Antonio Mcgowan
Testing perfume before buying it is essential to ensure that you like the scent and that it suits your body chemistry. The first step is to avoid wearing any other fragrances or strong deodorants, as they can interfere with the test. You should also avoid testing too many perfumes at once, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents before it gets confused. Start by spraying the perfume on a paper strip (a blotter) and wait for the alcohol to evaporate before smelling it. If you like it, hold on to the strip for a few minutes, then smell it again. If you still like it, spray it on your skin and see how it dries down and wears over time. You can also ask for a small sample to take home and try out, or purchase a fragrance tester set with small sample-sized vials of various perfumes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time spent in-store smelling fragrances | 10-15 minutes |
| First step | Spray on paper blotters/strips |
| Number of fragrances tested on blotters | No more than 3 |
| Olfactory palate cleanser | Coffee beans |
| Alternative olfactory palate cleanser | Fresh air, water, or sniffing your own unscented sleeve |
| Time between testing fragrances | 30 seconds |
| Application on skin | Wrists, back of the hand, behind ears, inner elbow |
| Number of fragrances to test on skin | 3-4 |
| Time taken to decide | 24 hours |
| Tester sets | 5-7 samples, 1-3ml each |
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What You'll Learn
Test on paper first
Testing perfumes on paper first is a common practice when trying out new fragrances. This method is often the first step in the journey of perfume or cologne shopping. Paper blotters, or strips, are usually readily available near fragrance display bottles.
Paper blotters are made from absorbent, porous papers that allow perfumes to be absorbed quickly, giving you a good idea of the scent. To use, spray two or three quick sprays in a downward motion into a cloud and pass the blotter through the cloud, letting it absorb the scent. Then, wave the scented strip under your nose, being careful not to touch it. Keep the strip at least an inch or two away from your nose, close your eyes, and inhale.
It's important to note that testing a perfume on paper may not give you the full picture of how it will smell on your skin. The chemistry of your skin can change the way perfumes are experienced, and sometimes a fragrance that smells amazing on paper may not work as well on your skin. Therefore, it's recommended to test perfumes on your skin as well, especially if you're considering purchasing a large bottle.
When testing perfumes on paper, it's best to limit yourself to trying out no more than three fragrances on blotters in a day. Your sense of smell can only handle a few scents well before it becomes confused. Additionally, avoid wearing other fragrances when testing new ones, as this can hinder your ability to accurately perceive new scents.
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Try on skin
Once you've tried fragrances on blotters, you can move on to testing the perfume on your skin. Choose the fragrance you want to test and spray either your wrist, the back of your hand, or the inner elbow. These are pulse points where your unique body chemistry interacts with the scent, giving you a true idea of how the perfume will smell on you. 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. Once it has started to dry, bring your hand up and inhale.
It's important to avoid wearing other fragrances or strong deodorants when testing a new perfume, as they will interfere with your test. It's also best not to test perfumes right after eating a meal with garlic or heavily spiced foods.
If you're in a store, it's a good idea to take a break between testing different perfumes. Your sense of smell can only handle about three scents before it gets confused. You can use olfactory palate cleansers provided in stores, like coffee beans, to reset your nose between fragrances. However, some people believe that coffee beans won't actually reset your sense of smell. Instead, you can try going outside for some fresh air, taking a sip of water, or sniffing your own unscented sleeve or skin.
If you're unsure about buying a perfume after testing it in a store, you can ask for a small sample to take home. This will allow you to wear and live with the fragrance, giving you a better idea of how it interacts with your body chemistry over time.
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Avoid wearing other fragrances
When testing perfumes, it is important to avoid wearing other fragrances, including your favourite everyday perfume. This is because other fragrances may interfere with your sense of smell and hinder your ability to experience a new fragrance.
It is recommended to test no more than three fragrances in one day. Your sense of smell can only handle a few scents well before it becomes confused. To "reset" your sense of smell between fragrances, you can try olfactory palate cleansers such as coffee beans, take a sip of water, or sniff your own unscented skin or clothing.
If you are testing perfume in-store, it is best to avoid spending more than 10-15 minutes smelling fragrances. Your nose will quickly become blind to the individual components in the various compositions, and you won't get an accurate picture of what they smell like. Instead, you can ask for a small sample to take home so that you can actually wear and live with the fragrance. This will allow you to discover how the perfume interacts with your body chemistry over time and give you a true whiff of how it will embrace your personality.
When testing perfumes, it is also important to avoid strong odours such as garlic or heavily spiced foods, as well as strong deodorants, which may interfere with your test.
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Don't smell too many at once
When testing perfumes, it's important to remember that your sense of smell can only handle a limited number of scents at a time before it gets confused. This is why it's recommended to test no more than three fragrances in one sitting.
While it may be tempting to smell every bottle in sight, doing so can quickly overwhelm your nose, leading to what is known as "nasal fatigue". Your nose will become blind to the individual components in the various compositions, resulting in an inaccurate perception of the perfumes you're testing.
To avoid this, it's best to take breaks in between testing different perfumes. You can step out for some fresh air, take a sip of water, or sniff your own unscented sleeve or skin as a "reset". Some sources suggest using olfactory palate cleansers like coffee beans, but others refute this, claiming that coffee beans won't actually reset your sense of smell.
If you're testing multiple perfumes in one day, it's also a good idea to narrow down your favourites and come back another day to re-test them. This way, you can make a more informed decision without overwhelming your senses.
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Ask for a sample to take home
When it comes to choosing a perfume, it's an entirely personal decision. It should be a scent that you love and that suits you. Testing a perfume before buying it is crucial to ensure you don't end up with a fragrance that you dislike or that doesn't suit your body chemistry.
One of the best ways to test a perfume before buying it is to ask for a sample to take home and try out over a few days. This will allow you to experience the scent's progression and how it interacts with your unique body chemistry. Most perfume retailers understand that customers want to test a fragrance before committing to a purchase, and many are happy to provide samples upon request.
When asking for a sample, be polite and respectful. Explain that you would like to try the perfume on your skin to see how it develops over time. You can say something like, "Hi, I'd like to try this perfume on my skin to see how it evolves throughout the day. Could I get a small sample to take home, please?" If you feel uncomfortable asking directly, you can explain that you've read reviews or that you own other fragrances by the same brand. Most sales assistants will be understanding and willing to help.
Some stores, such as Nordstrom and Sephora, are known for providing samples to customers upon request. You can also sign up for reward programs or beauty subscription boxes to access free fragrance samples. Online, you can often purchase individual samples from luxury brands or explore fragrance-only subscription boxes like Scentbox or Scentbird.
Remember, it's always better to take your time and test a perfume thoroughly before buying it. Don't feel pressured to make an impulse purchase. Asking for a sample to take home is a perfectly valid request, and it will help ensure that you find a perfume that you truly love and enjoy wearing.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step in testing a perfume is to use paper blotters, which are porous papers that allow perfumes to be absorbed quickly. Spray two or three quick sprays in a downward motion into a cloud and wave the scented strip under your nose.
After testing with blotters, you can narrow down your options and choose one to test on your skin. Spray either your wrist, the back of your hand, or the inside of your elbow, and wait at least 30 seconds for the scent to settle.
It is recommended to test no more than 3 fragrances on blotters in a day. Your sense of smell can only handle a few scents well before it gets confused.
It is recommended to use olfactory palate cleansers such as coffee beans or take a sip of water to reset your sense of smell. However, simply taking a break or stepping outside for some fresh air can also help.
Wait until the alcohol has evaporated and the spot where you applied the perfume looks dry before inhaling. This will prevent nasal fatigue and skewing your perception due to the fumes of alcohol.
