Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Aqua Universalis

Floral is the biggest and most varied family in perfumery. Here is how to find your way around it. "Floral" covers an enormous range. A fresh peony cologne and a rich, narcotic tuberose are both floral perfumes, and so is a powdery iris and a jasmine that smells almost fruity. That variety is why people who say they don't like florals often just haven't met the right one. This guide explains the main kinds of floral perfume, shows how they differ, and gives examples available at Esscentum. Always check the product page for price, availability and notes, since descriptions here come from brands, retailers and reviewers. How the Floral Family Works? Perfume writers usually start with two basic types. A soliflore puts a single flower in the spotlight, while a floral bouquet weaves several flowers into one unified scent. Beyond that, the family splits into a handful of moods: White florals — jasmine, tuberose, gardenia and orange blossom. Everfumed describes them as lush, buttery and often a little narcotic, chosen for drama and sensuality rather than fresh-picked innocence. They are sometimes called "indolic" because of a natural compound that gives them an almost animalic warmth. Fresh florals — freesia, peony, lily of the valley and just-picked rose. These are delicate and airy, often brightened with citrus or green notes. Powdery florals — iris and mimosa, which Molton Brown's fragrance expert describes as soft, precious and very refined. Florals with other families — florals paired with fruit, wood, amber or spice. The Fragrance Wheel, a widely used classification, includes a "floral oriental" group that combines a floral bouquet with sweet spices. Florals are often described as the dominant family in women's perfumery, but they are worn by everyone. Many of the examples below are unisex, and choosing by notes will serve you better than choosing by label. Floral Perfumes at Esscentum, by Style Style Example What brands and retailers list Tuberose-led white floral Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower Retailers and reviewers list tuberose with green, camphor and melon notes on top, jasmine, ylang-ylang and orange blossom in the heart, and white musk below. Creamy white floral Nishane Hundred Silent Ways Tuberose, mandarin and peach; white jasmine, gardenia and orris; vanilla, sandalwood and vetiver. Orange blossom and tuberose Memo Paris Marfa Galeries Lafayette describes an addictive white flower with a sunny trail, and Niche Beauty lists orange blossom absolute, tuberose absolute and white musk. Jasmine and osmanthus Memo Paris Inlé Cult Beauty lists jasmine, mate and osmanthus absolutes, plus bergamot, mint and musk. Floral musk Mancera Musk of Flowers Fruity notes and grapefruit or bergamot on top; jasmine, orange blossom and rose in the heart; sandalwood and white musk below. Fruity floral Mancera Musky Garden Bergamot, lemon, cranberry and white peach on top; orris, Bulgarian rose, Indian jasmine and patchouli leaf in the heart; sweet white musk, blackberry, raspberry and amber below. Fresh, green floral Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Selfridges lists bluebell, lily of the valley, eglantine and persimmon. Green tulip Byredo La Tulipe Cavani describes fresh green notes like cut stems, a tulip heart, and vetiver and blonde woods. Citrus floral Acqua di Parma Magnolia Infinita Listed with magnolia, bergamot and jasmine. Violet floral chypre Mancera Aoud Violet Notino describes a floral chypre with bergamot, spices and green notes on top, and violet, patchouli and agar wood in the heart. Esscentum also lists Acqua di Parma Osmanthus and Xerjoff Erba Pura, among other florals. We haven't sourced their notes, so read each product page. For roses specifically, see our rose guide. How to Choose a Floral Perfume? Decide how heady you want it White florals like Carnal Flower and Hundred Silent Ways are rich and creamy. Fresh and green ones like Wild Bluebell and La Tulipe are lighter and more transparent. Everfumed puts the contrast simply: same garden, very different volume. Look at what surrounds the flower Musk makes florals soft and skin-like. Fruit makes them sweet and playful. Woods and vetiver make them drier and more grown-up. Vanilla makes them creamy. Be honest about indole Jasmine and tuberose can smell warm and slightly