Grapefruit’s juicy, zesty, and tart effervescence instantly refreshes any fragrance. It’s lip-smacking energy is a staple of both men’s and women’s perfumes, and it pairs well with nearly any other note in a scent, but is best blended with cedar, lilies, roses, oranges, limes, black or pink pepper and lotus flower. Grapefruit is naturally exuberant and will always leap out at first spray, inviting the wearer to experience its enthusiastic and playful personality. It’s also one of the most versatile notes in perfumery, and appropriate to wear in any season as a standalone scent or blended into citrus or floral fragrances.

Bay Leaf

Playing the leading role in mysterious, sensual fragrances, mandarin orange commands attention with its subtly sweet, fruity, and citrusy scent that has a lingering floral undertone. Mandarin orange opens the compositions to announce a seductive gourmand fragrance or a vivacious citrus-led, aromatic-tinged cologne. When it comes to spicy fragrances, you’ll often find it in the company of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove.

A surprising aphrodisiac, ambergris has been used as a quasi-love potion in fine perfumery for millennia. Its beguilingly erotic effect is matched by its ability to act as a unique fixative: giving volume and amplification to a fragrance, and softening or binding the delicate balance of aromas after a considered process of maceration in 96% alcohol. Nowadays, ambergris is often replaced by synthetic products (such as Ambroxan, Ambrox or Orcanox) due to its exceptionally high price tag and relative unreliability in terms of production, sourcing and accessibility.