Amidst the bustling aisles of perfumeries, a shift is taking place, as petals embrace their true essence in the form of natural floral perfumes. Like whispered secrets from a garden of dreams, these fragrances have captured the hearts of fragrance connoisseurs and soulful seekers alike.
This is a guide on what to know about natural floral perfumery and why you'll want your next perfume to be inclined toward the more natural side to help your inner and outer flower bloom even more!
Getting Into the World of Natural Floral Perfumes
Natural flower perfumes are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons. Firstly, they offer a more authentic and true-to-life fragrance experience, capturing the essence of flowers in their purest form. Secondly, natural flower-based perfumes are free from synthetic chemicals, making them a healthier choice overall. But what is it about natural floral perfumes that have become a 'must' for many perfume lovers around the world? You're about to find out!
Recognizing the Floral Olfactory Family Is Key When Considering Buying a Floral Perfume
The olfactory system, or sense of smell, is the sensory system used for smelling (olfaction). For humans, this starts with the nose picking up airborne substances that activate brain activities in order to recognize the smell.
Within the realm of fragrance, an enchanting world unfolds, where the essence of flowers reigns supreme. Fragrances, like harmonious symphonies, are classified into distinct olfactory families, each with its own distinct character. Among these families, the floral category emerges as a tapestry of delicate scents, offering a multitude of nuances.
It stands as the largest and most versatile olfactory family, known for its captivating floral compositions that harmonize effortlessly with other scent profiles. Often taking center stage as the heart notes in perfume creations, floral fragrances weave their ethereal essence, infusing a touch of enchantment into every bottle.
Here are the seven different olfactory families to know about:
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Citrus: Fresh and vibrant scents characterized by notes of lemon, bergamot, orange, and grapefruit. They were used in the first eaux de Cologne dating back to the 16th century.
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Floral: A diverse family with perfumes centered around flowers such as rose, jasmine, violet, lilac, and lily of the valley. Popular in women's perfumery but also found in men's fragrances.
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Ferns: Named after Fougère royale perfume, these fragrances feature lavender and aromatic top notes with a floral heart and a woody base. They often have a masculine character.
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Chypre: A prominent olfactory family inspired by a perfume created in 1917. Chypre fragrances are based on oakmoss, ciste-labdanum, and bergamot, and have complex and autumnal scents.
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Woody: Warm and resinous fragrances incorporating woods like sandalwood and cedar, as well as roots such as patchouli and vetiver. Traditionally considered masculine but now blended with floral or fruity notes.
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Orientals or Amber: Fragrances built on animal-origin ingredients, now recreated synthetically. They feature sweet, powdery, and spicy notes like ambergris, cinnamon, and oud, offering a rich and sensual experience.
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Leathers: A distinct family with dry, smoky notes aiming to replicate the scent of leather. They evoke burnt wood and tobacco, and their raw and tarry facets have room for further exploration in future compositions.
5 Amazing Natural Floral Perfumes by Jo Malone to Keep In Mind for Your Next Purchase
Jo Malone perfumes are a renowned luxury fragrance brand known for its exquisite collection of scents that embody elegance, craftsmanship, and a quintessentially British charm. What sets Jo Malone apart is their specialization in creating natural floral perfumes, which have become their signature offerings.
Jo Malone recognizes the unparalleled beauty and allure of flowers, harnessing their essence to craft fragrances that evoke emotions, memories, and a sense of luxury. They believe in the power of nature and its ability to transport and uplift the spirit. By using natural floral ingredients as the focal point of their perfumes, Jo Malone aims to capture the true essence of flowers and showcase their delicate and captivating aromas.
Using natural floral essences in their perfumes allows Jo Malone to create fragrances that are not only breathtakingly beautiful but also authentic and evocative. The purity and complexity of natural floral scents provide a sensory experience that is unmatched by synthetic alternatives. These perfumes encapsulate the true essence of the flowers they are inspired by, allowing wearers to connect with nature and indulge in a sensory journey. Here are five of their best-selling natural floral perfumes for your next shopping spree!
