Perfume notes are the layers of scent you smell as a fragrance develops on your skin. Top notes are the first impression (the first 5–15 minutes), heart notes form the main character (about 20–60 minutes onwards), and base notes are the long-lasting foundation that can stay for many hours. Together they make the “fragrance pyramid”.
The three layers of a perfume
| Layer | When you smell it | Typical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Top notes | first 5–15 minutes | citrus (bergamot, lemon, grapefruit), fruits, light spices, herbs |
| Heart (middle) notes | after 20 minutes, for several hours | flowers (rose, jasmine, iris), spices, fruits, gourmand notes |
| Base notes | the longest-lasting layer | woods (oud, cedar, sandalwood), amber, vanilla, musk, tonka, leather |
The main fragrance families
- Fresh: citrus, aquatic and green notes. Try Silver Shine (watermelon, lavender, lotus).
- Floral: rose, jasmine, gardenia, tuberose. Try African Rose.
- Gourmand (sweet): vanilla, praline, caramel, coffee. Try Sweetilla or YARBA.
- Woody & oud: cedar, sandalwood, oud, vetiver. Try MEYDAN By SK.
- Spicy / amber: cinnamon, pepper, amber, myrrh. Try Emira Al Noor.
How to choose a perfume by its notes
- Look at the base notes first: that is what you will smell most of the day.
- Pick a family you already enjoy (sweet, fresh, woody or floral).
- Think about the weather: fresh and citrus for summer days, vanilla, amber and oud for evenings and winter.
- Read the full notes on each product page. Every SK Perfumes Gallery listing shows top, heart and base notes.
Frequently asked questions
Which perfume notes last the longest?
Base notes such as oud, amber, vanilla, musk, tonka, patchouli and sandalwood last the longest.
Why does my perfume smell different after an hour?
Top notes evaporate first, revealing the heart and then the base notes. This is normal and is how perfume is designed.
What notes are best for hot weather?
Citrus, aquatic, green and light floral notes feel fresh in the heat. See our fresh summer perfumes.
Shop SK Perfumes Gallery: every fragrance is a 50ml Extrait de Parfum from AED 50 to AED 80, with cash on delivery across the UAE and delivery usually within 24 hours in Abu Dhabi. Browse men · women · unisex · oud · vanilla & sweet · fresh summer · gifts.