Understanding the description of fragrances was 101 for me selecting my oils and scents to use for Summerfield Candle Co. As a candle buyer you should too start to understand how brands and makers describe their scented candles. Some fragrances are much more complex than others and you really can be helped by having a guide to the notes you are experiencing.
In perfumes the fragrance can be divided into three different notes depending on when they arise.
Top note: The initial scent when you put the candle out, then first to disappear.
Middle note: This scent appears just after the top note disappears.
Base note: This appears after the middle note and is the base of the scent.
Top notes, middle notes, and base notes are the three categories into which notes in a scent are commonly divided. This is due to the fact that scents are intricate blends of many aromatic substances, and these compounds evaporate at various levels. The many notes alludes to the various evaporation phases and how the fragrance alters with time.
The first scents you notice when you encounter a fragrance are known as top notes. These often evaporate quickly given that they are thin and fresh.
The fragrances that appear after the top notes have vanished are referred to as middle notes or heart notes. These aromas are typically more complex than the top notes and are either flowery or spicy. Middle notes give the fragrance depth and personality.
After the middle notes have dissipated, the base notes are what remain. These serve as the base of the smell and are frequently stronger and longer-lasting than the other notes.
By dividing fragrances into these three groups, perfumers may produce intricate, layered smells that change with time, offering a singular and distinctive experience.