Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › What notes make a fragrance earthy?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

What notes make a fragrance earthy?

post #1 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Hi peeps,

I'm really surprised I didn't find a thread on this topic and apologize if this has been done many times before. What specific notes are used to give a fragrance the distinct "earthy" feel? I'm thinking of Arabie, L'Air du Desert Marocain, and the notes in Terre d'Hermes beneath that grapefruit layer.

I suppose it could be caraway, coriander, petit grain, or (dare I say it) amber. Is there perhaps some combination of spices or florals that makes a fragrance evoke earth?

Thanks guys!
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
post #2 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:27pm
Good question. When I was at Barney's and the SA had me smell Comme Des Garcons Artek Standard & I loved it. It was what I consider very earthy. The scent reminded me of my childhood. I need to revisit that one.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:28pm
How about Birch, sandalwood, Grass, tea, wheat, leaf plus you have your multiple floral notes?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:29pm
I always think of patchouli as being the prime "earthy" note.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:30pm
Patchouli gives me that "earthy" vibe......
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haunani View Post

I always think of patchouli as being the prime "earthy" note.

True forgot about this one
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:37pm
Vetiver
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haunani View Post

I always think of patchouli as being the prime "earthy" note.

True forgot about this one
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:50pm
I'd say that patchouli and certain takes on vetiver are the classic earthy notes. Possibly oakmoss as well. Terre d'Hermes is a bit different, though, in that its "earthiness" is more of a flinty, stony accord, aided by a dose of Iso E Super and just a hint of patchouli.

Oud can also have an earthy facet, from what I understand.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 31
3/4/12 at 8:59pm
Patchouli for sure.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 31
3/4/12 at 9:52pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone! I'll try to get my hands on some patchouli extract to see if that's what it is.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 31
3/5/12 at 1:09am
Its a combination of resins, patchouli, vetiver and other accords.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 31
3/5/12 at 1:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Its a combination of resins, patchouli, vetiver and other accords.

+1...
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 31
3/5/12 at 1:42am
yes, patchouli, vetiver, galbanum (a resin) can also have a very earthy odor to it too.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 31
3/5/12 at 1:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Its a combination of resins, patchouli, vetiver and other accords.

Agreed!
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 31
3/5/12 at 2:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Its a combination of resins, patchouli, vetiver and other accords.

yep
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 31
3/5/12 at 5:22am
For me, it is Patchouli, Oakmoss and Geranium. With Patchouli being the reigning king.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 31
3/5/12 at 5:33am
patchouli and vetiver ..
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 31
3/5/12 at 6:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Its a combination of resins, patchouli, vetiver and other accords.

This sounds about right, but I always kind of thought vetiver was more of a fresh green note. Does combining patchouli and vetiver yield the dryness of LDDM?
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 31
3/5/12 at 7:16am
+1 patchouli, vetiver and ISO E super
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 31
3/5/12 at 7:37am
agree with everything except geranium so far, but the earthy ingredient king is...

MYRRH
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 31
3/5/12 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by icanzapyou View Post

This sounds about right, but I always kind of thought vetiver was more of a fresh green note. Does combining patchouli and vetiver yield the dryness of LDDM?

Well it depends on the origin/species of vetiver. I have observed that vetiver from the Indian Ocean is far more earthy, dank and dark than Haitian vetiver. Haitian vetiver is grassy, green, aerated somewhat compared to Indian Ocean vetiver.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 31
3/5/12 at 9:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Well it depends on the origin/species of vetiver. I have observed that vetiver from the Indian Ocean is far more earthy, dank and dark than Haitian vetiver. Haitian vetiver is grassy, green, aerated somewhat compared to Indian Ocean vetiver.

Also, maybe it has to do with what the vetiver is mixed with. I find Sycamore and Encre Noir to be much earthier then TF Grey Vetiver or Givenchy Vetiver, for example. Not sure about the others, but I know the TF has a big dose of Iso E, which to me (contrary to the opinion of some) is not at all earthy, but sort of fresh and clean smelling. That is what I attribute TF's wonderful springy feel to, although it might be the type of vetiver, for all I know.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 31
3/5/12 at 9:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by srmd22 View Post

Also, maybe it has to do with what the vetiver is mixed with. I find Sycamore and Encre Noir to be much earthier then TF Grey Vetiver or Givenchy Vetiver, for example. Not sure about the others, but I know the TF has a big dose of Iso E, which to me (contrary to the opinion of some) is not at all earthy, but sort of fresh and clean smelling. That is what I attribute TF's wonderful springy feel to, although it might be the type of vetiver, for all I know.

Very true. Also keep in mind that not all vetiver used is natural or natural-based. Some are purely synthetic. Then , like everything, there are different grades of synthetic vetiver.

I agree that ISO E Super smells woody, fresh-like and works like an amplifier. On it's on it has little merit. With other notes and accords it comes to life.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 31
3/5/12 at 12:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mesaboogie View Post

Vetiver

On my skin Vetiver can turn earthy for sure.....Gary
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 31
3/5/12 at 12:39pm
Like everyone else has said, Patchouli and Vetiver
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 31
3/5/12 at 12:39pm
Vetiver, ambergris, moss and sometimes patchouli.
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 31
3/5/12 at 1:21pm
From a non-specialist and non-exhaustive opinion: vetiver, pine, moss, some resins, ambergris, several woods, even slightly heavier, oilier, less ethereal and fuity citrus notes (rather, the sensation of fresh, undulled, possibly organic citrus peels), also tobacco leaves
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 31
3/5/12 at 1:25pm
I must say that in my opinion vetiver is what makes perfume go "earthy"
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 31
3/5/12 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Its a combination of resins, patchouli, vetiver and other accords.

+7 Patchouli and vetiver for sure.
Reply
Reply
post #31 of 31
3/5/12 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by volley2 View Post

Patchouli gives me that "earthy" vibe......

Definitely!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: MFD Archive
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › What notes make a fragrance earthy?