When choosing your daytime staple or special occasion spritz, it’s important to consider every aspect of the fragrance pyramid. While one person may enjoy the initial burst of a blossoming, floral top note, others may prefer a rich, musky base that only reveals itself over a few hours. However, Lamprianidou says, “Once you know which notes you naturally gravitate toward, it becomes easier to find perfumes you’ll love.”

Here’s our breakdown of common perfume notes to help:

Top Notes

Fragrance top notes are often lighter citrus and herbs, such as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon and pink pepper. Our signature Orange & Bergamot Eau de Parfum for instance, is brightened with a top note of fresh, bitter orange.

Heart Notes

These tend to be florals, spices or fruits, such as jasmine, rose, black pepper and cardamom; the iconic Re-charge Black Pepper Eau de Parfum is spiked with a heart note of enlivening black pepper.

Base Notes

Base notes are usually woody with vanilla and musks; think vetiver, oudh, leather, patchouli and sandalwood. These help dial up the opulence, just like our Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Eau de Parfum with its base of spirited oudh accord.

Senior Brand Manager, Fanni Varkonyi, recommends ‘‘testing the fragrance on your skin for at least a day before committing. Testing it on a blotter gives you an idea of the general vibe of a scent, but every fragrance can differ from one skin to another, and they develop over time.’’

If you’re searching for a scent online, there’s no better place to start than our Fragrance Finder. This smart system takes you on a journey that matches your personality with your perfect scent.

How long a fragrance lasts depends on its composition and how each note unfurls. According to Lamprianidou, “Understanding how notes unfold helps you choose perfumes that feel consistent throughout the day — not just appealing in the first few minutes.”

Here’s how long they typically last:

• Top notes: 30 minutes – 1 hour
• Heart notes: 2 – 6 hours
• Base notes: 4 – 24 hours

The difference between an Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette can also affect the longevity of a scent, depending on the fragrance oil concentration. Our Eaux de Parfum are blended with 20% concentration, which takes you from day to night, while our Eaux de Toilette contains 10% for lighter, daytime occasions. Other factors include where you store your perfume bottles (dark, dry and cool spaces work best) and how you prep your skin – “Hydrating the skin with lotions first helps layer the scent for a long-lasting finish’’, describes Lamprianidou.  

What Are Fragrance Notes?

Fragrance notes are the individual ingredient layers that unfold over time once the perfume is applied to skin.

Which Fragrance Notes Last The Longest?

Base notes last the longest as they are formulated with heavier molecules that evaporate slowly. You can expect them to linger on skin for hours after the top and heart notes have faded.

Can I Find Perfume By Note?

You’ll find each scent’s individual fragrance pyramid on our product pages, with a helpful description each note’s aroma.