Understanding Fragrance Notes: Top, Heart, and Base

Understanding Fragrance Notes

Every fragrance tells a story in three acts. Understanding fragrance notes helps you appreciate how a scent evolves on your skin.

The Three Layers of Fragrance

Top Notes (The Opening)

Top notes are the first impression — what you smell immediately after spraying. They're typically light, fresh, and volatile, lasting 15-30 minutes.

Common top notes: Citrus, bergamot, fresh fruits, herbs, light florals.

Heart Notes (The Middle)

Heart notes emerge as top notes fade. They form the core character of the fragrance and last 2-4 hours.

Common heart notes: Rose, jasmine, spices, fruits, tea.

Base Notes (The Dry-down)

Base notes are the foundation — the lasting impression. They emerge after 30+ minutes and can last for hours.

Common base notes: Amber, oud, musk, vanilla, sandalwood, cedarwood, leather.

Why the Dry-Down Matters

The dry-down is what people will remember about your fragrance. A great fragrance evolves beautifully from opening to base — this is what we call a refined dry-down at AUURAH.