In this guide we explain all about the carefully selected ingredients in Continental created in collaboration with Master Perfumer Christian Provenzano.
Think of a first class fragrance ticket to all continents of the world.
Brazilian Orange
also known as "Bahia" oranges, are known for their sweet and fragrant aroma. The scent is often described as a combination of fresh citrus, with hints of tropical fruits like pineapple and mango. The aroma of Brazilian oranges is commonly used in perfumes, candles, and other scented products because of its uplifting and energizing qualities.
A fun fact about Brazilian oranges is that Brazil is the largest producer of oranges in the world, accounting for more than 35% of global production. The Brazilian state of São Paulo alone produces more oranges than the entire United States. Additionally, Brazilian oranges are not only used for their juice, but the peel is also commonly used in the production of essential oils and natural fragrances.
French cypress
also known as Cupressus sempervirens, has a unique and distinctive scent that is often described as fresh, woody, and slightly spicy. Its aroma is similar to that of pine needles, but with a deeper and more complex profile.
The scent of French cypress is often used in perfumes and colognes, as well as in aromatherapy and other natural health practices, for its calming and grounding properties. The essential oil of French cypress is also commonly used in natural skincare products due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Indian Mint
has a refreshing and invigorating minty aroma. The scent is similar to other types of mint, such as peppermint and spearmint, but with a slightly sweeter and more floral quality. The essential oil of Indian mint is commonly used in aromatherapy and natural health practices for its soothing and calming properties.
In perfumes, Indian mint is often blended with other refreshing and invigorating notes, such as bergamot, lemon, and other citrus fruits. It is also commonly combined with other mint varieties, such as peppermint and spearmint, to create a more complex and layered fragrance.
Ylang Madagascar
has a sweet and exotic floral aroma that is often described as rich, creamy, and slightly fruity. The scent is similar to jasmine and magnolia, but with a more complex and layered profile.
In perfumes, Ylang Madagascar is often used as a heart note, meaning it is one of the main ingredients in the fragrance. It is commonly blended with other floral notes, such as rose and jasmine, as well as with fruity and woody notes, to create a more complex and sophisticated fragrance.The scent of Ylang Madagascar is said to have aphrodisiac qualities. Try it you will like it.
Coriander
has a unique and pungent aroma that is often described as citrusy, herbal, and slightly spicy. The scent of coriander is similar to that of lemon, with hints of sage and other herbs.Coriander is used in perfumes and other scented products for its fresh and lively aroma.
In perfumes, coriander is often used as a top note, meaning it is one of the first scents to be noticed when the fragrance is applied.The scent of coriander is commonly blended with other fresh and herbal notes, such as mint (as we blend it in Continental), to create a more complex and layered fragrance.
Guatemalan lemon grass
has a bright and zesty citrus aroma with a subtle earthy undertone. In perfumes, Guatemalan lemon grass is often used as a top note, meaning it is one of the first scents to be noticed when the fragrance is applied. It is commonly blended with other citrus notes, such as lemon and bergamot, as well as with herbal and floral notes, to create a more complex and nuanced fragrance.
The scent is similar to that of lemon, but with a slightly sweeter and more herbal quality.The essential oil of Guatemalan lemon grass is commonly used in perfumes and other scented products for its fresh and invigorating aroma. It is also used in aromatherapy for its uplifting and energizing properties.
Leather accord
is a fragrance note that is used in perfumes to recreate the scent of leather. The scent of leather accord can vary depending on the specific formulation used, but it typically has a warm, rich, and animalic aroma with a slightly sweet and smoky quality. Leather accord is often created using a blend of synthetic and natural ingredients, such as birch tar, labdanum, and castoreum, which are combined to create a fragrance that mimics the scent of leather.
In perfumes, leather accord is often used as a base note, meaning it is one of the foundational scents that provides depth and longevity to the fragrance. It is commonly blended with other warm and rich notes, such as amber, vanilla, and tobacco, to create a more complex and sophisticated fragrance.
Somalian incense
also known as frankincense, has a rich and complex aroma that is often described as woody, balsamic, and resinous. The scent is slightly sweet with hints of lemon and pine, and has a slightly spicy and earthy undertone.The essential oil of Somalian incense is commonly used in perfumes and other scented products for its warm and grounding aroma.
Somalian incense is often used as a base note, meaning it is one of the foundational scents that provides depth and longevity to the fragrance. It is commonly blended with other woody and resinous notes, such as cedarwood and myrrh, as well as with floral and spicy notes.
Atlas & Virginian Cedarwood
have slightly different scent profiles, but both are commonly used in perfumes and fragrances for their warm and woody aromas.
