SHEM

Turkish rose or Rosa Damascena is a rich rose scent sourced from the Turkish rose fields. Harvested in late spring and early summer, the rosebuds of the Turkish rose are carefully handpicked at dawn when the rose is most fragrant. Dancing between floral, sweet, and fresh, the aroma of the Turkish rose imbues the fragrance with a vintage feel that feels elusive and elegant at once. The scent of Turkish rose kisses your skin gently but leaves a strong, lasting impression on your senses. Indispensable to the world of perfumery and all things fine fragrance, rosa damascena (also known as Turkish rose or Damask rose) is the scent of choice for many perfumers and fragrance devotees alike. Its rich and deep—a tangible scent that announces itself in decadent layers that are fruity, floral and sweetly honeyed. Green facets mingle with spritely lychee.

Vetiver is a profoundly earthy note with dry, woody facets that recall a soft, smoky warmth. It is an intense, grounding scent with surprising undertones of mildew and even grapefruit. For the perfume fan that loves the earthy smell of the woods, nothing beats vetiver. Vetiver is grass whose roots create a smoky, mossy, mineral scent when distilled. It is one of the most complex ingredients found in fragrance, with over 150 separate aromatic compounds, and it also acts as one of the best fixatives available to perfumers, which accounts for its frequent presence in fragrance. There’s also nothing quite like the scent of vetiver. It’s both immediate and ancient, with a similar smell to the soft earth of virgin forests.

Bold, sexy and provocative: the scent of osmanthus is deeply alluring, pairing particularly well with warm, sensual ambery notes of vanilla or sandalwood. It adds a distinct leathery facet to ambery accords without a heavy, animalic feeling. Its exotic, fruity accents of apricot blend beautifully in fresh, citrus tonics, where osmanthus plays an entirely different role: adding a sweeter, sparkling facet to vibrant accords.

Geranium’s chilly, green demeanor lends itself perfectly to perfume. Geranium has a soft, almost mentholated feel, like a sudden, refreshing gust of clean forest air. Its natural coolness makes it a wonderful contrast in bright, zesty citrus perfumes, as well as in aromatic men’s fragrances containing buttoned-up lavender notes or corianders’ fiery heat. Geranium can help take the humid edge off warmer weather, but can also be wonderful for fall’s windy climate and winter’s bright, snowy nights.