Fragrance Notes Are Layers Of Scent That Are Layered To Form The Final Fragrance. Fragrance Notes Are Categorised Into Three Main Elements Based On How Long They Take To Evaporate, And How Long They Typically Last Following Application: Top Notes, Heart Notes And Base Notes.
Concrete
Concrete in perfumery is a rich, waxy, solid substance extracted from botanicals (like rose, jasmine, tuberose). It captures the raw, authentic, and complex fragrance of the source plant. It is highly concentrated, providing a foundational aroma that is often refined into an absolute for a deeply natural and robust scent profile.
Origin & Extraction Of Concrete
The concept of a "Concrete" or "Cement Accord" is a distinctly modern and conceptual development in perfumery. It emerged as perfumers in the late 20th and early 21st centuries began exploring unconventional and abstract urban themes, seeking scents that evoke the essence of modern cityscapes and industrial sophistication. This accord is typically achieved using synthetic molecules to replicate the cool, dry, and mineral qualities of wet cement or fine cement dust, providing a unique, slightly metallic, and earthy profile that adds depth and intrigue to contemporary compositions.
The note was notably popularized by the 2017 Comme des Garçons fragrance, *Concrete*. In a subversive artistic move, the fragrance used a bottle coated in concrete to pay homage to the divisive Brutalist architectural style, but the scent inside provided a stark contrast. Instead of a literal cold, rocky aroma, the core of the perfume is a deconstructed, creamy sandalwood blended with rose oxide (to provide a metallic edge), cardamom, and other spices, using the name as an inspiration point for themes of "destruction, construction, and creation" rather than a literal olfactory copy.
Historically, the term "concrete" in perfumery refers to a waxy, semi-solid substance obtained through solvent extraction. This traditional process involves submerging raw botanical materials, such as rose or jasmine petals, in volatile hydrocarbon solvents like hexane or petroleum ether. These solvents dissolve the plant's aromatic oils, waxes, and pigments. Once the solvent is evaporated, it leaves behind the "concrete," which captures a highly concentrated and authentic representation of the source plant's fragrance.
In modern conceptual perfumery, "concrete" also refers to a mineral accord designed to mimic the smell of urban landscapes. Unlike botanical extraction, this is achieved through organic synthesis using specific molecules like rose oxide and various synthetic musks to replicate the cold, metallic, and alkaline profile of industrial cement. Latest technological advancements in botanical extraction include supercritical CO2 extraction, which uses pressurized carbon dioxide as a non-reactive solvent at low temperatures to produce an exceptionally pure extract that closely mirrors the original scent of the raw material without the use of flammable hydrocarbons.
The most iconic fragrance to employ the 'Concrete' theme is Comme des Garçons Concrete. This fragrance is less about a literal cement smell and more an exploration of deconstruction, using the name and packaging as a misdirection. The central and dominant note is opulent sandalwood, which is deconstructed and blended with a metallic rose note (rose oxide) and CDG's signature spiciness, featuring cumin, cardamom, and clove, to create an unexpectedly smooth, warm, and wearable scent.
The rise of the Concrete note is linked to a broader trend of unusual, conceptual perfumery that includes other scents designed to evoke specific urban or mundane textures. Examples include Gosha Rubchinskiy fragrance, which aims to capture the smell of "rubber and tar colliding" from a skateboard park, and Christopher Shannon fragrance, which incorporates "sulphur and copper scents" alongside clean citrus notes inspired by a working-class upbringing. Additionally, Serge Lutens' Dent de Lait, though smelling of baby powder, also fits this genre of esoteric, conceptual scents.
Many contemporary niche and indie houses feature the note more literally to evoke atmospheric or mineralic qualities. Concrete Forest by Strangers Parfumerie blends the note with moss, ginkgo leaves, and bamboo to capture the juxtaposition of nature and city life in Tokyo. Other examples focus on wet or damp stone/concrete for an atmospheric effect, such as During the Rain by Solstice Scents, which explicitly lists 'wet concrete' alongside petrichor, and Saint Louis Cemetery #1 by Alkemia, known for its notes of 'crumbling stone' and 'old cement'.
Sustainability Of Concrete
Sustainability of Concrete
- Reducing carbon footprint by substituting traditional cement with supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash, slag, and silica fume
- Developing carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies to sequester CO2 emissions generated during the chemical calcination process
- Improving resource efficiency through the use of recycled concrete aggregates and industrial waste products in new construction projects
- Optimizing structural design to reduce material consumption by utilizing high-strength concrete and hollow-core systems
- Advancing toward carbon neutrality by 2050 through innovations in cement manufacturing and the adoption of alternative, cleaner-burning fuels
- Leveraging concrete's natural thermal mass and durability to improve building energy efficiency and extend infrastructure service life
Trivia
The term concrete is a double entendre in perfumery: it refers to both a waxy, semi-solid substance obtained through solvent extraction of flowers and a conceptual mineral note used in urban, brutalist-inspired scents to mimic the alkaline, sulfurous smell of actual building cement.
What is the Concrete note in perfumery?
The term refers to two distinct things: a waxy, semi-solid substance obtained through solvent extraction of botanicals (like rose or jasmine) and a modern conceptual accord designed to mimic the mineral, dusty, and metallic scent of urban cement.What does the conceptual Concrete accord smell like?
It offers a cool, mineral, and slightly metallic aroma reminiscent of wet cement or fine cement dust, providing a dry, earthy, and industrial profile to contemporary fragrances.Does the fragrance Comme des Garcons Concrete smell like actual cement?
No, the name and concrete-coated bottle are a creative misdirection; the scent itself is a deconstructed, creamy sandalwood fragrance blended with metallic rose oxide and spices like cardamom and cumin.How is a botanical concrete produced?
It is created by immersing plant materials in a solvent, which dissolves aromatic compounds and waxes. After the solvent evaporates, a highly concentrated waxy solid remains, which can be further refined into an absolute.What are some top perfumes featuring a concrete or mineral theme?
Notable examples include Comme des Garcons Concrete, Strangers Parfumerie Concrete Forest, Solstice Scents During the Rain, and Alkemia Saint Louis Cemetery #1.