Anisha Riggs
Testing fragrances is a very personal process, and it can be challenging to find one that resonates with your identity. The best way to test a fragrance is to use a blotter—a white piece of cardboard or card that you spray the perfume onto. This allows you to test a wide range of fragrances without getting them on your skin. However, the fragrance will react differently to your skin than to the paper. Therefore, the next step is to test the fragrance on your skin. Spray the perfume on your wrist or the back of your hand, wait 30 seconds, and then bring your hand up to your nose to inhale. It is important to give the fragrance time to develop and interact with your body chemistry.
How to Test a Fragrance
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Testing tools | Blotters/paper strips/smelling strips, skin, fabric |
| Blotter use | Spray downwards and pass the blotter through a cloud of fragrance, don't spray directly onto the blotter |
| Blotter storage | Store used blotters separately from unused ones to prevent cross-contamination |
| Skin testing | Spray the wrist or back of the hand, wait 30 seconds-30 minutes, then smell |
| Number of fragrances tested | Limit to 3 at a time, the brain can't discern between more than 3 |
| Time of day | Test fragrances in the morning when the sense of smell is at its peak |
| Olfactory palate cleansers | Use coffee beans or smell your own clean skin to reset your sense of smell between fragrances |
| Blind testing | Test without knowing the brand to avoid bias |
| Consultation | Seek advice from a fragrance consultant |
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What You'll Learn
Using blotting paper
Blotter strips are a great way to test a fragrance. They are designed to test perfumes, fragrance oils, and essential oils. They are made with imported paper and have a great absorption capacity for water and oil. The strips are usually white, around 6mm x 140mm (5.5" x 3/8"), and come in packs of 100. To test a fragrance, start by writing the name of the fragrance on one end of the blotter. Then, bend the other end of the strip to about 2 inches in, and dip it into the bottle. You only need to dip the strip a small amount, about 1/8 of an inch. Fan the blotter in front of your nose to smell the fragrance. Hold the blotter about an inch away from your nose and mouth, and take a small whiff. Then, hold the strip away from your nose and try to identify what you have just smelled. Take written notes on each fragrance you test. This will help you be more analytical and will be useful when you can no longer remember the exact scent a day or two later.
When testing fragrances, it is important to do so in a clean environment. Avoid rooms with distracting scents, such as perfume, cologne, chemical smells, food, or tobacco. Additionally, if you are comparing two very similar fragrances, keep a third blotter handy that has been dipped in a very different and strong aroma. Take whiffs of this third blotter between smelling the others to help your nose "forget" the previous scent and resensitize your nose for the next one.
Blotter strips are a great way to get a true sense of a fragrance. They allow you to experience the full range the fragrance has to offer, including the middle and base notes, which are harder to detect when smelling out of the bottle. The base notes tend to linger and leave a lasting impression of the scent. By testing on a blotter strip, you can get a more accurate impression of how the fragrance will smell once it's in a wax or soap base.
Blotter strips are also useful if you want to test how fragrances would smell when blended. For a 50/50 mix, dip two strips to the first line and hold them together while evaluating the scents. To represent a particular scent more strongly, dip that fragrance up to the second line. It is best to use the strips on the same day, as fragrances can shift over time.
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Testing on skin
Testing a fragrance on your skin is an essential step in the testing process. While paper blotters can be used to get a first impression of a perfume, they can change the scent, so it's better to test perfumes on your skin. The warmth of your skin, your skin's flora and chemistry, and the skin's natural oils will react with the perfume to create a scent that is unique to you.
To test a fragrance on your skin, start by spraying either your wrist or the back of your hand. Two spritzes should be enough. Drop your hand to your side and wait at least 30 seconds for the scent to settle on your skin. It's important not to rub your wrist or hand, as this can destroy the perfume's balance. Once it has started to dry, bring your hand up and inhale without touching your nose to your skin. Keep your hand at least an inch or two away from your nose.
After testing, take some time to do something else to allow the fragrance to interact with your body's natural chemistry. Over time, the fragrance will change as you experience each of the levels of notes in its formulation. You can periodically take a sniff of your wrist or hand to see how the fragrance has developed. It's important to note that testing on your skin will limit you to one or two fragrances, as spraying multiple parts of your body will cause the different fragrances to contaminate each other.
If you are testing multiple fragrances, it is recommended to wait a few minutes between each test to avoid confusing your sense of smell. You can also use olfactory palate cleansers, such as coffee beans, to neutralise any lingering odours. However, coffee beans may not be effective with gourmand and oriental fragrances, as they may contain similar notes to coffee, which will enhance the aroma.
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How to test online
Testing fragrances online can be challenging, as you are unable to smell the scent before purchasing. However, there are a few ways to navigate this process and increase your chances of finding a fragrance that you like.
