Guidelines for ParfumoResearch

This document contains the guidelines for the addition, correction and approval of perfumes. We kindly ask you to consult these guidelines, especially in cases of doubt.

What is a perfume?

We only want perfumes in the database! Perfumes are liquids or creams for external use on the human body that focus on providing a scent sensation.

So, we add to the database:

Eau de Colognes, Eau de Toilettes, Eau de Parfums, perfume oils, extraits
perfume creams
After Shaves
Body Splashes, Body Tonics, Body Mists, Body Sprays
Oud oils

Wir do not add:

After Shave Lotions, that are to be considered care products only
deodorants, scented soaps, shower gels and Body Washs
sun milk and sun tan lotion
other cosmetics
pills that are aimed at creating a specific body scent
home fragrances, scented candles, Arabian Bakhoor and other incense
raw materials
fragrances for pets
pheromone products

Every perfume only once!

A perfume should get listed only once in the Parfumo database. In detail, the following rules apply:

Reformulations

We add another data set if we have reliable information that a reformulation took place, and if the reformulation can be verified by differing fragrance notes.

In this case we add the year of release to the original version (if we know it) and to the reformulated version. Example:

Dior Homme (2007)
Dior Homme (2011)

We do not store another record if only the personal impression indicates that a modification might have taken place, but we have no evidence of a refomulation like differing fragrance notes or respective press releases.

Yearly editions

Some brands use one perfume name to regularly launch fragrances that differ from each other, for example seasonal editions. Since these are different perfumes we add them to the database, together with the year of release as part of the perfume's name. Example:

L'Eau d'Issey Eau d'Ete Summer Edition 2005
L'Eau d'Issey Eau d'Ete Summer Edition 2009

Sport, Fresh, Summer, Légère, Light, Intense, Extreme, Concentrée

Perfumes that have these or similar additions as part of their name normally differ from the original perfume without the name addition. They are fragrances of their own, and thus, we admit them to the database. Example:

Allure Homme
Allure Homme Sport
Allure Homme Sport Edition Blanche

Extrait, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne, After Shave

Traditionally, these denominations stand for different concentrations of the same fragrance. They indicate the amount of shere perfume oil contained in the perfume. We generally regard these different concentration as the same fragrance, and so these cases will not be added seperately.

However, these denominations are not reliable, and sometimes slightly different fragrances are being sold under these namings. If we have respective evidence, differing fragrance notes for instance, we regard these fragrances as separate perfumes and add them to the database. In these cases, the alleged declaration of the fragrance's concentration is part of the perfume's name. Example:

Habit Rouge
Habit Rouge (Eau de Parfum)

But: only one “Jicky”!

Special Editions

Sometimes, there are special editions of the same perfume, like, for example, a special gift set or a differing flacon size. Since the fragrance stays the same here, we do not add further records. Examples:

No separate listings for the countless, slightly differently styled flacons of Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Mâle, such as flacons with a breast plate or sailor's sweater and the like.
Also, the Harajuku Snow Bunnies have to stay out since we already have the coextensive Harajuku Lovers.

Brand changes

In rare cases it has been observed that the license of a perfume has been sold and the fragrance distributed under another perfume house's brand. We too add such a fragrance only once, as a general rule under the new brand. Example:

Acqua di Selva by Visconti di Modrone, formerly Victor

The history of the fragrance can be explained in the Interesting Facts section of the perfume details page.

Name changes

If the name of a fragrance is being changed by the manufacturer, we adjust the name accordingly. Example:

Arsène Lupin, formerly Arsène Lupin Dandy

The history of the fragrance can be explained in the Interesting Facts section of the perfume details page.

Was has to be observed concerning the perfume's name?

Perfume names should apply to the general spelling rules, especially referring to capitalization.

Right:	Fatal Fresh
Wrong:	FATAL FRESH, FATAL fresh or Fatal FRESH

In rare cases we can allow exceptions, namely where a special way of writing has been chosen for artistic reasons and has become common. Example:

al01 von Biehl Parfumkunstwerke

In rare exceptions, the brand name can be part of the perfume's name:

Right:	Dior Homme (2007), Eau de Guerlain, Gucci pour Homme
Wrong:	Guerlain Shalimar

If a perfume's name is being used both for a ladies' and a gents' fragrance the gender should be added to the name. Examples:

Krizia Uomo
Krizia Donna
Pleasures for Men
Burberry Summer for Women
Acqua di Gió pour Homme
Désir de Rochas pour Femme

If a perfume is part of a series the series' name should be quoted:

Une Ville, Un Parfum - London
Une Ville, Un Parfum - Shanghai
Hermessence Poivre Samarcande
Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan

What has to be observed when adding fragrance notes ?

Notes can be added in two ways: as a fragrance pyramid or without such classification. We only use the input format for fragrance pyramids if the complete pyramid is given and known to us.

If we only know some of the fragrance notes of a perfume and can only presume which of that may appear in the top, middle or base notes, then we do not separate them.

If there aren't any fragrance notes traceable ore provable, we cannot provide any details.

Fragrance notes are usually quoted according to the general spelling rules. They are being separated from each other by a comma and a blank.

Right:	Jasmine, Orange blossom, clove, sandalwood
Wrong:	Jasmine,orange blossom,clove,Sandalwood

Fragrance notes can consist of more than one word. We always capitalize the first word.

