Lance Carson
When it comes to choosing a perfume, it's important to take your time and find a scent that truly resonates with you. While it can be tempting to want to spritz every bottle in sight, it's recommended to test no more than three fragrances in one sitting, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents before it gets confused. The best way to test a perfume is by wearing it on your skin, as the warmth of your skin and its natural oils will create a unique scent. To get the full experience of a perfume, it's also important to let the fragrance develop over time, as it will deepen and change as it settles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fragrances tested at once | 3 maximum |
| First step | Paper blotters |
| How to use blotters | Spray 2-3 quick sprays into a cloud, pass scent strip through, wave under nose |
| Distance from nose | 1-2 inches |
| How to test on skin | Spray wrist or back of hand 2 times in a downward motion, wait 30 seconds |
| Time taken | 15-30 minutes |
| Time of day | Earlier in the day |
| Other methods | Olfactory palate cleansers (e.g. coffee beans) |
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What You'll Learn
- Blotters: spray the perfume into a cloud and pass a blotter strip through it
- Skin testing: spray the perfume on your wrist, hand, behind your ears, or inner elbow
- Avoid wearing other fragrances when testing new perfumes
- Take your time: allow the perfume to develop over time and periodically refer back
- Direct application: apply the perfume directly to the skin to understand how it interacts with your body chemistry
Blotters: spray the perfume into a cloud and pass a blotter strip through it
Testing perfumes on blotters is a great way to get an accurate impression of a fragrance before buying it. Blotter strips are usually the first step in the journey of perfume or cologne shopping. They are made from absorbent, porous papers that allow perfumes to be absorbed quickly, and they provide a neutral medium for smelling and evaluating the aromatic compounds.
To test perfumes using blotters, start by ensuring you are in a clean, tranquil environment free from other odours. Avoid wearing your own fragrance or strong deodorant, as these can interfere with your test. Then, take a blotter strip and label it with the fragrance name. Bend the tip of the blotter at the second line to prevent fragrance oil from getting on your work surface.
Next, spray the perfume two or three times in a downward motion into a cloud, and pass the blotter strip through the cloud. Let the strip absorb the scent, then hold it about an inch from your nose and take a sniff. Close your eyes and pause to fully inhale and evaluate the fragrance. If you want to test how two fragrances would smell when blended, use two blotter strips. Dip both strips to the first line and hold them together while evaluating the scents.
It's important to note that your sense of smell can only handle a few scents well before it gets confused, so limit yourself to testing no more than three fragrances on blotters in a day. If you're testing multiple fragrances, use olfactory palate cleansers like coffee beans to reset your sense of smell between fragrances.
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Skin testing: spray the perfume on your wrist, hand, behind your ears, or inner elbow
Skin testing is a crucial step in the process of choosing a perfume. After you've tried out fragrances on blotters, it's time to test the ones you've shortlisted on your skin. The warmth of your skin, its flora and chemistry, and the natural oils will react with the perfume to create a scent that is unique to you.
When skin testing, it is recommended to spray the perfume on your wrist, hand, behind your ears, or inner elbow. These pulse points are ideal because your unique body chemistry interacts with the scent, giving you a true idea of how the perfume will smell on you.
To test a perfume on your skin, start by choosing the fragrance you want to try and then spray or spritz it on your wrist or the back of your hand in a downward motion. Two spritzes are usually enough. Drop your hand to your side and wait at least 30 seconds for the scent to settle on your skin. You can also test the perfume behind your ears or on your inner elbow, allowing it to settle in the same way. Once the perfume has started to dry, bring your wrist or hand close to your nose and inhale, being careful not to touch your wrist or hand with your nose.
It's important to let the fragrance develop over time. Avoid rubbing your wrist with your finger, as this can contaminate the scent. Periodically refer back to the scent to enjoy how it evolves and changes. You can also test the perfume earlier in the day, as our sense of smell is usually sharpest in the morning.
Remember, when testing perfumes, it's best to focus on one fragrance at a time. Avoid wearing other fragrances when testing something new, as this can hinder your ability to experience the new scent accurately.
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Avoid wearing other fragrances when testing new perfumes
When testing new perfumes, it is imperative to avoid wearing other fragrances. This includes scented lotions and strong deodorants, as these can interfere with the true character of the new scent. The presence of other fragrances can distort the perception of the perfume being tested, leading to inaccurate results.
