Fragrance families 101

You know that moment when you pick up a candle, inhale deeply, and think “Damn… I love this scent. But why?”

Yeah, so, let’s break that down.

Whether you're new to the world of ultra-fragrant candles or you’ve got a whole graveyard of burnt-out jars under your sink, knowing your fragrance families is a total game-changer. It’s not just about smelling good, it’s about knowing what hits your nose, why it resonates and how to curate your space like a sonic-scent symphony.

Fragrance families are scent categories that help you understand what you’re actually smelling and why you love (or hate) certain notes. Knowing your fragrance families makes you a smarter burner, better gifter, and low-key scent nerd (which is cool around here).

Meet the fragrance families (aka your scent BFFs)

Here’s the breakdown -

• CITRUS — Bright. Zesty. Alive.

Think bergamot, lemon peel, grapefruit. These are the scents that feel like morning after a long night - sharp, sparkling, and ready to reset your system.

Best for boosting energy, kicking creative blocks, or just pretending your kitchen is in the Amalfi Coast.

• FLORAL — Soft. Romantic. Classic (but make it edgy).

Rose, jasmine, orange blossom. These are the “I cleaned my sheets and texted my ex.” Fresh, complicated and a little unhinged.

Best for slow mornings, long baths, or setting the scene for some soft chaos.

• WOODY — Earthy. Smoky. Grounding.

Cedar, sandalwood, patchouli (aka the notes that smell like a record store in the woods or a whiskey-soaked dive bar with soul). Which, not gonna lie, we love.

Best for turning your space into a smoke-soaked sanctuary. Deep focus. Deep feels.

• AMBER / ORIENTAL — Spicy. Resinous. Warm.

Clove, incense, vanilla. These notes don’t whisper… they smolder.

Best for golden-hour glows, late-night plotting, or feeling like the main character in a cult film.

• GREEN — Fresh. Herbal. Clean (but not basic).

Tomato leaf, eucalyptus, mint. Green notes are like nature’s mixtape. Sharp, slightly wild, and weirdly addictive.

Best for when you want your place to feel alive, not artificial.

• GOURMAND — Edible. Cozy. Craveable AF.

Caramel, chocolate, coffee. These are the scents that say “come in, sit down, you’re not leaving anytime soon.”

Best for comfort rituals, creative spirals or full-sensory hibernation

Why it actually matters (beyond just smelling good)

Learning your fragrance families is like learning your musical genres... you don’t have to be an expert, but once you know what hits, your whole vibe gets tighter.

You’ll start to -

• Pick scents that match your moods (or flip them)
• Gift like a pro (no more "vanilla because I panicked" moments)
• Decode what your nose is into (and why)
• Layer candles with confidence (yes, it’s a thing and we do it loud)

What Sonicglow does differently (spoiler... everything)

We don’t believe in sticking to one note. Or one rule. Or one direction. We’re here for the chaos blend. Sonicglow candles are built like mixtapes — layered, emotional and a little unpredictable.

One might open with citrus, melt into sun-drenched coconut and finish with a smoky, vinyl-crackling burn. We blend across families to tell a story, not to fit a box.

It’s top notes, middle (also known as heart) notes and base notes, all working together like a damn anthem.

You’re not just burning a scent. You’re burning a memory. A mood. A moment you didn’t know you missed.

Takeaway - know your notes, rebel with your nose

Fragrance families aren’t rules, they’re your scent toolkit. Once you know what each one brings to the table, you’re free to experiment, layer, mix and burn with intention or total abandon.

So yeah, become a low-key scent nerd. Learn your notes. Burn louder.

Because around here? Candles aren’t background ambiance, they’re the whole f*cking mood.

Need help finding your signature scent?

Check out our candle collection. We’ll hook your nose up with your new favorite scent.