animalic. If you want to avoid that, look for fresh, green or powdery florals, or ones balanced by citrus and woods. Think about when you'll wear it Fresh florals suit daytime and warm weather more easily. Rich white florals can feel stronger, so a lighter hand helps. Treat this as a guideline, since personal taste matters more. Sample first Esscentum has a Decants collection and Discovery sets, so check whether the fragrance you want is offered in a smaller size. Florals change a lot on skin over a few hours. Tip: If you tried a floral perfume and disliked it, note which kind it was. A heavy white floral and a fresh peony have almost nothing in common, so one bad experience says little about the whole family. Frequently Asked Questions What is a floral perfume? A perfume in which one or more flowers, such as rose, jasmine, tuberose, peony, iris or orange blossom, form the main character. It can feature one flower (a soliflore) or a bouquet. What is the difference between white floral and fresh floral? White florals, such as tuberose, jasmine and gardenia, are creamy, heady and opulent. Fresh florals, such as freesia, peony and lily of the valley, are light, dewy and airy. Are floral perfumes only for women? No. Florals are worn by everyone, and many floral fragrances are unisex. Choose by the notes you like rather than the label. Where can I buy floral perfumes in Lebanon? Floral perfumes are available online through Esscentum. Always verify current stock and pricing on the product page before ordering. Browse the full floral fragrance family at Esscentum. Shop Floral Fragrances at Esscentum

Woody notes give perfumes structure and staying power, but they come in very different moods. Here is how to tell sandalwood from cedar from vetiver. Woody perfumes are the quiet workhorses of perfumery. They rarely get the attention that roses or vanilla do, yet they sit at the base of a huge number of fragrances. The family is also wide: a cedar-led perfume can feel cool and clean, a sandalwood one warm and creamy, and an oud one rich and smoky. This guide explains the main woody notes, sorts woody perfumes by style, and gives examples available at Esscentum. Always check the product page for price, availability and notes, since descriptions here come from brands, retailers and reviewers. What Counts as Woody? Woody notes come from the bark, roots, resins and heartwood of trees and plants. They usually sit in the base of a fragrance, where they add warmth, dryness and, according to perfume publications, impressive longevity. The main ones are: Sandalwood — creamy, soft and milky-warm. It has historically been sourced from Mysore, India, and is now one of perfumery's most precious materials, according to Fragplace. Another source says Australian sandalwood is drier and more resinous. Cedarwood — dry, clean and pencil-shaving sharp, the note perfumers reach for when a composition needs structure. Vetiver — earthy, rooty and smoky-green. Everfumed points out that vetiver is a grass and patchouli is a leaf, so neither is botanically a wood, but perfumery groups them in the family because they behave like one. Patchouli — dark, earthy and camphorous. Oud — smoky, resinous and intense. Oud has its own range of styles, and many oud perfumes sit in our woody collection. One retailer splits the family into dry woods (cedar, vetiver, guaiac), creamy woods (sandalwood, cashmeran) and oud. That's a useful shortcut when you're choosing. Woody Perfumes at Esscentum, by Style Style Example What brands and retailers list Dry, clean vetiver Frédéric Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire Notes as published by Malle: bergamot, bitter orange and pink pepper; vetiver, cashmeran, cedarwood and sandalwood; oakmoss and musk. It is composed by Dominique Ropion. Fresh, clean woods Jo Malone Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense T3 describes hinoki wood, cedarwood and an aromatic clean accord, inspired by the Japanese wilderness. Vogue Scandinavia calls it an ultimate woody base for layering. Woods with leather Jo Malone Bronze Wood & Leather Estée Lauder describes grapefruit with hints of juniper and vetiver on top, wood in the heart and leather in the base. It's part of the Cologne Intense line. Creamy, resinous woods Kilian Sacred Wood Macy's lists ambrette and carrot seed on top, sandalwood and amyris in the heart, and copaiba balm and