Lily: Fragrance Profile

1. Overview

• Botanical family: Lilium species (true lilies).

• Origin: Native to Asia, Europe, and North America.

• Extraction: Natural lily absolute is not commercially available (the flowers yield almost no extractable oil).

• In perfumery, “lily” is a fantasy accord built from synthetic molecules and floral reconstitutions, inspired by true lily blossoms.

• Related notes: Lily of the Valley (muguet) and Madonna lily, though each has distinct nuances.

2. Aroma Character

• Floral, creamy, heady, green, dewy, slightly spicy, sometimes waxy.

• Nuances:

  • Fresh & watery → morning dew impression.

  • Creamy-white floral → rich, velvety sweetness.

  • Green-stemmy → adds natural freshness.

  • Powdery or waxy → soft, cosmetic-like undertones.

👉 Overall impression: opulent yet fresh white floral — radiant, elegant, and sophisticated.

3. Chemical Composition (Key Molecules in Reconstitutions)

Since natural extraction isn’t used, perfumers create lily accords with:

• Hydroxycitronellal → classic green-floral freshness.

• Lyral (historically used, now restricted) → lily/muguet accord.

• Lilial (restricted) → lily-like floral depth.

• Florhydral, helional, cyclamen aldehyde → watery-dewy effects.

• Indole traces → natural white-floral richness.

4. Perfume Applications

• Functions as a heart note — luminous and elegant.

• Applications:

  • White floral bouquets → lily adds radiant purity.

  • Chypres & aldehydic florals → balances mossy or powdery bases.

  • Modern niche perfumes → lily accords evoke “clean elegance.”

• Blends well with:

  • Other white florals (jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, orange blossom).

  • Green notes (galbanum, violet leaf).

  • Aldehydes → sparkling sophistication.

  • Woods & musks → refined bases.

• Famous uses:

  • Diorissimo (1956, Dior) → lily of the valley focus, with lily nuance.

  • Donna Karan – Gold (2006) → built around Casablanca lily.

  • Cartier – Baiser Volé (2011) → modern soliflore lily.

5. Mood & Symbolism

• Strongly associated with purity, renewal, and spirituality.

• Traditionally a funeral flower in Western culture (symbol of resurrection, peace).

• Also symbolizes femininity, elegance, and refinement.

• Mood impressions:

  • Pure & serene → spiritual, cleansing.

  • Elegant & refined → noble, sophisticated aura.

  • Fresh & luminous → radiant and uplifting.

  • Sensual & creamy → deeper exotic lily varieties.

 Quick Summary Table

In essence: Lily is a fantasy white floral accord — pure, luminous, and elegant, bridging fresh dewy green notes with creamy sensual florals, often used to symbolize purity and sophistication in perfumery.