Let’s deconstruct Fragrance notes. Just like music, in fragrance, elements of what make up a scent come together to make a beautiful symphony. Notes are essentially the different scents that create layers that make up the final candle fragrance. They are split into three tiers; Top, Heart, and Base notes.
Top notes are the opening notes, an invitation to the scent journey, an unfolding of the fragrance composition. Top notes are the movement of the scent, and traditionally they are the ingredients with short volatility in the formulation, i.e. they evaporate quicker than the other oils in the candle. They are the notes that first hit your nose, tend to be sharp, light, uncomplicated, familiar… like herbs, citrus, bergamot notes. At some point during the burn, they tend to be overthrown by heart and base notes.
Heart notes give body to the fragrance blend, giving the scent fullness. It exposes the true structure of the scent. Within this, you can smell predominant floral notes like jasmine, rose, geranium. Almost all floral notes are heart notes, imparting warmth and voluptuousness. Heart notes last longer and, in some formulations, act as a peacemaker by balancing the tension between the top and base notes.
Base notes are, in a way, a stubborn fixation in the formula. They create harmony with the top and heart notes. It is the foundation that holds the candle fragrance together and has lasting power. They tend to be rich, deep and mysterious, like amber, patchouli, cedarwood. They are the notes that outlast the other notes; Anchoring the fragrance in time.
