How a fragrance unfolds
How a fragrance unfolds
A perfume is not one smell but a performance in three acts. Learn how the top, heart and base work together — and you'll never choose a fragrance blind again.
Tap a layer of the pyramid
Notes are grouped by volatility — how fast their molecules evaporate. The lightest rise and fade first; the heaviest anchor the scent for hours.
— tap each layer to explore —
Top notes
The opening — roughly the first 5 to 15 minutes
The brightest, most volatile materials. This is what you smell in the first spray, designed to charm instantly — and it's the layer that fades first, which is why you should never judge a perfume in the shop doorway.
Typical materialsBergamot · Lemon · Mandarin · Grapefruit · Neroli · Mint · Lavender · Pink pepper · Ginger · Cardamom · Pear · Blackcurrant · Aldehydes
The notes, layer by layer
The classic materials of perfumery, grouped where you'll usually meet them in a pyramid. A note may be a natural oil, a modern molecule, or an accord built to smell like the thing — which is why two perfumes listing "rose" can smell completely different.
Top notes
Bright, volatile, fleeting
Citrus
Bergamot · Lemon · Lime · Mandarin · Orange · Grapefruit · Neroli · Petitgrain · Yuzu
Fresh & aromatic
Mint · Lavender · Basil · Rosemary · Sage · Artemisia
Light fruits
Pear · Apple · Blackcurrant · Raspberry · Mango · Pineapple
Bright spices
Pink pepper · Ginger · Cardamom · Coriander · Saffron · Aldehydes
Heart notes
Rich, defining, the character
Florals
Rose (Damask · Turkish) · Jasmine & jasmine sambac · Ylang-ylang · Tuberose · Orange blossom · Iris / orris · Violet · Geranium · Lily of the valley · Osmanthus · Lotus
Warm spices
Cinnamon · Clove · Nutmeg · Black pepper · Cumin
Green & fruity
Tea · Fig · Heliotrope · Honey · Plum · Peach · Dates
Base notes
Deep, fixing, long-lasting
Woods
Sandalwood · Cedarwood · Vetiver · Patchouli · Guaiac wood · Akigalawood
Resins & balsams
Amber · Frankincense (olibanum) · Myrrh · Labdanum · Benzoin
Musky & animalic
Musk · Ambergris · Leather · Castoreum-style notes
Gourmand
Vanilla · Tonka bean · Praline · Caramel · Chocolate · Coffee
The crown
Oud (agarwood) — resinous, deep, slightly smoky; the most precious raw material in perfumery.
A day in the life of one spray
Timings are a guide — concentration, skin and climate all shift them.
The opening
Top notes flash bright, then soften. Give any new fragrance at least this long before deciding.
The heart
The true character emerges — florals, spices and fruit that define what people around you notice.
The drydown
Woods, resins and musks settle close to the skin. This is the trail people remember — and the layer worth paying for.
EDT, EDP, Parfum — what the letters mean
Concentration is the share of pure perfume oil in the bottle. More oil means deeper projection, longer wear — and a higher price.
Eau de ToiletteEDT · ~5–15% oil
≈ 2–4 hours
Eau de ParfumEDP · ~15–20% oil
≈ 5–8 hours
Parfum / Extrait~20–30% oil
≈ 8–12+ hours
In the Gulf climate, heat burns off lighter concentrations quickly — one reason eau de parfum is the region's standard, and why rich oud and amber compositions are treasured here.
Find your family, find your scent
Almost every perfume belongs to a family. Know which ones you love and choosing becomes simple.
Citrus & Fresh
Bergamot · Lemon · Neroli · Mint
Sparkling and clean — best for daytime, summer and the office. The shortest-lived family, so look for an EDP if you need it to last.
Shop fresh scentsFloral
Rose · Jasmine · Tuberose · Iris
The heart of classic perfumery, from a single soliflore to a full bouquet. Romantic, polished, timeless.
Shop floralsAmber & Oriental
Amber · Vanilla · Saffron · Incense
Warm, golden and enveloping. Made for evenings, occasions and cooler months.
Shop ambersWoody
Sandalwood · Cedar · Vetiver
Dry, elegant and quietly confident. Woods ground a composition and wear beautifully on everyone.
Shop woodsLeather & Tobacco
Leather · Tobacco · Rum · Smoke
Bold and characterful — a scent with a past. Best in the evening and in cooler air.
Shop the collectionOud
Agarwood · Rose-oud · Ambergris
The king of notes — resinous, deep and unmistakable. Rare oud is the soul of the AERES maison.
Shop oud & attarThree rules of wearing it well
Spray, don't rub
Rubbing wrists crushes the top notes and distorts the opening. Spray on pulse points — wrists, neck, behind the ears — and let it dry naturally.
Skin first, fabric second
Fragrance develops with your skin's warmth. A light mist on clothing extends the trail, but the story happens on skin.
Judge at the drydown
Never buy on the first sniff. Wear a sample through a full day — the base notes you live with for eight hours matter more than the opening you get for fifteen minutes.