balsam of Peru underneath. Tatler Asia describes it as embodying strength and masculinity. Sandalwood with citrus and spice Acqua di Parma Sandalo Part of the Signatures of the Sun collection, built around sandalwood alongside citrus and spice. Woody aromatic Mancera Eternal Wood Retailers class it as woody aromatic and unisex, launched in 2024. We couldn't source its notes. Frankincense and woods Amouage Decision One retailer lists bergamot, cardamom and pink pepper; frankincense, juniper and myrrh; vanilla, cedarwood and patchouli. Boozy woody amber Initio Blessed Baraka One retailer describes boozy woody amber with creamy sandalwood. Esscentum also lists Mancera Vetiver Sensuel, Boadicea the Victorious Vetiver Imperiale, four Bois 1920 fragrances, Nicolai Patchouli Intense and Patchouli Sublime, Atelier Matière Bois d'Ambrette, Détaillé Bois d'Oud and Maison Rebatchi Bois d'Enfants. We haven't sourced notes for these, so read each product page. How to Choose a Woody Perfume? Start with the wood If you want clean and sharp, look for cedar or hinoki. If you want soft and creamy, choose sandalwood. If you want earthy and green, try vetiver. If you want dark and smoky, look at oud. Think about the partner note Citrus makes woods modern and bright. Leather makes them rugged. Spices and amber make them warmer, and musk makes them softer and closer to the skin. Don't assume woody means masculine Woody notes are often marketed to men, but sandalwood, patchouli and oud blends have long traditions in women's and unisex perfumery. Retailers list Mancera Eternal Wood as unisex, for example. Choose by what you enjoy. Consider the season, but don't be rigid One perfume publication suggests lighter woods like sandalwood and cedar work year-round, while smoky oud and earthy vetiver shine in cooler weather and evenings. That's a guideline, not a rule. Sample first Esscentum has a Decants collection and Discovery sets, so check whether the fragrance you want is offered in a smaller size. Woody notes need skin warmth to develop, so a sample is worth wearing for a day. Tip: If you like the idea of woods but find them too dry, start with a creamy sandalwood or a woody fragrance with a floral or fruity opening. If you find them too sweet elsewhere, a clean cedar or vetiver may be your answer. Frequently Asked Questions What is a woody perfume? One built around notes from woods, roots and resins, such as sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, patchouli and oud. They usually sit in the base and give a fragrance warmth and structure. What is the difference between sandalwood and cedar? Sandalwood is creamy, soft and milky-warm, while cedar is dry, clean and sharp, like pencil shavings. Are woody perfumes only for men? No. Woody notes are used across men's, women's and unisex perfumery, and many woody fragrances are unisex. Where can I buy woody perfumes in Lebanon? Woody perfumes are available online through Esscentum. Always verify current stock and pricing on the product page before ordering. Browse the full woody fragrance family at Esscentum. Shop Woody Fragrances at Esscentum

Rose is perfumery's most documented flower, and it comes in more moods than most people expect. Here is how to find your kind. Rose is the note almost everyone has an opinion on. Some people picture powdery grandmother's soap, others a dark, theatrical flower, and others something sharp and green. All of them are right, because modern perfumers treat rose as a whole vocabulary. This guide explains where perfumery's roses come from, sorts rose perfumes by style, and offers examples available at Esscentum. Always check the product page for price, availability and notes, since descriptions here come from brands, retailers and reviewers and can vary between sources. Two Roses Behind Most Rose Perfumes Two species dominate perfumery. Rosa damascena, the damask rose, is grown mainly in Bulgaria and Turkey, and is processed into rose oil, also called rose otto or attar. Perfumer's World says the greatest quality comes from Bulgaria's Valley of Roses, with Turkey's Anatolian rose oil next. Rosa centifolia, the May rose or "rose de mai," is grown in Grasse in southern France and in Morocco, and is processed into an absolute. They smell related but different. Première Peau, a niche perfume house, describes damask as honeyed with a gentle spicy depth, and May rose as softer, rounder