Silky smooth and velvety soft, opoponax is a divine fixative—seamlessly blending notes and lengthening their effect. Adding a weighty warmth to the base of fragrances, opoponax permeates with an undeniable complexity of balsamic softness.

Olibanum, or frankincense, is a resinous sap from the Boswellia serrata plant that often calls to mind biblical references, ancient temples, and spiritual ceremonies. Revered for its aromatic woody scent, it smells like a mix between rosemary and pine with slightly fruity sweet undertones. In perfumery, frankincense is mainly used in the base, often alongside other woody or amber acords, exuding refinement and calmness that overtakes the composition and makes its signature.

Patchouli is a deeply spiced, thickly herbal and immediately recognizable note - it’s “dirty hippie” reputation doesn’t do it justice. Patchouli’s scent lies somewhere between cumin’s sharp and acrid tang and nutmeg’s smooth, sweet warmth, and it can carry a fragrance or blend easily with other, spicier notes. It is ideal in heated, spicy perfumes that feature leather, smoke, resins, and lighter aromatic notes like lavender and geranium. Patchouli’s exotic strength can be an acquired taste in perfume, but it’s many moods and blends make it an endlessly fascinating note to explore in the spicy end of the scent spectrum.

Labdanum (pron. Lab-DuH-numb) is a sticky, brown resin distilled from the rockrose plant found in the Mediterranean. It’s sweet, thick, smokiness lends a spicy backbone to Oriental style perfumes, and combines well with leather and other heavy spices. Labdanum is also one of the best “fixatives” in perfume, making other notes last longer and smell stronger in a composition. If your favorite scents are smoke, vanilla, caramel, black rubber, or peppery spice - labdanum’s unique scent will appeal to you. Labdanum scents are best for colder weather, and reveal their smoky-sweet mystery the most in evening fragrances.