Seamus Hammond
Testing perfume in a store can be an overwhelming experience, with a plethora of enticing fragrances to choose from. However, there are ways to navigate this scented adventure and find the perfect perfume for you. Firstly, it is recommended to limit the number of scents you test at one time to around three, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents before it gets confused. Start by spraying the fragrance onto a paper blotter or strip, which can be found near fragrance display bottles, and take a light sniff to get the first impression or 'top notes'. Then, wait at least 15-30 minutes before smelling the strip again to see how the fragrance has developed and give you an accurate reading of how it smells. If you like it, you can then test it on your skin to see how it blends with your body chemistry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of scents to test | Limit to three at one time |
| Time of the day to shop for perfume | Morning, when the sense of smell is at its peak |
| First step in testing | Use paper blotters/strips to spray the perfume on |
| How to use paper strips | Spray the strip and smell it at first, then wait for 10-30 minutes and smell it again |
| How to use olfactory palate cleansers | Smell coffee beans or your own clean skin between fragrances |
| How to test on skin | Spray on pulse points like wrists, behind ears, or inner elbow |
| How to avoid contamination | Do not rub wrists together, do not touch nose with the paper strip, and avoid wearing other fragrances |
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What You'll Learn
Start with blotting paper
When testing perfumes in a store, it is recommended to start with blotting paper. Blotting paper, also known as scent strips, are the strips of paper usually placed near fragrance bottles in stores. They are designed to absorb the perfume and give you an accurate reading of how the fragrance smells.
To use blotting paper, start by spraying the fragrance onto the wider end of the strip. If the perfume is in a vial, you can dip the narrower end of the strip into the liquid. Hold the strip on the dry end and take a short whiff. If you like the perfume, you can preserve the smell on the blotter by putting it in a sealable bag to protect it from foreign odours.
It is important to note that the smell of a scent on a blotter will differ slightly from when you test it on your skin. Therefore, when testing perfumes in a store, it is recommended to limit the number of scents you test to three at one time, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents well before it gets confused. Additionally, it is best to shop for perfume in the morning, as our sense of smell is typically at its peak then.
After testing the fragrances on blotting paper and narrowing down your selection, you can then move on to testing the perfumes on your skin to see how they blend with your body chemistry.
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Avoid wearing other fragrances
When testing perfumes in a store, it is best to avoid wearing other fragrances. This is because your everyday perfume could hinder your ability to experience a new fragrance. The scent of the new perfume might not be as appealing when mixed with your current perfume, and you may end up disliking it due to this interference.
It is also important to note that you should not test too many fragrances at once. Your sense of smell can only handle a few scents well before it gets confused. It is recommended that you limit yourself to testing no more than three fragrances in one day.
To properly test a fragrance, it is best to use paper blotters, also known as smelling strips or Mouillettes, which are usually provided near fragrance display bottles. These strips are porous and absorbent, allowing you to experience the true scent of the perfume without having to spray it on your skin. This way, you can avoid overloading your senses and accurately compare multiple fragrances.
If you do decide to test a perfume on your skin, it is recommended to spray it on your wrist or the inside of your arm and wait at least 15-30 minutes before smelling it. This allows the fragrance to interact with your body's natural chemistry and develop its various notes. However, make sure not to rub your wrists together, as this can interfere with the integrity of the scent by altering the middle and top notes and the dry-down period.
Additionally, it is advisable to test fragrances earlier in the day, as our sense of smell is typically sharpest in the morning. If you are unable to find paper strips or prefer not to test the perfume on your skin, you can also use olfactory palate cleansers provided in stores, such as coffee beans, to reset your sense of smell between fragrances.
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Don't test too many at once
When testing perfumes in-store, it's important to remember that your sense of smell can only handle a limited number of scents at once before it gets confused. This is why it's recommended to limit the number of fragrances you test at one time to around three.
Olfactory fatigue can set in if you test too many perfumes at once, and your nose will quickly become overwhelmed and unable to distinguish between different scents. This is because each oil can contain hundreds of constituents, providing a complex fragrance experience that your nose may struggle to keep up with if you're testing multiple perfumes simultaneously.
To avoid olfactory fatigue, take your time when testing perfumes and don't rush the process. Start by using blotters (the strips of porous, absorbent paper provided for fragrance testing) to get an initial sense of the scent without the influence of your skin's unique chemistry. Spray the blotter with the perfume and hold it at least an inch away from your nose to prevent overwhelming your sense of smell. Inhale gently and identify the top notes, then wait a minute for the heart notes to develop, before moving the blotter away and allowing the base notes to unfold over time.
If you're testing multiple perfumes, use olfactory palate cleansers like coffee beans or fine peppers between scents to reset your sense of smell. You can also try smelling your own clean skin as a natural palate cleanser.
While you may be tempted to test many perfumes during your visit to the store, it's best to limit yourself to a few at a time to avoid confusing your sense of smell and ensure you're truly able to appreciate each scent's unique profile.
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Test fragrances earlier in the day
When testing fragrances, it is recommended to start early in the day, as our sense of smell is typically at its peak in the morning. This is when you will be most alert and sensitive to the nuances of different perfumes.
It is best to avoid wearing any other fragrances when testing, as this can hinder your ability to experience new scents. If you are a regular perfume user, your favourite scent may interfere with your ability to accurately perceive new fragrances.
When you first enter the store, you will likely be drawn to the various enticing bottles on display. However, it is important to remember that testing too many fragrances at once can overwhelm both you and your nose! A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to testing no more than three fragrances in one day.
Begin your journey by using paper blotters, also known as smelling strips or mouillettes. These porous strips are usually placed near the fragrance bottles and are the first step in perfume shopping. Spray the fragrance onto the strip and take a light sniff to perceive the initial or top notes. Then, set the strip aside and allow the fragrance to develop. You can repeat this process for a few fragrances, keeping the strips separate to avoid mixing the scents.
After a while, you can go back and re-evaluate the strips, noticing how the fragrances have evolved to reveal their heart and base notes. This process will help you identify the perfumes you are most drawn to and are worth testing on your skin.
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Test on your skin
Testing perfume on your skin is the best way to test a perfume, as it allows you to understand how the scent blends with your body chemistry. When testing perfume on your skin, it is important to apply the fragrance to your pulse points, such as your wrists, behind your ears, or your inner elbow. These areas emit more heat, which will help the fragrance develop.
It is recommended that you test no more than three fragrances on your skin at a time, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents before it becomes confused. It is also advised that you test fragrances earlier in the day, as our sense of smell is usually sharpest in the morning.
When applying the perfume, avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this can break down the fragrance and alter its scent. Instead, allow the scent to settle and unfold naturally on your skin so that you can experience its true essence and evolving notes.
If you are testing multiple fragrances, be sure to leave enough time between applications to avoid contamination. You can also try sniffing your own skin between fragrances to give your nose a "reset".
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to test a perfume is by wearing it. Apply the fragrance directly to your skin, focusing on pulse points like your wrists, behind your ears, or your inner elbow. Your unique body chemistry will interact with the scent, giving you a true idea of how it will smell on you.
It is recommended that you limit yourself to testing three perfumes at a time. The brain can't discern between more than three scents.
Paper blotters or strips are a great way to test multiple perfumes at once. Spray the perfume onto the paper and take a light sniff until you perceive the first notes. Then, set the strips aside and smell them again after a few minutes to see how the perfume develops.
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