In-house Fragrance Expert Zacharoula Lamprianidou explains, “The more you understand how different notes and ingredients work together, the clearer your fragrance identity becomes – it’s like creating a scent fingerprint unique to you.”

To create your unique scent fingerprint, you first need to look at the fragrance pyramid of our Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette. This structure breaks down the main components of the fragrance by notes into top, heart and base.

• Top notes – this is your ‘first impression’; lighter notes that often evaporate quickly.
  
• Heart notes – these reveal themselves as the top fades and become the core theme of the fragrance.
  
• Base notes – the most long-lasting facets that give depth and longevity. Signature – unique to Molton Brown, these are found in our Eau de Parfum; perfumer-picked notes that contrast, complement or enrich the original Eau de Toilette.

When choosing your daytime staple or special occasion spritz, it’s important to consider every aspect of the fragrance pyramid. While one person may enjoy the initial burst of a blossoming, floral top note, others may prefer a rich, musky base that only reveals itself over a few hours. However, Lamprianidou says, “Once you know which notes you naturally gravitate toward, it becomes easier to find perfumes you’ll love.”

Here’s our breakdown of common perfume notes to help:

Top Notes
Fragrance top notes are often lighter citrus and herbs, such as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon and pink pepper. Our signature Orange & Bergamot Eau de Parfum for instance, is brightened with a top note of fresh, bitter orange.

Heart Notes
These tend to be florals, spices or fruits, such as jasmine, rose, black pepper and cardamom; the iconic Re-charge Black Pepper Eau de Parfum is spiked with a heart note of enlivening black pepper.

Base Notes
Base notes are usually woody with vanilla and musks; think vetiver, oudh, leather, patchouli and sandalwood. These help dial up the opulence, just like our Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Eau de Parfum with its base of spirited oudh accord.

Senior Brand Manager, Fanni Varkonyi, recommends ‘‘testing the fragrance on your skin for at least a day before committing. Testing it on a blotter gives you an idea of the general vibe of a scent, but every fragrance can differ from one skin to another, and they develop over time.’’

How long a fragrance lasts depends on its composition and how each note unfurls. According to Lamprianidou, “Understanding how notes unfold helps you choose perfumes that feel consistent throughout the day — not just appealing in the first few minutes.”

Here’s how long they typically last:

Top notes: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Heart notes: 2 – 6 hours
Base notes: 4 – 24 hours

The difference between an Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette can also affect the longevity of a scent, depending on the fragrance oil concentration. Our Eau de Parfum are blended with 20% concentration, which takes you from day to night, while our Eau de Toilette contains 10% for lighter, daytime occasions. Other factors include where you store your perfume bottles (dark, dry and cool spaces work best) and how you prep your skin – “Hydrating the skin with lotions first helps layer the scent for a long-lasting finish’’, describes Lamprianidou.