Understanding scent notes: Top, Middle, Base

Have you ever fallen in love with a candle’s scent in the shop, only to find it smells slightly different after burning for an hour at home? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that a perfume evolves on your skin throughout the day.

This isn't your nose playing tricks on you, it’s the scent notes in action.

Creating a fragrance is a lot like composing a symphony. You don't just hit one note and hold it, you layer different sounds to create a rich, evolving experience.

Perfumers and chandlers (candle makers) use a structure called the olfactory pyramid to organise these scent layers. It’s the blueprint that determines how a fragrance introduces itself, develops, and lingers.

Understanding this pyramid is the key to decoding the olfactory pyramid and finding scents that you truly love from the first sniff to the final flicker.

Let’s break down the three essential tiers: Top, Middle, and Base notes.

The First Impression: Top Notes

The top notes (also known as head notes) are the greeting. They are the very first thing you smell when you take the lid off a candle or spray a perfume.

• Characteristics: These molecules are small, light, and evaporate very quickly. They are volatile and designed to grab your attention immediately.

• Common Scents: You will often find zesty citrus (lemon, bergamot, grapefruit), light fruits (berries), and fresh herbs (mint, basil) here.

• Lifespan: In a candle, these are the notes that give you that instant "fresh" hit, but they tend to fade or blend into the next layer within the first 10–15 minutes of burning.

Think of top notes as the "hook" of a pop song, catchy, bright, and designed to pull you in.

The Heart of the Fragrance: Middle Notes

Once the initial burst of the top notes settles, the middle notes (or heart notes) emerge. As the name suggests, this is the core of the fragrance.

• Characteristics: These make up the bulk of the scent profile. They are more complex and full-bodied than the top notes, serving to mask the initial intensity of the base notes (which can sometimes be unpleasant on their own) and acting as a bridge between the light top and heavy base.

• Common Scents: This is where you find the florals (rose, lavender, jasmine), spices (cinnamon, cardamom), and heavier fruits.

• Lifespan: These notes make up the main "personality" of the candle while it burns. They are what you smell most consistently after the candle has been lit for a while.

If the top notes are the hook, the middle notes are the chorus, the part of the song you remember and hum along to.

The Lasting Memory: Base Notes

Finally, we reach the foundation: the base notes. These are the deep, rich scents that provide depth and longevity to the fragrance.

• Characteristics: These molecules are large, heavy, and slow to evaporate. They are the "fixatives" that hold the fragrance together and stop the lighter notes from disappearing too fast. In a candle, these notes linger in the room long after the flame has been blown out.

• Common Scents: Think of woody notes (cedarwood, sandalwood), musks, vanilla, amber, and patchouli.

• Lifespan: These appear last but stay the longest. They provide the warm, comforting finish that grounds the entire scent profile.

Base notes are the rhythm section, the drums and bass that underpin the melody and give the track its groove and staying power.

Why Does It Matter?

Knowing how to read the olfactory pyramid transforms you from a casual shopper into a connoisseur.

1. Avoid Impulse Buys: Don't just judge a candle by the "cold sniff" (which is mostly top notes). Remember that the scent will deepen and change once the middle and base notes heat up.

2. Set the Mood:

   • Want a quick burst of energy for a morning shower? Look for strong top notes like citrus.

   • Want a relaxing vibe for a bath? Focus on middle notes like lavender or rose.

   • Want a cosy atmosphere for a dinner party? Choose scents with rich base notes like vanilla or sandalwood.

A truly great fragrance isn't flat; it’s a journey.

From the sparkling introduction of the top notes to the full heart of the middle notes and the lingering warmth of the base, understanding scent notes allows you to appreciate the artistry behind your favourite candles.

Next time you are shopping, check the scent description. You'll likely see the notes listed in this order.

It’s a cheat sheet to knowing exactly how that candle will perform in your home.

Which layer of the pyramid do you find yourself drawn to most?

Do you love the fresh zing of top notes or the cosy warmth of base notes? Let us know in the comments!