In “Watching the Sea,” it is written, “Trees thrive, and herbs flourish. The autumn wind is bleak, and the waves surge.” Even in the autumn wind, when the leaves are falling, trees remain tall and lush. People often use trees to symbolize steadiness, reliability, and warmth, and these qualities are also extended to scented candle primarily composed of woody notes.
Woody scented candle are warm, dry, and long-lasting, typically used in the base notes of scented candle. When blended with other ingredients, they can create the ambiance of a lush, natural forest or evoke the scent of antique wooden furniture. When using woody scented candle, we can feel the comfort and tranquility they bring.
The woody scented candle family is a vast branch of the scented candle world, with numerous wood materials available for perfumery. The scents they offer vary greatly, including sandalwood, cedarwood, oakwood, pine, agarwood, and more. Some materials, while not actual woods, emit woody scents and are included in the wood fragrance family.
Woody scented candle are versatile, suitable for both men’s and women’s scented candle, with different scent profiles for each gender. They are suitable for various occasions. However, do you truly understand the aroma of each wood fragrance? Today, we’ll provide some insights into these commonly seen woody materials in perfumes and their representative works.
Authentic Wood Family Members These members are genuine wood materials, including sandalwood, cedarwood, oakwood, pine, and precious fragrant woods such as agarwood and sandalwood.
Agarwood
The term “Oud” in perfumery can be translated in two ways: sometimes as “agarwood” and sometimes as “oud.” However, the true “oud” is known as “agarwood,” which refers to a product formed when trees are buried in soil due to geological changes and undergo high-pressure carbonization. Agarwood itself does not have a distinct scent and is not commonly used as a fragrance material. Therefore, when scented candle refer to “oud,” they are usually referring to agarwood. Agarwood’s aroma is complex and diverse, with notes that can resemble fruits, traditional Chinese herbs, animalic scents, and even cool, earthy qualities. The scent varies depending on factors such as the wood’s origin, age, and extraction method. Exceptional agarwood can take decades or even centuries to mature, making it extremely rare and sometimes more expensive than gold.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is a rare and expensive wood material. It takes a significant amount of sandalwood to produce even a single drop of sandalwood essential oil. Sandalwood trees are delicate and challenging to cultivate, relying on a semi-parasitic relationship for survival. They grow slowly and take decades to mature, contributing to the high cost of sandalwood. Sandalwood offers a warm, dry, and creamy woody fragrance with a silky, smooth milky aspect. Higher-quality sandalwood tends to have a stronger milky note, making it even more addictive to the senses.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood is often overlooked but is present in many fragrance compositions. It is known for its unique, balanced aroma, which is both warm and cool, with slight bitterness. Cedarwood can create a sense of tranquility and peace. It is versatile and can be used in both men’s and women’s perfumes. It can be especially refreshing in summer fragrances due to its slightly cool undertones.
Oakwood
Oakwood includes red oak and white oak, commonly used for interior decoration. Oakwood has a long-lasting, dry, and woody aroma with the distinct scent of fresh wood. White oak is also used for wine barrels, imparting mild tannin and vanilla scents, making it highly appealing.
Pine
Pine is a common tree, and both its trunk and needles can yield essential oils. Pinewood has a unique aroma characterized by dryness and resinous freshness. It provides a sense of calm and serenity when smelled.
Woody Relatives
These materials are not actual woods but emit woody scents, making them part of the wood fragrance family.
Cashmeran
Cashmeran is a synthetic fragrance material, not a wood. It has a complex, multifaceted scent that resembles a soft, woody fragrance with hints of vanilla and cedarwood. It imparts a velvety, wool-like impression, hence the name “Cashmeran.”
Vetiver
Vetiver is a grassy plant and not a vanilla plant. It is herbaceous but emits a dry, woody scent with faint bitterness, smokiness, and an earthy, damp soil undertone. It is classified as a wood fragrance due to its woody characteristics.
Patchouli
Patchouli is not a tree but a tree resin. It has a rich, resinous fragrance with herbal, green, and woody notes. Patchouli seamlessly with many common fragrance ingredients, such as sandalwood, cedarwood, lavender, rose, and the similarly earthy vetiver.
Patchouli’s Earthy Note The earthy, woody, herbal, and smoky aspects of patchouli are well-represented in this perfume. When you smell it, it’s as if you’re entering an aged wooden cabin, filled with the scent of time gone by. Various aromas interweave—bitterness, sweetness, dampness—evoke memories of forgotten times. The dry down is gentle, with glimpses of beauty from the past.
Oakmoss
Oakmoss often grows on oak trees and has short, small leaves. Its scent is reminiscent of a forest, sometimes with earthy undertones. Oakmoss essential oil provides a potent woody aroma, and it easily blends with floral and green notes, creating a forest-like atmosphere.
Discussion: Which wood fragrance is your favorite?
