Find the notes in your favourite fragrance

FRAGRANCE is made up of notes, just like a piece of music, and together these notes blend into a harmonious whole.

According to the Fragrantica Club, there are three levels, or notes, and this is why perfume counter assistants advise customers to spray and smell not only straight away, but also after a few minutes, and later in the day. It is wise to avoid scented creams and lotions, or wearing other perfume, if you plan on sampling a few.

ýThe top notes, which also are sometimes referred to as the opening or head notes, are generally the lightest of all the notes. They are recognised immediately upon application of the perfume.

Common fragrance top notes include citrus (lemon, orange zest, bergamot), light fruits (grapefruit, berries) and herbs (clary sage, lavender).

• The heart – or middle notes – emerge once the opening notes have faded.

They last longer and have a strong influence on the base notes to come. It is often a smooth combination of floral or fruit tones; sometimes infused with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom.

• The dry down is the third and final stage in the life of a perfume on your skin, when the base notes, the last aroma to appear, emerge.

They mingle with the heart notes to create the full body of the fragrance and may linger for several hours. These may include cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla, amber, patchouli, oakmoss and musk.