Woody notes

Woody notes have become essential notes in modern perfumery. Woody notes come from vegetable oils derived from wood or plants, except for patchouli and vetiver which come from plants. Woody notes give a composition warmth, depth, masculinity and above all a great deal of character. Woody notes have always been considered the preserve of masculine perfumes, but women are increasingly drawn to these notes, which give off something very distinctive.

The history of woody notes

While woody notes are highly prized by perfumers today, this has not always been the case. Woody notes have become a kind of “backbone” of perfumes, and it is rare not to find woody notes in a fragrance. Perfumers have divided woody notes into 6 categories, namely mossy, amber, humid, smoky, resinous and dry woods. In antiquity, peoples were in the habit of burning wood shavings and resins to honor and pray to their gods. For once, it was the talented Gabrielle Chanel who opened the way for woody perfumes. With Bois des Iles, released in 1926, the house Chanel offered a floral bouquet over a woody accord, dominated intensely by sandalwood along with its warmth and power of seduction. In 1992, Serge Lutens (then at Shiseido) also surprised with the unveiling of Féminité du Bois, a feminine essence whose base asserts itself between cedar and sandalwood. Among the most representative woody notes are sandalwood, cedar, patchouli, oakmoss and vetiver.

Famous perfumes with woody notes

At present, perfumes containing woody notes are very numerous. Initially, woody notes, particularly vetiver, were essentially masculine notes. Among the great perfumes that pay tribute to it are Vétiver by Carven, but also by Guerlain and by Givenchy, then Bel Ami Vétiver by Hermès… Woody notes blend perfectly well into oriental compositions, as in Alien Sunessence by Thierry Mugler, Amor Amor Forbidden Kiss by Cacharel, and Ambre Éternel by Guerlain. Woody notes are also found at the heart of magnificent woody fragrances such as Fahrenheit by Christian Dior, La Nuit de l’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent, or again at the heart of chypre perfumes such as Aromatics Élixir by Clinique. Naturally, woody notes blend beautifully with flowers, giving us some of the most resplendent essences such as Amarige Ylang Ylang des Commores 2010 by Givenchy, 1881 pour Femme by Cerruti, 24 Faubourg by Hermès, Valentina Pink by Valentino, or again 1932 by Chanel.

Dear to the hearts of today’s perfumers, woody notes are found in numerous compositions, both feminine and masculine. They bring warmth, depth, sensuality, as well as an undeniable character.