The word "perfume" comes from the Latin phrase per fumum, meaning "through smoke." It refers to a mixture of essential oils, volatile aromatic compounds, fixatives and solvents, used to impart a pleasant scent to the body or objects. Perfumes are made from both natural and synthetic raw materials.
Perfumes are classified into "fragrance families," which are divided into categories that help understand the different types of scents. There are four main fragrance families: floral, oriental, woody and fresh, which are further divided into subfamilies.
The creation of a perfume is carried out by a perfumer, who is trained and knowledgeable not only about the materials but also about the techniques. This process can take a long time until the final formula is achieved. Once the final formula is complete, it is left to "age" for several months, after which it is tested again to determine how the scent notes develop and to establish a balance between the molecules.
Fragrance notes are used to describe the different aromas found in perfumes. They are divided into three main categories: top notes, middle notes and base notes.