What Are Top, Heart and Base Notes?

Perfume is not a single smell frozen in time. Many fragrances evolve after application, which is why the first spray can feel different from the scent you notice an hour later.

Top notesTop notes create the opening impression. Citrus, fresh fruits, aromatic materials and bright spices often appear here. They can feel vivid and energetic but are usually among the first parts of the composition to change.

Heart notesThe heart becomes clearer as the opening settles. Floral, spicy, fruity and aromatic themes often sit here and help define the personality of the fragrance.

Base notesThe base is the foundation of the dry-down. Woods, amber, musk, vanilla, resins and oud are commonly associated with this stage. These materials can give a fragrance depth and lasting character.

Why you should not judge perfume immediatelyA quick smell from a cap or the first few seconds on a test strip only tells you part of the story. Give a fragrance time. The dry-down may be the reason you ultimately love it.

AORA’s collection covers very different journeys. INFINITY and ILLUSION emphasise freshness; BLOOM and DESTINY move through bright feminine profiles; OBSESSION and HEAVEN become warmer and sweeter; SHADOW OUD and SILK OUD reveal much of their personality in their deeper stages.

CTA:

Explore AORA scent profiles and discover which part of the fragrance journey speaks to you most.