What do notes mean in a perfume?Updated 9 days ago

The notes in a perfume are the different fragrance components that together create the overall scent. These notes are divided into three categories: top notes, heart notes, and base notes.

Top notes are the first scents you notice and give the initial impression of the perfume. They fade after about 15 minutes and often include light notes such as floral or fruity tones.

Next come the heart notes, which form the core of the fragrance. These usually last for about 20 to 60 minutes on the skin and often include notes like vanilla, various flowers, and sometimes fresh accords. Generally, heavier notes are not found in these first two stages.

The base notes are the ones that last the longest on the skin and make up the final part of the scent. This is where you’ll typically find woody, musky, or spicy notes.