The term note as applied to Essential oils comes from the perfumery field.* Essential oil aroma's are often described by their "note". There are three general classifications. Top note, middle note and base note. These terms relate the oils volatility, in other words the rate at which they evaporate and how long the fragrance will last.
Example found on a website. You might consider some oils to be a different note to those listed but it is a guideline for you. Personally I find that the top notes may not last several hours and saying that mid notes last a few days could be stretching it a bit!
Top Notes
Top notes are the most stimulating and uplifting oils. They are strongly scented, but the perfume lasts only for several hours.
Essential oils with a Top note that we carry:
bergamot
clary sage
eucalyptus
lemon orange
lemongrass
neroli
peppermint .
Middle Notes
Middle Notes are the next longest lasting, at about 2 - 3 days, and affect the metabolic and body functions. The perfume is less potent than that of top note oils.
Examples of Middle note oils are:
balm
chamomile
fennel
geranium
hyssop
juniper
lavender
rosemary
Base Notes
Base Notes are the slowest oils to evaporate. These oils are also referred to as fixatives. They help retard the evaporation of the lighter oils in a blend. They have a sweet, soothing scent and a relaxing, comforting effect on the body.
Examples of Base note oils are:
cedarwood
clove
frankincense
jasmine
rose
sandalwood