In order to create the unique scent that separates one perfume from another, manufacturers of perfumes have to experiment with the different olfactive families.
These families include:
Very few perfumes use scents from just one of these families. Rather, one family may create the primary scent while elements of other families create the subtle undertones of the scent. Nonetheless, all perfumes are primarily classified in one of these categories.
Single floral fragrances are those that get the majority of their scent from just one flower. Sa Majesta La Rose is an example of a single floral scent, as it mostly smells like a rose.
A floral bouquet scent is made of a combination of many different flowers in order to create one unique scent.
Ambery includes vanilla, all animal scents, and many flower and wood scents as well. As a result, it is a rather large class of fragrances. These scents tend to be full-bodied, warm, and heavy. Scents in this class are reminiscent of the Middle East, the Far East, or the Victorian Era.
This class of scents includes a number of woods, such as cedar, sandalwood, and patchouli. The scent is akin to freshly cut yet dry wood. Bambou by Parfuivis weil is an example of this type of perfume.
The leather family of scents includes tobacco, honey, wood, and wood tars used in the base or middle notes, resulting in a scent that is similar to leather. Demeter makes a fragrance that falls in this category, which is appropriately called Leather.
Chypre, which comes from the French word meaning "Cyprus," incorporates scents such as oakmoss, bergamot, labdanum, and patchouli. Men's fragrances are most commonly found in this category. Examples of fragrances within the Chypre family include Aramis and Miss Dior.
Fougere, which comes from the French word meaning "fern," has a base of coumarin, lavender, and oakmoss. This family of scents includes many men's fragrances because they have a woody or herby scent that is sometimes referred to as smelling somewhat like hay.
Bright floral is a more modern scent that developed as taste and styles evolved as well as technology. This scent combines the elements of the single floral and floral bouquet categories.
Also a more modern scent, green is considered to be a lighter version of Chypre. As such, it has a scent similar to cut grass or leaves and is often described as being a "vibrant" scent.
Oceanic/ozone didn't develop until 1991 and has a very clean scent. Dune, by Christian Dior, was the first of this type of scent.
Many newer fragrances utilize citrus fragrances, which were not previously used because of the lack of technology to create the scent. Scents that fall in the citrus category include lemons, oranges, bergamot, grapefruit, and pomello. The fruity category includes scents such as strawberries, apples, bananas, and pineapples.
Gourmand scents are also modern and consist of fragrances such as Angel by Thierry Mugler. Scents in this category, which often include vanilla or tonka bean, smell like desserts or as if they are edible.