#topnotes

Vetiver Reconstitution from BMV Fragrances is widely used in fragrance creation for its earthy and grounded aroma. It works effectively as both a top and base note, helping perfumers create balanced and long-lasting scent profiles. Perfect for both luxury and everyday perfumes, it adds depth and complexity to fragrance formulations.

Were you aware that each type of fragrance is actually broken down by notes?

Did you notice how only certain perfumes or scents stay longer than others?

Here is a breakdown of how fragrances and Perfume may be constructed including the description of the fragrance families you could encounter.  

Alcohol

When you first spray a Perfume/Cologne/Fragrance, the very first thing you are going to smell is the alcohol used to dilute the fragrance to make it safe for your clothes and your skin. Alcohol will last in your fragrance for about 5 minutes, after it is sprayed, until it burns off.

This is why it may be tough to test fragrances in department stores, because the alcohol is so strong in each one that it burns your nose out to the point where you can really only test about 3-4 fragrances before giving up.

Luckily, our oils are all concentrated with no alcohol added. This way you can really smell each scent and note without getting a headache or feeling overwhelmed.

Top Notes

After the alcohol burns off, it opens up your fragrance to the light and playful top notes that give you the first initial reaction of the signature scent. These notes are the “top” of the fragrance that normally consist of two main fragrance families: Citruses and Aquatics. These notes will last in your fragrance anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

Citrus: Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit, and other Citrus based fruits

Aquatic:  Anise, Lavender, Lemongrass, Water, and Clean scents

Heart Notes

Once your top notes start to burn off, it opens up the middle of the fragrance to the heart notes. These are the “heart” of the fragrance which means it’s the core element that gives your signature scent it’s distinctive characteristics. This section is normally divided into four different families: Floral, Green, Fruit, and Spices. These notes normally linger with anywhere from 2 to 3 hours after spraying your fragrance.

Floral: Rose, Jasmine, Lilac, Gardenia, and Light Florals

Green: Grass, Eucalyptus, Leaves, Herbs, and other Grassy scents

Fruity: Peach, Raspberries, Pear, Mangoes, and Fruit based accords

Spices: Clove, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ginger, and Warm Spices

Base Notes

After the Top and Heart notes of a fragrance are completely burned off, you are left with the Base notes in the end. The base notes are what build a fragrance from the very beginning to the the last whiff. Because of these notes, your fragrance can last anywhere from 4 hours to Days on your fibers, such as, your clothes and hair. Base notes consist of two large fragrance families : Woods and Balsamic notes.

Woods: Sandalwood, Cedar, Patchouli, Redwood, Pine, and Mossy scents

Balsamic: Vanilla, Heliotrope, Tonka Bean, Pumpkin, and Very Warm Spices

This is a great diagram to look at when you are interested in creating a Perfume/Cologne based on the fragrant notes and their fragrance families. The beauty at Scented Studio is that no matter how you’d like to create your scent, we will help guide you through this process.

Just a reminder: DO NOT RUB your wrists when you apply fragrance as this WILL burn off the Top notes because you are heating your fragrance with your skin. If you dab gently, if will not burn off the top notes, and you will be able to smell the fullness of your scent from beginning to end :-)

Thank you for reading!