and closer to the fresh petal. Both are costly: producing one kilogram of absolute takes several thousand kilograms of petals. The same brand argues that most "rose perfumes" don't use absolute at all, relying instead on isolated molecules such as rose oxide. That's one house's opinion, but it explains why two rose perfumes can feel so different. The Main Styles of Rose Perfume Style Example What brands and retailers list Dark, theatrical rose Frédéric Malle Rose Tonnerre Frédéric Malle calls it "a somber rose, a theatrical rose, perhaps even a fatal rose." A retailer lists wine lees and honey on top, Turkish rose, geranium and truffle in the heart, and castoreum, musk, vetiver and patchouli below. Rich, spiced rose Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady The house lists rose, blackcurrant, raspberry, clove, patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense. Perfumer Dominique Ropion said he'd never put so much rose in a perfume before. Luminous, sharp rose Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir Jean-Claude Ellena describes it as "clear, pure and sharp. A luminous rose." Fresh, light rose Maison Francis Kurkdjian L'Eau à la rose One retailer lists rose, peony and musk in an eau de toilette. Citrus and rose Maison Francis Kurkdjian À la rose L'Homme One retailer lists grapefruit and Bulgarian rose on top, clary sage and ambery woods in the heart, and Grasse rose absolute and cistus underneath. Peppery, woody rose Acqua di Parma Luce di Rosa The house lists bergamot, longoza and pink pepper on top; rose, geranium and black pepper in the heart; vetiver, guaiac and cedarwood below. Rose and amber Mancera Amber & Roses Sicilian lemon on top; Indian jasmine and rose in the heart; amber, labdanum and white musk below. Rose and oud Mancera Aoud Exclusif; Tiziana Terenzi Gold Rose Oudh Aoud Exclusif lists saffron, labdanum, cumin and pepper, then Bulgarian rose, patchouli and violet, over agarwood. One retailer lists rose and patchouli in the heart of Gold Rose Oudh, over oudh, sandalwood, musk and honey. Rose and coffee Mancera Aoud Cafe Oud, bitter orange and lemon on top; Turkish rose, patchouli and coffee in the heart. Rose and white musk Jo Malone Rose & White Musk Absolu Jo Malone's team says the top notes are removed, so you go straight to the heart. Esscentum also lists Kilian Rose Oud, Mancera Roses Greedy, Xerjoff Damarose and Louis XV 1722 Rose, Stéphane Humbert Lucas Rose de Petra, Nicolai Rose Oud and Rose Royale, and Détaillé Rose Nuit. We haven't sourced notes for these, so read each product page. Frédéric Malle on Rose Few houses have given rose as much attention as Frédéric Malle. A fragrance blogger quotes him saying that rose is to perfumery what the nude is to drawing, and the house has presented several roses from different perfumers, each with a strong personality. Rose Tonnerre, released in 2003 and composed by Édouard Fléchier, grew from a base that Fléchier created to reproduce the smell of a Périgord truffle, according to the house's description. A Parfumo reviewer describes a slightly green, earthy rose. For a complete picture of the house, see our Frédéric Malle guide. How to Choose a Rose Perfume Decide how sweet or dark you want it Fresh roses like L'Eau à la rose are light and clean. Spiced and woody ones like Portrait of a Lady and Luce di Rosa have more weight. Dark roses like Rose Tonnerre are for people who find sweet florals boring. Look at the partner note Amber makes rose soft and warm. Oud makes it deeper and more resinous. Coffee and honey make it gourmand. Musk makes it clean and skin-like. Don't assume rose means feminine Retailers describe Mancera Amber & Roses as unisex, and the house markets À la rose L'Homme toward men, while Portrait of a Lady is pitched as feminine by its house and listed as unisex by at least one retailer. Choose by the notes you enjoy. Sample first Esscentum has a Decants collection and Discovery sets, so check whether the fragrance you want is offered in a smaller size. Rose changes more on skin than almost any other note. Tip: If you think you don't like rose, try one that isn't a soliflore. Roses paired with leather, truffle, coffee or oud barely resemble the soap-and-powder stereotype. Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between damask rose and May rose? Damask rose (Rosa damascena) is grown mainly in Bulgaria and Turkey and distilled into rose oil. May rose (Rosa centifolia) is grown in Grasse and Morocco and extracted into an absolute. Perfume houses describe damask as more honeyed and spicy and May rose as softer and rounder. What is a good rose perfume for people who don't like sweet scents? Look at darker, drier roses such as Frédéric Malle Rose Tonnerre or peppery, woody ones such as Acqua di Parma Luce di Rosa. Sample first, since taste varies. Are rose perfumes only for women? No. Many are unisex, and some are marketed to men. Choose by notes rather than the label. Where can I buy rose perfumes in Lebanon? Rose perfumes are available online through Esscentum. Always verify current stock and pricing on the product page before ordering. Browse the floral fragrance family, home to many rose perfumes. Shop Floral Fragrances at Esscentum

Amber is perfumery's warm, sweet, resinous family. It's also one of its most misunderstood, because the word means more than one thing. If you search for amber perfumes, you'll find fragrances that smell nothing like each other and others that have no amber in them at all. That's because "amber" is a perfumer's word for a warm, resinous accord, not a single ingredient, and it's often confused with ambergris. This guide clears up the terms, explains the main styles, and gives examples available at Esscentum. Always check the product page for price, availability and notes, since the descriptions here come from retailers and brands and can differ between sources. What Is Amber in Perfume? Amber in perfumery isn't fossil amber and it isn't a single raw material. It's an accord, a blend traditionally built from resins such as labdanum and benzoin together with vanilla, which smells warm, sweet and slightly powdery. Perfume publications describe it as sitting in the base of a fragrance, where it anchors lighter notes and, they say, can last for hours on skin. That's a general description, and longevity varies by fragrance and by person. The family itself was once called "oriental," and many houses and retailers now use "amber" for the whole warm, resinous group, from vanilla gourmands to spicy incense scents. Amber Versus Ambergris The two names sound related but describe different things. Ambergris is an animal-origin material, from the sperm whale, that smells marine, salty and animalic, and today it is usually recreated synthetically, often with a molecule called Ambroxan. The amber accord, by contrast, is botanical: labdanum, benzoin and vanilla. One Esscentum fragrance makes the distinction clear. Acqua di Parma's Ambra is described by the house as an interpretation of the notes of ambergris, combined with bergamot, rose, patchouli and sandalwood. The Main Styles of Amber Perfume Style Example What retailers and brands list Amber and roses Mancera Amber & Roses Sicilian lemon on top; Indian jasmine and rose in the heart; amber, labdanum and white musk in the base. Retailers describe it as unisex. Amber, florals and gourmand Mancera Amber Fever ParfumDreams files it as amber, floral and gourmand. Retailers agree on a rose and jasmine heart with amber and white musk in the base; top notes differ between sources. Woody amber Mancera Amberful One retailer lists a base of velvety cedar, amber and moss, and another calls it an inventive, all-terrain amber. Amber with oud and leather Mancera Gold Aoud Bloomingdale's lists black pepper, saffron and Nepalese oud with Bulgarian rose and jasmine over leather, amber and vanilla pods. Resinous, incense amber Mancera Gold Incense Bloomingdale's lists Omani incense, pink pepper, mandarin and a touch of coffee on top, with rose, violet and incense merging with sandalwood and coffee. Boozy woody amber Initio Blessed Baraka One retailer describes boozy woody amber with creamy sandalwood. Ambergris-led Acqua di Parma Ambra Sephora UAE lists orange, bergamot and petitgrain; a rose accord, nagarmotha, Virginia cedarwood and patchouli; and a base of grey amber tincture, sandalwood, cistus labdanum, vanilla and musk. Amber with violet Jo Malone Violet & Amber Absolu Jo Malone's product team says they pushed the amber to complement violet and removed the top notes entirely so you go straight into the heart. How to Choose an Amber Perfume? Decide what you want next to the amber Amber with roses and jasmine feels soft and floral. Amber with oud, leather or incense feels deeper and more