The structure of the perfume

A fragrance is not a photograph, it is a short film. What you smell right after spraying it is not what you smell after an hour, nor what remains on your scarf in the evening. The fragrance pyramid is a way of telling this story in three acts.

The three levels

Top notes are the first ones you smell: citrus, aromatics, and some fresh spices like pink pepper. They are light molecules that evaporate quickly, usually within the first 15–30 minutes. They are there to welcome you.

Heart notes emerge when the top notes settle and last for a few hours. This is where flowers, warm spices, and fruit often live. It is the true character of the fragrance.

Base notes are the heaviest and longest-lasting: woods, resins, musks, vanilla, and amber. They are what remain on your skin at the end of the day and on your clothes the next day.

Why you need to know this

The first spray is deceptive. Many fragrances are chosen in the store based on their top notes and then disappoint, because what remains is the base. Reading the pyramid helps you understand what to really expect: if you love the citrus opening but the base is dark leather, you already know that the fragrance will change a lot.

A tip: look at the base first. If you like the base notes, there is a good chance you will like the fragrance all day long.

Not all fragrances follow the pyramid

Some modern fragrances are "linear": designed to stay almost the same from beginning to end. Others are almost entirely base notes, like certain musk or Iso E Super fragrances, which seem to disappear to the wearer's nose but instead remain for those around you.

In our product pages, you will find the notes divided by level, with an image of each raw material, and the fragrance profile shown in percentages. If you are looking for a fragrance with a specific note, type it into the search bar: for example, vetiver or orange blossom.

Frequently asked questions

How long do top notes last?

Usually between 15 and 30 minutes: they are the most volatile. Then they make way for the heart notes.

Why does a fragrance change smell after an hour?

Because its raw materials evaporate at different speeds: the top notes disappear first, then the heart and base notes emerge. This is why it is best to try it on your skin and wait.

What are the most common base notes?

Woods (cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli), resins (amber, labdanum, benzoin, incense), musks, vanilla, and tonka bean.