Fragrance Pyramid
A way to describe a perfume’s opening, central character and later scent using top, heart and base notes. The groups overlap rather than following a fixed timetable.
A fragrance pyramid organizes a perfume’s described notes into three groups. Top notes introduce the scent, heart notes describe its central character, and base notes indicate the more persistent background. It gives you a way to compare how fragrances are presented and what to look for when sampling.
The diagram simplifies a blended composition. A material can contribute across several stages: IFF lists woody-amber Iso E Super as having impact in the top, heart and base. Woods do not have to wait until the opening has disappeared before you notice them.
A published note pyramid describes scent impressions rather than disclosing the complete formula. An accord such as leather may combine several materials, while one material can contribute more than one impression. If a brand supplies only an unordered note list, there is no need to invent stages for it.
Use the pyramid to choose samples and describe differences. Note the opening, return after the fragrance settles and check which parts you still enjoy later. Similar note lists can produce different experiences, so compare the fragrances as well as their descriptions.