Note Pyramid Visualizer
A fragrance doesn't smell the same from the moment you spray it to hours later. Top notes open the experience, heart notes define the character, and base notes carry the drydown. Use the slider to see how each layer fades in and out.
Build and play your pyramid
Pick notes for each layer, then drag the timeline.
Pick notes for each layer, then drag the slider to see how the fragrance evolves on skin.
The three layers explained
Top notes are the first impression — the lightest, most volatile molecules that evaporate within 15–30 minutes. Bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, and pink pepper are common top notes. This is what you smell on a test strip in the shop, which is why blind-buying based on the first 30 seconds is a bad idea.
Heart notes are the core character of the fragrance. They emerge as the top notes fade and last for 2–4 hours. Rose, jasmine, iris, cinnamon, and geranium are typical heart notes. This is what most people mean when they describe what a fragrance "smells like".
Base notes are the foundation and the lasting impression. The heaviest, slowest-evaporating molecules — sandalwood, vanilla, musk, oud, vetiver, amber — that anchor the fragrance and linger for hours into the drydown.
Why this matters when buying
Always let a fragrance sit on your skin for at least 30 minutes before deciding. What smells mediocre in the opening (bergamot and pepper burning off) can reveal a beautiful sandalwood and vanilla base underneath.
See the full note breakdown for every fragrance in your collection
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