Perfume descriptions can feel like a foreign language. Ambroxan. Labdanum. Hedione. What does any of it actually mean? This is your plain-English guide to the most common fragrance notes — what they smell like, how they feel, and which nuvr. fragrances they appear in.
Citrus Notes
Bergamot — Fresh, slightly floral citrus with a hint of spice. Think Earl Grey tea. One of the most common top notes in men's fragrance — it opens storm (inspired by Sauvage) with that instantly recognisable clean freshness.
Lemon — Sharp, zesty, and clean. Energising and bright. Often used to add a sparkling quality to the opening of a fragrance.
Grapefruit — Slightly bitter citrus, fresher and more modern than lemon. Common in aquatic and sport-style fragrances.
Floral Notes
Rose — The queen of florals. Can range from soft and powdery to rich and velvety depending on the variety. A key heart note in destiny (inspired by Delina) and liberty (inspired by Libre).
Jasmine — Heady, intoxicating, and slightly sweet. One of the most used ingredients in perfumery. Appears in ruby (inspired by Baccarat Rouge 540) as part of its iconic opening.
Peony — Light, fresh, and delicately floral. Softer than rose, with a clean, almost watery quality. Common in feminine fragrances.
Ylang-Ylang — Exotic, creamy, and intensely floral. Rich and slightly sweet — a little goes a long way.
Lavender — Herbal, clean, and calming. One of the most versatile notes in perfumery — used in both masculine and feminine fragrances. A key heart note in storm.
Woody Notes
Sandalwood — Warm, creamy, and smooth. One of the most beloved base notes in perfumery. Adds depth and softness without being heavy.
Cedarwood — Dry, clean wood with a slight pencil-shaving quality. Crisp and masculine. A common base note that adds structure to a fragrance.
Vetiver — Earthy, smoky, and slightly bitter. Deeply rooted and complex — one of the most distinctive base notes in perfumery.
Oud — Rich, dark, and resinous. One of the most prized (and expensive) ingredients in perfumery. Deeply complex with a woody, almost leathery quality. Central to empire (inspired by Ombre Nomad).
Patchouli — Dark, earthy, and slightly sweet. Divisive but powerful — in small amounts it adds depth and sensuality; in larger amounts it becomes the star of the show.
Spice Notes
Pink Pepper — Bright, slightly fruity spice with a fresh kick. Less harsh than black pepper — adds energy and vibrancy to an opening.
Cardamom — Warm, aromatic spice with a slightly sweet, almost minty edge. Exotic and sophisticated.
Cinnamon — Warm, sweet, and familiar. Adds a cosy, comforting quality to heart and base notes.
Saffron — Warm, slightly leathery, and intensely exotic. One of the signature notes of ruby (inspired by Baccarat Rouge 540) — it's what gives that fragrance its distinctive, almost edible quality.
Amber & Resin Notes
Amber — Warm, golden, and enveloping. Not a single ingredient but a blend of resins and musks that creates a rich, honeyed warmth. One of the most universally loved base notes.
Amberwood / Ambroxan — A modern, synthetic amber note with a clean, woody warmth. Incredibly skin-like and long-lasting. The secret weapon behind the addictive dry-down of storm and ruby.
Benzoin — Sweet, vanilla-like resin with a warm, balsamic quality. Adds softness and sweetness to base notes.
Labdanum — Rich, dark, and slightly animalic resin. Adds depth and complexity — often described as leathery or mossy.
Musk Notes
White Musk — Clean, soft, and skin-like. The most common musk in modern perfumery — it's what makes a fragrance feel like it belongs on your skin rather than just sitting on top of it.
Cashmeran — Warm, woody musk with a slightly spicy, cashmere-like softness. Adds a cosy, enveloping quality to base notes. A key note in destiny.
Gourmand Notes
Vanilla — Sweet, warm, and comforting. One of the most universally appealing base notes. Can range from light and creamy to rich and almost edible.
Tonka Bean — Warm, sweet, and slightly almond-like. Similar to vanilla but with more complexity — a hint of spice and tobacco underneath the sweetness.
Caramel — Rich, sweet, and indulgent. Adds a dessert-like quality to gourmand fragrances.
Fresh & Aquatic Notes
Ambergris — Warm, slightly salty, and deeply sensual. One of the most prized ingredients in perfumery — it adds an almost oceanic warmth that's impossible to replicate. A key note in ruby.
Sea Salt — Clean, mineral, and fresh. Evokes the smell of ocean air — used in aquatic and fresh fragrances.
Hedione — A synthetic jasmine-like molecule with a light, diffusive quality. It's what gives many fresh fragrances their airy, radiant quality.
Find Your Notes
Now that you know what to look for, explore the full nuvr. collection. Each fragrance is built around a carefully chosen combination of these notes — and understanding them will help you find the one that's right for you. Not sure where to start? Our 3 for £60 bundle is the perfect way to explore multiple note profiles at once.