There's no single official count — classic systems list around seven, but modern niche perfumery recognises many more sub-families. At Beauty Arc we organise scents into 26 families to capture that diversity precisely.

A Fragrance Note is a single ingredient or instrument—like a solitary note of jasmine, cedarwood, or vanilla.

A Fragrance Family is the overarching genre of music. It classifies the entire perfume based on its overall character and DNA—such as Floral, Woody, or Fresh.

Finding your fragrance family is all about translating your personal taste into a scent profile. Since you can’t smell through a screen, here are the easiest ways to discover yours:

• Look at what you already love: Check the bottles on your vanity. Do you gravitate toward crisp, clean scents (Fresh), rich and cozy aromas (Amber), blooming bouquets (Floral), or earthy, forest-like depths (Woody)?
• Think about your favorite environments: Imagine your perfect setting. If it’s a morning walk through a citrus grove, you lean toward Fresh. If it’s a cozy evening by a fireplace, look into Woody or Amber. If it’s a stroll through a botanical garden, Floral is your match.
• Take our Discovery Quiz: We’ve mapped out our 26 distinct fragrance families to match your lifestyle, mood, and preferences. Answer a few quick questions about your personality, and we’ll introduce you to your perfect scent match.