Facilitated by an unmistakable crispness, a light spiciness, or perhaps a gentle floral accord, we fall in love with a scent not just because of its name, but its olfactory language — the innate chemistry of its parts. An anchor for deeper exploration, fragrance notes hold the secret to taking your sensorial experiences to the next level.

Knowing your notes helps you discover signature scents that line up with your mood or moment, making sure you find optimal pleasure in every scent. There are three components to this:

Top Notes — These notes appear in the first moments of application, leading your nose to the scent’s character and heart. Their lightness also makes them the first to fade. Citruses (lemon, orange, mandarin), herbs (basil, rosemary, lavender), and fruits (grapefruit, berries, apple) are regulars in this group.

Middle Notes — These are the body or heart of a fragrance, featuring the fullest and richest aromas. They bloom after a few minutes following application, and usually linger anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Common middle notes include florals (rose, jasmine, magnolia, lily) and spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, clove).

Base Notes — Base notes are the backbone of each fragrance, providing hours of depth, warmth, and unspoken ‘staying-power’ to the scent. Woods, incense, vanilla, and musk are some of the most common base notes.