Fragrance accord guide

What Is the Resinous Fragrance Accord?

A resinous accord usually smells deep, warm and balsamic, with qualities that may be sweet, earthy, smoky, woody or slightly medicinal. Myrrh can make the effect darker and more earthy, while vanilla and tonka bean can soften it with sweetness. Sandalwood can add a smoother woody base. Some resinous accords feel dark and incense-like, while others are softer and more ambery.

Myrrh, benzoin, vanilla, tonka and sandalwood representing a resinous accord in perfume

What Does the Resinous Accord Smell Like?

Resins often have more complexity than simple sweetness. Myrrh, for example, can smell earthy, bitter and resinous, giving the accord a dry and somewhat mysterious depth. Other resinous materials may lean towards vanilla, balsam, spice or smoke. When these effects are combined, they can create a dense base that feels warm without necessarily becoming sugary.

Softer supporting materials can change the impression considerably. Vanilla can smooth the harder edges, tonka bean can add warm almond-like and powdery qualities, and sandalwood can create a creamy woody background. A Resinous accord should therefore be kept separate from an Amber accord: the two can overlap, but resinous describes the prominence of resin-like qualities, while amber is a particular warm blended effect that may itself contain resins.

Notes That Can Create the Resinous Accord

Natural myrrh resin pieces and a leafy myrrh branch on a dusty blue background
Fragrance note

Myrrh

Myrrh in perfume usually smells warm, resinous and balsamic, with smoky, earthy, liquorice-like and softly sweet sides. Some myrrh materials feel dark and medicinal, while others are smoother,...

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Natural vanilla pods with a vanilla orchid flower and green leaves
Fragrance note

Vanilla

Vanilla in perfume usually smells sweet, warm and creamy. It can also have soft woody, powdery or spicy sides, depending on the material used and the notes around...

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Natural tonka beans with open seed pods and green leaves
Fragrance note

Tonka Bean

Tonka bean in perfume usually smells warm, sweet and powdery, with notes that can remind people of vanilla, almond, hay and soft tobacco. It is rich and comforting...

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Pale sandalwood pieces with smooth wood shavings and green leaves
Fragrance note

Sandalwood

Sandalwood in perfume usually smells warm, creamy and softly woody. It can also have milky, balsamic, powdery or lightly spicy sides. Unlike sharper woods, sandalwood often feels smooth...

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Luxaro Perfumes With the Resinous Accord

Related Accords and Fragrance Families

Amber resin, vanilla, myrrh, tonka, saffron and chestnut representing a warm accord in perfume
Fragrance accord

Warm

A warm accord usually smells smooth, deep and comforting, with possible ambery, resinous, spicy, woody or softly sweet qualities. Vanilla and tonka bean can make it smoother, amber...

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Jasmine, rose, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla and warm resins representing the Floral & Warm fragrance family
Fragrance family

Floral & Warm

Floral & Warm fragrances typically smell floral first or have a clearly noticeable floral character, with a softer and deeper background that prevents the scent from feeling purely...

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Vanilla, tonka, almonds, coffee, cacao, praline, honeycomb and marshmallow representing the Sweet & Gourmand fragrance family
Fragrance family

Sweet & Gourmand

Sweet & Gourmand fragrances usually smell soft, sweet, creamy, edible or comforting, but they can range from light and smooth to dark and roasted. Vanilla and marshmallow can...

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Amber resin, vanilla, sandalwood, tonka, saffron, myrrh and benzoin representing the Warm & Ambery fragrance family
Fragrance family

Warm & Ambery

Warm & Ambery fragrances generally smell smooth, rich and enveloping. Vanilla and tonka bean can create softer sweetness, sandalwood adds a creamy woody quality, and resins such as...

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