Fragrance is the term used to describe a mixture of chemicals that make up a perfume or cologne, and those that are added to a wide range of personal care products. It’s often added to a product because it makes it smell better, but it can also be used to help with hygiene and health.
Whether it’s derived from natural or synthetic sources, the scent can come from either plants, flowers or foods. There are also a variety of synthetically manufactured fragrances that are used in many scented household items like toilet soap, detergents and room fresheners.
A perfume is made up of three main parts – top notes, middle notes and base notes. The top notes are the first scents that you smell immediately after applying a fragrance. They tend to be light, fresh and fruity.
The middle notes come into play a few minutes after the top notes and last for about 30 minutes. These are the scents that are closest to your skin and are considered the heart of a perfume. These scents include rose, iris, carnation and lily of the valley.
The base notes are those that last the longest. These scents are rich, complex and are generally not perceived until about 30 minutes after the middle notes have left your body. The base notes typically consist of tobacco, amber and musk. These are more expensive perfumes that appeal to the fragrance aficionado.