Fragrance Notes: A Guide for Choosing the Perfect Scented Candle

At Herriet, we believe that discovering your favorite candles should be fun and simple. To help you navigate the world of scents, we’ve put together this guide to fragrance notes, which breaks down the layers of fragrance and helps you find scents that suit your space.

What Are Fragrance Notes?

Fragrance notes are the individual layers that come together to form the complete scent of a candle, room spray, perfume, etc. Just like a song is made up of different musical notes, a fragrance is built from a combination of top, middle, and base notes. These layers are what give each fragrance its unique character.

When you light a candle or spritz a perfume, the fragrance will evolve over time, with different notes becoming more prominent at different stages. Let's explore the three main types of fragrance notes:

Top Notes

Top notes, also known as headnotes, are the first scents you notice when you use a candle. These light, refreshing fragrances are what create that initial impact, but they tend to fade within the first 5 to 15 minutes. Common top notes include bright, uplifting scents like citrus and bergamot, which provide that fresh, inviting aroma when you first walk into a room.

Middle Notes

Middle notes, or heart notes, develop after the top notes fade and form the core of the fragrance. These scents last longer, often sticking around for up to an hour, and create the signature feel of the scent. Middle notes often introduce deeper, more complex aromas like jasmine, geranium, or spicy accents like cinnamon and pepper. They act as a bridge between the top and base notes, giving the scent its balanced, rounded character.

Base Notes

Base notes are the foundation of any fragrance, lasting the longest and providing a rich depth that lingers. You’ll notice base notes as the lasting scent in a room, even hours after the candle has been extinguished or the room spray has settled. These notes are typically woody or musky, with popular choices including sandalwood, patchouli, amber, and vetiver. These scents give a sense of warmth and stability to a fragrance.

The Science Behind Fragrance Notes

Fragrance notes behave differently because of the size and weight of their molecules. Top notes, being the lightest and most volatile, dissipate quickly, while middle notes are slightly heavier and last longer. Base notes, being the heaviest, take the longest to evaporate, allowing them to remain on surfaces or in the air long after the initial use.

Popular Fragrance Families for Candles (or Fragrances in General)

To make it easier to choose a scent for your space, fragrances are grouped into families. Let’s take a look at some common fragrance families that work well in candles:

Floral Scents

Floral fragrances are fresh and airy, often featuring delicate notes like rose, jasmine, or peony. They bring a touch of nature into your home, creating a soothing and elegant atmosphere. If you love the smell of a flower garden in bloom, floral scents will be your go-to.

Fruity Scents

Fruity scents are vibrant and playful, often featuring sweet top notes like cherry, raspberry, or citrus fruits. These fragrances create an uplifting, lively ambiance, perfect for kitchens or living areas where you want to bring in a burst of energy.

Gourmand Scents

Gourmand fragrances mimic the delicious aromas of food and dessert, offering warm, comforting notes like vanilla, caramel, or fresh-baked pastries. These rich, indulgent scents are ideal for cozy spaces like bedrooms or sitting rooms, where you want to create a welcoming, comforting environment.

Musky Scents

For a more subtle, sophisticated vibe, musky fragrances offer soft, earthy tones. Today’s musk fragrances are often clean, powdery, and smooth, adding a layer of warmth and calm to your space. Musky scents are perfect for creating a relaxed, minimalist environment.

Find Your Signature Scent

Now that you understand the basics of fragrance notes and families, finding the perfect candle for your space will be a breeze. Start by exploring the top, middle, and base notes in your favorite fragrances, then narrow down the scent families that speak to your style. Whether you're drawn to bright florals, fruity bursts, or cozy gourmand tones, you can trust your nose to guide you to the ideal scent for your home.