Fragrance Notes 101 

If you’ve ever read a fragrance description and had no idea what it actually means, you’re not alone. There are many “industry standard” terms to describe how a fragrance smells and develops over time. 

You’ll commonly hear top notes, middle notes and base notes. Another way to say the same thing would be opening notes, heart notes and dry-down notes. Regardless of how they’re labeled, their job is the same. 

First: The Opening 

The opening, also called the top notes, is what you smell first. It's your introduction to the fragrance. It's those first few minutes when you spray it and immediately think, "Oh, I like this."

Top notes are often bright, fresh or energetic. Citrus like bergamot, lemon and grapefruit are common, as are lighter fruits, herbs and aromatic notes. They're designed to make an impression quickly, but they typically last as long as the rest of the fragrance. 

Think of the opening as the first impression.

Second: The Heart 

After the opening fades, the heart notes, or middle notes, emerge. This is where the personality of the fragrance takes shape.

Florals like jasmine, rose and peony are common heart notes, as are spices, herbs, fruits and other aromatic ingredients. If the opening is the first impression, the heart is the main character.

This is often the part of the fragrance you experience for the next few hours, and it can feel noticeably different from that first spray. Which is why we always recommend giving a fragrance a little time before deciding how you feel about it.

Last: The Dry Down

Then there's the dry down. This is what remains after the fragrance has had time to settle on your skin - usually the warmest, longest-lasting part of the composition.

You'll often find notes like musk, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli here. The dry down tends to sit closer to the skin and can feel softer, warmer or deeper than the opening. It's also the part that can linger on your skin - and sometimes on your clothes - long after the brighter notes have disappeared. Think of the dry down as the lasting impression.

Your Notes Cheat Sheet 

If there is one thing you need to remember about notes, let it be this: 

OPENING
The first impression.
 Bright, fresh, immediate.

HEART
The personality.
 Floral, fruity, aromatic, spicy.

DRY DOWN
The lasting impression.
Warm, woody, musky, creamy.