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The history of oriental notes
The history of oriental notes begins in the Middle Ages. Indeed, after the discovery of the Orient, the Crusader Knights returned with their arms laden with spices and ingredients found during their crusades ... Baths perfumed with spices quickly became popular, giving off a certain sensuality. The very first oriental perfume was imagined by François Coty in 1908, “Ambre Antique”. Composed of ambergris and vanilla, “Ambre Antique” was a real success for the time. It is nevertheless the very mythical “Shalimar” by Guerlain, released in 1925, which will introduce the “Oriental” olfactory family to the general public. Symbol of an eternal love story between a prince and his Indian princess, Shalimar marked history like a red stone and paved the way for many oriental perfumes. After him,we note “Opium”, by Yves Saint Laurent, also very famous, but also “Poison” by Christian Dior, or even “Angel” by Thierry Mugler.
Oriental notes and their olfactory associations
Of course, the oriental notes blend perfectly with each other, and we often find cloves with ambergris or even cinnamon. Oriental notes are most often positioned at the base note of a perfume, because they bring all their depths, their sensuality or even their opulence, as in “A * Men pure Malt” by Thierry Mugler, an oriental-woody. Another oriental-spicy, where oriental notes take on all their power, is Damask & Oud by Hugo Boss. Oriental notes are also found in many flowery or floral-oriental fragrances such as in Chloé Intense by Chloé. Here, the oriental notes are positioned as a base note accompanied by tonka bean, amber and honey giving the whole an exceptional pleasure.We also discover the oriental notes in a very popular floral essence Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf. Here, oriental notes are always positioned as a base note alongside patchouli, white musks and gourmet notes. You can also find oriental notes in woody perfumes, as in Brit Summer for Men by Burberry.
Indispensable to the great “Oriental” olfactory family, oriental notes bring sensuality, warmth, voluptuousness. Straight from the Orient, oriental notes bring together hot and spicy flavors, very popular in perfumery. The latter combine very well with each other, but also with gourmet, floral or woody notes.
