Top notes — the first impression
Top notes are what you smell immediately after spraying. They're light, volatile molecules — citrus (bergamot, lemon), light fruits, fresh herbs and aromatics — that evaporate within 15–30 minutes. They sell the fragrance in store but aren't what you'll wear all day.
Heart notes — the core
As the top notes fade, the heart (or middle) notes emerge and form the main character of the fragrance for the next 2–4 hours. These are typically florals (rose, jasmine), spices (saffron, cardamom) and fruits — the personality of the scent.
Base notes — the dry-down
Base notes are the heavy, long-lasting molecules that anchor a fragrance and linger for 6+ hours: oud, amber, vanilla, musk, sandalwood, patchouli and leather. They give a perfume its depth, warmth and tenacity, and are what people smell when they get close to you hours later.
Why this matters when buying
Always test a fragrance on skin and wait for the dry-down before judging it — the base is what you'll actually wear most of the day. The opening you smell on a blotter is the least representative part. Our note explorer lets you find fragrances built around any note you love.