If you regularly read our blog, you’ll have seen us give some insight into the top notes and heart notes of a fragrance recently. That leaves us with just base notes to cover and in today’s blog, we’ll do just that.
We’ve uncovered the story behind the initial alluring scent of a fragrance, we’ve explained the importance of the middle note that brings things together, and now, we’ll dive into the role of the long-lasting base notes. The ones that cling to the heart notes and help take your fragrance onto a whole other sensory level.
What are base notes?
Base notes are one of the most important aspects of a fragrance. Created to last, they provide the wearer and those around them with a scent experience that lasts long after the evaporation of the top notes and heart notes.
It may take a while for them to make themselves known as they slowly emerge behind the other two notes, but once they do, they deliver a lingering, memorable scent that delivers a lasting impression of both the wearer and the fragrance.
Typically becoming noticeable around thirty minutes after application, the base notes cling onto the middle notes before they go it alone, working together initially, they create the unforgettable foundation of the scent that people will remember.
Commonly lasting six hours or more, the base notes of a fragrance are the ones you remember the most and the ones you may smell on clothing a full day or so after wearing.
What scents do you find in base notes?
Base notes are typically deep, rich and heavy aromas. They need to be to give them their longevity! This means you will normally see woody, balsamic, musky and earthy ingredients within them.
You could find that the base notes of your favourite luxury parfum fragrances include:
- Sandalwood
- Cedarwood
- Amber
- Vanilla
- Tonka bean
- Patchouli
- Oakmoss
- Cocoa
There are, of course, a huge variety of other possible base notes to be found in a fragrance. Speak to an expert perfumier to find out more about which other base notes may suit your tastes.
Why are base notes used in fragrances?
Base notes, just like top notes and heart notes, play a vital role in the development of the scent you are wearing. If all notes were the same, your fragrance would not evolve into something as long-lasting as it currently is. Nor would the scent transition in the way it does, moving gracefully from one note to the other.
There are three fundamental reasons base notes are used in a fragrance.
- Longevity: Base notes exist to give the scent more life. They are designed to linger on the skin after the more volatile notes have faded.
- Depth and complexity; Alongside longevity, base notes provide the wearer with an evolving fragrance that adds a touch of intrigue, interest and curiosity. This depth and complexity add a little something extra to the scent.
- Fixative: Base notes are not just about their stand-alone properties. They help to stabilise the volatile top and middle notes and add a little extra longevity to them both.
How do you identify base notes in a perfume?
When you choose a new fragrance, either by purchasing it or enjoying a scent experience, you’ll notice that the base notes are the ones that linger after your initial application. As the perfume dries down, the base notes rise to the top, and, in most cases, become more noticeable after a few hours. You’ll notice you enjoy and appreciate the scent much more if you wear it for extended periods.
Defining the fragrance thanks to the lasting impression they create; base notes are the main character of a scent providing an enduring appeal that many will appreciate.
The transition from heart notes to base notes
The transition from heart notes to base notes is gradual and shapes how the fragrance evolves over time. Typically, the heart notes will evaporate after 30 minutes or even a few hours. It is then that the base notes start to emerge. During this movement from heart note to base note, the heart note remains detectable but gradually fades. The base notes, which would have appeared subtle initially, begin to become more prominent. For a short while, both notes sit alongside each other, working together and gradually blending. This slow blending helps deliver a seamless transition from one note to the other.
As the heart note fades away, the scent may seem to be a little richer or more grounded due to the base notes. The base notes naturally consist of heavier materials, as we showed earlier, and it is thanks to this that you get the added depth.
Once the heart note has completely faded away, the perfume has reached its final phase as the base notes take over completely. This is often known as the dry down. You’ll now have the remaining element of the scent last for many hours, potentially even lasting for days!
This transition is essential to how a fragrance matures and settles on the skin. You can learn more about this by enjoying a scent experience with us. We will gladly demonstrate how the fragrance evolves and show you the journey it takes you on. Should you already have a preference for base notes, you can discover our collection of oud female perfume or men’s oud fragrances in our stunning London store. Alternatively, shop online today if you want it delivered to your door!