In perfumery, a fixative is a material which slows down the rate of evaporation of the more volatile chemicals in a perfume composition. There are several types of fixatives: 1. True Fixatives. These are materials which retard the other components of the perfume by physical effect. Their effect is that of an absorption due to high molecular structure of the fixative. Example: Benzoin. 2. Arbitrary Fixatives. Odorous substances that lend a particular note to the perfume throughout all stages of evaporation, but do not significantly influence the evaporation of the other materials in the composition. Example: Oakmoss. 3. Exalting Fixatives. These materials act as odor carriers and as synergists by improving, fortifying, or transporting the vapors of the other perfume materials. Example: Musk. 4. So-called Fixatives. Odorless or near odorless crystalline materials or viscous liquids. Sample: Amyris. One material can belong to one or more than one of the groups. Arctander, Steffen (1960). Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin. pp. 18-19. Available online.
Fixatives from the natural botanical perfume wheel include: Agarwood, Amber, Ambrette Seed, Amyris, Balsam of Peru, Benzoin, Beeswax, Butter, Cabreuva, Cedarwood, Cistus, Clary Sage, Coriander Seed, Cypress (Blue), Elemi, Fir (Douglas), Fir (Silver), Fir (Balsam), Frankincense, Galbanum, Labdanum, Massoia Bark, Myrrh, Oakmoss, Orange Flower, Orris Root, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Styrax (Liquidambar), Tonka Bean, Tuberose, Vanilla, Verbena (Lemon), Vetiver, Violet Leaf, Ylang Ylang. In review, many common fixatives are woods, resins, roots, or waxes.
The illustration shown above is Balsam of Peru from Audubon Society, 1914. Nature neighbors: Embracing Birds, Plants, Animals, Minerals, in Natural Colors by Color Photography.
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