UNDERSTANDING PERFUME NOTES
TOP | MIDDLE | BASE
‘Notes’ is a term used in perfumery to describe the category a scent falls into, based on its scent and staying power.
Essential oil was perfume for centuries before the invention of artificial fragrance so they are assigned notes that describe where they fall on the perfumer’s scale.
The three types of fragrance notes are as follows: top notes, also known as head notes; middle notes, also known as heart notes; and base notes.
1
TOP NOTES
These are first impression scents, the one that you smell first when you breathe in a blend. Top notes have tiny, light molecules that evaporate quickly. These top note scents are often described as cheerful, bright, light, refreshing.
2
MIDDLE NOTES
These are scents that emerge from a blend right after the top notes have evaporated away and give perfumes their main body, their “heart,” which is why the middle note is sometimes called the ‘heart note.’ Middle notes do not evaporate as quickly as top notes and linger on the skin longer.
3
BASE NOTES
They describe the oils that stay with you the longest. They have heavy molecules that take much longer to evaporate. Base notes add depth and richness to a blend as well as acting as an anchor for the entire perfume. In perfume, you smell these scents after the tops and middles have faded away and the entire blend has settled in.
Our natural roll-on perfumes are handcrafted in the Far North of New Zealand using pure essential oil blends - no synthetic fragrance chemicals, no alcohol, no artificial additives. Because they are oil-based rather than alcohol-based, they sit close to the skin and develop uniquely with your natural body chemistry, creating a scent that feels personal and subtle rather than overpowering.
Each blend is carefully composed using top, middle and base notes - the same framework used in traditional perfumery for centuries - to create a fragrance that evolves beautifully throughout the day. Light and portable in our signature bamboo roll-on packaging, they are perfect for everyday wear, travel and touching up your scent throughout the day without the harshness of conventional spray perfumes.
Ideal for those with sensitive skin who find alcohol-based or synthetic fragrances irritating, and for anyone looking for a cleaner, more natural alternative to conventional perfume. Available in a range of botanical scents including unisex options - and our full roll-on perfume collection makes a beautiful natural gift. Pair with our essential oil roll-on blends for a complete natural aromatherapy ritual.