Right:	White musk, Fruity notes, Blond woods
Wrong:	white musk, fruity notes, blond woods

Adjectives can be part of fragrance notes if the fragrance note is further specified by it, for example by indicating the country of origin. We do not take over adjectives if they do not contain any substantial statement concerning the note and only serve advertising purposes.

Right:	Cherry blossom, Musk, Resins, Precious woods
Wrong:	Enchanting cherry blossom, Vibrating musk, Very rare resins, Extremely precious woods

Fragrance notes must not consist only of an adverb. If no noun is given, one has to use a general expression which the attribute can be added as an adjective.

Right:	Aquatic notes, Green notes, Flowery accord, Woody notes, Chypre accords
Wrong:	aquatic, green, flowery, Chypre

We generally use singular. We use plural only if a group of reminiscent notes shall be named.

Right:	Blackcurrant, Violet leaf, Clove, Grüne notes, Woody notes
Wrong:	Blackcurrants, Violet leaves, Cloves

Fragrance notes are scent impressions evoked in the user by certain perfume ingredients. They are not identical with the chemical substances that are usually listed on the perfume's packaging.

Right:	Grapefruit, Petitgrain, Citric notes
Wrong:	Limonene, Citronellol, Alcohol

Do I have to keep all these rules for fragrance notes in mind?

No. They only serve informational purposes and as a help in cases of doubt. When adding fragrance notes, a program in the background provides automatic adjustment. France notes can easily be transferred from their respective source using copy and paste. The system

recognizes and corrects common spelling errors
unifies different ways of spelling and different namings for the same note
recognizes and automatically translates different languages into German which is the leading language of the database. You can add fragrance notes in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Russian (Cyrillic).

If a way of spelling or a scent note should not be recognized, you do not have to change the entry. By leaving the correction to us you give us a chance to further improve this system.

Who is specified as the perfumer?

Here, some insider's knowledge is required. Perfumers are the actual creators of the fragrances, not the brand owners and managers. For instance, to the perfume Korrigan by Lubin applies the following:

Right:	Thomas Fontaine
Wrong:	Gilles Thévenin

The correct evaluation may be difficult since not all perfume brands release these informations.

Can flacon pictures be suggested?

Generally speaking, yes. In many cases the perfume details pages already contain flacon pictures. The requirements for flacon pictures are:

pure white background, no shadows and reflections if possible
only good quality, no blurred or compressed pictures
square size if possible (at least 240 x 240 Pixel)
flacon without packaging, if possible
no water marks
possible third party rights must be observed

What can I put into the Interesting Facts field?

Generally, this field is for any additional information worth providing that does not fit into the form. The content of this field will be displayed on the perfume details page.

Also, the information of this field must be verified by a source, so please provide one. You can use the Additional Information for the additional source.

For example, this field can be used to provide interesting stories, legends or gossip linked to that perfume, but also information about ingredients or the perfume's position within the history of perfumery.

Since we always cite third party information we will generally use vague expressions – or name the source. And we avoid providing the information in a matter-of-fact way – even if we have sources. Some examples:

Right:	From Marylin Monroe, the words have been conveyed that in bed she wore nothing but five drops of Chanel No. 5.
Wrong:	Marylin Monroe wore nothing but 5 drops of Chanel No. 5 in bed.

Right:	According to Luca Turin the original Fougère Royale had also a kind of civet note in addition to the the known notes.
Wrong:	The original Fougère Royale had a civet note.

Right:	Allegedly, Jicky was the first perfume that synthetic vanillin was used in.
Wrong:	Jicky was the first perfume that synthetic vanillin was used in.

Right:	Jicky is said to be the name of a woman that Aimé Guerlain got acquainted with in England. Other sources tell that Jicky was the nickname of Aimé Guerlain's nephew.
Wrong:	Jicky was either the name of Aimé Guerlain's lover in England or the nickname of his nephew.

Right:	This perfume is advertised by the perfume house by announcing the use of natural agarwood oil from Borneo. Allegedly, the agarwood came from a tree 60 years of age.
Wrong:	This perfume contains pure natural agarwood oil from Borneo that was produced from a 60 year old tree.

Right:	Many perfume lovers would regard the release of Chanel No.5 as a milestone in modern perfumery
Wrong:	The release of Chanel No.5 was a milestone in modern perfumery.

Which sources must be given?

Any information given must be verified by at least one link to a sources on the internet. For instance, this can be the website of the perfume house, another perfume database or an online shop.

In the best case more than one source should be given. After all, we do not want to copy errors! Often sources give different information, especially concerning fragrance notes. In such a case the reliability of a source has to be estimated. Generally, we would prefer the information given on the manufacturer's sites to other sources.

If sometimes there should be no information available at all about a perfume that you own a flacon or miniature, please upload a photo of it to your foto album at Parfumo and give us this link instead.

If a single information is not sufficiently verified, it will be deleted before the record is added to the database.

Can a proposal be rejected?

Yes. In most cases perfume proposals are rejected because we already have them in the database. Please consult the Parfumo search before proposing a perfume. Rejections also happen if the proposal refers to more than one perfume at a time or if the suggested product does not fit into the definition of perfume stated above.

Corrections are rejected whenever, for instance, the information given cannot be proved.

General rule

Unfortunately, it is much easier to get erratic information into the database than getting it out again.