Written by: Isabel Finston
A perfectly ripe orange, a freshly cleaned home, an icy glass of fresh lemonade—there’s no doubt that the scent of refreshment is citrusy! Wonder why you associate the scents of citruses with warmer weather? The plants tend to flourish in warmer climates! In need of a pick-me-up? Research has proven a connection between smelling a citrus scent and stress reduction!
Citrus Chronology:
While the natural olfactive qualities of citrus materials have been used and admired by civilizations throughout human history, the first documented application of citrus notes in perfumery dates back to Eastern Europe and the Middle Ages! Legend says that this scent, “Queen of Hungary Water,” was the first to feature alcohol and was made as a “miracle cure” to retain a youthful appearance—it contains a mixture of citrus peels, alcohol, and herbs! As a fragrance family, the invention of Eau de Cologne in the 1600s truly put citrus on the map! Initially created as a medicine, Eau de Cologne featured lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, and bergamot! Our interpretation of a classic Cologne, Ashton, features notes of sunny bergamot, sparkling lemon, and subtle white tea. Citruses have been one of the most commonly featured fragrance families throughout the history of perfumery!
Citruses: a Scent Collective
Some of the most commonly used citrus fragrance notes are lemon, lime, bergamot, grapefruit, yuzu, verbena, sweet orange, mandarin, bitter orange, and citron. While all citruses feature a characteristic acidity, their scents vary. Preferred by perfumers, bergamot tends to have greener, earthier, and spicier facets and lasts longer than other citruses! Picture a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice—that’s the scent of sweet orange! Lemon is a sparkler—its particular acidity “lifts” fragrances up! Verbena has a softer scent—it features subtle herbaceous notes. Grapefruit features a slight bitterness and delicately woodsy qualities (reminiscent of vetiver)—smell Max and experience their magical pairing!
Citrus Chemistry:
Limonene, citral, linalool, linalyl acetate, and aldehydes are aroma chemicals regularly found in citrus fruits and often provide citrusy qualities to fragrance. They are highly volatile (they evaporate quickly) and, therefore, tend to appear first in a fragrance profile! One way to extend the longevity of a citrus fragrance is to apply a body lotion in a matching scent first!
Citrus in Fragrance: Forever on Top
Written by: Isabel Finston
A perfectly ripe orange, a freshly cleaned home, an icy glass of fresh lemonade—there’s no doubt that the scent of refreshment is citrusy! Wonder why you associate the scents of citruses with warmer weather? The plants tend to flourish in warmer climates! In need of a pick-me-up? Research has proven a connection between smelling a citrus scent and stress reduction!
Citrus Chronology:
While the natural olfactive qualities of citrus materials have been used and admired by civilizations throughout human history, the first documented application of citrus notes in perfumery dates back to Eastern Europe and the Middle Ages! Legend says that this scent, “Queen of Hungary Water,” was the first to feature alcohol and was made as a “miracle cure” to retain a youthful appearance—it contains a mixture of citrus peels, alcohol, and herbs! As a fragrance family, the invention of Eau de Cologne in the 1600s truly put citrus on the map! Initially created as a medicine, Eau de Cologne featured lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, and bergamot! Our interpretation of a classic Cologne, Ashton, features notes of sunny bergamot, sparkling lemon, and subtle white tea. Citruses have been one of the most commonly featured fragrance families throughout the history of perfumery!
Citruses: a Scent Collective
Some of the most commonly used citrus fragrance notes are lemon, lime, bergamot, grapefruit, yuzu, verbena, sweet orange, mandarin, bitter orange, and citron. While all citruses feature a characteristic acidity, their scents vary. Preferred by perfumers, bergamot tends to have greener, earthier, and spicier facets and lasts longer than other citruses! Picture a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice—that’s the scent of sweet orange! Lemon is a sparkler—its particular acidity “lifts” fragrances up! Verbena has a softer scent—it features subtle herbaceous notes. Grapefruit features a slight bitterness and delicately woodsy qualities (reminiscent of vetiver)—smell Max and experience their magical pairing!
Citrus Chemistry:
Limonene, citral, linalool, linalyl acetate, and aldehydes are aroma chemicals regularly found in citrus fruits and often provide citrusy qualities to fragrance. They are highly volatile (they evaporate quickly) and, therefore, tend to appear first in a fragrance profile! One way to extend the longevity of a citrus fragrance is to apply a body lotion in a matching scent first!