“No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.” - Coco Chanel

Much like a musical composition, a well-crafted perfume is an intricate blend of fragrance notes that work together in harmony. Each note plays a unique role in the olfactory experience, creating depth, balance, and emotion. Understanding perfume notes is key to appreciating how scents evolve over time, from the first spritz to the lingering final impression.

In the world of perfumery, scents are categorized into three main layers: top, middle, and base notes. These layers form the foundation of every fragrance, influencing how a perfume unfolds and interacts with your skin. 

At Edens Garden, we skillfully balance these elements to create Natural Perfumes and Essential Oil Blends that captivate the senses. Perfume composition explained—read on to discover the artistry behind aroma layering and how each note contributes to the final masterpiece.

What Are Top, Middle, And Base Notes In Perfume?

Fragrance layers in perfume determine how a scent unfolds over time, with top, middle, and base notes each playing a distinct role. Perfume-making with essential oils relies on balancing these layers to create depth and longevity. By incorporating all three layers, you can transform a simple aroma into a well-rounded, captivating perfume.

Let’s examine the difference between aroma notes.

Top Notes

At the peak of the olfactory pyramid, top notes in natural perfumes are the first scents to greet your senses, lasting around 5-15 minutes before transitioning to deeper layers. These fleeting yet impactful notes, also called headnotes, create a perfume’s initial impression—either drawing you in or turning you away. Common top notes include citrus essential oils like Lemon, Bergamot, and Grapefruit, which provide a fresh and invigorating opening, as well as:

• Yuzu

• Peppermint

• Eucalyptus

• Spruce

• Pine

• Basil

• Fir Balsam

• Blood Orange

Due to their lighter molecular structure, top notes evaporate quickly, making way for the heart of the fragrance—the middle notes. While their presence is brief, top notes play a crucial role in setting the tone of a scent and enhancing the overall perfume composition. Whether used in natural perfumes or essential oil blends, top notes add brightness and an uplifting quality that makes a fragrance truly memorable.

Middle Notes

Middle notes in fragrances serve as the heart of a perfume, emerging once the fleeting top notes dissipate. Lasting approximately 20-60 minutes, these well-rounded and full-bodied aromas define the perfume’s character and provide balance between the fresh opening and the rich base notes. Often warm, floral, or herbal, middle notes create a lasting impression with aromas like: 

• Lavender

• Clary Sage

• Sweet Marjoram

• Neroli 

• Rose

• Fragonia

• Geranium

• Fennel

• Cardamom

Their lingering presence ensures the perfume remains harmonious and inviting.

Many middle notes contain linalool, a naturally occurring compound known for its calming and aromatic properties. Whether you’re crafting a natural perfume or a custom essential oil blend, incorporating middle notes adds depth and complexity. As the fragrance layers evolve, these heart notes create a seamless transition, keeping the scent engaging and well-balanced.

Base Notes

Base notes in perfume longevity play a crucial role in anchoring a fragrance, providing depth and lasting power. With their heavier molecular structure, these notes are the least volatile, lingering on the skin for six hours or more. 

While top and middle notes create the initial and heart aromas of a natural perfume, base notes form the foundation, ensuring the scent evolves beautifully over time. Often described as deep, rich, and warm, base notes help enhance a perfume’s complexity and improve its wear time. Common base notes include: 

• Patchouli 

• Vetiver

• Sandalwood

• Vanilla

• Buddha Wood

• Amyris

• Opoponax

• Muhuhu

• Oud

• Tonka Bean

These oils add an earthy, musky, or resinous quality to a fragrance and emerge as the top notes fade, leaving behind a scent that is both grounding and long-lasting. Whether you’re exploring perfume-making with essential oils or blending your own signature scent, incorporating base notes is essential for enhancing fragrance longevity and creating a well-balanced, enduring aroma.

Top, Middle & Base Notes In Our Essential Oil Blends

In our Essential Oil Blends, the following notes are most prominent.

