Recent Essays

Notes, Decoded

Demystifying fragrance structure and materials in plain language. Top/heart/base explained with kitchen metaphors, individual notes decoded, and the common notes everyone mispronounces or misunderstands.

01 Iris Is Not a Flower Smell: The Five Notes Everyone Mispronounces (and Misunderstands)Claire breaks down five fragrance notes that confuse beginners — iris, vetiver, oud, patch... Notes, Decoded Aug 18, 2026 → 02 Gourmand Isn't "Smells Like Cake": What "Edible" Actually Means in PerfumeGourmand doesn't just mean "smells like cake." Claire breaks down the real gourmand perfum... Notes, Decoded Aug 16, 2026 →