A scent impression associated with the opening of a fragrance.
Also known as: top notes
Not to be confused with: Heart note
In a note pyramid, the top groups impressions associated with the early phase. Materials overlap throughout a composition, so the opening is not an isolated layer that must disappear before the heart starts. There is no universal duration for a top note.
A perfume opens with a sharp citrus impression that softens as its floral character becomes clearer.
“The citrus top notes are bright, but the later perfume is much warmer.”
Top notes are not the physical ingredients sitting at the top of the bottle. They describe perceived development.
Use with top-note labels in the fragrance pyramid. Do not imply an exact minute-by-minute timeline.
No external sources attached yet. This entry is based on accepted community usage and editorial review.
Reviewed October 9, 2026 by the Noteboxd editorial team.