Encyclopedia
The fragrance pyramid: top, heart and base
Why does a perfume smell one way in the first minute and another after two hours? A short guide to reading a formula.
7 min readFundamentals
- Top notes0–15 minutesCitrus, mint
- Heart notes15 min – 3 hoursFlorals, spices
- Base notes3 hours and beyondWoods, musk, vanilla
Fragrance families
01
Citrus
Bergamot, lemon, orange — clear, bright and energetic.
02
Floral
Rose, jasmine, iris — delicate, complex and layered.
03
Woody
Sandalwood, cedar, vetiver — deep, warm and structured.
04
Oriental
Vanilla, oud, spices — rich, warm and complex.
05
Fougère & aromatic
Lavender, coumarin — balanced, aromatic and herbal.
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