Topnotes

Top notes, or head notes, are the scents perceived immediately after applying a fragrance. They form the first impression and are part of the perfume’s scent pyramid, which also includes heart (middle) notes and base notes. Top notes are composed of highly volatile molecules that evaporate quickly, often within a few minutes to about half an hour, depending on the formulation, concentration, and skin conditions.

Common top notes include fresh, light ingredients such as citrus oils (bergamot, lemon, orange), certain green notes, and some aldehydes and esters. The exact blend is chosen to create an immediate, recognizable impression that invites the wearer into the fragrance but does not define its lasting character.

Role in perfumery: The top notes establish the opening impression and can influence initial mood and perception. As they evaporate, the heart notes emerge, forming the fragrance’s core character, followed by base notes that provide lasting depth and warmth. Perfumers balance the volatility and sillage of top notes with longer-lasting middle and base notes to produce a coherent evolution over time.

Limitations: The perception of top notes can vary with weather, body chemistry, and application amount. They are sometimes called head notes, though some distinctions exist between terms in different perfumeries.

In use, a fragrance’s top notes are most evident at the moment of application and soon give way to the more lasting heart and base notes.