The Fragrance Pyramid Explained: Top, Heart and Base Notes
Why does a perfume smell different an hour after spraying? A simple guide to the fragrance pyramid of top, heart and base notes, with examples you know.
The scent changes, and that's normal
Spray a perfume and smell it after one minute and again after three hours: you'll notice two different scents. That's not a flaw, it's how perfume is designed. Ingredients evaporate at different speeds, so perfumers arrange them in three layers called the fragrance pyramid, which you'll find on every product page at DD Perfumes Store.
1. Top notes
The first thing you smell, lasting roughly 10 to 30 minutes. Usually citrus such as bergamot and lemon, or light spices like pink pepper. Their job is the first impression.
2. Heart notes
They appear once the opening settles and last for hours. This is where you find flowers like jasmine and rose, or spices like cinnamon and lavender. The heart is the perfume's real personality.
3. Base notes
The heaviest, slowest-evaporating ingredients, the ones still on your clothes at the end of the day: vanilla, amber, musk, woods, oud and patchouli. The base largely decides how long a perfume lasts.
Examples you know
| Perfume | Top | Heart | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dior Sauvage | Bergamot, pepper | Sichuan pepper, lavender | Ambroxan, cedar |
| Lattafa Khamrah | Cinnamon, nutmeg | Dates, praline | Vanilla, tonka, benzoin |
| Good Girl | Almond, coffee | Tuberose, jasmine | Tonka, cocoa |
And what are accords?
An accord is the overall impression the blend creates: sweet, woody, citrus, powdery, warm spicy. On each product page the accords appear as small tags under the description, and they're the fastest way to understand what a perfume is like.
FAQ
Why does my perfume seem gone after an hour?
Usually the citrus opening has faded while the heart and base are still there, just quieter. Your nose also gets used to the scent.
When should I judge a perfume?
Wait at least 20 minutes after spraying, so you smell the heart and not only the opening.
Try it yourself
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