base note
BAYS noht
/ˈbeɪs noʊt/
The heaviest, least volatile scent molecules in a perfume that emerge last and linger the longest, providing the foundation of the fragrance.
Base notes act as fixatives, holding the lighter top and middle notes to the skin and preventing them from evaporating too quickly.
The story behind the word. The concept of dividing a perfume into 'notes' (top, middle, base) was popularized in the 19th century by perfumer G.W. Septimus Piesse, who mapped scents to musical scales, believing that a harmonious fragrance was structured like a musical chord.
Word relationships
- foundation: Foundation is a general term for any supporting base, while base note is specifically the foundational scent layer in perfumery.
- top note: A top note consists of the lightest, most volatile molecules that are smelled immediately but evaporate within minutes.
Commonly confused with
- heart note: Heart notes (or middle notes) emerge after the top notes fade and form the main body of the scent, whereas base notes emerge last and provide the deep, lasting foundation.
Collocations
- strong base note
- warm base note
- serve as a base note
- lingering base note
Example sentences
- "Sandalwood and patchouli often serve as the base note in oriental perfumes because of their heavy molecular weight." Explaining the structure of a perfume.
- "By evening, the floral top notes had vanished, leaving only a warm base note of vanilla on her skin." Describing the final hours of wearing a scent.
Memory hook
Think of the 'basement' of a house—it is at the very bottom, solid, and holds up the rest of the building. The scent foundation.
When not to use
Do not use to describe the initial, fleeting scent you smell immediately after spraying a perfume.
Fun facts
- Common base notes like oakmoss and vetiver can linger on clothing for weeks, surviving even multiple cycles through a washing machine.
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