Antonio Mcgowan
Getting into perfume can be an exciting journey, but it can also be challenging, especially with the vast range of scents available. The first step is to identify what you like or dislike. You can do this by visiting perfume shops, where experts can guide you, or by smelling things in your surroundings, such as plants, flowers, or the scent of people you meet. You can also explore fragrances by purchasing sample sizes or discovery kits, allowing you to test different perfumes before committing to a full bottle. Online shopping for perfume has become easier, and with the right tools and knowledge, you can find the perfect scent for you. Alternatively, you can even try making your own perfume at home with the help of online guides and ingredients sourced from companies like Pellwall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Choosing a perfume | Go to a perfume shop, try samples, and ask the staff for help. |
| Learn about different scent types and categories. | |
| Smell things other than perfume to develop your scent palate. | |
| Buy samples or discovery kits online. | |
| Learn about fragrance jargon and concentration to help you choose. | |
| Making perfume | Get a small scale that measures in grams. |
| Source high-quality ingredients, ideally perfumer's alcohol. | |
| Start with a formula of 10 ingredients or fewer. |
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What You'll Learn
Buying perfume in-store
There are many benefits to buying perfume in-store. Firstly, you can physically see the product and its packaging, and you can try the perfume on your skin to see how it smells on you. Perfume is very personal, and it can smell different on everyone, so it's important to test it out. You can also speak to knowledgeable staff who can advise you on the different types of perfumes and help you find your perfect scent.
When testing perfumes in-store, it's best to avoid wearing metal jewellery as this can alter the way a perfume smells. Instead, try spraying the perfume on the top of your arms and wear it for the rest of the day to see how it develops. You can also use blotting papers to test fragrances, but make sure you wait for the perfume to dry before smelling it.
If you're unsure what type of scent you're looking for, it can be helpful to do a quiz beforehand to narrow down your preferences. You can also research the different notes that make up a perfume to understand what you like. Top notes are the lightest and fade the fastest, middle notes appear once the top notes evaporate and are often well-rounded, and base notes are the final notes that mingle with the middle notes to create the body of the perfume. Common top notes include light fruits, citrus, and herbs, while base notes include vanilla, amber, and musk.
When buying perfume in-store, you can also take advantage of in-person services such as gift-wrapping and exclusive in-store discounts or coupons. Some stores, like Nordstrom, offer a flexible return policy with no time limits on returns and exchanges, so you can try out a perfume without the risk of committing to a scent you don't like.
Some popular places to buy perfume in-store include Sephora, Nordstrom, and Fragrance Outlet, which has over 100 stores across the United States.
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Buying perfume online
Firstly, it is important to find a reputable website that offers a wide range of fragrances. Websites such as FragranceX.com, FragranceOutlet.com, and Perfume.com are popular options that offer discounted perfumes from various brands. These websites often guarantee the authenticity of their products and provide secure shopping experiences.
When buying perfume online, take advantage of customer reviews and descriptions provided by the website. Read the notes and scent families described for each perfume to understand if it aligns with your preferences. Customer reviews can also give you an insight into the longevity and performance of the perfume, helping you make an informed decision.
Look for websites that offer rewards programs or loyalty points. For instance, FragranceX.com and Perfume.com offer loyalty points that can be redeemed for future discounts. Some websites also offer bundle deals or "buy one, get one" promotions, allowing you to save money when purchasing multiple items.
Consider the shipping options and costs offered by the website. Free shipping can significantly enhance the value of your purchase, and some websites even offer timely and well-packaged deliveries. Additionally, look for websites that provide flexible payment options, such as Klarna, which allow you to buy fragrances and pay for them over time.
Finally, some websites offer wholesale accounts or bulk purchasing options. If you intend to resell perfumes or purchase them in large quantities, registering for a wholesale account can provide you with access to reseller pricing and additional discounts.
By following these tips and considering your personal preferences, you can confidently buy perfume online, discovering new fragrances or stocking up on your signature scent.
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Understanding perfume jargon
The world of perfume comes with its own unique vocabulary, which can be confusing for newcomers. Here is a guide to help you understand the jargon:
Olfactory Families
Olfactory families, or fragrance families, are a way of categorising perfumes based on their scent profiles and predominant notes or ingredients. Some of the most common fragrance families include:
- Floral: This family includes perfumes with floral notes such as rose, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, and peony.
- Woody: Scents in this family are often described as warm, moody, and earthy, with notes of cedar, pine, vetiver, sandalwood, or patchouli.
- Amber (also known as Oriental): Amber fragrances are characterised by rich, exotic, and spicy scents. They are known for their soft, powdery, and full-bodied notes.
- Fresh: The fresh family features bright citrus notes, as well as green and oceanic scents.
- Chypre: This family is named after a perfume created by François Coty in 1917. Chypre fragrances typically have citrus top notes, labdanum, rose, and patchouli heart notes, and oakmoss as a base.
- Gourmand: This family features scents that are sweet and edible, often resembling vanilla, chocolate, or caramel.
Notes
Notes refer to the different layers of a perfume's composition. They are often categorised as top notes, middle or heart notes, and base notes.
- Top notes: These are the first scents you smell when you apply a perfume. They are fresh and fleeting, often consisting of light florals or citrus.
