aromara journal

Fragrance, explained

Notes broken down, dupes ranked, and straight answers on what actually lasts.

What Is Fig in Fragrance? A Note Invented in 1994
Ripe purple figs, one split open beside a fig leaf on dark slate, the fig note in fragrance

The note

What Is Fig in Fragrance? A Note Invented in 1994

Fig in fragrance, explained: why no usable fig oil exists, how perfumers build the note from green and milky molecules, and where...

31 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Banana in Fragrance?
Ripe bananas with one partly peeled on dark slate, the banana note in fragrance

The note

What Is Banana in Fragrance?

Banana in perfume comes down to one molecule, isoamyl acetate. The chemistry of the note, and Kayali's 2024 Maui Sweet Banana explained.

29 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Green Tea in Perfume?
Loose green tea leaves and a ceramic bowl of matcha on dark stone, the green tea note in perfume

The note

What Is Green Tea in Perfume?

Green tea perfumes rarely touch a tea leaf. Jean-Claude Ellena built the illusion in 1992. How the note works, from Bvlgari to...

29 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Rhubarb in Fragrance?
Rose Elegance 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Parfums de Marly Delina. Rhubarb, bergamot, lychee, Turkish rose, peony, vanilla, musk. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Rhubarb in Fragrance?

No rhubarb oil exists. The tart pink note in Delina and others is a built accord. The chemistry, plus the Yorkshire candlelight...

29 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Pomegranate in Perfume?
Noir Pomegranate 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir. Pomegranate, red berries, clove, pink pepper, patchouli, amber, woods. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Pomegranate in Perfume?

Fresh pomegranate barely smells. Perfumers build the note from scratch. The science, plus the story of Jo Malone's 2005 Pomegranate Noir.

28 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Milk in Perfume?
Bianco 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Giardini di Toscana Bianco Latte. Caramel, milk, vanilla, sugar, white musk, amber. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Milk in Perfume?

Milk perfumes contain no milk. Lactones, vanilla and soft musks build the creamy effect. How the trick works, and where Bianco Latte...

28 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Mandarin in Perfume?
Amalfi 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi. Mandarin, lemon, blackcurrant, basil, jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver, musk. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Mandarin in Perfume?

Mandarin is cold-pressed citrus peel. How it differs from tangerine, plus the Tom Ford and Byredo scents built on it.

28 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Sage in Fragrance?
Tideline 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt. Grapefruit, sea salt, sage, ambrette, driftwood, red algae. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Sage in Fragrance?

Sage in fragrance means clary sage, the plant behind Ambroxan. How the note works and two scents that use it well.

28 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Cognac in Perfume?
Aged Gold 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Kilian Angel's Share. Cognac, cinnamon, hazelnut, tonka, vanilla. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Cognac in Perfume?

Cognac in perfume explained: the angels' share story, Kilian's 2020 benchmark and the UK dupe that bottles the cellar for less.

28 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Lily of the Valley in Perfume?
Linen 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis. Bergamot, Sicilian lemon, lily of the valley, jasmine, white musk, cedarwood. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Lily of the Valley in Perfume?

Lily of the valley gives no oil, so every muguet note is built in a lab. The chemistry, the 2022 Lilial ban...

28 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Ethyl Maltol in Perfume?
Candy Rock 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar 42. Bergamot, marshmallow, rock candy, vanilla, caramel, musk. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Ethyl Maltol in Perfume?

Ethyl maltol is the candy floss molecule behind Angel and modern gourmands. What it is, how it smells and where to wear...

28 Aug 2026 1 min read

What Is Mango in Perfume?
Fire Mango 35% Extrait perfume by Aromara, inspired by Stephane Humbert Lucas 777 God of Fire. Mango, lemon, red berries, ginger, woods, amber. UK-made dupe, 7+ hour wear.

The note

What Is Mango in Perfume?

Mango's smell spans 285+ compounds, led by 3-carene. What a PLOS One study found, how perfumers build the note, and the mango...

26 Aug 2026 1 min read