Facet
A facet is one recognizable aspect of a smell, such as a rose’s green or spicy side. Learn how it differs from a note, an accord and a material in the formula.
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A facet is one aspect of a smell. A rose-like scent might have a green, fruity or spicy facet; a woody fragrance might also feel smoky or creamy. The term helps describe detail within a material, note or finished composition.
Facets can coexist rather than appearing in separate stages. Calling a fragrance woody with a smoky facet means wood is the main impression and smoke is one part of it. It does not establish that smoke or a particular smoky ingredient was added.
Use the term when a broad label feels incomplete. “Floral with a green facet” says more than floral alone, while leaving room for how different people describe the same blend.
- Dominant character
- The main impression you use to describe a scent, such as floral or woody.
- Secondary facet
- A supporting aspect, such as a peppery edge in a floral scent.
- Note
- A recognizable smell named in a description. A note can itself have several facets.
- Accord
- A combination of materials composed for an overall effect, which can have multiple facets.
- Modifier
- A material used to adjust a composition. It may emphasize a facet, but the facet is the perceived result rather than the ingredient.