The sense of smell can be easily overwhelmed when exposed to multiple fragrances simultaneously. It is therefore recommended to focus on testing one perfume at a time, allowing it to interact with your senses without interference. This approach enables you to fully appreciate the evolving profile of each scent, including its top, heart, and base notes.
Perfume testing should be done in an environment free from intrusive aromas. However, this can be challenging as perfume stores, perfumeries, and duty-free shops often have numerous fragrances on display, creating a complex fragrance experience. To mitigate this issue, it is advisable to request a small sample or purchase a small bottle to test the perfume in a controlled environment, such as your home. This way, you can live with the fragrance and understand how it interacts with your body chemistry over an extended period.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the skin's chemistry can alter a perfume's character. Hence, ensuring that the skin is clean and free from other fragrances before testing is crucial. Applying the perfume to pulse points, such as wrists, behind earlobes, or the inner elbow, provides an accurate representation of how the scent will interact with your body chemistry. By following these steps, you can make informed decisions when choosing a new perfume and find a fragrance that truly resonates with you.
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Take your time: allow the perfume to develop over time and periodically refer back
When testing perfumes, it is important to take your time and not rush the process. The fragrance you initially smell when you first apply a perfume is often not the final scent. This initial burst is called the "top note" and typically lasts only a few minutes to an hour. The true scent of a perfume, or the "dry down", emerges as these top notes evaporate, revealing the "heart" and "base notes". Heart notes can last from a few hours to several hours, while base notes are deep, lingering scents that can last even longer. Woody and oriental perfumes, for instance, have complex and heavier base notes that can sometimes last all day.
Therefore, when testing perfumes, it is advisable to wait a while before making a decision. Spray the perfume on a paper strip and smell it. If you like it, hold on to the strip for 10 minutes or so and then smell it again after it has completely dried. If you still like the scent, remember it and keep it in mind as a potential candidate for purchase. Repeat this process for a few other fragrances you like, and then come back the next day and re-test your favourites.
When you have narrowed down your selection to the best two, spray one on the inside of your left arm and the other on the inside of your right arm. Leave the store and go about your day, periodically referring back to the scents. Take note of how each perfume dries down over time and how long it lasts on your skin. Everyone's skin is different, and the longevity of a perfume can depend on factors such as skin type and chemistry. For instance, dry skin can cause perfume to evaporate more quickly, while spraying on your clothes can make it last longer.
By taking your time and periodically referring back to the scents, you can make a more informed decision about which perfume you like best and how it wears throughout the day.
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Direct application: apply the perfume directly to the skin to understand how it interacts with your body chemistry
When it comes to choosing a perfume, it's important to remember that everyone has a unique body chemistry. This means that a fragrance that smells amazing on someone else might not have the same effect on you. Skin type, pH levels, and lifestyle factors, such as diet and stress levels, can all influence how a perfume smells and evolves on your skin.
Direct application is a great way to understand how a perfume interacts with your body chemistry. By spraying the perfume directly onto your skin, you can observe how it reacts with your body's natural oils and pH levels. When testing a perfume, it's best to apply it to your pulse points, such as your wrists or neck, as these areas have a higher skin temperature, which can affect how the fragrance develops.
It's important to give the perfume time to interact with your skin before making a judgment. The top notes of a perfume create the initial impression, but the heart and base notes unfold over time, creating a dynamic scent experience. Wear the perfume for a few hours, or at least 20 minutes, to understand how the different notes interact with your body chemistry and evolve throughout the day.
To enhance the longevity of the perfume and improve its performance, especially if you have dry skin, it's recommended to apply an unscented moisturizer or oil before spraying the fragrance. This provides a better surface for the perfume molecules to adhere to, allowing the scent to develop and last longer.
By testing perfumes directly on your skin, you can discover fragrances that truly complement your body chemistry and find your signature scent.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to test a perfume is to wear it on your skin, on pulse points like your wrists, behind your ears, or your inner elbow. Your unique body chemistry interacts with the scent, giving you a true idea of how it will smell on you.
Your sense of smell can only handle around 3 scents before it gets confused, so it's best to test no more than 3 fragrances on blotters in one day.
When testing perfumes in a shop, it's important to take your time. Try one perfume at a time, spraying it on your wrist, and then do something else to allow the fragrance to interact with your body's natural chemistry. After 15-30 minutes, smell your wrist again to see how the fragrance has developed.
