From luxurious essences and evocative scents to...
By NewBeauty Editors ·
From luxurious essences and evocative scents to iconic names and bottles, there’s no sector in the beauty industry as diverse as fragrance. But a new argument has pinned synthetic accords against natural notes, leaving the modern world of perfumery swirling with questions. “The war between naturals and synthetics is really heating up, and there are a lot of misconceptions,” says Virginia Bonofiglio, chairperson of Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology. So which is safer? We turned to our experts to weigh in.
Synthetic: Pros: Widen the palette for a perfumer to work from. Have all been tested as safe. Help to control the structure of a fragrance and boost aspects of naturals. Can be less expensive than some naturals (particularly florals). Are singular molecules so they are easier to control. Cons: Some think of “chemicals” as being unsafe, although this has never been proven nor is it recognized as valid by the FDA.
Natural and Organic: Pros: Since essential oils are often incorporated, they can give the added benefit of aromatherapy. They are sometimes considered “bespoke” or exclusive since the extracts are harvested from unique sources. Cons: Are reliant on the weather and the crops, so from year to year the ingredient could change in smell—or cost. Additives are not used so they don’t last as long in the bottle (typical shelf life is less than six months). The scents are stronger and may be more “earthy,” since the notes are interpretations of the direct extracts.
Synthetic: Lisa Hoffman’s Madagascar Orchid($65), sophisticatedly tackles the night blooming flower with ever-so-subtle hints of pink peony and exotic orchid.
Natural: Datura by Persephenie ($65), a heady, almost-musky scent for diehard jasmine fans) will have fragrance fanatics flocking to the oil-based botanical perfume.
Organic: Jasmine lovers swoon over Intelligent Nutrients Jasmine Absolute ($97), an intense roller-ball formulated with certified organic and food-grade ingredients.
2/11
Rose
Synthetic: A rose is clearly a rose in Penhaligon’s Peoneve ($120), a blend of Bulgarian rose infusions that evokes an image of understated elegance.
Natural: L’Occitane Rose Des Champs($45), offers an incredibly light, almost effervescent mixture of rose and green notes.
Organic: A barely-there, subtle interpretation of five different rose essences, Neal’s Yard Remedies Pure Essence No. 2 With Rose($62), plays up the scent of the powerful flower with a peppery twist.
3/11
Vanilla
Synthetic: The playful vanilla-meets-fruity notes behind Marc Jacobs Dot($89), make for a uniquely fun and flirty fragrance.
Natural: Natural, top notes of apple play a prominent role in United Scents of America New York($58), a fragrance inspired by the hustle and bustle of the Big City.
Organic: Not your typical fruity scent, Sonoma Scent Studio Nostalgie ($105) is a dark interpretation of ripened fruits with a heady quality.
6/11
Green
Synthetic: Ineke Balmy Days & Sundays’($95) notes of foliage and grass intertwine with the sweetness of honeysuckle and freesia to create a fresh-lush fragrance that’s not the least bit earthy.
Natural: A charming, innocent fragrance, Bonpoint’s($70) fresh quality evokes a sparkling, sunny scent with notes of orange blossom and neroli.
Synthetic: With an exotic blend of paprika, saffron, honey and pepper, Spadaro Noche Del Fuego Eau de Parfum($155), starts off sweet but dries to reveal a seductive, warmer scent.
Natural: A unisex fragrance with an almost “smoky incense” quality, Diptyque Volutes($88) is all about tobacco and musk.
Organic: An organic base in Lord’s Jester perfume($60) lends to its subtle, yet intoxicating scent that features a striking blend of earthy accords.
Natural: Leilani Bishop Pikake($62) is an intoxicating island scent, evoking the spirit of Hawaii with sweet and musky notes.
Organic: Infused with Australian flower essences, the coconut floral fragrance of Lucy B. Tiare Coconut Eau de Parfum($48) evokes a summer day at the beach.
9/11
Fruity-Floral
Synthetic: Top notes of plum and apple combined with base notes of sandalwood and grapefruit, meld with other fruit and floral notes in Creed Acqua Fiorentina, The Encore, ($260) a fresh and harmonious scent.
Natural: Essences of gardenia, rose, wild ylang ylang and neroli come together in Trance Essence Pink Kat($82) to create a sensual, girly scent.
Organic: Tsi-La Fiori D’Arancio ($44) is a delicate and playful scent with sparking citrus notes and caramelized vanilla.
10/11
Gourmond
Synthetic: A warm and spicy scent inspired by New York City,Bond No. 9 Manhattan($190) abounds in spices like nutmeg, saffron and coriander.
Natural:
Arquiste Anima Dulcis($165) is a rich fragrance with refreshing notes of chili and cocoa that is not overwhelming.
Synthetic: Celebrating the many facets of women, Donna Karan Woman($85) is feminine and sensual with creamy orange flower notes and a sandalwood core.
Natural: Bold and vibrant, Aroma M Geisha Amber Rouge($55) is a nice break from florals with spicy notes of clove, sandalwood and cinnamon and free of flowers.
Organic: The cedarwood notes against alluring North African rose petals makes Rich Hippie Marrakech($265) a hypnotic, Bohemian scent.
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