Most of us know what types of fragrances we like. Maybe you’re drawn more often to a light floral, which brings to mind dew-soaked petals, or maybe you find those scents too sweet and prefer warm musk, like vanilla. But did you know there’s a whole science behind creating a robust, well-balanced fragrance?

At GoodMelts, we turn time and time again to this art to create our incredible-smelling products. 

Learning more about building fragrances can help you find your favorites and even make the process of gift-giving easier.

Building Smells: The Basics

In its simplest terms, a pleasing perfume or home fragrance has three “notes”: base, middle (or heart), and top (or head). Too much base can mean the scent feels heavy and overwhelming, whereas too much of a top note can tickle the nose.

“While the art of combining top, middle, and base notes is often associated with perfume, we use it thoughtfully in every hand-crafted product we make at GoodMelts" 

•       Some common examples of top notes include bergamot, lemon, and sage.
•       Middle might include lavender, pine, or black pepper.
•       And popular base notes include amber, sandalwood, vanilla, and patchouli.

Top Notes: Setting the Stage

Your first impression of a scent is largely shaped by the top notes. These molecules are small and tend to evaporate quickly. Lighter, herbal and citrus scents are often used for top notes and are meant to intrigue and attract, then transition smoothly into the headier middle notes.

Middle Notes: The Foundation

Middle notes are often referred to as heart notes because they essentially form the foundation of the fragrance. These scents are revealed once the top notes recede and often makeup between 40-80% of the entire aroma. More complex than top notes, these scents are meant to hold your attention and act as a buffer for more robust base notes.

Base Notes: A Lingering Impression

In contrast to top notes, which are typically energizing and invigorating, base notes are often described as calming. These scents are made up of large, heavy molecules providing complexity, depth, and a lasting impression.

It is important to remember that individual scents can smell very differently depending on how they are mixed. We use essential and fragrance oil blends to provide a greater range of aromas while also creating cost-effective products.