Top: the opening impression
Top notes describe the fragrance’s opening impression. Bright citrus, fresh herbs and lively spices often help introduce a composition. This is the first part you notice, rather than the whole story.
Heart: the character that follows
Heart notes form the central character as the opening changes. Flowers, aromatic notes and spices can sit here. The boundaries overlap: a scent does not move through three perfectly separate chapters.
Base: the lingering impression
Base notes describe the more persistent part of the fragrance. Woods, musks and amber accords are familiar examples. Their role is to help give the composition depth and a lasting impression, rather than promise a particular number of hours.
Read a note list as an invitation
On each Veloura product page, start with ‘What it smells like’ for a plain-language picture, then explore the three note groups. If a familiar note catches your eye, look at what surrounds it: rose beside fresh green notes creates a different expectation from rose beside oud and amber.
A note list is a description of an olfactory idea, not a complete ingredient list. Let it guide your curiosity, then allow time to experience how the fragrance develops if you have an opportunity to sample it.
Further reading: The Perfume Society: fragrance FAQ ↗