Vol. 02 · Reference
The Scent Library
A field guide to fragrance.
Chapter IV
Perfumery Basics.
The architecture of a bottle — how a perfume is actually built.
The Pyramid
three acts- 01
Top notes
The opening — first 5 to 15 minutes. Volatile, bright, citrusy or green. The first impression you forget.
- 02
Heart notes
The character — 30 minutes to a few hours in. Florals, spices, fruits. The fragrance's actual personality.
- 03
Base notes
The trail — hours later, sometimes overnight. Woods, musks, resins, ambers. The version that ends up on your scarf.
The Concepts
- Drydown
- The base-note phase after the top and heart have evaporated. The 'real' scent of a perfume often lives here.
- Extrait (Parfum)
- The most concentrated form — typically 20–40% perfume oil. Dense, close to the skin, lasts longest.
- EDP vs EDT
- Eau de Parfum sits around 15–20% oil, deeper and longer. Eau de Toilette around 5–15%, lighter and brighter. Same juice, different volume.
- Longevity
- How many hours the fragrance is still detectable on your skin. Skin chemistry, climate and concentration all change it.
- Projection
- How loudly the scent radiates outward. A 'beast mode' projection fills a room; an 'intimate' projection only reveals itself up close.
- Sillage
- The scented trail you leave behind when you walk away. The signature most people will actually remember.