Base Notes

Every fragrance is composed of 3 types of notes – base notes, heart notes & top notes. These notes are the foundation of a fragrance, providing depth, richness, and longevity to the overall scent profile. They are the scents that emerge after the top and heart notes have evaporated, and are typically made up of heavier, longer-lasting ingredients such as woods, musks, and resins. These notes can last over 6 hours after application.

The purpose of base notes is to anchor the fragrance, providing a solid foundation upon which the top notes & heart notes are layered. They are often described as the “body” of the fragrance, as they provide a sense of weight and substance to the overall scent profile and act as fixatives, helping to stabilize and prolong the overall scent of the perfume. The ingredients commonly used as base notes tend to enhance the longevity of the fragrance by slowing down the evaporation of the more volatile top and heart notes. Base notes have adhesive properties that allow them to bind with the skin and other fragrance ingredients, creating a harmonious and long-lasting scent experience.

Common ingredients include sandalwood, patchouli, oud, vanilla, and amber, as well as animalic scents such as musk and civet. These scents are often rich and complex, providing a sense of depth and warmth to the fragrance.