Notes guide
Notes are the parts a scent is made of. No need to learn them: this page is for when you're curious.
Top, heart, base
Top notes are the first 15–30 minutes. Light and bright, they fade first.
The heart is the character of the scent. It opens after the top and stays for hours.
The base is what stays on skin and clothes the longest. Woods, resins, vanilla, musk.
Fragrance families
Fresh
Citrus, sea air, cool herbs. Light scents for the day, summer and the office.
Scents in this family- Bergamot
- An Italian citrus. Smells like lemon peel with a sip of Earl Grey tea. Bright, a little bitter.
- Grapefruit
- Juicy and bitter, like a freshly peeled grapefruit. Wakes you up and leaves quickly.
- Sea notes
- Air by the sea: salt, wet stones, wind. Make a scent feel clean and light.
- Mint
- A cool touch, like a fresh mint leaf rubbed between your fingers.
Floral
From one fresh flower to a whole bouquet. Not only for her and not only for spring.
Scents in this family- Rose
- From fresh petals with dew to thick jam. In modern perfumes it's rarely old-fashioned.
- Jasmine
- A white flower, sweet and a little animalic. Makes a scent warm and sensual.
- Iris
- Cool and powdery, like make-up powder, with a hint of carrot from the root.
- Tuberose
- A thick, creamy white flower. Loud and sweet, you notice it right away.
- Orange blossom
- Honeyed and clean, like fresh laundry and flowers at once.
Fougère
French for "fern": lavender, moss and herbs. The classic barbershop scent.
Scents in this family- Lavender
- Herbal, clean, a little soapy. The base of many classic men's scents.
- Oakmoss
- A damp forest, moss on bark after rain. Bitter and grown-up.
- Geranium
- Rosy and green at once, with a minty edge.
- Cedar
- Dry wood, like a freshly sharpened pencil.
- Sandalwood
- Soft, creamy wood. Warm, like skin after the sun.
- Vetiver
- The root of a grass. Smells of damp earth, a little smoke and nuts.
- Patchouli
- A dark, earthy leaf with a hint of chocolate. A little gives depth.
- Amber
- Not a raw material but a warm accord of resins and vanilla. It's the "warmth" in a scent.
- Saffron
- A spice with a leathery, honeyed touch. Makes a scent feel rich.
- Musk
- The clean smell of warm skin, like a jumper someone you love just wore.
- Ambroxan
- Mineral, slightly salty warmth, like skin after the sea. Behind many viral scents.
- Tobacco
- Dry tobacco leaves, honeyed and sweet. Not an ashtray.
- Vanilla
- Warm sweetness. In niche perfumes it comes with smoke and wood, not like a cake.
- Tonka bean
- Almond, hay and vanilla at once. A cosy, edible note.
- Praline
- Caramelised sugar and roasted nuts.
- Coffee
- Roasted beans: a little bitter, warm, awake.
- Leather
- Soft suede or a new leather jacket. Can be smooth or smoky.
- Birch tar
- Campfire smoke. Gives leather scents their smoky edge.
- Oud
- Resinous wood from Asia. Dark and thick, with shades of leather and medicine.
- Incense
- Church resin: smoky and cool, with a lemony spark.
Know what you like, but not the notes?
Tell the assistant in your own words: "like fresh laundry", "like my grandma's garden". It will find the scent.