Scent has a lasting memory, so let us at Goldfield & Banks take you through some of the important things to understand as you’re looking to choose a signature scent, whether it’s one of our native Australian perfumes or something else that catches your nose.
What is a perfume “note”?
A perfume “note” is a matter of timing: when you wear perfume, you will often smell a particular scent. At Goldfield & Banks, because each scent takes you on a unique journey, we refer to our perfume notes as Sunrise, Summit and Sunset. Sunrise notes (or top notes) are the first impression of a perfume, which are often meant to be fleeting. We compare top notes to the elemental beauty of a sunrise – fresh, crisp and pure with invigorating overtones.
Summit notes (middle or heart notes) are the core scent of the perfume and tend to give the scent its warmth, depth and personality. Sunset notes are the anchor of the perfume and will emerge as the heart note begins to fade. Goldfield and Banks fragrances climb from a fresh light and joyous base and elevate you to a dazzling fragrance summit, where you can revel in an elixir of olfactory and sweeping immersion. Sunset notes (or base notes) come into play towards the end of the heart notes, adding depth and fullness to a fragrance. Our base notes often star Australian Sandalwood. The comforting woodiness of the sunset notes create elegant and distinctive fragrances that linger.
What are common types of perfumes?
There are four standard families of fragrances: woody, amber (sometimes known as oriental), floral and fresh. At Goldfield & Banks, these fragrance families live within two collections. The Native Collection and the Botanicals Series. For the Native Collection, each fragrance arouses the Australian dream, a treasured voyage from the dazzling and invigorating coasts through the burning hot red deserts. For the Botanical Series, the scents showcase Australia’s world-leading expertise in high-grade botanical cultivation and extraction. Each fragrance expresses a luxurious and unexpected olfactive story.
Woody
Woody scents are warm and opulent, with notes reminiscent of incense, like Sandalwood and Patchouli. It can also sometimes be described as powdery. There are three subgroups of woody scents, mossy woods, dry woods and woods. Mossy woods are usually lighter and smoother, combining earthy and amber scents for a bit of sweetness. Dry woods are typically mixed with leather to add a bit of smoke and smoulder. The Botanicals Series from Goldfield & Banks offers some of the richest, most exquisite woody scents available in niche perfumery.
Amber
Amber scents are, unsurprisingly, based around the rich scent of amber, often described as sensual, warm and slightly sweet, almost like a deeper, smokier Vanilla: paired notes are in the world of herbs, spices and resin. The spices incorporated here are often defined as “exotic”, like Cardamom, Black Pepper, Cinnamon and Orange Blossom. Three subgroups of amber are defined: soft amber, amber and woody amber. Soft amber brings in floral notes, amber will often have a warmer musk through scents like Vanilla, and woody amber brings in the earthness of Sandalwood or Patchouli. You can experience this with Ingenious Ginger scent.
Floral
Floral scents have three subgroups: floral, soft floral, and floral amber. Floral scents could be thought of similarly to a gourmand fragrance. Some scents smell near-exactly like a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. Soft florals can have a powdery, creamy or musky note. Floral amber will pull in orange blossom or spice undertones. The difference between floral amber and soft amber will be in which scent is closer to the heart.
Gourmand
Gourmand scents are a delectable category of fragrances that are often crafted with notes reminiscent of sweet indulgences, such as Vanilla, Salted Caramel, or Honey. Gourmand fragrances create a warm, comforting, and often sensual olfactory experience, blending sweetness with depth and sophistication. Soft, creamy and rich, they are perfect for those who want their scent to feel indulgent and inviting, gourmand perfumes are a reminder of the pleasure and joy found in life’s simplest luxuries.
Fresh
Fresh scents are kind of a catch-all for “everything else” with a diverse range of notes — well suited to the Australian landscape. There are:
- Aromatics: Think of Lavender, Sage, Rosemary or Basil warmed in the sun, all hallmarks of our Botanical Series.
- Citrus: Often Mandarins and the zest of Lemons. This can be an energising and bright scent for many. Our Bohemian Lime would fit in this fresh subgroup. A subgroup of citrus scents called chypre, specifically have citrus top notes, middle notes around labdanum (a resin-like substance) and mossy base notes.
- Water: Salty, summer perfumes sit here, as do the ones that look to recreate that petrichor scent after a storm. Pacific Rock Moss, our most iconic scent, is the perfect aquatic scent.
- Fruity: think Peaches, Pears and Apples. Some true gourmand scents will sit here, as well as others with spicier profiles like our Sunset Hour — which was inspired by the Western Australian town of Broome.
- Green: If you love the scent of a freshly mowed lawn, a fresh green scent might be the right fit for you. Blue Cypress offers aromatic, green base notes.
Want to experience your own fragrance journey? Why not try a Goldfield & Banks Discovery Set and try every fragrance within our collections.