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Understanding the Fragrance Pyramid: Top, Heart and Base Notes Explained

Fragrance Knowledge

Understanding the Fragrance Pyramid: Top, Heart and Base Notes Explained

A fragrance changes with every moment. What smells fresh and sparkling when first applied can later become warm, floral or woody. Behind this lies the interplay of different notes. The fragrance pyramid makes this development tangible.

What is the fragrance pyramid?

Top, heart and base notes describe which facets of a perfume stand out at different points in time. The transitions are fluid – after all, a fragrance unfolds as a whole.

Top notes – the first impression

First impressions count: citrus notes such as bergamot and grapefruit or fresh herbs often open the composition. They are usually the most volatile.

Heart notes – the character

Gradually, further facets emerge. Rose, jasmine, lavender or spicy accents give a composition its unmistakable character.

Base notes – the lasting signature

What stays in the memory: woody notes, vanilla, musk and amber accords often provide depth and a long-lasting impression.

Why does perfume develop differently?

No fragrance always smells the same. Temperature, skin type and the amount applied influence how intensely individual notes are perceived.

Discover fragrance

The fragrance pyramid is a guide, not a fixed set of rules. The most exciting part is how the notes interact and develop a character of their own. More inspiration can be found in the different fragrance worlds of the SA.G Group portfolio.

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