm weather a scent to wear by day.

Examples of Women’s Fresh Fragrances:

Bvlgari BLV Notte by Bvlgari
L’Eau d’Issey by Issey Miyake
Escape by Calvin Klein
Marc Jacobs Rain by Marc Jacobs
Polo Sport Woman by Ralph Lauren

Examples of Men’s Fresh Fragrances:

Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani
Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren
Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme by Bvlgari
Unforgivable by Sean John
Subtil Pour Homme by Salvatore Ferragamo

Once you have familiarized yourself with the different choices available to you it's time to find the scent you love and wear it.

Happy shopping!

From Fragrance by Designer

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