Everyone has their favorite fragrance scent they can never get enough of. Your favorite can be woody, fresh, oriental, or floral, depending on your preference. But have you ever wondered where these incredible scents come from? Usually, a bottled fragrance can have up to a hundred ingredients that come together to produce the scent you like. When people refer to fragrances as exotic, their sources are not easily obtainable. Here are some of the fragrance sources; some of them are familiar, while others you are hearing for the first time.
Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-ylang, also known as the Cananga tree or the perfume tree, is a tropical tree that grows in Malaysia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and Indonesia. The tree produces yellow, star-shaped flowers with a sweet, calming smell. Ylang oil has a strong scent; it is mainly used in small quantities with coconut oil for hairdressing. The floral fragrance is most common in men's cologne. The tree has been used to make fragrances for many generations now. It produces fragrant flowers all year long. You will notice some sweet, floral tones if it's part of your cologne or perfume.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood trees are a bit common, and there are several species of them. Its fragrance doesn't need any introduction because most people know it. The tree contains aromatic oil that can be obtained through steam distillation. Its woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-brained. The sandalwood fragrance is popular with both males and females. You have probably encountered it in one or two of your perfumes. The oil can be very therapeutic and is also used to make scented candles. Sandal oil can be used as an antidepressant because it contains antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. The fragrance is always added to massage oils because it relaxes the body. Sandalwood is ranked as one of the most expensive woods in the world.
Cypress
Yes, you read that right. You probably didn't think cypress could be part of your favorite perfume, but it might be. Cypress has a familiar aroma that most manufacturers use in perfume and cologne. The fragrance has been featured in many established brands like Dior, Calvin Klein, Clinique, Gucci, and many others. The oil full of delicate scent is extracted by steaming the twigs and needles of the cypress tree. The fragrance also has therapeutic properties that help in regulating blood pressure. It can also be blended with other oils such as sandalwood and others. When it's combined with other scents, it can create a unique smell that can make you stand out.
Vetiver
Vetiver is not a familiar fragrance, but it makes a great ingredient in exotic scents. It is a perennial grass closely related to sorghum but has similarities with other fragrant grasses. Its oil is extracted through steam distillation of the plant's roots. The vetiver is treasured because its roots are medicinal, and the scent has fixative properties. It will stay longer on your body.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg fragrance comes from the seeds of a fruit-bearing tree. Most cooks are familiar with it because it is a spice used to make different kinds of food. It is now produced in Indonesia for commercial purposes despite being from Southeast Asia. The nutmeg oil is extracted through steam distillation. The fragrance does not stand out on its own; it is blended with other scents to produce a floral fragrance. You will rarely find a perfume that only uses nutmeg as a fragrance. But when it comes together with other ingredients, it gives a spicy aroma that makes any scent unique.
Jasmine
Jasmine exists in different species, but perfumers love the specie that grows as a vine with white petals. Its white flowers have a strong sweet smell that is honey-like. Extracting the oil is very difficult because the plant only produces a few flowers, and the flowers last for a day. The delicate process of obtaining this fragrance makes it even more exotic. For centuries, Jasmine oil has been used to increase sexual attraction and desire. Since getting the Jasmine essential oil is difficult, chemists have tried to mimic the jasmine scent synthetically. The Jasmine aroma in most perfumes is just a man-made aroma. The perfume or cologne will likely be costly if you get the natural scent.
Vanilla
Vanilla is a very common scent from food to perfumes. It is one of the scents that people adore on its own and even mixed with other fragrances. It is usually regarded as exotic, especially when combined with different spicy scents. The plant grows on a vine and produces white flowers, just like Jasmine. It produces beans or fruit that contain vanilla. The beans are costly because they take more time to harvest and prepare. Most cheap vanilla extracts are often derived from a lower-grade variety of vanilla beans. The extract can be used to sweeten food, make room fresheners and make fragrant candles. Even though vanilla is expensive, most perfumes still contain the extract or oil. When the fragrance is mixed with other scents, the vanilla fragrance gets subdued.
Eucalyptus
The Eucalyptus tree is mainly known for its medical properties. But it's also been used as a fragrance since the early 90s when it was first introduced. Most medicines, especially cough drops and those that decrease nasal and chest congestion, contain eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus has many species, and the one with a lemon-like scent is also used in perfumes. The fragrance is very potent; you only need a little bit of it to create a fragrance. That is why it's considered a cost-effective ingredient. If you know how it smells, you can easily dictate the tone.
Bergamot
Bergamot is a citrus fruit that is green or yellow and produces fresh citrus scent oil. The fragrance is extracted by crushing the peel of the unripe fruit and then separating the oil from the pulp. The extraction process is called cold expression. Many people claim that the scent can uplift your spirit or make you feel confident. The citrus scent is what makes it feel very exotic. Even if you already have your favorite fragrance, it doesn’t hurt if you add bergamot to your collection.
Peru Balsam
Peru Balsam essential oil comes from a tree with a vibrant vanilla aroma. The long-lasting properties are what people like most. The scent will stick with you for a long time compared to other fragrances. Manufacturers like to blend the oil with strong, spicy, and sensual scents to make exotic fragrances. However, some people have had issues with Peru Balsam after applying it to their skin. It can cause irritation or inflammation. That is why it's only used in small portions. But if you have sensitive skin, you should find another fragrance to use. The scent is also common in religious anointing oils.
