1 min
Every fragrance tells a story. It begins with an opening that captures attention, unfolds into a heart that reveals its personality, and settles into a base that stays in memory.
This structure, the olfactory pyramid, is how perfumers describe the journey of a scent over time.
Knowing how it works helps you better understand your fragrances and the experiences they create in your products.
The olfactory pyramid, explained
Fragrances don’t stay still. They evolve. That’s why we use the image of a pyramid, to show how each layer of scent appears, blends, and fades.
- Top notes are what you smell first. They’re bright, fresh and volatile, like citrus, mint or green leaves. They disappear quickly, but they define the first impression.
- Heart notes appear next. They’re the core of the fragrance, giving it character and balance. Florals, spices, or creamy fruits often live here.
- Finally, base notes are the foundation. They last the longest and hold the fragrance together. Think woods, musks, amber or vanilla, the ingredients that make a scent feel rich and lasting.
Each level supports the next. Together, they create movement: from sparkle to depth, from attention to emotion.
How this shapes product experience
In fragranced products, understanding the olfactory pyramid helps design the kind of sensory experience you want people to have.
- A shampoo that bursts with citrus and settles into a clean musk feels fresh and uplifting.
- A candle that opens floral and ends in soft woods feels comforting and warm.
- A cream with a sweet top and creamy base feels indulgent and cocooning.
By recognising which notes belong to which part of the pyramid, you can describe and refine the fragrance experience you want your product to deliver: clearly, creatively, and with precision.
Fragrance decoded
Fragrance is more than what we smell; it’s how we feel through scent.
The olfactory pyramid helps translate that feeling into structure, showing how a fragrance moves through time and emotion.
Once you understand it, you start noticing the invisible architecture behind every scent, and how it shapes the way people connect with your products.