dramatic. Amber with woods, as in Amberful, feels drier. Ambergris-led fragrances like Ambra feel salty and radiant rather than sweet. Know your sweetness level Because the accord includes vanilla and benzoin, amber perfumes lean sweet. If you prefer something drier, look for woody, spicy or incense versions. One Basenotes forum poster says labdanum in particular can feel cloying, which is worth knowing if you find sweet scents heavy. Match it to the occasion Amber's warmth makes it a natural choice for evenings and cooler weather, though lighter versions like Amber & Roses, with a lemon opening, are easier to wear at other times. Treat this as a guideline, not a rule. Try before you commit Esscentum has a Decants collection and Discovery sets, so check whether the fragrance you want is offered in a smaller size. Amber changes a lot on skin, and a sample is the best way to find your style. Tip: If you see "amber" in the name or notes, check what else is in the base. Labdanum and benzoin point to warm and sweet. Cedar and moss point to drier. Ambergris or Ambroxan point to marine and radiant. Frequently Asked Questions What is amber in perfume? A perfumer's accord, usually labdanum, benzoin and vanilla, that smells warm, resinous and sweet. It is not fossil amber or ambergris. What is the difference between amber and ambergris? Amber is a botanical accord. Ambergris is an animal-origin material, now usually recreated synthetically, with a marine, salty, animalic scent. Are amber perfumes for men or women? Most are unisex. Retailers describe Mancera Amber & Roses and Amber Fever as unisex, for example. Choose by notes rather than label. Where can I buy amber perfumes in Lebanon? Amber perfumes are available online through Esscentum. Always verify current stock and pricing on the product page before ordering. Browse the warm and spicy fragrance family at Esscentum. Shop Warm & Spicy Fragrances

Musk is in nearly every perfume, and it can mean very different things. Here is what it is, what white musk and Arabian musk mean, and where to start. Musk is one of the most used and least understood notes in perfumery. It can smell clean like fresh laundry, soft like warm skin, or deep and animalic, depending on the type. It also turns up as a supporting note in a huge range of fragrances, which is why "musk perfume" can mean anything from a soft skin scent to a heavy oriental. This guide explains where musk comes from, what white musk and Arabian musk mean, and how to choose, with examples from Esscentum. Check the product page for price, availability and notes, since the descriptions here come from retailers and reviewers. Where Musk Comes From? Natural musk was originally taken from a gland of the male musk deer. The pod was normally obtained by killing the animal, and the substance was prized as a perfume fixative since ancient times. Wikipedia notes that natural musk was widely used until the late 19th century, when economic and ethical motives led perfumers to adopt synthetic musk, which is now used almost exclusively. Some plants, such as angelica and ambrette, produce musky-smelling compounds that are also used as substitutes. In practice, nearly all of the musk in perfume today is synthetic, and the common term for it is "white musk." Synthetic musks range from sweet and powdery to almost metallic, according to one fragrance supplier, and they can feel mellow, floral, sensual or cottony. That's why two musk perfumes can smell nothing alike. White Musk and Arabian Musk White musk is the clean, soft, skin-like end of the range. In the Arab world, white musk is often called Musk Tahara, where "tahara" means purity, according to Harper's Bazaar Arabia. The same article says black and white musk are both widely used as base notes in Arab perfumes because they last well in heat and humidity, and quotes a perfumer who likes white musk because it sets a beautiful bed of cleanliness for other fragrances. "Arabian musk" usually refers to this tradition: musk used as a foundation in perfume oils and attars, often layered with rose, oud or amber. A fragrance publication describes musk as the backbone of many attars, giving warmth, depth and staying power. The examples below are sprayable niche perfumes rather than traditional attars, but several of them show how musk combines with the rest of the palette. Musk Perfumes at Esscentum Style Example What