What Are Base Notes in Perfume? (And Why They Matter)

A Closer Look at the Foundation of Your Favorite Scents

When you spritz on your favorite perfume, it might be the bright citrus or soft florals that greet you first—but what lingers, comforts, and brings you back for another whiff? That’s the magic of base notes.

At Cypress Cove, we think of base notes as the soul of a fragrance. They’re the cozy layers that show up last and stay the longest, helping your perfume dry down beautifully and last throughout the day.

What Exactly Are Base Notes?

Perfumes are made up of layers: top, middle, and base notes. While the top notes create the first impression and the middle notes give personality, base notes are the foundation—rich, grounding, and long-lasting.

These notes emerge after the perfume has settled on your skin, typically about 30 minutes after application. They blend with your natural chemistry and anchor the entire fragrance.

Popular Base Notes in Perfumery

There are many classic base notes used across all kinds of perfumes, from woodsy to gourmand. Here are a few that perfumers (and fragrance lovers) can’t get enough of:

Cedarwood: Dry, clean, and slightly resinous, cedarwood brings a sense of calm and clarity. We love using Texas cedarwood for its soft, slightly smoky quality—it reminds us of cabins, piney woods, and sun-warmed porches.

White Musk: Soft, airy, and subtly sweet, musks are often used to give perfumes a “skin-scent” effect—like fresh laundry, soft cotton, or warm skin after a day in the sun.

Amber: Warm and cozy with a hint of sweetness, amber adds a golden glow to any fragrance. It’s often made from a blend of resins, vanilla, and labdanum.

Patchouli: Earthy and rich with a touch of spice, patchouli is deeply grounding. It adds mystery and depth, especially when paired with florals or fruits.

Sandalwood: Creamy and smooth, sandalwood lends a velvety base that softens a fragrance and adds staying power.

What We Use at Cypress Cove

We carefully select our base notes to reflect the American lifestyle moments we love to capture—lake days, cozy mornings, walks through a sun-dappled forest.

Cedarwood gives many of our perfumes a touch of rustic elegance. It's especially beautiful in fragrances that evoke outdoor adventures or quiet, wooded getaways.

Musks are a staple in our more intimate, skin-like scents. They're subtle but unforgettable, adding warmth without ever overpowering the fragrance.

You’ll find these notes in scents like A Morning at the B&B, where soft musks meet a sheer amber glow—or A Day at the Lake, where cedarwood gently grounds the airy citrus and clean water notes.

Why Base Notes Matter

Base notes aren’t just about longevity—they’re about emotion. They’re the notes that stay with you, hours later, reminding you of where you’ve been or where you want to go.

They help a perfume tell a story—one that unfolds slowly and becomes more personal with time. If a fragrance is a memory in a bottle, base notes are the part that lasts.

Come Smell for Yourself

Curious about how base notes work in our fragrances? Browse our bestsellers collection, or try one of our sample sets to explore your scent story at home