Top notes: The top notes of a fragrance are sometimes known as opening notes or head notes because they are the fragrance notes recognised on immediate application. Top notes are also the first to fade

Heart notes: Otherwise known as middle notes, this scent layer is the foundation of any fragrance and is known to make up approximately 40% of the final fragrance. The heart notes start to make an appearance just before the top notes fade away and will strongly influence the base notes to come

Base notes: The base notes will start to shine through once the top notes have completely evaporated. Base notes make up 10-25% of the final fragrance. However, the base notes also blend with the heart notes to deepen the complexity of the fragrance. Where the top notes make the initial impression, the base notes are associated with the dry-down period of the fragrance and so, base notes will create the final, lasting impression. Base notes are often rich and smooth and the longest lasting of the three notes.