In the world of fragrances, every detail matters, and understanding the structure of a perfume helps to reveal its unique character. At the heart of any fragrance is the so-called “aroma pyramid,” which includes three levels of notes — top, middle, and base. These notes develop over time, creating a multi-layered and harmonious bouquet. Understanding the pyramid allows us to better understand compositions, evaluate the durability of the aroma, and choose perfumes that will reveal our individuality. This approach to the perception of aromas dates back to ancient times, when the history of perfumery was closely linked to the art of creating complex, deep compositions. Let’s figure out how to read this pyramid and how it helps you choose a fragrance that really suits you.
Top notes: First encounter with the scent
Top notes are the first scents we smell immediately after applying perfume. They are light and evaporate quickly, leaving the first impression of the scent. These notes play an important role, as they influence our immediate perception and desire to get to know the scent better.
Top notes typically consist of fresh, light ingredients such as:
● Citrus (lemon, bergamot, mandarin)
● Green notes (mint, lavender)
● Light spicy notes (cinnamon, cardamom)
These notes evaporate after about 10-15 minutes, giving way to the middle notes. But it is they that make the “entrance” of the fragrance memorable and attract attention.
Middle notes: The heart of the fragrance
Middle notes are the central or “heart” part of the fragrance, which begins to be felt as the top notes evaporate. They remain on the skin longer – up to several hours – and form the main character of the fragrance. These notes help create the depth and longevity of the fragrance.
Middle notes may include elements such as:
● Floral (rose, jasmine, lily of the valley)
● Fruit (apple, peach)
● Spicy notes (cinnamon, cloves)
This is the most intense part of the fragrance and determines its mood. It will be present for a long time, which makes the choice of middle notes especially important.
Base notes: Final chord
Base notes are the most persistent components of the fragrance, which appear on the skin last. They remain on the skin and clothes until the end of the day, creating a long aftertaste and “trail”. Base notes contain heavier molecules, which ensures their durability.
The main base notes include:
● Woody accords (sandalwood, cedar, patchouli)
● Amber and musk
● Vanilla and chocolate
These components give the scent depth and longevity, often influencing how others perceive it hours after application.
Interaction of Notes: The Art of Scent Revealing
Each note interacts with the others, creating unique combinations and transitions. This interaction is not accidental: perfumers carefully select the components so that they harmoniously combine with each other. When the top notes evaporate, the middle notes seem to merge with the base notes, gradually revealing their depth.
For example:
● Light citrusy top notes can be combined with spicy middle and woody base notes to create a feeling of warmth and sophistication.
● Fresh green top notes can highlight floral and sweet base notes, adding lightness to the scent.
Understanding this interaction helps you better understand fragrances and even combine them to create your own unique scent trail.
How to choose a fragrance based on the pyramid
To choose a scent that will delight you throughout the day, it is important to consider how its notes will unfold. For example, if you like light scents, you may want to choose a perfume with bright, citrusy top notes and delicate floral heart notes. If you prefer warm, deep scents, consider base notes with woody or amber undertones.
Tips for choosing:
● Pay attention to the top notes for your first impression.
● Wait a few minutes to experience the middle notes.
● Allow the scent time to fully develop to see how it feels on your skin in the base.
Why can perfume smell different on each person?
Skin type, skin acidity, and even body temperature all affect how a scent develops. Dry skin often causes scents to evaporate faster, while oily skin tends to last longer. Plus, our individual “body odor” reacts with the notes of a perfume, making each scent unique. This also explains why a perfume might smell different on your friend than it does on you.
Features of the influence of the skin:
● Dry skin – fragrances are less persistent, top notes evaporate faster.
● Oily skin – fragrances last longer, especially base notes.
● Neutral skin – fragrances are revealed more fully and in a balanced manner.
How to Properly Test a Fragrance to Feel All the Notes
To truly appreciate the scent and its pyramid, it is important to test the perfume correctly. Applying it to a blotter or your wrist is the first step, but it takes time for the scent to fully develop. This is the only way to feel all the notes and understand how the scent will “sound” on your skin throughout the day.
Tips for testing the scent:
● Apply to clean skin. Make sure there are no traces of other fragrances or lotions on the skin before testing.
● Let the scent sit for a few minutes. Wait 10-15 minutes for the top notes to dissipate and the middle notes to emerge.
● Evaluate the scent throughout the day. Only after 3-4 hours can you feel the full disclosure of the base, which will stay with you the longest.
● Test one scent at a time. Avoid mixing different perfumes on your skin at the same time, as this will distort the true sound of each scent.
● Test at different times of year. Remember that some scents work better in warm or cold weather, and humidity can also affect longevity and intensity.
Proper testing allows you to understand how the fragrance unfolds for you personally and to evaluate all three levels of the pyramid – from bright top notes to deep and long base notes.
Understanding the fragrance pyramid helps you gain a deeper understanding of how perfume unfolds and learn how to choose the fragrances that are truly right for you. Knowing how top, middle, and base notes will unfold allows you to predict what your scent will be like throughout the day and find your perfect perfume. Now that you know the specifics of each level of the pyramid, you can easily choose a perfume that will leave exactly the mark you desire.
Questions and Answers
The pyramid helps you understand how the fragrance will develop over time and how it will smell on your skin throughout the day.
Top notes are the first scents we smell immediately after application; they evaporate quickly and create the first impression.
Base notes are the most persistent and can remain on your skin and clothes all day long.
Body odor, skin type and skin acidity all influence how a scent unfolds, making it unique to each person.