Ever wondered how perfume has changed over the decades but you didn’t want to have to dig through 140 years of perfume sales data AND the recipes…I have saved you the trouble 😁.
Here you go…perfume ingredients by decade. I looked at the top perfumes for a decade then looked at the notes. This is based on about 70-100 of the top selling fragrances since 1880.
🌸🌹🍋🌿 1880s - 1890s: Top Notes: Citrus Oils (Bergamot, Lemon) Heart Notes: Florals (Rose, Jasmine) Base Notes: Musk, Vanillin, Coumarin
1900s - 1910s: Top Notes: Aldehydes Heart Notes: Orris Root, Lavender Base Notes: Civet, Ambergris
1920s - 1930s: Top Notes: Aldehydes Heart Notes: Sandalwood, Vetiver Base Notes: Oakmoss, Patchouli
1940s - 1950s: Top Notes: Citrus Oils Heart Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Tonka Bean Base Notes: Benzoin, Labdanum
1960s - 1970s: Top Notes: Citrus Oils, Aldehydes Heart Notes: Woody Notes (Cedarwood, Sandalwood) Base Notes: Musk, Spices (Clove, Cinnamon)
1980s: Top Notes: Fruity Notes Heart Notes: Synthetic Musks (Galaxolide) Base Notes: Amber, Aquatic Notes, Green Notes
1990s: Top Notes: Aquatic Notes Heart Notes: Fruity Notes, Transparent Florals (Peony) Base Notes: Ozonic Notes, Amber, Vanilla
2000s: Top Notes: Fruity Florals Heart Notes: Gourmand Notes (Caramel, Chocolate) Base Notes: White Musks, Green Notes, Woody Notes
2010s: Top Notes: Floral Orientals Heart Notes: Gourmand Accords Base Notes: Aquatic and Ozonic Notes, Spicy Notes, Amber, Oud
