How to recognise the olfactory notes of a perfume?

Perfumes not only envelop us with a pleasant fragrance, they can also transport us to happy memories, help us become more self-confident and promote positive emotions.

It may be serendipity, but isn't it wonderful that Fragrance Day is celebrated right after Happiness Day? More and more studies confirm that fragrances have the ability to have a profound impact on our emotions and the way we perceive the world, and can influence our mood, self-esteem and well-being.

They are the lightest notes and are responsible for awakening the sense of smell. Despite their volatility, they are decisive when choosing a perfume, as they are the fragrance's calling card. They are the notes that evaporate first and are present during the first fifteen minutes after applying the perfume. They are usually fresh, aromatic, green or citrus notes that capture the attention of the nose.

In the top notes, we usually find citrus fruits such as bergamot, lemon or orange, but it is also common to find herbaceous and even spicy notes.

The top notes are energising and revitalising, ideal for infusing extra vitality.

These are intense notes that give the perfume its personality. They usually last about three hours on the skin and are full of nuances that give character and make the fragrance unique. They are usually floral, powdery and fruity notes that make up the most complex level of the pyramid at the time of perfume making, as they must make it memorable. You could say that they are the soul of the fragrance.

In the heart notes we find flowers such as jasmine, rose or lily, as well as spices and fruity accords. These notes are usually enveloping and sensory, and their mission is to bring balance and depth to the olfactory composition.

They give depth to the perfume and are more tenacious, as they are responsible for closing the fragrance and providing persistence. They start to be perceived after the first two hours and add intensity to the final scent. They are, for example, spicy, woody, musk, amber, leather or moss notes.

The base notes are the ones that make the fragrance last, so that even after a few days you can still smell the perfume on your clothes, and are therefore key to determining your loyalty to a fragrance.

They are what give character and persistence to the perfume. They are perceived after several hours and contain denser and longer-lasting ingredients, such as vanilla, amber, patchouli, wood, sandalwood or musk. These notes have a calming and comforting effect; they convey security and sophistication.

Each olfactory note has the power to generate different emotions and sensations. Some fragrances can be energising and motivating, while others can help us to relax and reduce stress.

Citrus and fresh fruits:

They are stimulating and revitalising, perfect for flooding us with energy and optimism.

Green and herbaceous notes:

They have refreshing and purifying properties. Lavender, for example, is known for its relaxing effects and its ability to reduce stress and anxiety.

Flowers:

They are evocative and feminine, generate feelings of well-being and evoke romanticism.

Spices and woods:

These notes convey warmth, sophistication and depth. They are ideal for a touch of elegance.

Sweet and oriental notes:

They are comforting and enveloping, producing sensations of pleasure and well-being.

The world of fragrances is much more than a matter of smells: it is a sensory experience that impacts our self-esteem, our emotions and our well-being.

In fact, some perfumes are intentionally created to help us feel good. This is the case with Clinique's Happy, a vibrant perfume, full of citrus and floral notes, designed to convey joy and positive energy.

Jean Patou's classic Joy is proposed as a luxurious floral bouquet with enveloping notes that convey pleasurable sensations. Almost a century later, Dior reinterprets joy with its own Joy, a luminous and elegant scent that balances floral and musky notes.

The delicate heart-shaped bottle of Nina Ricci's Coeur Joie anticipates a romantic fragrance bursting with flowers. While Fils de Joie by Serge Lutens is inspired by laughter and genuine happiness. We cannot forget a young classic, La Vie est Belle by Lancôme, a perfume that radiates happiness through floral and sweet notes.