Definition
The base note is the third and final tier of the classical olfactive pyramid. It consists of the least volatile materials in the composition: macrocyclic and polycyclic musks, cedarwood derivatives, sandalwood, patchouli, labdanum, benzoin, vanilla, and amber accords. These materials have the lowest evaporation rates and are detectable on skin and fabric long after the more volatile top and heart notes have dissipated (Société Française des Parfumeurs, accessed 2026-05-27).
Base notes also serve as fixatives: they slow the evaporation of more volatile materials in the formula, extending the overall longevity of the composition.
In composition
In niche perfumery, the base is often where the most technically interesting materials appear: unusual woods, rare resins, and proprietary synthetic molecules that give a house its signature dry-down. Serge Lutens compositions, for example, are known for resinous, animalic bases that evolve dramatically from opening to dry-down.
The base note is also the phase most affected by individual skin chemistry: skin pH, temperature, and moisture level alter the perception of base materials significantly between wearers (Basenotes wiki, accessed 2026-05-27).