Top – Heart – Base: the 3 notes of perfumery

1.Top note: the most fleeting

 The one you notice first. The constituent elements are rather fleeting and light. The scent will linger from the moment the perfume is sprayed until about 2 hours later... These are the most perceptible but most volatile scents. They are generally fresh and lively and give the first olfactory impression. These dominant notes often indicate whether we might like the perfume or not when purchasing it in-store.
Some fragrances from Paco Rabanne (One Million) and Azzaro (Wanted), for example, go all out to impress us from the very first moments!

2.Heart note: the most persistent

After 2 hours, when the top note begins to fade, the heart note sets in. It can persist for between 2 and 4 hours depending on the compositions used. The heart note is less intense but lasts longer. As its name suggests, this note forms the "heart" of the perfume and gives the main theme of the fragrance.

3.Base note: the most memorable

It's the one that makes the perfume last over time, that leaves memories of the perfume after years. The top and heart notes rely on this base note, which can last up to 24 hours, or even several days for some very complex fragrances. It is truly the harmony (or contrasts) that links these 3 notes that will give the fragrance its character.