The Marine facet

To understand what a facet is, it is important to know that a perfume has a precise architecture, it is structured from several components, usually between 5 and 10, that create an accord. The main theme of the fragrance will be given by the main accord, which could be compared to the soul of the fragrance. The more facets are in a perfume, the more complex it will be.

What is the marine facet?

The marine notes are referring to scents of the sea, algae or sand heated by the sun. They are also called "iodized", "marine" or "ozonated" notes. They are very invigorating, fresh, and limpid. They are also powerful, just like the scents you might remember from your vacations at the sea. These marine notes allow you to rediscover salty water sensations reminiscent of freedom.

They appeal to both men and women and are especially appreciated in summer.
However, just like sunny notes, they can still be worn all year round if you want to remember the scents from your escapades to the beach. These notes go particularly well with the new freshness facet, the citrus, aromatic or floral notes. However, they are sometimes associated with all the other olfactory families (oriental, chypre, and woody). 

Origin of marine notes 

The marine facet was first used in New West for Her by Aramis in 1990, which later inspired many others. This facet was very successful in the 1980s and continues to be used today, especially in the "sport" versions of iconic perfumes.

 

 

Synthetic marine notes 

One of the first synthetic marine notes was a molecule invented in 1966 called calone. It has a marine scent, evoking iodized air, as well as a slightly green and aniseed note with watermelon and melon hints.
The discovery of this molecule was actually by chance. It was originally developed for pharmaceutical purposes, which proved to be disappointing. The chemists then noticed a very powerful and strange smell of fresh green leaves reminiscent of melon and decided to file a patent. Eventually, this molecule fell into the public domain, and was then duplicated under other names by many perfume houses (firlone, aquamor...).

As the magazine Le Nez explains, the calonne is very powerful: "it would be enough to add a quantity equivalent to a grain of salt to perfume an Olympic swimming pool".
In 2000 Givaudan discovered the Azuzone molecule, exclusive to this company, it is even more powerful than the calonne. It was used in the magnificent creations of the perfume company Etat Libre d'Orange. Helional is another marine molecule that is more discreet, less direct and more flexible. Discovered in 1958, it has a light green facet with notes of cucumber and melon. 

There are also ozonated notes such as Floralozone, that gives a sensation of a breath of fresh, pure air, Scentenal, Melonal (more fruity and aqueous molecule), and Evernyl, a slightly marine woody moss note, situated between the smell of algae and the mineral of waves that slap like a rock. There are now many other marine molecules such as oceanol, or maritima.

Natural marine notes 

There are also natural marine notes such as Sea Christe, also known as sea fennel. It is possible to use an interesting note from seaweed. They are treated by extraction with volatile solvents (to give an algae absolute). They offer a very refreshing sensation, with an iodized temperament. These notes allow you to rediscover the euphoric sensations of the seaside and instant energy. In addition, these notes can be used as "technical notes", to sublimate the freshness of a fragrance, as they are very effective in giving trail and presence. They are used sparingly and don’t offer an obvious perception of marine notes.

Conclusion

The marine notes allow you to escape from everyday life and rediscover the sensations of the open sea that can respond to the aspiration of a more ecological world.

Here are some perfumes with marine facet

  • Coco Fizz Aqua Allegoria Guerlain
  • Soleil Blanc Tom Ford
  • Vanilla Vibes Juliette Has a Gun 
  • Acqua Di Gio Armani
  • Cool water Woman Davidoff
  • Sel Marin James Heeley
  • Cool water Davidoff
  • Eau Océane Biotherm
  • Polo Sport Ralph Lauren
  • Un Air de Bretagne Artisan Parfumeur 
  • Le Champ de Camargue Artisan Parfumeur
  • Acqua Forte Cerruti 
  • Alma de Rosario Mizensir 
  • Eau d’Issey Issey Miyake
  • Aqua marine Bulgari 
  • Vents et Marées Molinard
  • Escape for men Calvin Klein
  • Bleu Chanel  
  • Allure Homme sport Chanel
  • Boss the Scent Hugo Boss
  • Hermès Jardin sur le Nil Hermès
  • Un Jardin Après la Mousson Hermès
  • Eau des merveilles Bleue Hermès
  • Vanille Galante Hermès
  • Dior homme sport Dior
  • Lucky Christian Dior 
  • Replica Maison Margiela
  • Rem Reminiscence
  • Lady rem Reminiscence 
  • Eau de Cologne Bleue Yves Saint Laurent l’Homme 
  • L’homme Idéal Guerlain Sport 
  • 1828 Jules Vernes Histoires de parfums 
  • Eau d’Issey Issey Miyake 
  • Ck one Calvin Klein 
  • Flower Kenzo 
  • Acqua di Scandola Parfum d’Empire 
  • Lys Méditerranée Frédéric Malle

Sylvaine Delacourte fragrances

Discover Sylvaine Delacourte's brand with her Orange Blossom, Musks and Vanilla Collections. You can try them thanks to the Discovery Boxes (5 Eaux de Parfum x 2 ml) and rediscover these raw materials as you have never smelled them before.