What are top, heart and base notes?
They’re the three stages of a perfume on your skin. Top notes are what you smell in the first few minutes, the heart is its character for a few hours, and the base is what stays at the end of the day. Together they’re called the fragrance “pyramid”.
Top: the first 5–15 minutes
The lightest notes, which evaporate first: bergamot, lemon, mandarin, mint, pink pepper, fruits. They’re the first impression, and the reason you shouldn’t decide in the first minute.
Heart: the next 2–4 hours
The perfume’s real character: rose, jasmine, orange blossom, iris, spices, green notes. This is what you’ll be wearing for most of the day.
Base: all day long
The heavy notes that stay on your skin for hours, and on your clothes until the next day: vanilla, amber, musk, sandalwood, cedar, patchouli, tonka bean. If you care about longevity, look at the base first. See also how to make your perfume last.
The fragrance families at a glance
- Citrus — lemon, bergamot, grapefruit. Freshness, summer.
- Floral — rose, jasmine, white flowers. The biggest family.
- Fruity — peach, red berries, pear. Cheerful and youthful.
- Aromatic — lavender, rosemary, mint. The classic “masculine” freshness.
- Woody — cedar, sandalwood, vetiver. Warm and steady.
- Oriental — amber, spices, resins. Rich, for the evening.
- Sweet — vanilla, caramel, praline. “A hug in a bottle”.
- Powdery — iris, violet, musk. See powdery perfumes.
How to use them to choose
- Find your family from a perfume you already love.
- Look at the heart and the base, not just the top. That’s what you’ll actually be wearing.
- For every one of our perfumes the notes are listed as top, heart and base. Tap a note to see all the perfumes that have it, or open the notes map.
- Try it on your skin and wait 15 minutes, so the top notes can pass. More in how to choose a perfume.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a perfume change after a while?
Because the notes evaporate in order: the top goes first, then the heart comes through, and finally the base remains. The perfume hasn’t gone off, it has simply moved on to its next stage.
Which notes last longest?
The base notes: vanilla, amber, musk, woods, patchouli and tonka bean. Citrus notes are the first to fade.
What does fragrance “pyramid” mean?
It’s the way a perfume’s notes are described: a few light ones at the top, the heart in the middle, and the heavy notes at the base, which last longest.
Aromaterie is an independent perfume business and is not affiliated with any fashion or perfume house.