Seamus Hammond
During the lockdown, many people turned to perfume as a source of comfort and escapism. With limited opportunities to explore new places and experiences, people sought out fragrances that evoked memories of loved ones and transported them to far-off destinations. The act of indulging in a new perfume or sampling different scents became a way to break up the monotony of lockdown life and bring some pleasure to an otherwise challenging period. As such, the question arises: were people able to buy perfume during lockdown, and if so, how did they go about it?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perfume purchases during lockdown | A way to escape and indulge |
| A way to connect with oneself and one's memories | |
| A way to discover new fragrances and brands | |
| A way to support mental health | |
| A way to feel productive | |
| Testing perfumes during lockdown | Testing strips, wash cards, and solid samples |
| Testing in-store and online |
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What You'll Learn
Perfume samples during lockdown
During the lockdown, many people have turned to fragrances as a form of self-care and escapism. With more time spent indoors, people are exploring new scents and discovering the power of perfume in evoking memories and emotions. This has led to a rise in the sales of Discovery Boxes, with companies like The Perfume Society offering curated sample boxes for both men and women. These boxes allow individuals to try different fragrances before committing to a full-size bottle.
Online tools like Find-A-Fragrance have also gained popularity, providing personalized recommendations based on algorithms. Users can input their favourite fragrances and receive suggestions for new scents to try. This shift towards exploring fragrances during lockdown has encouraged individuals to indulge in the pleasure of discovering new perfumes and connecting with their senses.
For those who want to explore a variety of perfumes without committing to full-size bottles, sampling has become a popular option. Some companies, like Lush, offer solid perfume samples or paper tester strips to help customers find their perfect scent before purchasing. During the lockdown, individuals have also turned to online communities like r/fragrance and r/bujo on Reddit to discuss and review perfumes, providing a space for sharing experiences and seeking recommendations.
Sampling perfumes during lockdown can be a fun way to discover new fragrances and connect with others. Some individuals have even created spreadsheets and journals to track their thoughts on different perfumes, allowing them to remember why they liked or disliked a particular scent. This hobby has provided a sense of control and organization during uncertain times, as well as a way to connect with others through shared interests.
Overall, the lockdown has created a unique opportunity for individuals to explore the world of fragrances, discover new perfumes, and connect with their senses and emotions through sampling and online communities.
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Online vs in-store perfume shopping
During the lockdown, many people turned to perfume as a source of comfort and escapism. With limited opportunities to explore the world, people sought out new fragrances that evoked memories of loved ones and transported them to far-off destinations. This shift in perspective encouraged a focus on personal pleasure and self-indulgence, rather than wearing perfume to attract or charm others. As a result, the demand for perfume samples and discovery boxes soared, with many individuals exploring niche and luxury fragrance houses.
Online perfume shopping offers several advantages, particularly during a lockdown when physical stores may be closed or have limited access. Firstly, it provides a convenient and safe way to shop from the comfort of your home, eliminating the need to venture out and potentially exposing yourself to health risks. Online retailers often offer a vast selection of fragrances, including niche and luxury brands that may not be readily available in local stores. This makes it easier to explore and compare different perfumes, read reviews, and discover new scents that might become your signature.
Another benefit of online shopping is the ability to access samples and discovery boxes. During the lockdown, many individuals turned to online sources to obtain perfume samples, creating spreadsheets and testing routines to evaluate various fragrances. Online retailers often provide sample sets or discovery boxes, allowing you to try multiple perfumes before committing to a full-size bottle. This reduces the risk of purchasing a fragrance that you might later regret.
However, in-store perfume shopping offers its own unique advantages. When you shop in a physical store, you have the opportunity to interact with the perfume, spray it on your skin, and experience its evolution. Fragrances can smell different on each person due to individual body chemistry, so testing a perfume before purchasing it ensures that you know how it will smell specifically on you. In-store shopping also allows for immediate gratification, as you can walk out with your chosen perfume in hand, rather than waiting for delivery.
Ultimately, both online and in-store perfume shopping have their merits. Online shopping provides convenience, a wide selection, and easy access to samples, while in-store shopping offers the ability to interact with the fragrance, test it on your skin, and take it home immediately. The choice between the two depends on your personal preferences, the level of convenience you desire, and the importance you place on the sensory experience of perfume shopping.
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Perfume as a form of escapism
During the lockdown, many people turned to fragrances as a form of escapism. The Perfume Society, for instance, saw a huge rise in sales of their Discovery Boxes, with 70% of purchasers going on to buy a full-size bottle of one of the samples.
