What Are Top, Heart and Base Notes in Perfume?

When you first spray a perfume, what you smell in the opening moments isn’t the whole story. Fragrances are designed to unfold over time, revealing different layers as they interact with the air and your skin. These layers are known as top, heart and base notes, and understanding them can completely change how you choose and wear perfume.

How fragrance development works

Perfumers structure scents using what’s often called the fragrance pyramid. Each layer is made up of scent molecules that evaporate at different speeds. As lighter molecules disappear, heavier ones emerge, creating a sense of movement and depth throughout the day.

Top notes are the first impression — bright, volatile and attention-grabbing. Heart notes appear once the top notes fade, forming the core personality of the fragrance. Base notes emerge last, anchoring the scent and lingering longest on the skin.

Fragrance experts  describe this progression as the key reason perfumes feel dynamic rather than static, evolving hour by hour rather than smelling the same from first spray to dry-down.

Examples of common notes

Each stage of a fragrance tends to feature certain types of notes that suit its role in the pyramid:

• Top notes: Citrus (bergamot, lemon), herbs (basil, mint), light fruits and airy aromatics.
• Heart notes: Florals (rose, jasmine, iris), spices (cardamom, cinnamon) and soft woods.
• Base notes: Woods (sandalwood, cedar), amber, musk, vanilla and resins.

A good example of a fragrance with a crisp, uplifting opening is Inspired by Lime Basil & Mandarin Lima , where fresh citrus top notes create an immediate burst of energy before softer herbal and woody tones appear.

For heart-note-led scents, florals often take centre stage. Inspired by Flowerbomb, Brussels is a classic example, with a rich floral heart that defines the scent long after the initial spray has settled.

When it comes to base-heavy compositions, Inspired by Santal 33, New York leans into sandalwood and amber, creating a warm, woody foundation that stays close to the skin for hours.

Why base notes matter most

While top notes may be what make you fall in love at first spray, base notes are what make a perfume memorable. They are responsible for longevity, depth and how a fragrance ultimately settles on your skin.

Because base notes evaporate slowly, they shape the scent you and others notice later in the day. This is why perfumes with strong woody, musky or amber bases tend to last longer and feel more “rounded” than those built primarily around citrus or light florals.

Fragrance houses like Eight & Bob often describe base notes as the backbone of a fragrance, supporting every other layer and giving a scent its signature character.

Shopping by scent family

Understanding fragrance notes also makes it easier to shop by scent family. If you love bright openings, citrus-led perfumes with sparkling top notes are a great place to start. Floral lovers may gravitate towards heart-driven compositions where rose, jasmine or iris dominate. And if you prefer depth and longevity, woody, amber and musky fragrances built around strong base notes are usually the most satisfying.

Exploring the women’s collection at Noted. Aromas through the lens of top, heart and base notes helps narrow down scents that suit both your taste and how long you want your fragrance to last on the skin.

Once you know which notes resonate with you, choosing a perfume becomes far less overwhelming — and far more personal.