Perfumery is architecture in scent. Understanding how notes layer and evolve transforms your appreciation.
In 1937, a young John F. Kennedy was studying in Paris when he struck up a conversation with an amateur perfumer named Albert Fouquet, who was wearing a scent Kennedy found impossible to ignore. He asked if Fouquet could send him eight samples when he returned to the States, and one for his brother Bob. That request gave rise to the fragrance house Eight & Bob, one of the more enduring origin stories in perfume history. Kennedy understood, even at a young age, that the right scent wasn't something you stumbled into. You pursued it deliberately.
Top Notes: The Introduction
What you smell first. Citrus, herbs, light florals. They're fleeting, lasting maybe 15 to 30 minutes. They invite you in but don't define the fragrance. This is why you never buy a fragrance based on the first spray. Try it on your skin and let it move through all its phases before deciding.
Heart Notes: The Character
The core of the composition. Florals, spices, fruits. These emerge as top notes fade and define the fragrance's personality. They last a couple of hours, though that varies depending on the scent and the quality of the ingredients.
Base Notes: The Foundation
Woods, musks, ambers, resins. These anchor the fragrance and give it longevity. They're what lingers on your skin hours later.
The Evolution
A quality fragrance changes throughout the day. It's a conversation, not a statement. Pay attention to how it develops on your skin. What you smell in the first five minutes is not what you'll smell in the third hour. Understanding this structure helps you choose fragrances that work with your chemistry and lifestyle.