Floral

Lavender absolute smells like walking through a sun-warmed field of purple flowers at dusk. It's sweeter and darker than lavender essential oil—richer, almost honeyed, with a subtle herbaceous earthiness underneath. There's a powdery, slightly soapy quality, like expensive linen that's been stored with dried flowers. You'll detect faint notes of hay, warm skin, and a whisper of something almost green. It's comforting without being cloying, familiar yet distinctly aromatic.

Woody

Imagine walking through damp earth after rain, then crushing dried autumn leaves in your hands. That's patchouli's essence: earthy, almost animalic, with a subtle sweetness lurking underneath. It smells vaguely like rich soil mixed with dried tobacco and a whisper of chocolate. There's a dark, slightly musty quality—think opening an antique wooden chest. It's grounding and intensely aromatic, never delicate. Fresh patchouli has peppery brightness; aged patchouli becomes deeper, warmer, almost leather-like.