Our sense of smell helps us recognise patterns and associations. An aroma noticed during a celebration or journey may become connected with that setting, even when the scent itself is ordinary.

The same note can evoke different reactions in two people. A warm, woody perfume might feel comforting to one wearer and unfamiliar to another, because neither response is determined by its label.

Keep brief notes on fragrances that remind you of people, places or seasons. These impressions can reveal preferences that a conventional list of top and base notes might miss.

Treat a fragrance guide as a useful starting point. The experience of a finished product, your own preferences and its label information remain more important than broad descriptions. XASIS currently presents its Signature Five as fragrance design concepts in development; final notes, formula details and availability are confirmed only for finished products.