Perfumes have the power to transport you to another place or time, triggering memories and emotions. As Jo Malone CBE, perfumer and founder of Jo Loves, explains: "Even though you can’t travel, your imagination can go anywhere you want it to via your sense of smell. [...] Smell enables you to unpack that suitcase of vacation memories and relive them." Similarly, Ludovic Bonneton, who runs the Parisian fragrance house Bon Parfumeur, emphasizes the connection between fragrance and our subconscious: "We need fragrances to remind ourselves of the best memories, of people in our lives, and to bring smiles and laughter to lighten the daily grind."
In this way, perfume can be a subtle form of self-indulgence, allowing us to block out normality and focus on something that means something to us for our own reasons. It can be a way to reconnect with ourselves, rather than a means of attracting others. Timothy Han, for instance, wants people who wear his fragrances to "feel like an individual. Like someone who does their own thing and never cared much about conventions."
In a time when we are enclosed and more in touch with ourselves, fragrances have become more of a personal luxury. As Han puts it, "Do you wear fragrance for yourself, or for others?"
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Perfume as self-indulgence
During the lockdown, many people turned to fragrances as a form of self-indulgence and escapism. With limited opportunities to explore new scents, individuals began experimenting with perfume samples, discovering new niche and luxury fragrance houses. This trend was reflected in the rising sales of Discovery Boxes and an increased interest in personalised fragrance recommendations.
Perfume, as a self-indulgent act, can provide a subtle way to achieve escapism without physically leaving one's residence. It can transport us to somewhere new, evoking memories and emotions. As perfumer Timothy Han suggests, fragrances have become more of a personal luxury during the lockdown, shifting from an act of seduction to a way of connecting with oneself.
The power of perfume lies in its ability to captivate our senses, leaving us craving more. This "perfume addiction" or "fragrance obsession" is rooted in the psychology of scent, connecting smell to emotion, memory, and attraction. Addictive perfumes often feature comforting and captivating gourmand notes, such as caramel, vanilla, honey, chocolate, and fruity accords, creating a sense of warmth and indulgence.
Choosing a perfume that resonates with one's personality or desired mood further enhances its intimate form of self-expression. It becomes an extension of one's identity, evolving as we evolve. This connection between fragrance and our subconscious, as described by Ludovic Bonneton of Bon Parfumeur, reminds us of our best memories and brings smiles to our faces.
While some individuals may develop a perfume-buying addiction, leading to rapid collecting tendencies, others view it as a positive pastime when approached with financial responsibility and awareness. Ultimately, perfume as self-indulgence can be a way to focus on something meaningful to us, providing a sense of escapism and enhancing our emotional well-being.
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Perfume as a personal luxury
During the lockdown, many people turned to fragrances as a form of self-care and a way to lift their moods. The Perfume Society saw a significant increase in sales of their Discovery Boxes, with many customers going on to purchase full-size bottles of the samples they tried. People also sought personalised fragrance recommendations through tools like Find-A-Fragrance.
Perfume is often associated with luxury, and wearing a luxurious scent can be a quick and easy way to boost your confidence and make you feel special. Luxury fragrances are usually associated with sophistication and elegance, featuring notes of precious flowers, woods, amber, and other scents with richness and depth.
When choosing a luxury perfume, it is important to consider factors such as longevity, projection, and sillage (the degree to which a perfume's scent lingers). The best choice is often a deeply personal one, as fragrances can evoke strong emotions and memories. For example, Philosykos, a unisex fragrance with fig leaves, sap, and wood notes, may evoke memories of nature and a sense of earthiness.
Sampling perfumes on one's skin is crucial when selecting a new fragrance, as perfumes smell differently on different people. Perfume subscription services, such as Scentbird, can be a great way to explore and find your signature scent.
Online retailers like Luxury Perfumes offer a wide selection of fragrances from top brands, allowing busy individuals to shop for rare and luxurious perfumes from the comfort of their homes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy perfume during lockdown. Perfume sales have actually seen a huge rise during the lockdown.
Many companies offer perfume samples that can be sent to your home. Some companies offer paper tester strips, while others provide samples in the form of thick cards, known as washcards, that can be sprayed with the perfume.
You can use online tools to find new fragrances. For example, the Find-A-Fragrance tool allows you to input a fragrance you already like, and it will recommend six new scents for you to try. You can also read reviews of perfumes online to get a sense of the scent profile before purchasing.
During lockdown, perfumes that remind you of nature or transport you to another place can be particularly enjoyable. For example, citrusy scents or perfumes that remind you of the smell of rain can provide a sense of escapism.
Perfume can provide a sense of self-indulgence and transport you to another place, even if just for a moment. It can also serve as a personal luxury and a way to connect with yourself.
