4 Confusing Perfume Terms, Explained
Want to be more fluent in fragrance? Start with this mini vocabulary lesson, courtesy of Harry Frémont, master perfumer at Firmenich, and the Fragrance Foundation.
![](https://static.oprah.com/2016/04/201605-omag-perfumes-1-949x534.jpg)
Photo: Kevin Cremens
![perfume vocab 1](https://static.oprah.com/2016/04/201605-omag-pronunciation-1a-450x200.jpg)
Dry-Down: The scent that endures after a perfume's top notes evaporate and the formula settles on your skin—and the reason you can't judge a fragrance by first whiff (wait at least 30 minutes after applying a new scent before deciding whether to buy).
![perfume vocab 1](https://static.oprah.com/2016/04/201605-omag-pronunciation-2a-450x200.jpg)
Sillage (SEE-yaj): The trail of scent left by that chic woman who just stepped off the elevator.
![perfume vocab 1](https://static.oprah.com/2016/04/201605-omag-pronunciation-3a-450x200.jpg)
Apocrines (AP-o-kreen): Sweat glands that influence how a fragrance interacts with your skin. If your favorite perfume smells better on you than on your best friend, thank your apocrines.
![perfume vocab 1](https://static.oprah.com/2016/04/201605-omag-pronunciation-4a-450x200.jpg)
Mouillettes (mwee-YET): You know those blotters that salespeople spritz with perfume? This is a fancy word for them—proving again that everything sounds more sophisticated in French.