Scent Families Explained: Find Your Aroma Personality

Just as wine lovers talk about grapes and regions, perfumers group scents into families. Once you know your favourite family, choosing new oils and blends becomes much easier. Which one are you?

Citrus: the sunshine family

Bright, zesty and uplifting. Citrus oils are pressed from fruit peel and smell instantly fresh.

Try: sweet orange, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin.
You might be: an early riser who loves a tidy kitchen and an open window.

Floral: the romantic family

Soft, sweet and elegant, from fresh lavender to heady jasmine.

Try: lavender, geranium, ylang ylang, neroli, rose.
You might be: someone who always has fresh flowers on the table.

Herbal: the garden family

Green, fresh and a little bit wild, like rubbing leaves between your fingers.

Try: rosemary, peppermint, clary sage, basil, marjoram.
You might be: a keen cook with a windowsill full of pots.

Woody: the grounded family

Warm, dry and comforting. Woody oils are slow to evaporate, so they anchor a blend.

Try: cedarwood, sandalwood, cypress, pine, vetiver.
You might be: happiest on a mountain walk or curled up by a fire.

Spicy: the cosy family

Warm, rich and inviting, with a hint of the spice market. Use spicy oils sparingly, as a little goes a long way.

Try: ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, clove.
You might be: the friend who makes the best mulled wine.

Resinous: the ancient family

Deep, balsamic and meditative. These come from tree resins that have been treasured for thousands of years.

Try: frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, elemi.
You might be: a candle-lighting, journal-writing old soul.

Mixing families

The best blends often borrow from neighbouring families:

• Citrus + floral: bergamot and lavender, fresh and elegant.
• Citrus + spicy: sweet orange and clove, instant festive cheer.
• Herbal + woody: rosemary and cedarwood, clear and grounding.
• Floral + resinous: geranium and frankincense, calm and luxurious.

Still not sure? Try our Find Your Ritual quiz, or explore our full range of single oils.