What does cypress mean ?
Cypress takes its name from the species 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 mainly used in the production of perfumes and essential oils.
In the beginning…
In ancient Egypt, cypress was considered a symbol of eternal life and was often planted in cemeteries. The Greeks and Romans also considered cypress a funerary tree, due to its longevity and evergreen foliage. In Greek mythology, the cypress is associated with Cyparisse, a young hunter who mourns the death of his pet deer so much that he turns into a cypress.
In the Middle Ages, cypress 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 fragrances, but also in more general fragrances to bring a touch of freshness and naturalness.
Native to the Mediterranean basin, it grows in dry, sunny environments. It is found mainly 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, notably to relieve joint and muscle pain, as well as for 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
Cypress is easy to grow and thrives in well-drained, sunny soil. It can withstand temperatures down to -15°C and is drought-resistant. Although cypress is mainly grown for wood and paper production, it is also cultivated for the production of 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 the manufacture of perfumes, soaps and cosmetics.
The main regions producing cypress for perfumery are in the Mediterranean, notably Provence, Tuscany and Greece. These regions offer ideal climatic conditions for growing and harvesting cypress. In Provence, cypress is grown for the production of cypress essential oil, which is used in the manufacture of luxury perfumes. In Tuscany, cypress is used for paper and wood production, as well as for the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics. In Greece, cypress is used to make perfumes, soaps and skin care products.
What do you know about cypress in perfumery?
Processing cypress for perfumery involves extracting the essential oil from the tree's branches and leaves. This essential oil is then distilled to extract its olfactory compounds. The treatment and transformation processes must be carried out with care to guarantee the quality of the final products. Perfumers often use a combination of cypress with other natural ingredients to create unique and distinctive fragrances.
Cypress is known for its fresh, woody fragrance, with notes of conifer. 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, incense or lavender to create unique fragrances.
Cypress is a key ingredient in perfumery, appreciated for its fresh, woody fragrance that evokes nature and the Mediterranean. Indeed, its essence is often used in conjunction with other ingredients to create sophisticated, masculine fragrances.
Perfumers play with the different facets of cypress essence, from a light, fresh top note to a warmer, woodier base note. Cypress can be combined with spicy notes such as pepper and cardamom, or more floral notes like lavender and rose. Its use in perfumery is therefore extremely varied, enabling the creation of unique and elegant olfactory compositions.
It can be used in combination with other ingredients to create unique, harmonious olfactory accords. For example, when combined with spicy notes such as ginger and nutmeg, cypress evokes a refined, energizing fragrance. On the other hand, when combined with more floral notes such as jasmine and ylang-ylang, it creates a softer, more sensual fragrance. Perfumers often use cypress in their compositions to create fresh, woody fragrances for men.
Interesting Fact!
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, and to improve blood and lymph circulation. In addition, cypress essential oil is often used in massage to relieve muscle and joint pain, as well as to reduce stress and anxiety.
Olfactory harmony with cypress
Cypress is an essential ingredient for creating sophisticated, elegant men's fragrances. It can be used in combination with other ingredients to create unique, harmonious olfactory accords. For example, when combined with spicy notes such as ginger and nutmeg, cypress evokes a refined, energizing fragrance. On the other hand, when combined with more floral notes such as jasmine and ylang-ylang, it creates a softer, more sensual fragrance.
Perfumers often use cypress in their compositions to create fresh, woody fragrances for men. In short, cypress essence is the ingredient of choice for perfumers seeking to create sophisticated, elegant, masculine fragrances.
Some Popular Cypress Perfumes …
Some perfume brands celebrate cypress in their creations.
• Acqua di Parma eau de parfum uses cypress essence, along with orange and lavandin, in its iconic Cipresso di Toscana fragrance, launched in 2005, to create a refreshing, woody scent. This fragrance is part of the House's Blu Mediterraneo collection.
• Jo Malone London also uses cypress essence in the Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense, released in 2020, to bring a sophisticated, masculine touch to this fragrance. This raw material is combined with lavender and vine wood.
• Tom Ford's Costa Azzurra Eau de Parfum, created in 2021, combines Cypress notes with Oud wood, mandarin and vetiver. For an intense, woody fragrance.
• Paco Rabanne's Invictus Platinum Eau de Parfum is a captivating fragrance for men and was launched in 2022. It combines cypress notes with grapefruit, mint and lavender to create an addictive scent.
• Cyprès Pantelleria eau de toilette by Armani Beauty, launched in 2021, features cypress essence combined with citrus notes such as mandarin and bergamot to create a fresh, light fragrance.
• Paris Edimbourg eau de toilette by Chanel. A lively eau, with aromatic, 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. The composition opens with the freshness of lemon and bergamot, underlined by the aromatic notes of juniper berry and cypress, and continues with a dry cedar accord. The smoky, slightly peaty effects of vetiver trace a comforting trail.
Cypress X Bon Parfumeur
As a French perfume brand, Bon Parfumeur is no exception to the use of cypress essence in its olfactory creations. In fact, the brand offers several fragrances for men and women that feature this emblematic perfumery ingredient.
• Bon Parfumeur 701 Eau de Parfum combines cypress essence with notes of coriander and eucalyptus to create a fresh, woody fragrance. It's perfect for men and women looking for a light, 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, mysterious scent. This eau de parfum is perfect for winter evenings, when the night is cold and we're looking for a warm, enveloping fragrance.
• Finally, eau de parfum 801 combines cypress notes with cedar wood, grapefruit and sea spray. For a fresher, lighter fragrance.
In short, cypress essence is an essential ingredient in both men's and women's perfumery.
