What are Fragrance Notes? Top, Heart + Base Notes Explained
Discover everything you need to know about fragrance notes including the differences between top notes, heart notes and base notes.
- 29th April 2024
- By Charlotte Tilbury
4 minute read
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What are fragrance notes?
Fragrance notes are layers of scent that are layered to form the final fragrance. Fragrance notes are categorised into three main elements based on how long they take to evaporate, and how long they typically last following application: top notes, heart notes and base notes.
These scent notes work together in harmony and develop into the final fragrance, but what are top notes, heart notes and base notes and which notes are the strongest? Read on to discover everything you need to know!
What are Top Notes?
Also known as the opening notes or head notes, top notes are the first thing you smell when you apply or spray fragrance and are usually largely composed of citrus and fruity ingredients. Because top notes are made of lighter and smaller molecules, they’re usually the first to fade. Despite evaporating quickly, top notes play an important role in fragrance as they represent a fragrance’s first impression.
What are Heart Notes?
Heart notes are the scents you smell once the top notes have evaporated and usually consist of a wide variety of ingredients including florals, spices and fruits. Typically, heart notes make up approximately 40-80% of the final fragrance. Also known as middle notes, heart notes are what you can smell on your skin after you’ve been wearing a fragrance for a few hours. For this reason, these notes are considered to be the ‘main character’ of a perfume. For example, a fragrance described as floral will have floral heart notes, and so on.
What are Base Notes?
Base notes are what you can smell once the middle notes of a fragrance have evaporated and are predominantly composed of woody, balsamic and musky ingredients. As base notes are richer and heavier than top and heart notes; they are long-lasting and are the finishing note of a fragrance. Also called the soul notes, base notes help to boost the lighter notes while creating a fragrance’s final, lasting impression.
Love Frequency 100ml
Top notes: addictive Pink Pepper
Heart notes: sultry Saffron, romantic Rose Ultimate Extract, hypnotic Rose Essential
Base notes: sensual Musk, warm Cashmere Wood, alluring Ambery Woods, intoxicating Patchouli Heart
More Sex 100ml
Top notes: bold Black Pepper Oil, magnetic Juniper Berry Oil
Heart notes: seductive Sexual Accord (Ambroxan, sexual Musk, Aldron), addictive Leather Accord
Base notes: velvety Musk, caressing Ambery Wood, sensual Sandalwood Oil Caledonia
Joyphoria 100ml
Top notes: joyful Petitgrain Oil, euphoric Coconut Water Accord, uplifting Neroli Oil
Heart notes: intoxicating Tuberose Absolut, warm Jasmine Sambac, radiant Ylang Ylang
Base notes: enchanting Vanilla Bean Extract, velvety Cashmere Wood, powdery Musks
Magic Energy 100ml
Top notes: reawakening Bergamot Oil, earthy Myrtle Oil
Heart notes: sophisticated Cypress Ultimate, sweet Jasmine Sambac, Seaweed Absolute
Base notes: Cashmere Wood, spiritual Palo Santo Accord, Ambergris Accord, Olibanum Resinoid
Calm Bliss 100ml
Top notes: fresh Bergamot Oil, sweet Neroli Oil, relaxing Lavandin Oil
Heart notes: soothing Orange Flower Absolute, refreshing Watery Accord
Base notes: warm Tonka Bean Accord, pure White Musks, peaceful Orris Concrete
Cosmic Power 100ml
Top notes: bold Black Pepper Oil, divine Cinnamon Bark Oil, uplifting Bergamot Oil, fresh Woody Elemi Oil
Heart notes: opulent Rose Ultimate, empowering Frankincense Accord
Base notes: mystical Amber Accord, enchanting Vanilla Bean Extract, powdery Musks
SHOP THE FRAGRANCE COLLECTION OF EMOTIONS
HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
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Author Details
Charlotte Tilbury
Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.
