What Is The Fragrance Wheel?

Your Guide to the Fragrance Wheel

If you’re new to fragrances and want to learn more, or if you just want to try your hand at making your own scents, then it’s helpful to know about what the fragrance wheel is.

If you’ve never heard of this, don’t worry. In short, Michael Edwards – a world-renowned expert in perfumes – created this in 1983. You’ll likely have seen it (pic below) when you’ve looked for a fragrance or found yourself on a main landing page for a fragrance supplier.  

What is the fragrance wheel and what does it do?

Each fragrance is like a pupil being thrown under the sorting hat in Harry Potter, only with a little bit more crossover. Fragrances are divided based on the aroma they exude. Primary categories include woody, oriental, floral, and fresh.

While there have been tweaks since the 1983 version, the categories link to further subcategories; the purpose of these is to elaborate upon the character of the fragrance. Chances are however if you’re asked “What kind of scent/smells do you like”, in a fragrance shop, you won’t be expected to know all the subcategories! Knowing a primary category is a good starting point, however.

But how do you know what’s what?

An easy way would be testing various scents and asking which category each falls under; this helps you identify what you like from what you don’t. That said, you may have tested several ‘woody’ scents, with some being more pleasurable on the nose than others. This is due to the various subcategories those scents divide into. This might not necessarily mean you gravitate solely toward woody scents. See what else works for you.

Attitudes towards smells can also change as we mature; our tolerance for some smells may improve or dissolve, but likewise, our personalities or eagerness for a big event (i.e., a date, a night out clubbing) can draw us to some notes that at any other time may feel redundant.

Additionally, if you look at fragrance websites, some may highlight what category the fragrance you are looking at is classed under. As each website is different, you might have to look harder to find it – if at all. A few websites may simply label the ingredients (top notes, middle notes, and base notes).

Still, if you are new to fragrances, there should be a fragrance wheel or help-me tool on their main pages that help you identify smells you like. Or, help you discover more of the same smells if you already know a couple that you do.

photo courtesy of Perfume Shop

Using the wheel

The fragrance wheel is a great way of being able to match the notes, details and appeal of various fragrances. You don’t have to be an expert or pro to utilize the magic of the fragrance wheel. Although if you are wanting to experiment with scent, it is helpful to know more about the little nuances in subcategories, to ensure you’re not combining scents that will clash (although, one person’s ‘WHAT THE F*CK’ is another person’s ‘COME TO BED’).

Some scents thrive off their complexity and the fact that they’re mixed with other notes that supposedly shouldn’t work together. The fragrance wheel makes understanding these contrasts clearer.

And even if you don’t wish to create your own unique scents, the fragrance wheel is still a go-to tool for discovering new ideas, and fragrances and learning more about your gravitation toward particular smells.