Atlas Cedarwood, also known as Cedrus atlantica, has a rich, warm, and slightly sweet woody aroma with a balsamic undertone. The scent is reminiscent of pencil shavings and has a slightly smoky and resinous quality. It is often used as a base note in perfumes, providing a warm and grounding foundation to the fragrance. This is the case of Continental.Virginian Cedarwood has a softer and more subtle woody aroma than Atlas Cedarwood.
The scent is warm and balsamic with a slightly spicy undertone. Virginian Cedarwood is often used as a middle note in perfumes, providing a woody and aromatic quality to the fragrance.Both Atlas and Virginian Cedarwood are commonly blended with other warm and woody notes, such as sandalwood and patchouli, as well as with floral and spicy notes, to create more complex and layered fragrances.
Vetiver Haiti
Vetiver from Haiti has a rich, earthy, and woody scent with a slightly sweet and smoky undertone. The scent is reminiscent of damp soil, fresh roots, and sweet grass, and has a slightly bitter and herbaceous quality.The essential oil of Haitian vetiver is commonly used in perfumes and other scented products for its warm and grounding aroma.
In perfumes, Haitian vetiver is often used as a base note, meaning it is one of the foundational scents that provides depth and longevity to the fragrance. It is commonly blended with other woody and earthy notes, such as sandalwood, as well as with spicy and citrus notes, to create a more complex and sophisticated fragrance. This is how we created Continental.
Sandalwood
is a fragrant wood that is highly valued in perfumery. The essential oil extracted from sandalwood has a unique warm, woody, and earthy aroma that is prized by perfumers for its ability to add depth and complexity to fragrance blends. Sandalwood oil is extracted from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree, which is native to India, Indonesia, and Australia. The oil is typically extracted through steam distillation or CO2 extraction, which yields a highly concentrated and aromatic oil that is used in perfumery.
Sandalwood oil is often used as a base note in perfumes, meaning it is one of the last scents to be detected, and it provides a long-lasting and persistent aroma to the fragrance blend. It has a warm and creamy scent that pairs well with other woody, spicy, and floral notes.In addition to its aromatic properties, sandalwood oil is also valued in perfumery for its fixative properties. A fixative is an ingredient that helps to slow down the evaporation of other fragrant compounds in a perfume, thus helping to prolong the scent's longevity.
Oud accord
is a fragrance note that is used in perfumes to recreate the scent of agarwood, a resinous and aromatic wood that is commonly used perfume in Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. The scent of oud accord can vary depending on the specific formulation used, but it typically has a rich, woody, and resinous aroma with a slightly sweet and smoky quality.
Oud accord is often created using a blend of synthetic and natural ingredients, such as agarwood oil, patchouli, and cypriol, which are combined to create a fragrance that mimics the scent of natural oud wood.In perfumes, oud accord is often used as a base note, meaning it is one of the foundational scents that provides depth and longevity to the fragrance. It is commonly blended with other warm and rich notes, such as amber, vanilla, and musk, to create a more complex and sophisticated fragrance.
Cashmere musk
The scent of cashmere musk can vary depending on the specific formulation used, but it typically has a soft, warm, and sensual aroma with a slightly powdery quality. Cashmere musk is often created using a blend of synthetic and natural ingredients, such as musk, amber, and vanilla, which are combined to create a fragrance that is soft, cozy, and comforting.
Cashmere musk is often used as a middle or base note, providing a warm and creamy background to the fragrance. It is commonly blended with other warm and sensual notes, such as sandalwood, patchouli, and jasmine, to create a more complex and alluring fragrance.
Amber
is a classic and multifaceted note in perfumery, known for its warm, rich, and sensual scent. It is not actually extracted from amber, but rather is a synthetic accord that is created by blending various ingredients such as vanilla, labdanum, benzoin, and other resins and spices.
Amber is often used as a base note in perfumes, providing depth and longevity to the fragrance. It is a popular ingredient in oriental and woody fragrances, but can also be used in floral and fresh scents to add warmth and richness.
One of the benefits of using amber in perfumery is its ability to create a sense of intimacy and sensuality. The warm and rich scent of amber can be alluring and captivating, making it an ideal ingredient for fragrances designed to evoke passion and romance.
One of the benefits of using amber in perfumery is its ability to create a sense of intimacy and sensuality. The warm and rich scent of amber can be alluring and captivating, making it an ideal ingredient for fragrances designed to evoke passion and romance.
In addition to its scent profile, amber is also valued in perfumery for its fixative properties. It can help to hold the fragrance together and increase its longevity on the skin.
