Understanding Fragrance Notes: Top, Middle and Base

Every perfume is a small piece of theatre. The opening act is rarely the headline — it's there to grab your attention. What actually stays with you is what comes after.

Top notes (the first 10–15 minutes)

These are the small molecules that volatilise quickly: citrus, fresh herbs, light fruits, pink pepper. They're loud and bright and almost always honest about themselves. They're also the first to leave.

Middle / heart notes (15 minutes to 2 hours)

Florals, soft spices, green notes. This is the body of the perfume — the section that defines the scent's character.

Base notes (2 hours to bedtime)

Woods, resins, vanilla, amber, oakmoss, oud. They cling to the skin and to fabric. They are what people remember.

Practical tip: when sampling, give a perfume at least an hour before deciding. The opening rarely tells the truth.