Learn how to identify the notes in your favourite perfume

A gorgeous fragrance is a thing of beauty, and finding a signature scent is pretty much a rite of passage for every young man and woman. When you stop to think about it, it makes sense – smell is closely tied to memory; which is why a sudden hint of orange blossom might transport you to the joy of a childhood picnic, or a note of cedar will whisk you back to your grandmother’s living room. As such, the fragrances we choose to wear as we move through the world, making memories, are actually a pretty big deal.

Well-timed notes

What is your favourite perfume and do you know which fragrance notes have been layered to achieve that scent? Local perfumer Tammy Frazer, founder of Frazer Parfum (a bespoke perfumery in Cape Town that produces natural and organic fragrances for the home, body and mind), says that the first step in identifying the notes in your favourite scent is to get to know what you’re smelling when. 

“What you smell for the initial 20 minutes while you’re wearing a perfume are the top notes,” says Tammy. “These notes are made up of lighter, more volatile ingredients that burst with freshness but don’t last. The heart notes that follow last for up to four hours and form the central theme of the fragrance, normally flowers. The ground notes can last between six to eight hours and these include roots, resins and woods.”

Here’s a look at the top, heart and root notes of a few well-known fragrances to give you an idea of what you should be smelling: 

Calvin Klein Eternity EDP

Calvin Klein Eternity is made up of: 

●    Top notes: Fresh citrus
●    Heart notes: Violet, lily of the valley, carnation
●    Base notes: Heliotrope, pink sandalwood, musk

Clinique Happy EDP

Clinique Happy is made up of: 

●    Top notes: Apple, plums, bergamot
●    Heart notes: Freesia, lily, rose, morning orchid
●    Base notes: Musk, amber

Hugo Boss Man EDT

Hugo Boss Man is made up of: 

●    Top notes: Apple, citrus
●    Heart notes: Pelargonium, cinnamon, cloves
●    Base notes: Sandalwood, vetiver, cedar

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male EDT

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male is made up of: 

●    Top notes: Sandalwood, vetiver, cedar
●    Heart notes: Cinnamon, cumin, orange blossom
●    Base notes: Vanilla, Tonka bean, sandalwood, cedar

IMAGE CREDIT: shutterstock.com