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Scent profiles
Why do we love it or hate it?
When you first start exploring fragrance oils, it can feel like learning a whole new language. Terms like “top notes,” “mid notes,” and “base notes” get thrown around a lot—but what do they actually mean? And why doesn’t everyone smell the same thing?
At Aussie Candle Supplies, with over 20 years of experience working with fragrance oils across candles, soaps, and home fragrance, we’ve seen firsthand just how fascinating—and personal—the world of scent can be.
Understanding Scent Profiles
A fragrance is often described as a scent profile, made up of layers that unfold over time:
These layers work together to create the full fragrance experience, rather than existing as separate, isolated smells.
Why Not Every Note Is Listed
In our experience, fragrance notes are based on the raw materials used to create the oil. However, not every ingredient can—or should—be listed in a description.
Instead, scent descriptions are carefully simplified into top, middle, and base notes to give you a clear and practical guide. Think of it as a curated snapshot of the fragrance, rather than a full ingredient breakdown.
Fragrance Is Subjective (And That’s Normal)
Here’s something really important: no two people smell a fragrance in exactly the same way.
This can depend on:
So, while one person might clearly pick up lavender or vanilla, another might notice something completely different—or emphasise certain notes more strongly.
And that’s completely normal.
From Raw Oil to Finished Product
Our fragrance descriptions are developed based on how the oil is designed to perform over time—how the top, middle, and base notes evolve.
But performance can shift depending on the application.
For example, in candle making:
It’s quite common for:
This means a fragrance oil may smell slightly different in a candle compared to how it smells straight from the bottle.
What Fragrance Notes Really Represent
Fragrance notes aren’t meant to be a literal or exhaustive list of ingredients. Instead, they’re designed to communicate the overall sensory impression of a scent.
At Aussie Candle Supplies, our notes are developed collaboratively by our perfumery team and evaluation specialists. This process involves:
The goal is simple: to give you the best possible idea of what to expect, in a way that’s easy to understand.
A Helpful Way to Think About It
Rather than asking, “Can I smell every listed note?”
It’s more useful to ask, “Does this fragrance feel like the description overall?”
Because in the end, fragrance is not just chemistry—it’s experience.
Final Thoughts
Fragrance notes are a guide, not a guarantee. They’re there to help you navigate the scent journey, not define it down to the smallest detail.
With over two decades of experience, we always recommend sampling where possible—because the most important opinion is ultimately your own.
And remember in the world of fragrance, there’s no right or wrong—just what works for you.
