Fragrance is more than just a pleasant scent — it’s a personal signature, a mood enhancer, and a lasting memory in a bottle. Whether you're exploring perfumes for the first time or trying to understand why one scent lasts longer than another, this guide will walk you through the basics of fragrance notes, perfume concentrations, and what affects perfume longevity.
What Are Fragrance Notes?
A perfume unfolds in layers, much like a story. These layers are called fragrance notes, and each plays a distinct role in how a scent develops over time. According to Ejaz & Hundekari (2025) and Ahmed et. al. (2019), fragrance notes are grouped into three categories:
Top Notes – The First Impression
These are the initial scents you detect when you first spray the perfume.
| Composition | Duration | Common Notes |
| 15-25% | 5-15 mins |
Citrus (e.g. lemon, bergamot) Aromatic herbs (e.g. mint, lavender) Light fruits (e.g. apple) |
Middle Notes – The Heart of the Scent
These notes emerge after the top notes fade and are often the core identity of the fragrance.
| Composition | Duration | Common Notes |
| 40-55% | 30 mins to 1 hour | Floral (e.g. rose, jasmine) Spicy (e.g. cinnamon, cardamom) |
Base Notes – The Lasting Impression
These notes act as the foundation of the fragrance, adding depth, warmth & richness.
| Composition | Duration | Common Notes |
| 40-55% | Several hours, even up to 24 hours after application | Woody (e.g. sandalwood) Resinous (e.g. amber, camphor) |
Here's an easier breakdown:
Quick Tip for Tourists: In Malaysia’s humidity, brighter top notes pop louder, while rich base notes cling longer to skin.
Perfume Concentrations: What’s the Difference?
Perfumes come in different concentrations of fragrance oil, which affects both intensity and how long the scent lasts. Here’s how they compare (Ejaz & Hundekari, 2025):
| Type | Concentration | Longevity | Description |
| Parfum (Extrait de Parfum) | 20-30% | 8-12 hours | Rich, luxurious, long-lasting |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15-20% | 6-8 hours | Balanced strength with good longevity |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5-15% | 3-5 hours | Light and fresh, good for daily wear |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | 2-5% | 1-2 hours | Very light, refreshing but short-lived |
What Affects Perfume Longevity?
Several factors influence how long a perfume lasts on your skin:
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Fragrance Concentration - The higher the concentration of oils, the longer the scent lasts.
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Skin type – Oily skin holds fragrance better because it contains more natural oils that trap scent molecules. In contrast, dry skin tends to make perfumes fade faster (Hadjiefstathiou et al., 2025).
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Spraying on pulse points – Applying on warm areas like neck, wrists and behind the ears activates fragrance molecules through body heat, enchanting projection and wear time (Gould, 2025).
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Environment & Weather – Humidity and temperature, especially in tropical climates like Malaysia, can alter how perfume performs as high humidity and warm temperatures increases evaporation, shortening longevity (Ejaz & Hundekari, 2025).
Final Words
Understanding perfume notes, concentration levels, and how your skin chemistry reacts to fragrance empowers you to choose scents that suit your body, climate, and daily lifestyle. Whether you prefer something light and fresh like an Eau de Cologne or rich and long-lasting like an Extrait de Parfum, there’s a fragrance format and note profile that’s perfect for you — and knowing how to apply it can make it last even longer.
References:
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Ahmed, N. D., Naziya, S., Supriya, K., Syed, A., Ahmed, G., Kalyani, S., Ganeshwari, K., Knv, R., Rajeshwar, D., Ahmed, N., Gnaneshwari, K.N.V., Rao, K.R., & Dutt. (2019). World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences A Review on Perfumery. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7(4). 56-68. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332875615_World_Journal_of_Pharmaceutical_Sciences_A_Review_on_Perfumery
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Ejaz, K.A.K., Qureshi, N. & Hundekari, B. (2025). Formulation and Evaluation of Perfume: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology, 11(11). 6726-6733. https://ijirt.org/publishedpaper/IJIRT176588_PAPER.pdf?
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Gould, W. R. (2025, February 25). How to Make Perfume Last Longer, According to Fragrance Experts. Real Simple. https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/makeup/fragrance/how-to-make-your-perfume-last-longer
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Hadjiefstathiou, E., Savary, G., Malhia, C., Terescenco, D. & Picard, C. (2025). Exploring the impact of fragrance molecular and skin properties on the evaporation profile of fragrances. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.13085