What does the word cypress mean?
Cypress gets its name from the type of wood used by the Phoenicians to build their ships, called "cyparissos" in ancient Greek. The Romans also used cypress to make furniture and coffins. Today, cypress is primarily used in the production of perfumes and essential oils.
In the beginning…
In ancient Egypt, the cypress tree was considered a symbol of eternal life and was often planted in cemeteries. The Greeks and Romans also considered the cypress tree a funerary tree, due to its longevity and evergreen foliage. In Greek mythology, the cypress is associated with Cyparissus, a young hunter who mourned the death of his pet deer so much that he transformed into a cypress tree.
In the Middle Ages, the cypress tree was also associated with death and was planted in cemeteries to protect the dead. However, it was also considered a tree of protection against evil spirits and disease.
Today, cypress is still used in perfumery for its fresh, woody scent. It is used in funeral perfumes, but also in more general perfumes to bring a touch of freshness and naturalness.
Native to the Mediterranean basin, it grows in dry, sunny environments. It is found primarily in southern France, Italy, Spain, and Greece, as well as in North Africa and Turkey. For centuries, cypress has been used for its medicinal properties, particularly to relieve joint and muscle pain, as well as its antiseptic properties. In perfumery, it is prized for its fresh, woody scent, reminiscent of the pine and fir forests of the Mediterranean region.
Cypress cultivation
It is an easy-to-grow tree that thrives in well-drained, sunny soils. It can withstand temperatures down to -15°C and is drought-resistant. Although cypress is primarily grown for timber and paper production, it is also cultivated for perfumes and essential oils. Farmers harvest cypress branches before flowering, when the essential oils are most concentrated. The branches are then distilled to extract cypress essential oil, which is used in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics.
The main cypress -producing regions for perfumery are located in the Mediterranean, particularly in Provence, Tuscany, and Greece. These regions offer ideal climatic conditions for growing and harvesting cypress. In Provence, cypress is cultivated for the production of cypress essential oil, which is used in the manufacture of luxury perfumes. In Tuscany, cypress is used for the production of paper and wood, as well as for perfumes and cosmetics. In Greece, cypress is used for perfumes, soaps, and skin care products.
What do you know about cypress in perfumery?
The processing and transformation of cypress for perfumery involves extracting essential oil from the tree's branches and leaves. This essential oil is then distilled to extract its olfactory compounds. The processing and transformation processes must be carried out carefully to ensure the quality of the final products. Perfumers often use a combination of cypress and other natural ingredients to create unique and distinctive fragrances.
Cypress is known for its fresh, woody scent , with hints of conifers. Cypress essential oil is often used in perfumery to add a touch of sophistication to floral, woody, or spicy compositions. Cypress can also be combined with ingredients such as cedar, pine, frankincense, or lavender to create unique fragrances.
Cypress is a key ingredient in perfumery, prized for its fresh, woody scent reminiscent of nature and the Mediterranean. Indeed, its essence is often used alongside other ingredients to create sophisticated, masculine fragrances.
Perfumers explore the different facets of cypress essence, ranging from a light and fresh top note to a warmer, woody base note. Cypress can be combined with spicy notes such as pepper and cardamom, or more floral notes such as lavender and rose. Its use in perfumery is therefore very varied and allows for the creation of unique and elegant olfactory compositions.
It can be used in combination with other ingredients to create unique and harmonious olfactory accords . For example, when combined with spicy notes such as ginger and nutmeg, cypress evokes a refined and energizing fragrance. On the other hand, when combined with more floral notes such as jasmine and ylang-ylang, it creates a softer and more sensual fragrance. Perfumers often use cypress in their compositions to create fresh and woody fragrances for men.
Good to know! Cypress has many benefits and virtues for health and well-being. In aromatherapy, its essential oil is used for its antiseptic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to relieve respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as improve blood and lymphatic circulation. Additionally, cypress essential oil is often used in massage to relieve muscle and joint pain, as well as reduce stress and anxiety.
Olfactory accords with cypress
Cypress is an essential ingredient for creating sophisticated and elegant men's fragrances. It can be used in combination with other ingredients to create unique and harmonious olfactory accords. For example, when combined with spicy notes such as ginger and nutmeg, cypress evokes a refined and energizing fragrance. On the other hand, when combined with more floral notes such as jasmine and ylang-ylang, it creates a softer and more sensual fragrance.
Perfumers often use cypress in their compositions to create fresh, woody fragrances for men. In short, cypress essence is a choice ingredient for perfumers looking to create sophisticated and elegant masculine fragrances.
The famous cypress perfumes
Some perfume brands celebrate cypress in their creations.
• Acqua di Parma Eau de Parfum uses cypress essence, accompanied by orange and lavender, in its iconic Cipresso di Toscana fragrance, launched in 2005, to create a refreshing and woody scent. This fragrance belongs to the House's Blu Mediterraneo collection.
• Jo Malone also uses cypress essence in her intense Cypress & Grapevine cologne, released in 2020, to bring a masculine and sophisticated touch to this fragrance. This raw material is combined with lavender and vine wood.
• Tom Ford 's Costa Azzura Eau de Parfum, created in 2021, combines notes of Cypress with Oud wood, mandarin orange and vetiver. For an intense and woody fragrance.
• Paco Rabanne 's Invictus Platinum Eau de Parfum, launched in 2022, combines notes of cypress with grapefruit, mint and lavender.
• Armani Beauty 's Cyprès Pantelleria Eau de Toilette, launched in 2021, features cypress essence combined with citrus notes such as mandarin and bergamot to create a fresh and light fragrance.
• Chanel Paris Edimbourg Eau de Toilette . A lively water, with aromatic and woody plant power, inspired by the Scottish moors, where Gabrielle Chanel loved to recharge her batteries. A mysterious fragrance, characterized by its tension between freshness and darkness. Its composition opens with the freshness of lemon and bergamot, underlined by the aromatic notes of juniper berry and cypress, the fragrance continues in a dry cedar accord. The smoky, slightly peaty effects of vetiver create a comforting trail.
Cypress X Good Perfumer
As a French perfume brand, Bon Parfumeur is no exception when it comes to using cypress essence in its olfactory creations. Indeed, the brand offers several fragrances for men and women that showcase this iconic perfume ingredient.
• Bon Parfumeur 701 Eau de Parfum combines cypress essence with notes of coriander and eucalyptus to create a fresh, woody scent. It is perfect for men and women looking for a light and elegant fragrance for summer.
• On the other hand, for lovers of more intense fragrances, Bon Parfumeur also offers Eau de Parfum 603 , which uses cypress essence combined with notes of leather, incense and tonka bean to create a sensual and mysterious fragrance. This eau de parfum is perfect for winter evenings, when the night is cold and we are looking for a warm and enveloping fragrance.
• Finally, Eau de Parfum 801 combines notes of cypress with cedarwood, grapefruit, and sea spray. For a fresher, lighter fragrance.
In short, cypress essence is an essential ingredient in men's and women's perfumery.
