Dry-Down
Drydown is the later smell of a perfume as it settles and fades. Learn what to notice, how it relates to base notes, and why there is no fixed start time.
Updated
Drydown is the later smell of a perfume as the opening fades and the remaining composition becomes clearer. Also written dry-down, it describes the character you notice after the initial impression has settled, often with woods, musks or other lasting notes more prominent.
The word can also refer to the process of a fragrance drying down. It is not simply the moment a spray feels dry to the touch, and it does not begin at a set number of minutes. A fragrance can change gradually, or retain much the same character as it becomes quieter.
To assess it, return to your sample later in the day. Notice what the smell has become, whether you still enjoy it, and whether it is noticeable only close up or at a distance. Those are separate observations; a pleasant drydown need not project strongly.
- Dry-down vs. drydown
- Two spellings of the same perfume term.
- Drying down
- The process of settling and fading after application.
- Base notes
- The lasting background that often becomes prominent in the drydown. The drydown is your impression of the remaining blend as a whole.
- Opening
- The first impression of a fragrance, which can differ substantially from its later smell.
- Skin scent
- A fragrance detectable mainly close to skin. This describes its reach, not necessarily its age or remaining wear time.
- Linear fragrance
- A perfume whose main character changes little during wear. It still dries down and loses intensity.