What are the notes of a perfume?

What are the notes of a perfume?

Knowledge of the details of fragrances is not only impressive, but it improves our ability to make the right choice of a fragrance that suits us.

So, it's worth taking the time to learn the basics and then use that knowledge to find your signature scent.

I will use the term "fragrance" as a general description, since all of this applies to colognes, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and aftershave.

A perfume has three basic phases, in terms of the smell it gives off.

We analyse these phases through its notes.

The notes are a combination of different ingredients.

The phases of a perfume, which are characterized by its notes, are: top notes, middle notes and base notes.

They evaporate at different speeds, meaning that each note is revealed over time, with top notes coming first, followed by middle notes and finally base notes.

Top notes

Top notes become noticeable within the first 15 minutes and tend to be the most striking, unusual notes.

Perfume designers do this to get our attention.

These intense perfumes belong to the top notes.

Medium notes

Middle notes are often spicy or floral in men's perfumes.

They are often what you would think of as the "main" scent and generally last from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the type of perfume.

Base notes

Base notes are the longer lasting notes.

Again depending on the species they can last from 5 to 10 hours and are often woody scents.

The way these three phases interact and evolve is very important.

This creates complex and interesting results that capture our attention.

The more attention you pay to the notes and each phase, the more experienced you will become in choosing the right fragrance that expresses your personality.

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Giannis – Owner of HairMania Greece & Founder of HairMaker.Gr

Professional hairstylist specializing in men’s & women’s care with 25 years of experience. Owner of HairMania Greece and founder of HairMaker.Gr.

Together with the HairMaker.Gr team, I publish articles based on real in-salon tests, client feedback, and daily hands-on experience.

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