Scent families are broken up into four main olfactory groups: Floral, Oriental, Woody and Fresh; each having distinct characteristics. Product fragrances are often formed with a Top Note, Middle Note and Base note, each note made up of scents from one of the olfactory groups.

More about the Four main olfactory groups (CLICK HERE to expand and read）

Fresh

The fresh scent family encompasses clean bright scents. Herby, citrusy and oceanic scents all fall into this category; more often used in men’s fragrances than women’s fragrances. Common notes: Sage, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Citrus

Sub-families: (click to expand and read)

- Aromatic: Clean and fresh herbs mixed with lavender or woody scents. Also includes slightly spicy notes such as Peppermint, Bergamot and Eucalyptus, that gives a refreshing and energetic effect.
- Citrus: Zesty or tangy notes like mandarins or bergamot.
- Aqueous (Water): Aquatic scents that smell of sea spray or rain mixed with or oceanic notes.
- Green: Smells of freshly mowed lawns and crushed green leaves.
- Fruity: Sweet, edible and tropical like peach, pear and apple. Includes coconut scents.

Woody

Woody perfumes are usually warm and opulent, mixing incense-like fragrances like sandalwood and patchouli with drier notes like cedar. To tone down the warmth of these notes, fragrances will sometimes incorporate some fresh notes like citrus or floral. Notes in this family can be described as coniferous or woody and bitter. Common notes: Patchouli, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Labdanum

Sub-families: (click to expand and read)

- Woody: Aromatic scents like cedarwood, sandalwood and vetiver.
- Mossy Wood: Sweet, smooth and earthy scents like oakmoss and amber.
- Dry wood: Smouldering and smoky mixed with leather aromas.

Oriental

The oriental fragrance family consists of rich exotic scents. When you think of oriental scents think herbs and spices or dry, powdery, resin notes. Opulent and heady, these notes are often times softened with amber or sweet notes. It’s common to describe this family as exotic and seductive. Common notes: Vanilla, Myrrh, Anise

Sub-families: (click to expand and read)

- Soft Oriental: Soft, floral notes mix with incense and warm spices.
- Oriental: Sweet, warm notes like cinnamon, vanilla and musk.
- Woody Oriental: Earthy notes like patchouli and sandalwood mixed with spicy and sweet notes.
- Floral Oriental: Florals with subtle spice notes.

Floral

The floral scent family is one of the most common families and are often used in many well-known fragrances. They usually smell like fresh-cut flowers or have a powdery note to them. Common notes: Rose, Jasmine, Orange blossom

Sub-families: (click to expand and read)

- Floral: Smells like fresh-cut flowers — imagine rose and lily.
- Soft Floral: Soft, powdery and sweet with a hint of creamy.

The subcategories below groups our products according to their dominant fragrance notes.

Arko 1957