Aldehydic A compound in perfume that you'll smell in the top notes (beginning), with a sharp or bright scent. They can create a clean or 'sparkling' aroma. Aldehydes are often associated with clean linin because they're commonly found in laundry detergent. Aldehydes are more well known with feminine targeted scents, but are commonly used in both men and women's perfumery and considered unisex.
Animalic Known as "sensual notes" in the 70's, despite their name, animalic notes don't smell like animals. Ingredients like civet & castoreum can provide a perfume with extreme longevity & give an aroma of warmth or spiciness. Both female and male scents use animalic notes so they can be unisex.
Aquatic/Soapy Commonly referred to as "blue" or "shower Gel" fragrances. Clean and easy to wear, usually with notes of citrus, white flowers and even a salt accord at times that mimic a "fresh" or "ocean breeze" scent. Commonly a masculine scent profile, but also can be used with some feminine targeted scents.
Aromatic A blend of compounds that provide a fragrance with a fresh uplifting scent. Aromatics are also mentioned when a fragrance gives the feeling of 'lifting' off your skin. Aromatics are a type of trait that can be used in either female or masculine scents, but are used more frequently in men's perfume.
Chypre/Fougeres Both are green earthy scents, fougeres are typically blended with extra citrus or wood. Chypres can be blended to be warm, floral, or sometimes bitter. Fougeres used to be marketed for men, and chypres for women, but primarily both considered unisex now.
Citrus Fantastic scents for sunny days. Often blended with lemon, bergamot and orange. Considered a unisex scent profile, but more commonly used in men's perfumery.
Floral Floral fragrances can smell like a fresh flower bed, white flower fragrances often evoke a clean soapy aroma and yellow flower fragrances can smell sweet, bright and tropical. Often associated with female targeted scents, but white floral scents are now considered widely unisex.
Fruity Blended with non-acidic fruits such as berries, watermelon, pear, mango, apricot, apple etc. Often associated with female fragrances, but in current releases have been marketed as unisex.
Leather Has a warming three-dimensional effect, it can add depth and a hint of mystery to a fragrance. Sometimes used in a bold masculine manner, or can also create a soft feminine satin like aroma, considered a unisex note depending how it is used.
Musky There are two common ways to use musk. One is a warm, spiced scent often associated with an older gentleman's cologne. The second can add a sweet bright aroma that resembles vanilla or orange sherbet ice cream that is unisex.
Oakmoss A classic green ingredient that has a lovely smooth warming earthy aroma. It helps blend notes together, and is used in almost every single perfume created even to this day, albeit a synthetic version after 2016. Commonly heavy oakmoss scents are considered masculine.
Oriental/Amber Orientals are a blend of spices and resins, creating a cozy fragrance. Usually balanced with a contrast of sweetness and perfect for chilly days. Oriental fragrances are commonly called "Amber" fragrances now, and often considered unisex.
Oud Oud comes from the resin of the Aquilaria (agarwood) tree. It has a strong, distinct wood-centric aroma. Often associated with middle eastern scents and mixed with rose for balance. Oud scents are often considered unisex.
Patchouli There are two main ways patchouli is used. The first is the 'green' earthy type, often linked to classic perfumery. The second is the 'chocolate' patchouli, with a sweet warming aroma, often surprising people it's a patchouli scent. Both types of scents can be considered unisex.
Powdery Fragrances that have a soft scent-profile reminiscent of talcum powder on clean skin. Commonly associated with feminine targeted fragrances.
Rose Often considered a unisex flower that can be worn by either gender. Rose fragrances can be fresh and clean, or mixed with patchouli to create a darker earthier aroma. Sometimes rose is used as a counter balance for animalic, robust notes.
Spicy Not necessarily always made with chili peppers, but spicy fragrances that use ingredients like nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon that can produce a warm peppered aroma. Can be referenced primarily both men and women's perfume, considered a unisex scent-profile.
Sweet/Gourmand A term used for sugary sweet fragrances, that can sometimes smell like desert. Usually mixed with notes like chocolate, vanilla, caramel, berries etc, commonly considered unisex.
Tea Fragrances with a calming meditative tea-like aroma, usually unisex. They can be fresh and bright like green tea with lemon, or spiced and bold like a dark cup of black tea.
Woody Essential in both men & women's perfumery, help shape & ground the base of a scent. They can range from soft and feminine like sandalwood to robust and earthy like cedar. The scent-profile of a "woody" is often in reference to a classic masculine scent profile.