Skip to content
SCENT CHRONICLES LOGO

Stories, reviews, and insights from behind the counter

Perfume Basics: Learn the Fundamentals of Modern Perfumery

Editorial flatlay of natural perfume ingredients and perfumery tools arranged on a beige linen surface for the Perfume Basics page on Scent Chronicles.

The basics to understand better the perfumes you love

Clear, friendly explanations about fragrance notes, materials, performance, and structure: written for beginners, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how perfume really works.

All Guides

Perfume can feel complex; but it becomes simple once you understand the fundamentals.
These guides explain the building blocks of perfumery using clear, real-world examples and years of behind-the-counter experience.

Split-screen image comparing summer citrus and winter vanilla fragrances with perfume bottles, citrus fruits, oud wood, and seasonal ingredients. Learn how to know which season a fragrance is designed for.

How To Know Which Season A Fragrance Is Designed For

Fragrances are crafted with specific seasons in mind, from bright citrus blends for summer to rich woods and spices for winter. This guide explains how to tell which season a perfume suits best by analyzing notes, intensity and mood. Learn how to match scents to weather and occasion for the perfect year-round fragrance wardrobe.

Read More »
Infographic showing perfume fragrance families including Fresh, Floral, Woody, Amber, Chypre, Fougère, Gourmand, and Aquatic

What Are Fragrance Families? A Simple Guide for Beginners

Discover the world of fragrance families in this beginner-friendly guide! Learn how scents like floral, fresh, woody, and sweet can help you find your signature perfume. Explore top recommendations for men and women, and master the art of choosing the perfect scent.”

Read More »
What is iris in perfumery shown with blooming purple iris flowers, dried orris roots, and a crystal perfume bottle on a soft ivory background

What Is Iris in Perfumery? Smell, History, and Best Perfumes

Iris, also known as orris root, is one of the most luxurious and expensive ingredients in perfumery. Powdery, buttery, and violet-like, it has been treasured since antiquity and remains the backbone of many iconic and modern fragrances. From Dior Homme and Prada Infusion d’Iris to Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist and Guerlain Iris Torréfié, discover what iris in perfumery really is, why it costs more than gold, and how it continues to shape luxury fragrance today.

Read More »
What is musk in perfumery shown as a luxury still-life with a crystal vial of golden musk oil, marble surface, and incense smoke

What Is Musk in Perfumery? History, Smell and Types

Introduction: What Is Musk in Perfumery and Why It Matters Few fragrance ingredients inspire as much intrigue as musk. If you have ever wondered what

Read More »
What is ambroxan in perfumery shown with a crystal bottle, marble surface, and glowing golden liquid in a modern editorial header style

What Is Ambroxan in Perfumery? A Complete Guide

Ambroxan is one of the most important molecules in modern perfumery. Originally created as a sustainable alternative to ambergris, Ambroxan delivers a clean, musky, ambery scent with mineral and slightly salty facets. It is the backbone of many best-selling fragrances, including Dior Sauvage, Molecule 02, and Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume. In this guide, we explore what Ambroxan in perfumery really is, what it smells like, where it comes from, and why it has become the signature of contemporary fragrance design.

Read More »
« Previous Next »
SCENT CHRONICLES LOGO

Stories, reviews, and insights from behind the counter

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Review Methodology
  • Opt-out preferences

All rights reserved

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
  • Manage options
  • Manage services
  • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
  • Read more about these purposes
View preferences
  • {title}
  • {title}
  • {title}