Why do perfumes of the same brand smell similar?
Have you ever noticed that perfumes of the same brand smell similar? Don’t doubt your sense of smell, it may be that they use the same base notes.
The base notes of a perfume refers to the fixed combination of spices in the same perfume brand, that is, the secret formula of the perfumer.
For example, JCE likes to add citrus spices such as orange and lemon to his perfume, so many of his Hermès perfumes have a similar citrus smell.
The emergence of the base phenomenon may be that the perfumer breaks down a fixed structure in the formula in order to replicate the successful experience of the perfume, and uses it again in the future, and creates a new perfume based on it. This lazy approach can increase the probability of success of the perfume.
However, I guess that the brand may use the same base notes deliberately to present a consistent style and make the brand image more distinctive. For example, when you mention Serge Lutens, you think of sweet candied fruit, and when you mention Penhaligon’s, you think of lavender.
This base phenomenon is always a minority. Because most perfume brands outsource their perfume making business to perfume companies, there are no fixed perfumers! Moreover, even if it is the same perfumer, he will not use only one base for his whole life.
You don’t need to care too much about the base notes. As long as you like the smell of this bottle of perfume, what does it matter if there is a fixed base notes?
