A perfume is not a fixed scent: it tells a story over several hours. Perfumers describe this using the fragrance pyramid, which you will find on our product pages.
Top notes: the first impression
These are the most volatile molecules, noticed immediately. They last from a few minutes to roughly half an hour. They often include citrus such as bergamot, lemon or mandarin, aromatic notes and fresh spices such as pink pepper.
Heart notes: the personality
These emerge as the opening fades and define the fragrance’s character for several hours. Flowers such as rose, jasmine, iris and tuberose, warm spices, fruits and gourmand notes often appear here.
Base notes: the lasting trail
These are the heaviest, most persistent materials: sandalwood, cedar, oud, resins, vanilla, amber, musk and leather. They can last for hours, sometimes until the following day on clothes.
Accords
Beyond notes, we also describe accords: the overall impression created by a blend, such as woody, powdery, vanilla or smoky. The main accords on our product pages give an immediate sense of a perfume’s style.
What about perfumes without a pyramid?
Some creations are described as linear: they smell much the same from beginning to end. For these, we simply list the main notes.
L’Atelier’s advice
To judge a perfume properly, wait until it reaches the heart, at least 20 to 30 minutes after application. This is the facet you will wear for much of the day.
Put these ideas into practice by comparing the fragrance pyramids of our floral, woody, gourmand or fresh perfumes.
