Notes and Color in Perfumery

Monday, February 27th 2023

Q: How are the different perfume notes associated with color?

In perfumery, different fragrance notes are often associated with certain colors to help describe their scent characteristics. Here are some common associations:

  1. Citrus notes (e.g. lemon, bergamot, grapefruit) are often associated with yellow and orange colors, reflecting their bright and fresh qualities.
  2. Floral notes (e.g. rose, jasmine, violet) are often associated with pastel colors, such as pink, purple, and blue, reflecting their delicate and romantic qualities.
  3. Oriental notes (e.g. vanilla, patchouli, amber) are often associated with warm, rich colors, such as brown and gold, reflecting their exotic and sensual qualities.
  4. Woody notes (e.g. sandalwood, cedar, vetiver) are often associated with earthy, natural colors, such as green and brown, reflecting their grounding and comforting qualities.
  5. Aquatic notes (e.g. sea salt, marine accord, seaweed) are often associated with blue and green colors, reflecting their fresh and watery qualities.
  6. Gourmand notes (e.g. chocolate, coffee, caramel) are often associated with brown and beige colors, reflecting their sweet and comforting qualities.

Of course, these associations are subjective and can vary depending on personal experiences and cultural context.