A perfume has three notes: three distinct smells when you apply it, after a couple of hours, and after several hours of use. These three notes are called the top note, heart note, and base note. Depending on the type of perfume, these notes are more or less pronounced in the scent.
Top Note
The top note is the fragrance you get till the first 15 or 30 minutes after apply the perfume. This is the light and introductory smell of a perfume and contains fragrances like cirtrus, herbs, and florals.
- Lemon
- Orange
- Lavender
- Rose
- Basil
Heart Note
The heart note is the fragrance which you get from 30 minutes to 90 minutes of applying the perfume. It contains fragrances like floral, spicy, aromatic, and fruity elements.
Some popular heart note fragrances are:
- Jasmine
- Ylang ylang
- Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Pepper
- Lemongrass
- Cardamom
Base Note
A Base Note is the last smell you get after applying the perfume. This note contains fragrances like wood, musk, resin, ember, or vanilla.
Some popular base note fragrances are:
- Vanilla
- Amber
- Musk
- Sandalwood
- Cedarwood
Families of Fragrances Used in Notes
Wood
Wood fragrances are popular for base notes because of the distinct, heavy and lasting aroma they provide. Popular wood fragrances include:
- Sandalwood (most common)
- Cedarwood
- Agar-agar
- Patchouli
- Oud
Floral
Floral fragrances have been one of the most popular ones for top notes since ages. Popular floral fragrances include:
- Rose
- Jasmine
- Marigold
Fresh
Fresh fragrances come from citrus fruits and are a popular note in several perfumes.
- Orange
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
Spice
Spice fragrances are popular due to their intense aromas and sharp smell which lasts for several hours. Popular ones include:
- Cinnamon
- Pepper
- Nutmeg
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Cardamom
Musk
Musk forms the base notes of perfumes, giving a strong and lasting smell. Popular musk smells are:
- Kashmiri Musk
- Black Musk
