The Complete Guide to Fragrance Notes: Your Shortcut to Choosing the Right Scent

If you’ve ever wondered why a perfume smells one way at first and completely different hours later — it’s all because of fragrance notes.

Understanding notes is the easiest way to discover which scents you’ll love without guessing.

Top Notes — The First Impression

These are bright, fresh and evaporate quickly.

Common examples:
🍋 Citrus
🌿 Herbs
🌸 Light florals

They disappear within 10–20 minutes.
Your “openings” don’t determine longevity — but they set the mood.

Heart Notes — The Real Character

This is where the personality of the fragrance lives.

Common examples:
🌹 Rose
🌼 Jasmine
🌰 Spices

They last 2–4 hours and shape the overall vibe.

Base Notes — The Long-Lasting Foundation

This is what stays on your skin at the end of the day.

Common examples:
🌲 Woods
🍦 Vanilla
🖤 Ambers
🪵 Cedar

These notes are also what people compliment most.

Understanding Scent Families

The main families are:

• Fresh – citrus, clean, airy

• Woody – cedar, sandalwood, vetiver

• Amber/Gourmand – vanilla, caramel, tonka

• Floral – jasmine, rose, peony

• Spicy – pepper, saffron, cardamom

Scent Haus uses these families to help you explore fragrances based on your natural preferences.

Why This Matters When Choosing a Fragrance

If you love strong vanilla?
Look for heavy base notes.

Prefer clean and bright?
Go citrus + musk.

Want long-lasting?
Choose amber, woods, or warm gourmands.

Fragrance is personal, but your perfect match is usually in the notes.