What are fragrance notes and how do I choose the right ones for me?
Choosing a fragrance is like choosing a significant other. You want your signature smell to be the perfect match for you, and to become your lifetime beauty partner, but finding your scent soulmate isn’t always easy. Whilst o
What is a fragrance note?
“Fragrance notes are essentially the different scent layers that make up the final fragrance.” Within fragrances, different notes such as florals, herbs, spices and woods are combined to create the overall scent that we love.
2
RRP: £155.00Current price: £62.00
2
£60.00
What are the different types of fragrance notes?
“There are three distinct categories of fragrance notes – top, heart and base. The combination of all three create a beautiful fragrance.”
Top Notes
“The top notes of a fragrance are sometimes known as opening notes or head notes because they are the fragrance notes recognised on immediate application. Top notes are the lightest of all the notes. As a result of their lightness, top notes are also the first to fade - but that doesn’t disregard their importance.”
“Top notes represent the first impression. They may not be the longest-lasting element of a fragrance but they’re the first thing you’ll smell when trying a new fragrance. Top notes represent the initial scents that lure you in, causing you to make your first impression of the fragrance.”
Expect fresher, lighter scents such as citrus, herbs and fruits.
Heart Notes
“As their name suggests, heart notes lie at the heart of the fragrance. Otherwise known as middle notes, this scent layer is the foundation of any fragrance and is known to make up approximately 40-80% of the final fragrance.”
“The heart notes start to make an appearance just before the top notes fade away and will strongly influence the base notes to come.”
Expect floral fragrances such as rose, jasmine or ylang ylang.
Base Notes
“Finally, the base notes will start to shine through once the top notes have completely evaporated. Alone, base notes make up 10-25% of the final fragrance. However, the base notes also blend with the heart notes to deepen the complexity of the fragrance.”
“Where the top notes make the initial impression, the base notes are associated with the dry-down period of the fragrance and so, base notes will create the final, lasting impression.”
Expect scents such as sandalwood, musk, vanilla, oak moss, patchouli and oud.
How to match your fragrance to your personality with Etro
From sweet and sultry to earthy and musky, we show you how to match your fragrance to your personality with best-selling fragrance brand Etro.
How long does each note last?
“Top notes tend to disappear relatively soon after spraying, whilst heart notes last for a few hours depending on the concentration of fragrance you choose. Base notes last the longest and can sometimes still be detected the next day!”
How do I choose the right fragrance notes for me?
Florals
“If you like floral notes look for the flower names that you know such as rose, jasmine, violet, geranium but also slightly less familiar names such as neroli, heliotrope, tiaré.”
Tocca Belle Eau de Parfum
1
£115.00
For fresh floral lovers, the Tocca Belle Eau de Parfum provides a burst of aroma. Enriched with notes of White Freesia and magnolia, this scent opens with a citrus touch before mellowing out into clean, light florals. Also available in a travel spray for a refreshing touch on the go.
Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau de Parfum
Winner of the Fragrance Foundation (FiFi
Woody
“For lovers of woody fragrances look for notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, agarwood (also known as Oud) and cashmeran.”
Versace Pour Femme Dylan Turquoise Eau de Toilette Vapo
10
£95.00
Jo Malone London Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense 100ml
Aromatic
“For a more aromatic fragrance, try notes such as bergamot, lavender, rosemary, basil.”
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum Spray
Bottega Veneta Illusione Eau de Parfum For Her
3
£75.00
Oriental
“Notes of incense, myrrh, cardamom, ambergris and patchouli and will denote a more oriental fragrance”
Bon Parfumeur 102 Tea Cardamom Mimosa Eau de Parfum
Dolce&Gabbana Velvet Oriental Musk Eau de Parfum
Sweet
“Lovers of all things sweet should look for tonka bean, caramel, cacao and vanilla”
Moschino Toy2 Bubblegum Eau de Toilette
4
£82.00
Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml
42
RRP: £94.00Current price: £79.90
Featuring notes of sweet Italian orange, toffee caramel and pear nectar, this sweet feminine fragrance
As someone with an affinity for all things beauty, discovering fantastic new products is my not-so-secret obsession. Over the years I've tried and tested a mountains worth of creams, serums and cleansers, finding some of my favourite 'holy-grail' products along the way. However, I'm always on the lookout for more ways to nourish my hair, perfect my dewy base, or enhance my skincare routine. Working as a beauty blogger for over 3 years, I've been lucky enough to collaborate personally with lots of amazing beauty brands including Christian Dior, The Body Shop and Dermalogica. I've used the Dermalogica special cleansing gel religiously since I first got it and their products are some of my ultimate skincare faves. When it comes to cosmetics, NARS Sheer Glow foundation is definitely my go-to - I live for a light, glowy base!
