Perfume, an emotion in three acts

A fragrance is never just a simple smell:
It's a journey, an evolution, a story told in layers.
To truly understand what we feel — and why it affects us — we need to understand the three levels:
the top notes,
the heart notes,
background notes.

These three steps create the emotional signature of a fragrance.
Here's how they work... and how they influence your emotional well-being.

Top notes: the first impression

The top notes are those that are perceived in the first few seconds .
They are fresh, bright, sparkling, and evaporate quickly.

They set the tone, like an olfactory welcome.

Common examples:

• Citrus fruits (yuzu, bergamot, mandarin)

• Rosemary

• Mint

• Eucalyptus

Associated emotions:

Soft energy
Clarity
Lightness
A feeling of “a new beginning”

The heart notes: the soul of the perfume

They appear after 5 to 15 minutes.
The heart notes are the emotional heart of the fragrance.
They bring depth, personality, and an enveloping feeling.

Common examples:

• Lavender

• Ylang-ylang

• White tea

• Basil

• Conifers

• Pear

Associated emotions:

Calm
Harmony
Emotional gentleness
Cocooning sensation

They are what the perfume “wants to tell you”.

The base notes: the memory of the perfume

These are the notes that linger long after.
They anchor, warm, and stabilize everything.
They last several hours.

Common examples:

• Inoki wood

• Cedar wood

• Vetiver

• Soft patchouli

• Light musk

• Amber

Associated emotions:

Anchoring
Internal security
Trust
Deep relaxation

These are the notes that "stay in the room" after you've left.

Why does a smell change over time?

A perfume changes because each molecule has a different weight .
Light molecules rise and diffuse quickly (top notes),
Medium-sized molecules last longer (heart notes),
heavy molecules settle in (background notes).

This development is essential:
It creates an emotional journey .
It gives character, it allows the fragrance to adapt to the body, the moment, the space.

That's also why a candle, a mist, or a soap doesn't smell exactly the same from beginning to end.

Perfume as a gesture of self-care

Understanding olfactory notes allows you to choose a fragrance that truly touches you, that accompanies you, that creates an emotional atmosphere in your space.

In Brume & Bloom, each fragrance is designed to be more than just a perfume:
a gentle emotion that envelops you, a moment to breathe, an inner light.