Air accord

What Does It Smell Like?

An "air accord" doesn't smell like anything you can bottle from nature—it's the olfactory equivalent of freshness itself. Imagine the crisp sensation when you step outside after rain, or that clean, almost-invisible quality of wind moving through an open window. It's ozonic and ethereal, reminiscent of ozone after a thunderstorm, with subtle hints of clean laundry and cool, unscented air. There's a brightness without specific fruit or floral character, more about the feeling of spaciousness and clarity than any distinct aroma.

Origin & History

Air accords are entirely synthetic creations, born from perfumery's mid-20th century innovations. They typically blend molecules like Calone (developed in 1966), which mimics that fresh, watermelon-like breeziness, with ozonic compounds such as Iso E Super and various aldehydes. These synthetic ingredients were revolutionary, allowing perfumers to capture the intangible quality of fresh air itself—something impossible with natural materials alone. The trend exploded during the 1990s with fragrances like Acqua di Parma's "Blu Mediterraneo."

In Perfumery

Air accords function as the fragrance equivalent of a blank canvas or palate cleanser. Perfumers use them to create transparency, lift, and that coveted "fresh" quality without competing with other notes. They're often top notes that provide immediate brightness, or they diffuse throughout compositions to add spaciousness and modernity. They work brilliantly in aquatic fragrances and unisex scents.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 11 Fragrances