Top, Heart and Base Notes Explained

The first spray does not tell the whole story. Once a fragrance reaches the skin, its materials evaporate at different rates. This is one reason its impression can change as you wear it. Top, heart and base notes help us describe that journey.

Opening: the first encounter.

Top notes are the impressions that often stand out at the beginning. Citrus, herbs or a light freshness can shape that first encounter. There is no fixed clock for this stage. Each formula has its own structure and pace.

Heart: the story opens.

As the opening settles, the heart becomes easier to notice. It may feel floral, green, aromatic or richly textured. In the creative direction for Serein, white tea and delicate flowers shape this stage. Virelune imagines wet leaves and cool conifers.

Base: what stays close.

Woods, musks and resins often help build depth. The base can be present while other notes are still unfolding, with different layers overlapping. Notes describe impressions rather than a raw-material inventory. Try a scent on skin and return to it a few times before deciding.