Selecting a fragrance is one of the most personal beauty choices we make. Unlike makeup or skincare that we can see working, fragrance creates an invisible yet powerful impression that can evoke memories, enhance mood, and express personality. At Glorious Beauty, we understand that navigating the world of perfumery can feel overwhelming, which is why we've created this comprehensive guide to fragrance families.

Each scent you encounter belongs to a fragrance family - a classification system that groups perfumes by their dominant characteristics. Understanding these families can help you articulate what you already love and discover new scents that complement your preferences. Whether you're a fragrance connoisseur or a complete novice, this guide will help you explore our collection with confidence and find your perfect signature scent.

Characteristics: Romantic, feminine, and timeless, the floral family is the largest and most popular fragrance category. These scents capture the essence of flowers, from delicate single blooms to lush bouquets.

Notes you'll detect: Rose, jasmine, lily of the valley, peony, violet, orange blossom, and gardenia.

Mood and occasion: Floral fragrances are versatile enough for everyday wear but special enough for significant occasions. They evoke feelings of romance, femininity, and classic elegance.

Subfamilies:

Soliflore: Focuses on a single flower
Floral Bouquet: Combines multiple floral notes
Floral Oriental: Pairs flowers with warm, spicy notes
Floral Green: Combines fresh, green notes with florals

Characteristics: Earthy, robust, and grounding, the woody family centers around the natural aromas of different wood elements and bark.

Notes you'll detect: Sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, pine, and cypress.

Mood and occasion: Woody fragrances are versatile for year-round wear but especially suitable for professional settings and cooler seasons. They evoke feelings of stability, sophistication, and natural elegance.

Subfamilies:

Mossy Woods (Chypre): Combines woods with oakmoss and citrus
Dry Woods: Features drier, less sweet woody notes
Aromatic Woods: Pairs woods with aromatic herbs and spices
Coniferous: Focuses on pine, fir, and other evergreen notes

Characteristics: Sweet, edible, and comforting, the gourmand family features food-inspired notes that recall delicious treats and desserts.

Notes you'll detect: Vanilla, chocolate, caramel, honey, coffee, almond, and various confectionery accords.

Mood and occasion: Gourmand fragrances work well for casual settings, dates, and cooler weather. They evoke feelings of comfort, playfulness, and indulgence.

Subfamilies:

Vanilla Gourmands: Centered around vanilla and creamy notes
Chocolate Gourmands: Feature chocolate as the star note
Caramel/Honey Gourmands: Focus on sweet, amber-like notes
Spicy Gourmands: Combine edible notes with warm spices

Characteristics: Sweet, juicy, and vibrant, the fruity family celebrates the luscious aromas of various fruits, from crisp apples to exotic berries.

Notes you'll detect: Peach, apple, pear, strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, mango, and citrus fruits.

Mood and occasion: Fruity fragrances are perfect for daytime wear, casual settings, and warm weather. They evoke feelings of playfulness, youthfulness, and cheerful optimism.

Subfamilies:

Berry Fruity: Focuses on berries like strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry
Citrus Fruity: Combines traditional citrus elements with other fruit notes
Tropical Fruity: Features exotic fruits like mango, pineapple, and coconut
Fruity Floral: Pairs fruits with complementary floral notes for added complexity

Characteristics: Bold, distinctive, and sophisticated, the leather family aims to recreate the smell of fine leather goods through various accords.

Notes you'll detect: Birch tar, tobacco, styrax, animalic notes, and sometimes floral or fruity contrasts.

Mood and occasion: Leather fragrances are ideal for formal events, business settings, and colder seasons. They evoke feelings of luxury, confidence, and timeless elegance.

Subfamilies:

Floral Leather: Softens leather notes with floral elements
Smoky Leather: Emphasises birch tar and smoky aspects
Suede: Features softer, more delicate leather impressions
Animalic Leather: Incorporates stronger animalic notes

Characteristics: Rich, sensual, and exotic, the oriental family features warm, spicy, and sweet compositions with significant depth and lasting power.

Notes you'll detect: Vanilla, amber, musk, incense, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and resinous notes.

Mood and occasion: Oriental fragrances are perfect for evening wear, special occasions, and colder months. They evoke feelings of mystery, luxury, and sensuality.

Subfamilies:

Soft Oriental: Focuses on amber and incense with softer floral elements
Spicy Oriental: Emphasises warm spices like cinnamon and clove
Woody Oriental: Combines rich woods with oriental base notes
Gourmand Oriental: Features edible notes like vanilla and chocolate

Characteristics: Clean, invigorating, and uplifting, the fresh family encompasses light and refreshing compositions that provide an energetic sensation.

Notes you'll detect: Citrus (lemon, bergamot, orange), aquatic notes, green leaves, cucumber, mint, and aromatic herbs.

Mood and occasion: Fresh fragrances are ideal for daytime, warm weather, casual settings, and active lifestyles. They evoke feelings of cleanliness, energy, and optimism.

Subfamilies:

Citrus: Dominated by citrus fruits and zesty notes
Aquatic/Marine: Evokes water, sea breeze, and coastal elements
Green: Highlights notes of fresh-cut grass, leaves, and stems
Aromatic: Features herbal notes like lavender, rosemary, and thyme

Characteristics: Classic, clean, and masculine, the fougère family (French for "fern") is built on a specific accord of lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin.

Notes you'll detect: Lavender, oakmoss, coumarin (hay-like), geranium, and bergamot.

Mood and occasion: Fougère fragrances are versatile for everyday wear and office settings. They evoke feelings of timeless masculinity, cleanliness, and refined simplicity.

Subfamilies:

Fresh Fougère: Emphasises the lavender and citrus aspects
Woody Fougère: Accentuates wood and moss notes
Spicy Fougère: Adds warm spices to the classic accord
Aromatic Fougère: Incorporates additional herbal elements

Characteristics: Sophisticated, complex, and elegant, the chypre family is defined by the contrast between fresh citrus top notes and a woody, mossy base.

Notes you'll detect: Bergamot, oakmoss, labdanum, patchouli, and various florals as middle notes.

Mood and occasion: Chypre fragrances are suitable for professional settings and formal occasions. They evoke feelings of refinement, maturity, and quiet confidence.

Subfamilies:

Floral Chypre: Incorporates prominent floral heart notes
Fruity Chypre: Adds fruit notes like peach or plum
Green Chypre: Features additional green, leafy notes
Leather Chypre: Combines the chypre base with leather accords