You must have seen those commercials where people become instantly irresistible once they spray a certain brand of perfume. While the logic behind such ads is questionable, some ingredients used in perfume-making do have aphrodisiac properties. While you can find a number of irresistible perfumes that will help you stand out from the crowd, you may want to know a bit more about the ingredients that make those fragrances so special.

1.  Cedarwood:

Cedarwood offers a woody, musky amber smell, which has a somber yet fresh effect. It is one of the oldest perfume ingredients and is often used as a base note in masculine fragrances. The ingredient, which is an oil with a balsamic smell, is collected through steam distillation of the tree’s roots, wood, and foliage. This dry, woody scent fragrance pairs nicely with any top and middle notes. It can also complement citrus, floral, and spicy notes amazingly well. The best part about this ingredient is that its calming aroma helps balance the intensity and sharpness of other aromatic ingredients.

Cedarwood is a dependable and versatile fragrance that has the ability to reinforce other combinations. If you want your perfume to have a lasting impact and you do not mind its hint of woody character, this is a great option to consider.

2.  Jasmine:

In the fragrance industry, jasmine is referred to as “La Fleur” (the flower) as it is one of the foundation notes in perfume making. In fact, jasmine extract is one of the most widely used ingredients in women’s perfumes. The character notes of jasmine range from medicinal to sweet, while some are green and musky. The smell of jasmine plants often varies depending on where they are grown.

As you may have noticed, fragrances with jasmine extracts are quite expensive. That’s because a milliliter of jasmine scent is made using the extract from roughly 8000 flowers. Moreover, jasmine blooms need to be hand-picked in order to maintain the integrity of the delicate flower. Since the process of selecting and harvesting jasmine is quite labor-intensive, it is considered one of the most coveted luxury fragrances. There are several perfume brands that sell synthetic versions of jasmine. Even though such perfumes do not offer the same authentic scent, they do come at an affordable price.

3.  Citrus:

Citrus is not a single ingredient but an umbrella term for a range of raw ingredients. While citrus-smelling fruits and raw materials (such as lemongrass) have been used as perfume ingredients for centuries, there are some new additions (such as yuzu, grapefruit, and hassaku) as well. In the perfume industry, the citrus fragrance is extracted via cold-pressed methods that help preserve the natural freshness of the ingredients. Citrus is most commonly used as a top note, which brings a fresh and optimistic aura with a pleasing effect. The citrus smell often reminds us of sunny mornings with the freshness of the wind. The fragrance is uplifting and stimulating.

The scent of citrus pairs well with several floral fragrances, helping them tone down their sweetness. Moreover, it also complements resin scents in oriental perfumes and goes well with spicy notes. If you are looking for an irresistible scent, you should definitely check out perfumes with the zesty smell of citrus ingredients.

4.  Patchouli:

Fun fact: A single drop of pure patchouli oil yields a smell that lasts for several months. So, if you are looking for an exotic fragrance that lasts long, consider using perfumes that are made with patchouli. The woody smell you get from the patchouli oil does not come from wood. It is extracted from the leaf of an exotic Indian bush. Patchouli is used as the base of all the chypre fragrances. The olfactory profile of this ingredient, however, depends on several factors, including:

• The cultivation technique
• Time of the harvest
• The process used for drying
• Distillation techniques
  
  

Surprisingly, only 3-4 top pairs of mature leaves deliver the highest quality patchouli oil. Since the extraction process is quite complicated, only a few distilleries perform this work. You get an earthy and herbaceous scent from patchouli that is rich and has a woody base. As the oil ages, the fragrance improves and gets a fruity note. While the oil has a balsamic tone, it blends quite well with oriental, fougère, and chypre-type fragrances. It also complements earthy scents, such as sandalwood, lavender, vetiver, clove, rose, cedarwood, etc.

5.  Amber:

Amber is a fossilized plant resin that is found in many colors. The sweet and warm fragrance of this ingredient has an oriental note by default. Since amber is predominantly used in oriental perfumes, there is a specific perfume category called amber orientals. You get a bright, warm feel when you combine amber with other perfume-making ingredients, such as sandalwood, aldehydes, vanilla, and galbanum. It appears a bit powdery, but it offers a deep and sensual feeling when used as perfume. The soft and gentle notes of amber slowly envelop and stay for an extended period, thanks to its pronounced character. The synthetic version of amber is called ambergris, which delivers a smooth and sweet, lasting smell after being combined with vanilla. The natural ingredient can balance floral notes and turn them into lasting fragrances when used in large quantities.

6.  Sandalwood:

Sandalwood is another common ingredient for perfumes that offers a lasting fragrance. While this ingredient is widely used in religious and traditional circles of Asia, it is quite popular in the perfume industry for its smooth, woody note. In fact, the sweet, intoxicating smell offered by this ingredient complements floral notes significantly well. Sandalwood is often used as a base note and acts as a great fixative to other ingredients in perfume. Since sandalwood oil has a calming and relaxing effect, it is often used in aromatherapy. Also, it is believed to have aphrodisiac properties. That’s why a lot of people use perfumes with sandalwood notes while heading for a romantic occasion.

7.  Lavender:

The pleasing smell of lavender can create a unique aromatic experience if used with the right notes. While it is used predominantly in the perfume industry, it has several medicinal uses as well. Moreover, the clean, aromatic smell of lavender varies between licorice and medicine notes. Even though the lavender note is not gender-specific, it is more commonly used in men’s colognes and perfumes, where it offers a dry and balmy base. The odor profile of lavender varies according to the soil origin. For example, the Dutch variety has a sharp odor due to its high content of terpenes like camphor, while the French version yields a sweet floral aroma. You get a refreshing note in the hybrid type. The exact scent of lavender varies depending on several factors, including:

• Its source
• Where it is grown (the altitude at which it is grown)
• The distillation techniques
  
  

Lavender oil offers a fresh, sweet note that complements the floral fragrances. If you check out perfumes of the Fougère type, you may be able to identify the herbal lavender top notes as well as the oakmoss base. Even though this exotic ingredient is not as expensive as Jasmine or Bulgarian rose, it can be found in numerous irresistible scents available in the market.

Make the Right Choice

As a consumer, you may not be able to identify the individual ingredients used in a perfume just by the smell. However, you can get a subtle hint of these ingredients if they aren’t overwhelmed by a stronger scent. Usually, the ingredients are mentioned on the label of perfume bottles. But if you have a fundamental knowledge of these exotic ingredients, you can find the right blend of perfume and also layer multiple fragrances together to make a statement.