Scent notes are descriptions of perfumes that are generally smelt after the application of a perfume. Notes are divideded into 3 parts; top, middle and base. Each refer to groups of aromas that can be smelt with regard to the point in time after the application of the perfume. These notes are formed based on the knowledge of the fading time of the components as well as the use for which the fragrance is planned. That said, each class of note can impact the others. Hence it is not as easy to get the impression of a particular note because they will vary over a period of time. For instance, the existence of a certain base or middle note will impact the aroma perceived when the top notes are strongest, and likewise the perfume related with the base notes will often change based on the aroma of the heart notes.
The concept of notes is used predominantly to describe a scent for marketing and advertising reasons. Occasionally they are referred to by perfumers to portray the different phases of a scents smell to the layman.
Top notes.
These are the aromas observed instantly after the application of a perfume. They comprise of small, light molecules that disappear quickly. Top notes are fundamental to the promotion of a cologne as it is these that form a person's initial opinion of a scent. They are typically described as fresh, sharp or assertive. The ingredients that lead to top notes are volatile, pungent in aroma, and evaporate quickly. Citrus along with ginger are usual materials for top notes. Top notes are occasionally referred to as the head notes.
Middle notes.
On occasion known as the heart or main body of a perfume, they emerge in the central point of the fragrance's diffusion process. It is the smell of a cologne that appears just before the ending of the top notes. Their purpose is to mask the frequently unpleasant first impression of the base notes, which grow to be more appealing with time. Compunds used for a scent's middles notes are by and large more smooth and rounded. The middle notes can appear anywhere from 2 minutes to one hour later than the initial use of the scent. Rose in addition to lavender are typical compounds used to produce the middle notes.
Base notes.
The middle plus base notes together mold the core theme of a perfume with the base notes showing just before the end of the middle notes. Base notes make the solidity and intensity of a fragrance. Bass note substances are frequently the fixatives used to embrace and increase the depth of the lighter middle and top notes. The molecules contained in these compounds are substantial and heavy which mean they evapourate gradually. These ingredients are typically deep and rich and are not usually sensed until at least thirty minutes after the cologne has been applied. This time frame is often referred to as perfume dry-down. Several of the longer lasting base note ingredients can still be sensed in excess of twenty four hours after application. This predominantly applies to the animalic notes.
Author Resource:
Elizabeth Rodriguez specialises in the promotion and marketing of Perfumes and Fragrances and has over 20 years experience in the industry.