How To Blend Essential Oils for Perfume

When it comes to creating a perfume that is balanced and aromatically pleasing, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Balancing Notes

Creating a well-balanced essential oil perfume requires careful consideration of top, middle, and base notes to achieve a harmonious and long-lasting aroma. Generally, middle notes should comprise about 50-75% of the blend, as they form the heart of the fragrance and provide depth. Top notes, which create the first impression of a scent, typically make up 20-40% of the formula, offering a fresh and inviting opening. Finally, base notes in perfume longevity account for 5-10%, ensuring the scent lingers on the skin and provides a strong foundation. While these ratios serve as a guideline, perfume composition is an art, and slight variations can lead to beautifully unique creations.

For example, a balanced essential oil blend might include bright citrus top notes like Bergamot or Lemon, floral or herbal middle notes such as Lavender or Geranium, and deep, grounding base notes like Sandalwood or Vanilla. 

Experimenting with different fragrance layers in perfume allows for endless possibilities, making perfume-making with essential oils a creative and rewarding process. By understanding the role of each note, you can craft a scent that evolves beautifully over time, leaving a lasting and memorable impression.

• 4 drops Sweet Orange (Top Note)

• 15 drops Lavender (Middle Note)

• 1 drops Patchouli (Base Note)

Drop-By-Drop Method

The drop-by-drop method is a precise and intuitive approach to perfume-making with essential oils, allowing you to craft a perfectly balanced scent. 

Begin with a single drop of each chosen top, middle, and base note, then gradually adjust by adding more drops until the fragrance reaches the ideal harmony. This technique helps refine the fragrance layers in perfume, ensuring each note complements the others while maintaining the desired perfume longevity. 

Whether you're blending a refreshing citrus scent or a deep, woody aroma, the drop-by-drop technique gives you full creative control over your natural perfume composition.

It’s All In The Details

Check the details section of our individual oils to find out which aroma note they’re categorized under and which oils they blend well with.

Why Choose Natural Non-Toxic Perfumes

Conventional fragrances often contain hidden chemicals that can pose serious health risks, including sensitizers, hormone disruptors, and reproductive toxins. A study[1] by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed 17 name-brand perfumes and found that each contained an average of 14 undisclosed chemicals, such as galaxolide, tonalide, and diethyl phthalate (DEP)—many of which have never been evaluated by major cosmetic safety organizations like the Cosmetic Ingredient Review or the International Fragrance Association.

One of the most concerning chemicals, diethyl phthalate (DEP), is widely used in U.S. fragrances to extend longevity but has been linked to endocrine disruption, cancer, and reproductive toxicity.[2] While DEP is banned in the European Union, it remains common in mass-market perfumes sold in the U.S., putting pregnant and breastfeeding women at higher risk.[3] Choosing natural perfumes with essential oils eliminates exposure to these harmful substances while offering a pure, botanical fragrance experience that’s both luxurious and safe.

Perfume FAQs

How to choose a perfume by its notes?

For a well-rounded natural perfume, choose a blend that aligns with your personal scent preferences while ensuring harmony between top, middle, and base notes for a fragrance that unfolds beautifully throughout the day.

How long do natural perfumes last?

Typically, natural perfumes have a shelf life of one to two years. Over time, they may separate, but they don't necessarily spoil.

Are natural perfumes less potent than synthetic ones?

Natural perfumes often have a lighter scent profile and may not last as long as synthetic fragrances. However, they offer a more authentic and nuanced aroma.[4]

Are natural perfumes safe?

Natural perfumes are free from synthetic chemicals, making them a safer choice for those with sensitive skin or allergies. However, it's still important to check for any personal sensitivities to specific essential oils.

SOURCES:

1. EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. “Not So Sexy.” EWG, May 2010, www.ewg.org/research/not-so-sexy.

2. EWG. “Secret Chemicals Revealed in Celebrity Perfumes, Teen Body Sprays.” EWG, 12 May 2010, www.ewg.org/news/news-releases/2010/05/12/secret-chemicals-revealed-celebrity-perfumes-teen-body-sprays.

3. Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. “Phthalates.” Safe Cosmetics, www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phthalates. 

4. Natural Perfumers Guild. “Natural Perfumery FAQ.” Natural Perfumers Guild, https://www.naturalperfumers.com/faq.php.