Sillage (pronounced 'see-yahzh') is the scented trail a fragrance leaves behind as you move — how far and how long others can smell it after you've passed. Strong sillage fills a room; intimate sillage stays close to the skin. It's distinct from longevity, which is how long it lasts.
Sillage vs projection vs longevity
These three terms are often confused. Projection is how far a fragrance radiates from your skin at a given moment (your 'scent bubble'). Sillage is the trail you leave behind as you move through a space. Longevity is how many hours the fragrance lasts. A scent can have great longevity but soft sillage — lasting all day while staying close to the skin.
What creates strong sillage
Sillage comes from a fragrance's projective materials and concentration — aromachemicals like ambroxan, big florals, oud and resins push scent outward. EDPs and Extraits generally have stronger sillage than EDTs. Heat amplifies it, which is why the same fragrance trails more in summer.
Choosing the right sillage
For the office or close quarters, choose modest sillage so you don't overwhelm others. For evenings, dates and making an impression, choose a fragrance known for a strong trail. Our reviews score every fragrance for sillage so you know what to expect before buying.
Sillage is pronounced 'see-YAHZH' (it's a French word meaning 'wake', as in the trail left by a boat). It refers to the scented trail a fragrance leaves behind you.
What is the difference between sillage and projection?
Projection is how far a fragrance radiates from your skin at a moment in time (your scent bubble). Sillage is the trail it leaves behind as you move through a space.