retailers and brands list Soft skin musk Nasomatto Silver Musk Sold as an extrait de parfum. One retailer calls it a soft, plump skin scent, another describes a subtle but not weak, softly clean and gently warm musk that laminates clean, floral and dry-wood impressions. Floral musk Mancera Musk of Flowers Fruity notes and grapefruit or bergamot on top; jasmine, orange blossom and rose in the heart; sandalwood and white musk below. Listed as women's by one retailer. Fruity floral musk Mancera Musky Garden Bergamot, lemon, cranberry and white peach on top; orris, Bulgarian rose, Indian jasmine and patchouli leaf in the heart; sweet white musk, blackberry, raspberry and amber below. Rose and white musk Jo Malone Rose & White Musk Absolu Jo Malone's first Cologne Absolu. Its product team says the top notes are removed so you go straight into the heart, and describes combining the Middle Eastern air with an imaginary English garden. Musk with oud Thomas Kosmala Musk Otone One retailer lists bergamot and gardenia on top; iris, musk and vanilla in the heart; frankincense, powdery notes and sandalwood below, and describes it as oud-based. Clean, minimalist musk Byredo Blanche Retailers list rose, peony, musk and sandalwood, built around the idea of white, freshly laundered cotton. How to Choose a Musk Perfume? Decide how much musk you want If you want musk to be the whole story, look at skin scents like Silver Musk. If you want it as a soft backdrop to flowers or fruit, choose a floral musk like Musk of Flowers or Musky Garden. Think about the partner note Musk is a connector. With roses and flowers it feels clean and gentle. With oud and incense, as in Musk Otone, it adds a soft, powdery layer. With vanilla it turns creamy. Try layering Layering is a long tradition with musk. Jo Malone's team says Rose & White Musk Absolu and Violet & Amber Absolu, both available at Esscentum, layer well together with real intensity. That's the brand's own suggestion, so sample the pairing before committing. Sample first Esscentum has a Decants collection and Discovery sets, so check whether the fragrance you want is offered in a smaller size. Musk is subtle, and how it smells on skin is personal. Tip: If a perfume page says "musk" and you're unsure what to expect, look at the other notes. Flowers and fruit point to a clean, soft result. Woods and oud point to something deeper. Frequently Asked Questions What is white musk? The common name for the synthetic musks used in nearly all modern perfume. It is usually clean, soft and skin-like. In the Arab world it is often called Musk Tahara. Is musk in perfume made from animals? Almost never today. Natural musk came from the musk deer, but its use was largely abandoned for ethical and economic reasons, and nearly all musk fragrance is now synthetic. What is Arabian musk? The tradition of using musk, black or white, as a long-lasting base in Arab perfumes and attars, often alongside rose, oud and amber. Where can I buy musk perfumes in Lebanon? Musk and skin-scent perfumes are available online through Esscentum. Always verify current stock and pricing on the product page before ordering. Browse the floral and fresh fragrance families, where many musk perfumes sit. Shop Floral Fragrances Shop Fresh Fragrances

Vanilla is one of perfumery's best-loved notes, and it turns up in very different kinds of fragrance. Here is how to tell them apart. Search for vanilla perfumes and you'll find fragrances that smell like cake, others that smell like cigars, and others that are mostly flowers with a vanilla finish. That's because vanilla is a team player: it sweetens, softens and warms almost anything. This guide explains what "gourmand" means, then sorts vanilla perfumes by style, with examples from several houses at Esscentum. Always check the product page for price, availability and notes, since the descriptions here come from retailers and reviewers and can differ slightly between sources. What Does "Gourmand" Mean? A gourmand fragrance is built around notes that evoke food or sweets, such as vanilla, caramel, chocolate, honey, coffee, praline and cinnamon. Wikipedia credits Thierry Mugler's Angel, launched in 1992, as the first modern gourmand scent, and perfumery sources say it was inspired by the designer's childhood memories of funfairs. Vanilla itself had been used in perfume long before that, since at least the 1920s according