- Middle or heart notes: These notes emerge after the top notes and stick around for a while. They form the true character of the scent, with richer florals, spices, or fruits.
- Base notes: These are the deepest and longest-lasting notes in a fragrance. They often consist of woody, musky, or earthy elements that anchor the entire composition.
Concentration
Concentration refers to the amount of perfume oil or aromatic compounds present in a fragrance. The higher the concentration, the stronger and longer-lasting the scent tends to be. Common terms used to denote concentration levels include:
- Parfum or Extrait de Parfum: Highest concentration, typically above 10%.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP): High concentration, often above 10%.
- Eau de Toilette (EDT): Medium concentration, between 6% and 10%.
- Eau de Cologne (EDC): Lowest concentration, below 6%.
Accords
Accords are combinations of different notes or ingredients that come together to create a new and distinct scent. They are often compared to musical chords, adding complexity and depth to a fragrance. Accords can be used to replicate scents that cannot be distilled, such as leather.
Absolute
An absolute is a highly-concentrated fragrance oil, similar to an essential oil. It is produced through solvent extraction or enfleurage, capturing the natural fragrant compounds of delicate materials like jasmine or tuberose. Absolutes are key ingredients in perfumery.
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Getting free samples
There are several ways to get free perfume samples, both online and in-store. Here are some tips to help you get started:
In-store
The most classic way to get free perfume samples is to simply visit a brick-and-mortar store. Many department stores and fragrance boutiques offer free samples, especially if you've made a purchase. For example, Sephora offers free samples when you check out online or in-store. You can also try Macy's in the US, the Perfume Shop in the UK, or Douglas in the Netherlands. Some indie shops may also throw in free samples with large purchases.
When you're in the store, don't be afraid to ask for a free sample, especially if you're a returning customer or you've made a purchase. Salespeople may be more inclined to give you samples if they know you're interested in a particular fragrance or if you help them reach their sales targets. Free samples are also more readily available during shopping seasons, like Christmas.
Online
Some online stores offer free perfume samples when you place an order or sign up for their newsletters. For example, Beautinow offers a €5 coupon when you sign up for their newsletter, which you can use to order a free sample by mail. You can also sign up for beauty product newsletters in general to stay alert about new product drops and giveaways, which may include seasonal gift sets with deluxe fragrance samples.
Social Media
Follow designer brands on social media, such as Gucci, as well as department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's. They occasionally offer free samples through targeted ads on social media, which may include 5-6 samples from Macy's or niche brands from Bloomingdale's.
Subscription Boxes
Consider signing up for a fragrance-only subscription box, like Scentbox or Scentbird, which offers monthly deliveries of on-trend perfumes. You can also explore subscription-averse options, like Scent Split and MicroPerfumes, which offer a wide selection of decanted vials for purchase.
Reviews and Surveys
Sign up to write reviews, answer product surveys, or participate in focus groups with companies like Influenster, Pinchme, and Tryspree. While providing feedback, you can build your fragrance collection and have fun weighing in on new products.
Happy scent hunting!
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Making perfume at home
Ingredients and Materials:
Firstly, gather your ingredients and materials. You will need essential oils, alcohol, distilled water, a glass bottle, a funnel, a measuring cup, and a pipette. If you want to make a natural perfume, opt for pure essential oils and natural carrier oils. You can also add vegetable glycerin and witch hazel for a body mist.
Choose Your Scents:
Select the essential oils you want to use based on the fragrance family you prefer. Scents can be floral, citrus, woody, spicy, or earthy. You can also get creative and experiment with blending different oils to create unique combinations, such as lavender and vanilla or citrus and mint.
Prepare Your Bottle:
Start by cleaning your glass bottle, preferably a dark glass bottle to protect your fragrance from light. A 10-15 ml bottle is a good size for a small batch of perfume.
Add Essential Oils:
Add about 10-15 drops of essential oils to your bottle. If you want a stronger scent, you can add more drops. You can also follow a guide for a balanced perfume blend, including base notes like patchouli and sandalwood, middle notes, and top notes like citrus and floral scents.
Add Alcohol:
Pour in approximately 2 tablespoons of alcohol, such as vodka or ethanol. The alcohol helps the scent last longer. If you want to make an eau de parfum, you can use 7ml of 190-proof grain alcohol or even Everclear if it's legal in your area.
Add Distilled Water (Optional):
If you want to dilute your perfume, add a tablespoon of distilled water. This step is optional and may make your perfume cloudy, so it's a matter of personal preference.
Let It Sit:
Aging is crucial to developing the scent of your perfume. Let your mixture sit in a cool, dark place for at least 48 hours, but ideally for one to two weeks. The longer it sits, the more the scent will blend and deepen.
Shake and Test:
After the aging process, shake your perfume well and test the scent. If you want a stronger fragrance, add more essential oils. If it's too potent, adjust by adding more alcohol or water.
Enjoy Your Creation:
Your homemade perfume is now ready to use! Apply it to your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, and behind your ears. You can also spritz it onto your chest or anywhere else you'd like the scent.
Remember to sterilize your bottles, especially if you're reusing them, and always check the health advisories for essential oils to ensure they are safe for your skin. Creating your own perfume allows you to explore different scents and develop a fragrance that is truly yours.
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