Ever wondered how fragrances are grouped? Enter the Fragrance Wheel – a tool that classifies scents into distinct families, helping us make sense of the fragrance world. This circular chart bridges science and artistry, simplifying the process of describing, creating, and selecting fragrances.

The Fragrance Wheel was created by Michael Edwards, an Australian fragrance expert. His career in the cosmetic and fragrance industries grew through collaborations with international brands, establishing him as a leading authority in fragrance classification and history. Edwards’ contributions have earned him global recognition as a key figure in modern perfumery.

Used worldwide by retailers, perfumers, and fragrance enthusiasts, the Fragrance Wheel has become an essential reference in the industry.

Created in 1983, the Fragrance Wheel initially featured four main fragrance families: Floral, Oriental, Woody, and Fresh. Over time, it expanded in the 1990s and was refined in the 2000s, evolving into the industry standard. Today, it includes both classic and emerging categories such as Soft Floral, Floral Amber, Amber, Woody Amber, Aromatic Fougère, Citrus, Water, Green, and Fruity.

At JH Lever, we’ve developed our own simplified fragrance categories, designed to make the selection process more accessible and enjoyable. This approach helps identify scents quickly without feeling overwhelmed by too many choices:

• Green – Leafy, Vegetal, Earthy
• Aromatic – Natural, Mint, Herbal
• Citrus – Zesty, Tangy, Bright
• Fruity – Crisp, Berry, Tropical
• Floral – Sweet, Light, Exotic
• Woody – Soft, Pine, Smoky
• Animalic – Musk, Amber, Leather
• Gourmand – Creamy, Nutty, Sweet, Vanilla
• Balsamic – Spicy, Tobacco, Resinous
• Ozonic – Fresh, Aquatic, Clean

This streamlined categorisation enhances the fragrance selection experience, making it easier to explore and enjoy scents without the stress of overwhelming choices.