Lance Carson
Testing perfume samples is a process that requires patience and a keen sense of smell. When testing perfumes, it is important to remember that your unique body chemistry interacts with the scent, so it is best to test perfumes directly on your skin. However, it is easy to overload your sense of smell when trying new fragrances, so it is recommended to test no more than three fragrances in a day. When testing, it is best to spray the perfume on your wrist or the back of your hand, wait for it to dry, and then bring your hand close to your nose to smell it. It is also important to give each perfume time to interact with your body's natural chemistry, as the fragrance will deepen over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fragrances to test | 3-4 fragrances |
| Testing method | Tester strips, then skin |
| Skin application | Spray on wrist or back of the hand |
| Number of sprays | 2 |
| Wait time | 30 seconds |
| Inhalation method | Keep nose at least an inch or two away from skin |
| Testing duration | A few minutes |
| Inter-fragrance method | Smell own skin or clothes, not coffee beans |
| Fragrance type | Not solely dependent on strength |
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Test strips
When testing perfume samples on test strips, it is important to hold the strip away from you when spraying or applying the perfume. Avoid soaking the strip by using one or two sprays or a few drops of the fragrance. If testing multiple fragrances, it is important to use the same number of sprays or drops for each to accurately test the concentration. Allow the alcohol to evaporate before bringing the strip close to your nose. Avoid touching the strip to your nose, and instead, sniff lightly in short breaths. You can also wave the strip gently in the air to release the scent.
The first impression of a fragrance is typically the "top notes". As the perfume dries, the "heart" and "back notes" or "base notes" will become more prominent. To experience the complete fragrance cycle, smell the strip every hour throughout the day. If testing multiple fragrances, keep the strips away from each other to avoid mixing the scents. You can also label the strips with a pencil at the non-absorbent end to avoid confusion.
After testing on strips, some people choose to test the fragrances on their skin to see how the perfume interacts with their unique body chemistry. However, others prefer to avoid this step due to the potential difficulty of scrubbing off a scent they dislike. It is recommended to test no more than two fragrances on the skin at a time, usually on the wrists or the back of the hand. When spraying on the skin, direct the spray towards the pulse points, which are naturally warm due to the veins underneath.
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Pulse points
The most common pulse points are the wrists, neck, and jawline, but other areas can be just as effective. The inner elbow or wrist is a good choice when testing out a new scent, as it is easy to smell and convenient to wash off. The neck is one of the more powerful pulse points, thanks to the carotid artery. The elbow crease is often overlooked, but the natural movement of the arms helps the fragrance to diffuse continuously throughout the day.
Other pulse points include behind the knees, which is especially useful when wearing skirts or shorts as this area retains heat, and behind the ears. When applying perfume to pulse points, one or two sprays are enough for a subtle but pleasant presence. It is important to avoid rubbing the applied areas together to preserve the integrity of the fragrance notes.
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Olfactory palate cleansers
When testing perfumes, olfactory fatigue, or olfactory habituation, can set in. This is when the olfactory glands in your nose begin to recognize smells after a period of time and will stop alerting you to them, making you think there's no fragrance there.
To combat olfactory fatigue, it is commonly believed that olfactory palate cleansers can be used to reset your sense of smell. One popular olfactory palate cleanser is coffee beans. In perfume shops, you may find small bowls of coffee beans set between various fragrances. A salesperson may advise you to sniff the beans in between smelling multiple scents. The idea is that the smell of coffee beans creates some sort of palate cleanser for your nose, allowing you to continue to smell fragrance after fragrance. However, some people argue that coffee is not an effective palate cleanser and that it is simply a marketing ploy. They suggest that simply smelling your own skin or taking a break to get some fresh air is a more effective way to reset your sense of smell.
A study by Rachel Herz at Brown University found that smelling coffee in between perfume testing helps to increase the olfactory recovery rate, thereby enhancing the ability to correctly identify scents. However, the study also revealed that any new, strong, and distinctive smell can have the same impact. Coffee is often chosen because it is easily accessible, enjoyable to most people, and its aroma does not linger or alter the fragrance notes of the perfume being tested.
In conclusion, while there is some debate over the effectiveness of coffee as an olfactory palate cleanser, it may be worth trying if you are experiencing olfactory fatigue while testing perfumes. However, other strong and distinctive smells may also be effective, and taking a break to smell your own skin or get some fresh air is another simple and effective way to reset your sense of smell.
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Sample sizes
When testing perfume samples, it is important to consider the sample size. Testing multiple fragrances at once can overload your sense of smell, so it is recommended to test no more than three fragrances in a day.
Perfume samples are typically small containers of fragrances, usually around 1-2ml in size, although some sources recommend samples of up to 5ml or 10ml. These small samples allow users to try perfumes without the expense of buying a full bottle. They are also convenient for testing out new fragrances without worrying about the product going bad if it ends up being disliked.
When testing a perfume sample, it is recommended to spray the fragrance directly onto the skin, on pulse points like the wrists, back of the hand, behind the ears, or the inner elbow. This allows the unique body chemistry to interact with the scent, providing a true experience of how the perfume will smell. It is important to avoid rubbing the wrists after spraying, as this can break down the fragrance and alter its scent.
Some people may prefer larger sample sizes, such as 5ml or 10ml, to allow for multiple wearings and a more thorough testing of the fragrance. These larger samples can be useful if you need to test a perfume's longevity and projection over a few days. Additionally, larger samples can be useful if you intend to review the perfume or decide whether to purchase a full bottle.
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Fragrance families
When it comes to selecting a fragrance, it can be challenging to know where to start. To simplify the process, the world of fragrance has been classified into families, each with its own unique characteristics. These fragrance families help us understand what we like in a scent and aid in making informed decisions when choosing perfumes.
The four main fragrance families are Woody, Floral, Amber (also known as Oriental), and Fresh. Each family is further divided into subfamilies or subcategories, which add nuances to the scent. For example, the Woody family includes warm and opulent scents like sandalwood and patchouli, while its subfamilies include Woods, Mossy Woods, and Dry Woods. The Floral family, one of the most common and well-known, offers a range of delicate to sharp scents, with subcategories like Fruity, Floral, Soft Floral, and Floral Oriental. Amber/Oriental family includes herbs, spices, and dry powdery resin notes, with subcategories like Soft Oriental, Oriental, and Woody Oriental. The Fresh family provides a lighter, brighter, and crisper option, with zesty and citrusy notes, and subcategories like Aromatic, Citrus, Green, and Water.
These fragrance families are visually represented on the Fragrance Wheel, a circular diagram invented by scent expert Michael Edwards. The wheel illustrates the relationships between the olfactory groups, with similar families placed side by side, indicating their potential to blend well together.
When testing perfumes, it is recommended to explore these fragrance families and identify which one suits your preferences. By understanding the different families and their characteristics, you can make more informed choices when selecting a scent that resonates with you.
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