A descriptive arrangement of a fragrance’s notes into top, heart and base.
Also known as: note pyramid, olfactory pyramid
The three groups organise perceived impressions. In practice they overlap, and some compositions change only subtly. Different published pyramids may describe the same perfume differently; prefer the house’s account when identifying the official note presentation.
A pyramid lists citrus at the top, flowers in the heart and woods in the base; the woods may still be apparent on the first spray.
“The pyramid suggests a floral heart, but on my skin the woods stand out throughout.”
The pyramid is neither an ingredient disclosure nor a precise schedule. It should not generate exact phase durations without actual evidence.
Use to explain the existing pyramid and drydown presentation without claiming that the visual is a measured wear test.
Reviewed October 9, 2026 by the Noteboxd editorial team.