An excellent link between heart notes and base notes, the woody, balsamic facets of guaiac wood add depth with an air of smoky, leathery intrigue. Less dry than cedarwood and harder than sandalwood, guaiac wood is sweet and stable with rose-like facets.

A rich, spicy and floral note, reminiscent of carnation and most commonly used in men’s fragrances to give a warm and sweetly aromatic quality to complex accords. Clove is particularly popular for its deep, woody tones that blend beautifully in fragrances of bergamot, citrus, lavender, earthy geranium, musk, rose or ylang-ylang.

A dynamic ingredient with facets ranging from musky and woody to sweet and warm, cashmeran is the Pandora’s Box of perfume ingredients. Best known for its ability to “expand” floral notes, cashmeran serves as a malleable product in the hands of perfumers—melting into floral notes with its warmth and sensuality to create vibrantly layered accords.

Intense, piquant, and oh-so-fresh, pink pepper adds an unmatchable spiciness to accords, and is often used in fine perfumery. The nose-tingling crispness of pink peppercorns is only matched by its unique fruity facets—sometimes described as being citrus-like.