Firstly, many online retailers offer sample services, where you can select a small number of fragrances to try before committing to a full-sized product. These samples are usually small vials or sprays that you can apply directly to your skin. This allows you to test the fragrance over time and see how it reacts with your body chemistry.
Additionally, some websites offer fragrance finder tools, which use algorithms or expert recommendations to suggest fragrances based on your preferences. You can input information about the types of scents you like, and the tool will generate a list of options that match your criteria. This can help narrow down your choices and guide you towards fragrances that are more likely to appeal to you.
When testing fragrances, it is important to remember that your unique body chemistry will influence how a scent manifests on your skin. Thus, it is always best to test fragrances directly on your skin, rather than solely on paper strips or blotters. However, if you are testing multiple fragrances, it is advisable to use blotters or strips initially to narrow down your options, as fragrances can contaminate each other when applied to the skin. When using blotters, ensure that you are using thick, absorbent paper, and allow the alcohol to evaporate before inhaling the scent.
Overall, when testing fragrances online, take advantage of sample services and fragrance finder tools to increase your chances of finding a scent that resonates with you. Remember that your body chemistry will play a significant role in how a fragrance develops over time, so be sure to test any potential options on your skin before making a final decision.
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In-store testing
Testing fragrances in-store is a great way to find your perfect scent. Here are some tips to guide you through the process:
Sample Strips
Start by locating the paper smelling strips, also known as blotters or mouillettes. These are typically white, absorbent cards found near the tester bottles. Spray the fragrance onto the strip and follow these steps:
- Avoid inhaling too deeply. Instead, smell lightly to perceive the initial notes, then move the strip away and sense the experience.
- Return to the strip to notice how the fragrance evolves, bringing out the heart and base notes.
- Hold multiple strips like a fan, keeping the scented tips apart to prevent the oils from mixing.
- Store used blotters separately to avoid cross-contamination.
Skin Testing
Once you've narrowed down your options, you can test fragrances on your skin. Here's how:
- Avoid spraying perfumes near your mouth, nose, ears, or any sensitive areas.
- Test up to four fragrances on your wrists, arms, or shoulders, ensuring they are far enough apart to prevent mixing.
- Walk around for a while to see how the scent develops and interacts with your body chemistry.
- Take note of any allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients.
Timing
It is recommended to test fragrances in the morning when your sense of smell is at its peak. Additionally, the warmer months with higher moisture content in the air can enhance your nasal receptors.
Coffee Beans
You may find coffee beans on the perfume counter, which are known to work as olfactory palate cleansers. Take a whiff between fragrances to reset your nasal receptors.
Sales Assistants
Engage with the sales assistants for guidance. Communicate your preferences, and ask for recommendations based on your favourite notes or similar fragrances you've enjoyed in the past. However, remember that their opinions may differ from yours, so trust your nose and make choices based on your individual preference.
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The importance of time
Testing a fragrance over time is a vital process in the development and quality assurance of perfumes and scented products. It is crucial for understanding how a fragrance performs and ages under different conditions and for different people, ensuring a uniform scent quality from purchase to the last use.
When testing a fragrance over time, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Olfactory fatigue: When testing a fragrance for the first time, it is easy to become desensitised to the scent. To avoid this, it is recommended to smell the fragrance at intervals, rather than continuously.
- Projection: While you can test the projection of a fragrance by bringing your nose close to your skin, this does not account for how others may perceive the scent. To understand projection, it is helpful to ask someone else for their perception of the fragrance from a distance.
- Longevity: To test the longevity of a fragrance, it is important to assess how long the scent lasts on the skin and clothes. This can be done by smelling the fragrance at different intervals after application.
- Environmental conditions: Fragrances can be affected by environmental conditions such as light exposure, temperature, and humidity. To account for this, fragrances can be tested under controlled conditions using light exposure testing, freeze-thaw testing, climate chambers, and real-time stability testing.
- Physical properties: Changes in physical properties such as clarity and viscosity can indicate potential instability in a fragrance. This can be measured using viscometers and spectrophotometers.
By considering these factors and testing a fragrance over time, manufacturers can ensure the quality and consistency of their products, and consumers can make informed decisions about the fragrances they purchase.
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Frequently asked questions
Paper blotters are the best way to test a fragrance. These are the white cardboard strips found near fragrance bottles in stores. Spray the fragrance onto the blotter and wave it under your nose to inhale. You can also refer back to the blotter to test its lifecycle.
After testing a few fragrances on blotters, choose the one you want to test on your skin. Spray your wrist or the back of your hand twice, wait 30 seconds, and then bring your hand to your nose to inhale. Do not touch your skin to your nose.
It is recommended that you test no more than three fragrances at a time. Any more than that, and your sense of smell may become overwhelmed.
