The aroma of perfume changes and sounds differently immediately after application, after half an hour and after a few hours. This is explained by the complex structure, which includes many aromatic components – notes. And the whole composition is built in the form of a pyramid, which has three levels:
- Top or initial notes
- Heart notes or middle notes;
- Base or end notes in perfume, also called the “trail.”
Perfumers use aromatic oils with different “volatility” indicators. Light oils evaporate from the skin surface faster, the smell evaporates. Heavy molecules remain for a long time. Therefore, some notes are felt by the nose only at the beginning of acquaintance with the bouquet. And others appear after a few hours.
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Let’s take a closer look at what notes in perfume are and what a complex aromatic symphony created by talented masters sounds like.
What are notes in perfume?
The scents that make up a perfume bouquet are called notes. Each note conveys one particular aroma. Combined together, they become perfumes, which act as an aromatic accessory.
It is important that the transition from one scent to another occurs gradually. To make it easier to navigate perfume compositions, all fragrances are divided into several groups. Let’s consider their descriptions:
- Floral Notes: The floral notes is the aromas of garden and wildflowers. Usually, floral notes of perfume aromas are placed by masters in the “heart” or middle. This means that they sound the longest and most expressively. Floral notes are often surrounded by fruity and green accents. The aromas of this group symbolize the feminine beginning.
- Fruity notes: Fruity notes give the perfume composition sweetness, tartness, juiciness, freshness. In perfumery, notes of garden, wild and exotic fruits are used. Masters like to put them in the “heart” of the composition. Fruity perfumes are appreciated by women and men for the fact that they give a good mood and tone up.
- Woody notes: Woody notes are the smell of bark and resin, freshly cut sandalwood, pine, cedar. They give the composition warm forest motifs. They are usually placed in the “heart” of an aromatic symphony. Woody notes smooth out excessive pleasure and provide perfumes with versatility. Woody perfumes are worn by people who want to emphasize the nobility and elegance of their image.
- Citrus notes: Citrus notes are often used at the beginning of a composition. They provide the bouquet with fresh bitterness and vigor. For this, perfumers use the smells of mandarin, lime, orange, lemon, grapefruit. A good combination of citrus notes with floral and woody nuances. Citrus perfumes are chosen by active people. It is great to use such a perfume in the summer, because it gives freshness.
- Spicy Note: Spicy notes in fragrances combine the smells of spices. They have a pungency, sweetness, bitterness. They are used in heart notes and in the base. Spicy perfumes are chosen by independent and self-confident people.
- Musk notes: Musk and ambergris are some of the most expensive perfume ingredients. They are used to tie all the ingredients of a bouquet together into a single composition. Their place in perfumes is as a trail of aromatic symphony. Quite specific scents are used to give a perfume product sensuality and sexuality.
- Fougere notes: Fougere notes are moss, coumarin. They give perfumes an intoxicating herbal sound. First of all, fougere chords were used exclusively in men’s perfumes to give them exclusive shades. Today they are often used in women’s perfumes. Fougere notes give women’s perfumes depth.
This is far from a complete classification of notes. There are also powdery, gourmand, marine aromas and others. Only some varieties are listed to make it easier for you to navigate the perfume world. To create a fragrance with character, perfumers have to combine components into a complex bouquet.
This is how a unique perfume symphony is obtained. And it is easy for buyers to determine how the fragrance will sound if they know what is included in the composition.
What are the top notes in Perfume?
Top notes in perfumes are the initial chord. Light volatile components are determined by the nose from the first moment of acquaintance with perfumes.
But they last on the skin for no more than 15-25 minutes. They are the brightest in the bouquet, they perform the main task – to create the mood of perfumes. The top notes give the consumer an impression of the perfume product.
The sparkling freshness of citrus fruits attracts perfumers. Therefore, the smell of mandarin, grapefruit, lime are popular top notes of perfumes. They provide the perfume with a light, fresh character. Another common option for top notes is green aromas. Being a reflection of natural freshness, they help to create a contrast with a sweet floral or fruity heart. Marine top notes surround a person with a cool breeze. They go well with woody, chypre and leather notes of the heart.
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What are Middle notes in perfume?
Middle notes take over from the top notes of the bouquet. This is the main theme of perfumes. They sound softer, but more sensual. Middle notes in perfumes are less volatile components that last on the skin for up to 3 hours.
Popular middle notes in perfumes are fruity, floral, spicy, woody scents. Thanks to the variety of such aromas, perfumers manage to create interesting aromatic combinations.
What are base notes in perfume?
Base notes in perfumes are the final aromas of perfumes. For the base, perfumers choose oils with low volatility. They are fixed on the skin and last up to 24 hours. The main notes of perfume are revealed gradually. They are deep, calm. Often, woody, musky, amber notes are used to form a train in perfumery.
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Frequently asked questions
How is a perfume bouquet created?
A perfumer invents a new fragrance. Then, using substances with different volatilities, he combines them in one bottle. The process can be compared to writing music – bright notes, a growing climax, and a smooth fading of the melody.
Can the same smells be at different levels of the pyramid?
Yes. But they will sound different. For example, vanilla in the top notes will be sweet and bright. And in the base it will be enveloping.
Why do I hear different notes in the fragrance?
Different interpretations in perfumery are normal. The sense of smell is a complex sense organ that helps a person perceive reality. Each of us evaluates the world around us in our own way, including smells. Therefore, different people “smell” the same perfume differently.
How do you know what notes a scent will reveal on your skin?
The description of perfumes indicates the top notes, heart notes, and base notes. But it should be remembered that the composition only indicates what idea the perfumer sought to realize. On the skin of different people, the bouquet may reveal itself differently.
