What a Scent Character Is
Scent characters describe how a perfume feels when you smell it. They are basically words we use to describe the mood, texture or overall impression of a fragrance. Fresh, clean, dark, sweet, spicy, powdery, smoky, creamy, green, fruity, leathery or warm are all examples of scent characters.
More Than One at Once
A perfume can have more than one scent character at the same time. For example, a fragrance can smell fresh and clean, sweet and spicy, or dark and smoky. These combinations are one of the main reasons why two perfumes with similar notes can still feel completely different.
Understanding Your Own Taste
Scent characters are also useful when trying to understand your own taste. Sometimes it is easier to say “I like fresh, clean and slightly woody scents” or “I prefer sweet, warm and creamy perfumes” instead of focusing only on specific notes.
Character Changes Over Time
The character of a perfume can also change while you wear it. A fragrance may open fresh and citrusy, become more aromatic or spicy after some time, and then turn warmer, sweeter or woodier in the dry-down. So the scent character you notice can change depending on the stage of the perfume.