Have you ever noticed that a few minutes after applying a perfume, it no longer smells exactly the same as it did the first time? At first, the scent may be fresh and citrusy, then become floral or sweeter, but after several hours on the skin it may remain warm, woody or sensual.
This is no coincidence. Perfumes are made up of different aromatic notes that are revealed gradually. They are most often divided into three levels – top notes, heart notes and base notes.
This structure of the fragrance is also called the fragrance pyramid.
What are fragrance notes?
Fragrance notes are the individual aromatic elements and chords that make up the overall fragrance composition.
They can be reminiscent of, for example:
- bergamot;
- lemon;
- rose;
- jasmine;
- vanilla;
- musk;
- amber;
- sandalwood;
- patchouli;
- various fruits, spices and woody aromas.
However, not all of the fragrance notes are revealed at the same time after applying the fragrance. Some we feel almost immediately, others become more pronounced later.
That’s why one perfume can create several different impressions within a few hours.
What is a fragrance pyramid?
A fragrance pyramid is a simple way to depict the development of a fragrance.
It consists of three main levels:
- Top notes – the first impression of a fragrance.
- Heart notes – the main character of a fragrance.
- Base notes – the deepest and longest-lasting notes.
It is important to understand that fragrances on the skin do not switch from one level to the next like clockwork. The notes can overlap, and the development of the fragrance is gradual.
Top notes – the first impression
Top notes, or initial notes, are usually the first we smell immediately after spraying the perfume.
They have a very important task – to create the first impression of the fragrance.
Top notes often include fresh, sparkling and light aromas, such as:
- bergamot;
- lemon;
- mandarin;
- orange;
- grapefruit;
- peppermint;
- various fruits and aromatics herbs.
These notes are usually more volatile, so the initial aroma changes over time.
For this reason, you should not choose a perfume based solely on first impressions.
Heart notes – the true nature of perfumes
As the top notes become softer, the heart notes become more and more revealed.
They often form the central part of the composition and help to understand what a particular aroma character.
Heart notes often include:
- lavender;
- violet;
- ylang-ylang;
- cinnamon;
- cardamom;
- various fruit and floral accords.
For example, the aroma It may seem very citrusy in the first few minutes, but later transform into a delicate floral composition. Otherwise, a fresh start can be replaced by a spicy or sweet heart.
Therefore, when trying new perfumes, it is worth giving them time to develop.
Base notes – the depth and lasting finish of the fragrance
Base notes are revealed gradually and are usually the ones that last the longest on the skin.
They give the fragrance depth, warmth and character.
Popular base notes is:
- vanilla;
- musk;
- amber chords;
- sandalwood;
- cedar;
- patchouli;
- vetiver;
- tonka bean;
- oud.
It is in the base that those notes are often found, which can still be felt on the skin or clothing after several hours.
For example, a fresh citrus aroma at the beginning can later become warm and woody, as sandalwood, musk or amber chords come to the fore.
How does a perfume change after application?
Let’s imagine a fragrance with the following scent pyramid:
Top notes: bergamot, mandarin and lemon.
Heart notes: rose and jasmine.
Base notes: vanilla, musk and sandalwood.
Immediately after application, you might notice the most fresh citrus fruits stand out.
After a while, the scent would become softer and more floral, as the rose and jasmine would become more pronounced.
Later on, the warm vanilla, musk and sandalwood character might become more pronounced on the skin.
It’s still the same scent – it’s just that the scent has evolved.
Why shouldn’t you choose a perfume in the first 30 seconds?
This is one of the most common mistakes when choosing a new perfume.
You spray the fragrance, smell it, and immediately decide:
“I like it.”
or:
“I don’t like it.”
But at this point, the first stage of the fragrance is the most important.
If possible, try the perfume on skin and wait. Allow them to reveal the heart and base notes.
A scent that doesn’t seem special at first can become very pleasant over time. And the opposite can also happen – a beautiful beginning can later turn into a fragrance that does not suit your taste.
Why can perfumes reveal themselves slightly differently on each person?
The fragrance pyramid describes the composition of the fragrance itself, but this does not mean that all people will perceive the fragrances in exactly the same way.
The result can be affected by skin properties, temperature, humidity, the amount applied and even where the fragrance is applied.
In addition, our sense of smell and associations are individual. For one person, vanilla will stand out the most in a particular composition, for another – floral or woody notes.
That’s why the fragrance pyramid is a great guide, but you’ll get the most accurate idea of a fragrance by trying it yourself.
How to use fragrance notes when choosing perfume online?
The fragrance pyramid is especially useful if you bought a fragrance online and can’t smell it before you buy it.
Think about which notes are repeated in perfumes that you already like.
If you usually like sweet and warm scents, you can look for compositions with vanilla, tonka bean or amber accords.
If you prefer freshness, pay attention to citrus fruits, bergamot and fresh aromatic accords.
If you like strong floral scents, look for rose, jasmine, peony or other flowers.
On the other hand, lovers of woody and deeper aromas may like sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, patchouli or oud.
Does one fragrance note mean that the perfume will smell exactly like it?
Not always.
If you see “vanilla” in a perfume description, it does not mean that the fragrance will necessarily smell exclusively or strongly of vanilla.
Vanilla combined with citrus fruits can create a completely different impression than vanilla combined with tobacco, wood, musk or floral notes.
It is precisely the combination that creates the overall character of the fragrance.
Therefore, when choosing a perfume, it is better to look at the entire pyramid of scents, rather than focusing on just one ingredients.
Perfume notes in Olfazeta fragrances
The Olfazeta collection offers Extrait de Parfum of various aromas – from fresh and citrusy compositions to floral, sweet, oriental and woody aromas.
Olfazeta perfumes are Extrait de Parfum with a 30% concentration of aromatic essences and are produced in Italy.
When choosing an Olfazeta fragrance online, pay attention to the top, heart and base notes of the specific fragrance. They help you to understand much better in which direction the fragrance will develop and whether its character might suit your taste.
Frequently asked questions about perfume notes
What are top notes?
Top or initial notes are the aromas that we usually smell first after applying a perfume. They create the first impression of a fragrance.
What are heart notes?
Heart notes form the central character of a fragrance and become more pronounced as the top notes gradually fade.
What are base notes?
Base notes are the deepest and usually longest-lasting parts of a fragrance. They often contain musk, vanilla, woody notes, patchouli and other longer-lasting accords.
Which fragrance notes last the longest?
Usually the base notes last the longest, but the actual longevity depends on the entire formula, the ingredients used, the concentration, the skin and the environment.
What is a fragrance pyramid?
A fragrance pyramid is a way of describing the structure and development of a fragrance, dividing it into top, heart and base notes.
