Description:
Let’s talk about Solar Accords in perfumery.
Unlike traditional fragrance notes like rose, orange, or cedarwood—familiar scents that evoke clear memories and emotions—solar accords belong to a different category entirely: fantasy notes.
Fantasy notes don’t reference a specific raw material found in nature. You won’t find a “sunshine essential oil” or “ocean air absolute.” Instead, these accords are interpretations—artistic expressions of an idea, a mood, or a sensory memory. This is where perfumery becomes pure artistry.
The solar accord is a perfect example. It’s a conceptual blend crafted to evoke the sensation of warmth, sunlight, and radiant brightness—often associated with a sun-drenched afternoon at the beach or by the pool.
One of the foundational elements of solar accords is the ozonic character—introduced to modern perfumery through materials like Calone. With its fresh, marine, and slightly watermelon-like profile, Calone revolutionized fragrance in the 1990s and remains a staple in modern compositions.
To build this accord, we begin with Helional (also known as Ocean Propanol), which brings an airy, slightly aquatic nuance to the blend. Salicylates, particularly benzyl salicylate, play a major role as well—not only for their soft, warm, floral-musk aroma, but also because they subconsciously evoke sunscreen, thanks to their historical use in sun-care products as a UV filter.
By layering these materials—ozonic, floral, musky, and warm—we create a scent that doesn’t just smell like sunlight, but feels like it. A radiant composition that brings to mind golden skin, fresh breezes, and the simple joy of summer.
This is the magic of fantasy perfumery: capturing an experience with no clear scent, and making it come alive through imagination and craft.
What does “sunshine” smell like to you?
Let us know in the comments!
