Perfumery school

Understanding the perfume pyramid

Top, heart and base without the myths

The olfactory idea

Top, heart and base notes are a useful way to describe how a perfume unfolds. They are not three sealed compartments, and the fragrance does not switch between them at fixed times.

Understanding the craft

Evaporation, concentration, perception and interactions among materials all shape development. A base impression can be noticeable from the opening, while a fresh effect can be reinforced throughout the composition.

Explore it for yourself

Smell the same blotter at the start, after an interval and later again. Record what changes instead of trying to force every observation into a rigid pyramid.

Further reading: IFF Ingredients Compendium · Givaudan natural ingredient expertise. These resources offer broader technical context; they are not endorsements of CYDIVA.