Top, heart and base notes: reading a scent pyramid
A scent pyramid is a way to describe how a perfume unfolds. Read the three stages together rather than choosing by a single familiar note.
The opening: a first impression
Top notes describe the first impression after application. They often include lighter impressions such as citrus, but each formula differs. A catalogue note describes an odour, not proof that a particular natural ingredient is present.
The heart: the composition takes shape
Heart notes describe the central profile as the opening develops. Flowers, spices or other accords may appear here when the catalogue lists them. The stages overlap; there is no universal minute at which one ends and another starts.
The base: read the whole composition
Base notes describe the later profile and may include woods, amber or musk when declared. They do not guarantee wear time. Compare the examples below and explore their families to understand how different notes sit together.
Compare the catalogue
Examples from the catalogue. Notes describe scent, not the complete ingredient list.
Azure Royal
Floral
Coming soon
- Opening
- Pear, Sweet Notes, Orange
- Heart
- Freesia, Rose
- Base
- Musk, Cedarwood
Blue By Ahmed
Fresh
Coming soon
- Opening
- Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Pink Pepper
- Heart
- Iso E Super, Jasmine, Ginger, Nutmeg
- Base
- Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cedarwood, White Musk, Labdanum, Vetiver, Incense
Blue Oud
Woody
Coming soon
- Opening
- Leather, Bergamot, Cypress
- Heart
- Incense, Violet Leaf, Geranium
- Base
- Agarwood, Oud, Guaiac Wood, Patchouli, Musk
Brulee
Gourmand
Coming soon
- Opening
- Caramel, Cardamom, Sugar, Coconut, Sicilian Bergamot
- Heart
- Vanilla, Milk, Frankincense, Chocolate, Orange Blossom
- Base
- Ambroxan, Tonka Bean, White Musk
Chill Spectrum Blue
Fresh
Coming soon
- Opening
- Grapefruit, Mandarin, Bergamot, Ginger, Fig
- Heart
- Mint, Jasmine Sambac, Coconut, Basil, Grass
- Base
- Ambroxan, Vetiver, Iso E Super, Sandalwood, Cashmeran
Cinder
Woody
Coming soon
- Opening
- Bergamot, Davana, Pink Pepper
- Heart
- Agarwood (Oud), White Amber, Rosemary
- Base
- Leather, Musk, Haitian Vetiver, Ambroxan
Your questions
What are top, heart and base notes?
They describe the opening impression, the central profile and the later scent respectively. They are overlapping stages, not a strict timetable.
Are notes the same as ingredients?
No. Notes describe perceived smells or accords, not the complete ingredient list or their natural origin.
Can the same note appear in different stages?
Yes. A maker may describe a note in more than one stage. Read it in the context of the full composition rather than treating the pyramid as a fixed chemical rule.
How should I compare perfumes using their notes?
Start with notes you already enjoy, then compare their accompanying top, heart and base notes and the listed family. Try on skin when possible; notes cannot predict the exact experience for everyone.