1. Peony and Blush Suede
There's no way of just mentioning one Jo Malone perfume alone because all of their perfumes are naturally floral made and infused.
To start off the amazing options they have, the peony and blush suede taker over. This specific natural floral perfume is flirtatious with luscious red apple and jasmine, rose, and gillyflower grandeur. The sensuality of soft, pink suede mingles and it is a fragrance many around the world adore.
2. Honeysuckle and Davana
One of their best sellers and natural floral perfumes is also the honeysuckle and davana fragrance. Davana is a member of the silver-leafed Artemisia family, native to India. In this one, the honeysuckle's wildness lets you meander your imagination as if you were strolling through the English countryside. After dusk, this natural floral perfume becomes even more enticing. It is a fresh and delicious perfume encapsulated with rose and davana.
3. Mimosa and Cardomom
The Mimosa and Cardamom perfume by Jo Malone is a captivating fragrance that combines the delicate floral notes of mimosa with the warm and spicy allure of cardamom. It is a scent that invites you to embrace the beauty of nature and indulge in a sensory journey that is both comforting and uplifting.
At its heart, this perfume showcases the ethereal and powdery scent of mimosa flowers. Mimosa is a delicate bloom known for its soft and romantic fragrance. Its floral notes are light, airy, and subtly sweet, evoking a sense of femininity and grace. The mimosa accord in this perfume creates a soft and enveloping aura that delicately lingers on the skin.
4. Orange Blossom Natural Floral Perfume
The Orange Blossom perfume by Jo Malone is a vibrant and radiant fragrance that captures the essence of blooming orange trees in a sun-kissed garden. It is a scent that exudes joy, freshness, and the uplifting spirit of summer.
At its core, this perfume showcases the delicate and intoxicating scent of orange blossoms. The fragrance of orange blossoms is known for its exquisite aroma, combining elements of sweetness, citrus, and a hint of greenness. It evokes the image of lush orange groves in full bloom, filling the air with their enchanting aroma. The orange blossom accord in this perfume creates a sense of pure bliss and captures the essence of nature's beauty.
5. Velvet Rose and Oud
The Velvet Rose and Oud perfume by Jo Malone is a mesmerizing and luxurious fragrance that combines the timeless elegance of a rose with the exotic richness of oud. It is a scent that exudes opulence, sensuality, and an air of mystery.
At its heart, this perfume showcases the deep and velvety aroma of rose. The rose note in this fragrance is exquisite, capturing the essence of blooming roses in full bloom. It exudes a rich, floral character that is both sophisticated and captivating. The scent of roses evokes feelings of romance, femininity, and grace, making it a classic and timeless choice in perfumery.
All of these are the perfect example of what natural floral perfume's ingredients are like. You're definitely in for a treat if one of these becomes your next perfume!
The History Behind Natural Floral Perfumes
The realm of women's fragrances has always been influenced by the changing tides of fashion and trends. In the glamorous 1920s, the aldehyde floral scent reigned supreme as the epitome of fashion and sophistication, capturing the essence of the era's opulence and excitement.
As the elegant decades of the 1950s and 1960s came along, women from the upper-middle class gravitated towards powdery floral fragrances. These exquisite scents embraced the romantic allure of floral notes such as rose, jasmine, and tuberose, enveloping the wearer in an aura of timeless femininity.
With the arrival of the carefree 1970s, a newfound sense of freedom permeated the fragrance world. The trend shifted towards fresher flowers, exploring the vibrant essence of green blooms and the allure of more exotic and unusual floral varieties. This era celebrated the unbridled beauty of nature's diversity.
It was during the 1990s when people witnessed a dramatic shift in perfumery, as the industry delved into more indulgent and fruity scents that captivated the olfactory senses. However, in the present day, there is a resurgent fascination with floral fragrances and the revival of romantic notes.
Natural floral perfumes are without a doubt a delightful return to nature, embracing the soothing and invigorating qualities of zen-like and fresh aromas. Give them a try if you want to smell pleasantly fascinating.
Header image by @hermeticaofficial, feature image by @jomalonelondon.
