1. What Are Fragrance Notes?

Fragrance notes are the individual scent components that make up a perfume. They’re arranged in what is called a fragrance pyramid, consisting of:

• Top notes

• Middle (heart) notes

• Base notes

These layers work together to create the perfume’s complete aromatic profile—from the first spritz to the final trace left on your skin.

2. The Fragrance Pyramid

A. Top Notes

What they are:
The first scents you smell immediately after applying a perfume.

Characteristics:

• Light, bright, and volatile

• Evaporate quickly (within 5–20 minutes)

• Set the “first impression” of a fragrance

Common top notes:

• Citrus (lemon, bergamot, grapefruit)

• Herbs (mint, basil)

• Aromatic spices (pink pepper)

• Light fruits (apple, pear)

B. Middle (Heart) Notes

What they are:
The core of the fragrance—what you smell once the top notes fade.

Characteristics:

• More rounded and full-bodied

• Develop after ~15 minutes

• Last longer (20 minutes to 1 hour or more)

• Define the character of the perfume

Common middle notes:

• Floral (rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang)

• Green (violet leaf, tea)

• Spice (cinnamon, cardamom)

• Fruity (peach, plum)

C. Base Notes

What they are:
The deepest, longest-lasting scents that emerge once the perfume has fully settled onto your skin.

Characteristics:

• Rich, warm, and heavy

• Anchor the fragrance

• Can linger for several hours

Common base notes:

• Woods (cedar, sandalwood)

• Resins (frankincense, myrrh)

• Musks

• Vanilla, amber, tonka bean

• Patchouli, oud

3. How Notes Work Together

Think of a perfume like a musical composition:

• Top notes = opening melody

• Heart notes = main theme

• Base notes = lasting harmony

A good fragrance is usually balanced—the notes blend seamlessly as they transition from one phase to another.

4. Why Notes Matter

Understanding notes helps you:

• Choose perfumes you’re more likely to love

• Recognize why a perfume changes on your skin

• Describe scents more accurately

• Layer fragrances successfully

5. Common Fragrance Families

While not notes themselves, fragrance families help categorize perfumes by their dominant characteristics:

• Floral: rose, jasmine

• Oriental/Amber: vanilla, spices, resins

• Woody: cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver

• Fresh: citrus, green, aquatic

Each family uses a typical combination of top, middle, and base notes.

6. Practical Exercise

To better understand notes, try this:

1. Spray a perfume on a test strip or your wrist.

2. Immediately smell it → Identify top notes.

3. Wait 15–20 minutes → Notice heart notes.

4. After 1–2 hours → Detect base notes.

Write down how the scent evolves. Over time, this trains your nose.