to one perfume publication, but Angel showed that sweetness could be the whole point. Because the notes are familiar, some perfume writers call gourmands one of the easiest families for beginners to enjoy. That's an opinion, and sweetness is personal. Reviewers disagree strongly about how much is too much, so the style you choose matters more than the label. The Main Styles of Vanilla Perfume Style Example What retailers list Fruity and floral vanilla Mancera Velvet Vanilla Pear, angelica, black currant, pink pepper, mandarin and clove on top. One shop reviewer smelled mostly vanilla and tuberose. Rose and caramel vanilla Mancera Royal Vanilla Citrus fruits, rose water and pink rhubarb leaf; caramel, rose, violet and orange blossom; amber, white musk, vanilla and patchouli leaf. Cookie-like vanilla Mancera Vanille Exclusive Described as vanilla, osmanthus, jasmine and peach with whipped cream, like a brown sugar cookie, launched in 2018. Cherry and vanilla Mancera Cherry Cherry Mancera lists black cherry with Calabrian lemon and bergamot; orris, jasmine, heliotrope and patchouli; vanilla, tonka and Mysore sandalwood. Spiced, cola-like vanilla Mancera Tonka Cola Mancera lists lemon, nutmeg, cinnamon and black cherry; fizzy cola, patchouli and orange flowers; tonka, benzoin, labdanum and powdery vanilla. Boozy vanilla Kilian Angels' Share Cognac, oak, cinnamon and tonka bean over sandalwood, praline and vanilla. Tobacco and rum vanilla Initio Side Effect Retailers describe saffron, rum and tobacco wrapped in vanilla and cinnamon. Warm, cozy vanilla Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club and By the Fireplace Jazz Club: pink pepper, tobacco leaf and vanilla. By the Fireplace: chestnuts, vanilla and clove oil. Honey, tobacco and vanilla Xerjoff Naxos Bergamot, lemon and lavender; cinnamon, honey, cashmeran and jasmine sambac; tobacco leaf, tonka and vanilla. Reviewers are split on how sweet it reads. Creamy white floral with vanilla Nishane Hundred Silent Ways Tuberose, mandarin and peach; white jasmine, gardenia and orris; vanilla, sandalwood and vetiver. Frankincense with vanilla Amouage Decision One retailer lists bergamot, cardamom and pink pepper; frankincense, juniper and myrrh; vanilla, cedarwood and patchouli. How to Choose a Vanilla Perfume 1. Pick the partner note Vanilla rarely works alone, so ask what you want next to it. Fruit and flowers give a light, sweet result. Tobacco, rum and cognac give a darker, grown-up one. Frankincense and woods give something drier. 2. Know your tolerance for sweetness Reviewers disagree about nearly every sweet fragrance. One described Cherry Cherry as candy-like and not for them, while others like it. If you want less sugar, look for vanilla balanced by woods, spices or incense, like Decision or Hundred Silent Ways. 3. Consider when you'll wear it Retailers describe Angels' Share as suited to cooler months and evenings, and By the Fireplace evokes a winter scene by its name. Lighter fruity and floral vanillas are easier to wear at other times, though this is a guideline, not a rule. 4. Try before you commit Esscentum has a Decants collection and Discovery sets, so check whether the fragrance you're considering is offered in a smaller size. Sweet notes are personal, and a sample is the quickest way to find out. Tip: If you're not sure where to start, choose by the second note you already love, whether that's rose, cherry, tobacco or woods, and let vanilla be the supporting act. Frequently Asked Questions What is a gourmand perfume? A perfume built around edible, dessert-like notes such as vanilla, caramel, chocolate, honey, coffee or praline. Thierry Mugler's Angel, from 1992, is widely credited as the first modern gourmand. Are vanilla perfumes only for women? No. Retailers list many vanilla fragrances as unisex, and some, like Mancera Royal Vanilla, are listed for men and women. Choose by the notes you like, not the label. What is the difference between vanilla and gourmand? Vanilla is a single note. Gourmand is a whole family of sweet, edible-smelling fragrances, with vanilla as its most common ingredient. Where can I buy vanilla perfumes in Lebanon? Vanilla and gourmand perfumes are available online through Esscentum. Always verify current stock and pricing on the product page before ordering. Browse the sweet fragrance family at Esscentum. Shop Sweet Fragrances at Esscentum