Did you know that there is a science to fragrances? No, I'm not talking about the perfumes that you wear. I'm talking about the scents that are all around us. There is an order to how our brains perceive odors, called the olfactory pyramid.

The olfactory pyramid is a way of understanding how the different elements of fragrances are perceived. It classifies the olfactory families of a bouquet and highlights the main notes of that perfume.

A fragrance can have more than 150 different ingredients. But this classification shows a few notes that stand out the most in the composition and highlight those that predominate in the pyramid. The brain quickly perceives these scents and often describes them as "fresh."

In addition, the fragrance evolves, and each note is not stuck in its "little box." All the time, they appear and complete each other. Some a little more here, others, there. But it doesn't mean that, necessarily, the first notes are gone after a specific time. Instead, the combination of notes allows the fragrance to evolve. So the scent you felt for the first time could change entirely soon after.

In general terms, the OLFACTIVE PYRAMID is the structure that makes up a perfume. And it breaks down into NOTES.

• Head, top, or start notes – The top of the pyramid comprises light, volatile scents that evaporate quickly and are perceived by the brain as sweet, floral, and citrusy. They are perceived at the moment of vaporization are notes of lower molecular weight and, therefore, are very volatile. In general, they are the ones that "explode" the aroma, but they evaporate quickly. They only last a few minutes and have fresh and intense odors, like citrus and greens.

• Heart or body notes – The middle of the pyramid consists of scents that are heavier and last longer. The brain perceives them as earthy, spicy, and woodsy. They are the ones that mark the olfactory family of the perfume, odors that are scented with more intensity. They become evident after a few minutes. It lasts up to 4 hours and gives personality to the aroma, such as floral and fruity.

• Base notes – The base of the pyramid is made up of the heaviest, longest-lasting scents. The brain perceives them as musky, resinous, and oriental.

These are the notes that linger and give the perfume personality. The weight of these notes is more significant and makes you feel the aroma after a few hours of application. They can last up to 24 hours. This is the case of woody and ambery.

Although some families are in one of the groups, their positions may vary. There are no fixed rules or formulas. Everything will depend on the identity that the perfumer wants to give to the fragrance. And it is precisely this range of possible combinations that bring the wealth of exclusive aromas.