Blind-Buying Fragrances: A Guide To Taking The Plunge

Blind buying fragrances can be a risky business, especially as they don't come cheap. But with stores closed, it's almost all we can do. To avoid disappointment, it's worth doing your research. Start by looking at fragrances you already know and recognise, and research their ingredients. Then, look at other well-known fragrances and their ingredient breakdowns. You can also check user reviews on sites like Fragrantica, which are good at describing how things smell to the average person. If you're buying from a third-party seller, make sure to research packaging features that verify a product's authenticity, like batch codes.

Research packaging features to verify authenticity

Blind buying fragrances can be a risky business, but there are ways to reduce the risk. One way is to research the packaging features to verify authenticity.

Firstly, it's important to know what the original design looks like, from the cap and nozzle to the bottle itself. This will help you spot any obvious fakes. You can also look for batch codes, which are typically located near the barcode and indicate the product's manufacturing date.

In addition to researching the packaging, you can also research the fragrance notes and ingredients. This will help you know more about what you're smelling without needing to sample it first. Look at fragrances you already know and recognise, as well as other well-known fragrances and their ingredient breakdowns.

You can also check user reviews on sites like Fragrantica, which can give you a better idea of how a fragrance smells to the average person.

Look at fragrances you already know and recognise

Blind buying fragrances can seem risky, but there are ways to reduce the risk. One way is to look at fragrances you already know and recognise. Research their ingredient breakdowns to get a better understanding of what you're smelling. For example, ambroxan is a synthetic replication of ambergris and is known for having a warm, woody, leathery and peppery scent. It is used as a base note in fragrances such as Dior Sauvage, Prada Luna Rossa Carbon, Versace Dylan Blue and Mont Blanc Explorer.

You can also check user reviews on sites like Fragrantica, which are often better at describing how things smell to the average person than the official descriptions. For example, if a fragrance is described as "clean" in the notes but users call it "soapy", you'll have a better idea of the smell.

It's also a good idea to start cheap or buy small sizes or rollerballs. Some brands offer trial packs with a small selection of trial-sized fragrances at a low price. You could also choose to only blind-buy fragrances that are cheap enough that you're willing to risk the money, or that are returnable.

Research other well-known fragrances and their ingredients

Blind buying fragrances can seem risky, but it can be done successfully. One way to do this is to research other well-known fragrances and their ingredients. This will help you to understand more about what you're smelling without needing to sample it first.

For example, ambroxan is a synthetic replication of ambergris and is known for having a warm, woody, leathery and peppery scent. It is often used as a base note. You can find ambroxan in fragrances such as Dior Sauvage, Prada Luna Rossa Carbon, Versace Dylan Blue and Mont Blanc Explorer. These fragrances are often chosen for their versatility.

You can also check Fragrantica for user reviews, which are good at describing how fragrances smell to the average person. For example, if the official description says a fragrance is "clean" but user reviews call it "soapy", you'll get a better idea of the smell.

It's also a good idea to research fragrance notes in fragrances you already know and recognise. This will help you to identify your preferred scents.

Check user reviews

Blind buying can be a bit of a risk, but there are ways to mitigate this. One way is to check user reviews. Fragrantica, for example, is a website that provides user reviews that are good at describing how things smell to the average person. User reviews can give you a better idea of the smell than the official description. For example, if the official description says "clean" but user reviews call it "soapy", you get a better idea of the smell.

You can also research fragrance notes and look at fragrances you already know and recognise. Research other well-known fragrances and look at their ingredient breakdowns. This will help you know more about what you're smelling without needing to sample it first. For example, ambroxan is a synthetic replication of ambergris and is known for having a warm, woody, leathery, and somewhat peppery feeling. It is typically used as a base note and can be found in fragrances such as Dior Sauvage and Prada Luna Rossa Carbon.

It's also a good idea to start cheap when blind buying. Some brands offer trial packs with a small selection of trial-sized fragrances for a low price. That way, you can sample a variety of fragrances without committing to a full-sized bottle.

Start cheap or buy small sizes

Blind buying fragrances can be risky, but there are ways to mitigate the risk. One way is to start cheap or buy small sizes. This way, you can sample a variety of fragrances without committing to a full-size or expensive product. Some brands offer trial packs with a small selection of trial-sized fragrances for a low price, so look out for those.

If you're blind-buying, it's a good idea to set a budget. For example, you might decide not to spend more than $50 on a fragrance that you can't return. This will help you to avoid overspending on a product that you might not like.

Before purchasing, it's worth researching the fragrances you already know and recognise, as well as other well-known fragrances, to get an idea of their ingredient breakdowns. This will help you to understand more about what you're smelling without needing to sample the fragrance first. You can also check user reviews on sites like Fragrantica, which are often better at describing how fragrances smell to the average person than the official descriptions.

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