Based on a study of U.S. consumers' passion for new and innovative fragrances, perfumers at fragrance company Arylessence have predicted nine fragrance styles that will stimulate consumer interest in sensory-driven brands in beauty and personal care, air care, laundry, household cleaners, private label, and other key product categories in 2014.
“Our perfumers, evaluators and marketing experts have identified fragrance styles that consumers will expect to see in the products they buy next year,” says Arylessence president Steve Tanner. “These styles pinpoint where fragrances and consumers connect and how consumer product marketers can shape and evolve their brands to create new and exciting sensory experiences.”
The nine identified fragrance notes and styles reflect innovative themes and classic traditions, Arylessence perfumers say, with each style offering powerful sensory notes and accords to add new dimension, fascination, and allure to consumer brands. “There is a return to luxury and a new kind of smoothness and creaminess in these styles,” explains Heather Sims, Arylessence's director of perfumery. “That’s because consumers today are looking for that special, intimate feeling in scents that touch their skin, freshen the wash, or fragrance their homes.”
The key fragrance styles for 2014 include:
- Blanc—Clean, sparkling scents that are exceptionally fresh and invigorating, with breezy marine ozones and white florals such as jasmine, lily of the valley and magnolia.
- Noir—Deeply emotional, passionate, sensual notes of amber, patchouli and soft musks with precious woods and resins; notably one of the fastest growing, most influential fragrance styles in 30 years.
- Simple Florals—The power and clarity of single floral notes, rather than romantic bouquets, to impart youthful, contemporary personalities with violet, rose and other florals balanced by creamy sandalwoods and musks.
- Tropical Fruits—Succulent tropical notes of coconut, mango and pear accompanied by powerful single-note florals like orange blossom for scents that are youthful as well as exotic.
- Verdant—An innovative, yet surprisingly sensual green theme that brings together deeply verdant, lush aromatic notes of galbanum, privet and green tea with fresh-cut grasses, herbals, and aquatics.
- Red Berries—Just-picked strawberries, raspberries and wineberries combined with cassis, red tea and elderberry, as well as honey and amber, for scents that are rich, beautiful and romantic.
- Modern Spice—Peppercorn, cardamom and anise add depth and complexity to gorgeous notes of jasmine and calla lily, along with touches of amber and musk, for scents that are startlingly simple and assertive.
- Dark Fruits—Rich, understated warmth and intoxicating depth define the power of dark fruits like plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, cabernet and sloe berries to blend with heady florals and dark oriental notes for scents that are bold and enticing.
- Gourmand—Honey, vanilla-infused sugarcane and rich coconut milk add creaminess to fresh, classic florals for scents that are smooth, alluring, rich, indulgent and luxurious.
“This is a glimpse into the future of fragrance,” says Michelle Harper, Arylessence's director of evaluation. “We are seeing luxury expressed in new way, and also how the role of florals can be powerfully enhanced and amplified by surprising and unexpected combinations with fruit, berry, spice, green, and gourmand notes. These creative, innovative ideas are influencing consumers today, and will continue to shape expectations in the coming year. This is where fragrance is heading.”
