Fragrance 101: Understanding Perfume Accords
The perfume industry can often be confusing and difficult to navigate. At Olfactory NYC, one of our core missions is to make perfume accessible to everyone. We're excited to dive deeper into exploring the different elements that make up your favorite fragrances.
The Basics
In perfumery, a "note" refers to an individual ingredient or single scent found in a fragrance. Some popular examples include vanilla, vetiver, grapefruit, sandalwood, jasmine, and musk—the list goes on! While individual fragrance notes are great on their own, the true beauty of a fragrance emerges when they are combined.
Accords: The Broad Strokes
An accord is a blend of multiple fragrance notes. Master perfumers artfully combine these notes to create new, complex scents. Think of a note as one paint color; the artist uses different combinations and techniques to create a stunning, cohesive painting—or in this case, a fragrance masterpiece.
Customize with Accords at Olfactory NYC
Our customization process allows you to explore the art of perfumery without starting from scratch with individual notes—a task that could overwhelm even the most experienced scentologists! Instead, we begin with our core fragrances, expertly designed by some of the world's top perfumers. By adding accords, you can incorporate your personal touch, harnessing the perfumer's art to create something uniquely yours.
Olfactory NYC's accords are crafted to take our core fragrances in countless directions. Whether you want to enhance the fragrance's initial impression, amplify its heart, intensify the dry down, or add an entirely new dimension, our accords offer something for everyone.
Meet Our Newest Accord!
This month, we're excited to introduce a brand new accord: a blend of cherry, pear pulp, and vetiver. This combination adds a sweet, fruity freshness balanced by earthy undertones, making it the perfect summertime fragrance. Try it with our core scents Riley, Dylan, or Taylor.
Start Customizing
Ready to experiment with our custom scent process? Join us in-studio to explore our collection of core fragrances and custom accords, or customize from the comfort of your home.