Heidi Norton
Testing perfume is a personal process, much like choosing a favourite lipstick or outfit. It can be tempting to spray a variety of perfumes on your skin, but this can be overwhelming and confusing for your senses. To properly test a perfume, it's best to start with blotters or paper strips. Spray the perfume on the strip, hold it about an inch from your nose, and evaluate the top notes. If you like it, hold on to the strip and smell it again after it's completely dry. If you're testing multiple perfumes, limit yourself to two or three scents per session to prevent nasal fatigue. Once you've found a scent you like, test it on your skin to see how it interacts with your body chemistry. Apply the perfume to your pulse points, like your wrists, neck, or inner elbow, and wait at least 30 minutes to see how the fragrance evolves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fragrances to test | Limit to 2-3 fragrances per session to prevent nasal fatigue |
| Testing environment | Scent-free environment |
| Testing time | Schedule testing during the morning when the sense of smell is at its peak |
| Skin | Clean, unscented skin |
| Pulse points | Wrists, neck, behind ears, inner elbow |
| Blotters | Spray 2-3 quick sprays in a downward motion into a cloud, pass the blotter through the cloud, wave under the nose without touching |
| Skin testing | Spray 2 spritzes on the wrist or back of the hand, wait 30 seconds, then bring hand up and inhale |
| Testing duration | Test across one whole day, periodically taking a sniff to note how the fragrance is changing |
| Olfactory palate cleansers | Coffee beans, clean skin, fresh air, water, unscented sleeve |
| Concentration | Longevity of the fragrance is important |
| Perfume pyramid | Experience the top, middle, and base notes |
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What You'll Learn
Test perfume on paper blotters first
Testing perfume on paper blotters is a great first step in the journey of perfume or cologne shopping. Paper blotters, or scent strips, are usually found near fragrance display bottles and are made from absorbent, porous papers that allow perfumes to be absorbed quickly.
To test a perfume on a paper blotter, start by spraying two or three quick sprays in a downward motion into a cloud. Pass the scent strip through the cloud and let the perfume absorb. Hold the blotter about an inch or two away from your nose and take a moment to pause, close your eyes, and inhale. It is important to avoid touching the strip to your nose, as this will leave a trace amount of perfume behind.
When testing multiple fragrances, it is recommended to limit yourself to two or three scents per session to prevent nasal fatigue. You can also clearly label each strip to help you track how different fragrances develop over time. This method allows you to compare how each perfume's heart and base notes emerge without the interference of your skin's chemistry.
After testing on blotters, you can narrow down your options and test the fragrances on your skin to see how they react with your body's natural chemistry.
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Try perfume on your skin
Testing perfume on your skin is the best way to experience a fragrance in its full olfactive life cycle. The warmth of your skin, its chemistry, flora, and natural oils will react with the perfume to create a scent that is unique to you.
To test perfume on your skin, start by choosing a fragrance you want to try. Spray your wrist or the back of your hand in a downward motion. Avoid spraying too close or too far from the skin. Two spritzes should be enough. Drop your hand to your side and wait at least 30 seconds for the scent to settle. It's important not to rub your wrist, as this can prevent the scent from developing naturally. Once it has started to dry, bring your hand up and inhale the perfume without touching your wrist with your nose.
You can then continue to sniff your wrist periodically to see how the fragrance develops over time. The scent will deepen as you experience each of the levels of notes in its formulation. It's recommended to test perfumes earlier in the day, as our sense of smell is usually sharpest in the morning.
If you're testing multiple perfumes, it's best to limit yourself to your two wrists to avoid different fragrances from contaminating each other. If you only have one perfume to test, you could also spray other parts of your arm or body.
It's worth noting that your body chemistry has a major effect on fragrances. What smells great on one person might not work on another. This is because your choice of fragrance sends out a genetic signal that could attract a suitable mate. People tend to prefer fragrances that combine with their body chemistry to complement their major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which involves the genes that make up their immunogenetic profile.
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Avoid nasal fatigue
Nasal fatigue, or olfactory fatigue, is a common phenomenon that occurs when your nasal receptors become desensitized to specific scents. This can happen within just a few minutes of exposure to a strong scent, and it can be frustrating when you're trying to test different perfumes.
To avoid nasal fatigue, it's important to limit yourself to testing no more than three fragrances in one session. Take breaks in between testing different perfumes to allow your olfactory senses time to recalibrate. Step outside for some fresh air or wait a few minutes before sniffing again. You can also try sniffing your own clean skin, like the crook of your elbow, to reset your baseline and help your brain recalibrate.
It's also important to avoid wearing any other perfumes or strong scents when testing new fragrances. This includes deodorants, lotions, and strongly scented candles or reed diffusers. These can interfere with your fragrance samples and hinder your ability to experience new perfumes.
By following these steps, you can help prevent nasal fatigue and make more informed decisions about which fragrances suit you best.
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Understand the perfume's notes
Understanding perfume notes is essential for anyone who wants to find their signature scent. Like musical notes, fragrance notes are the individual components that, when combined, form a unified, pleasing perfume. Each note plays a unique role in the olfactory experience, creating depth, balance, and emotion.
Perfume notes are often separated into three categories: top, middle, and base notes. Top notes are the initial scent you perceive right after application, middle notes are the heart of the fragrance that develops after the top notes fade, and base notes are the lasting aroma that lingers for hours. Together, these notes create a fragrance journey, allowing for a dynamic and evolving scent rather than one that is linear and short-lived.
Top notes are typically bright and citrusy, such as bergamot or lemon. Middle notes are often floral or herbal, like lavender or geranium, and they blend easily with other notes, adding depth to the fragrance. Fruity notes like blackberry add a rich, musky scent, while apple and strawberry give off a sweet and juicy vibe. Spice notes are also commonly used in the middle to add warmth and potency, mixing well with floral notes. The base notes provide depth and longevity to the fragrance, with scents like sandalwood or vanilla that ground the perfume and leave a lasting impression.
The interaction of these notes with your skin is what makes a perfume unique. By understanding the different types of notes and their characteristics, you can better appreciate the fragrances you wear and make more informed choices when shopping for perfumes.
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Test on your pulse points
Testing a perfume on your pulse points is a great way to experience a fragrance. Pulse points are areas on your body where blood vessels are close to the skin, creating extra heat. This heat enhances the fragrance and makes it last longer. The pulse points include the inside of your wrists, inner elbows, below your belly button, behind your ear lobes, the back of your knees, and your neck.
When testing a perfume on your pulse points, remember that a little goes a long way. One or two sprays per pulse point are usually enough for a subtle but pleasant presence. You can always start with a small amount and then add more if needed. If you have a perfume without an atomizer, put one finger over the opening, tilt it upside down, and then dab it on your pulse points. Avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume, as this can crush the fragrance molecules and reduce its effectiveness.
When testing a new scent, it is a good idea to spray one pulse point and take note of how strong it is. Check in every couple of hours to see how the scent is holding up. This way, you can determine how long the fragrance lasts and how it develops on your skin.
Applying perfume to your pulse points is a great way to make your fragrance last longer and ensure that it complements your natural scent. By targeting these warm spots on your body, you can enhance the strength and longevity of your perfume.
Remember, the key to successful perfume application is subtlety. Using pulse points wisely allows you to be appreciated for your fragrance without imposing it on others. Experiment with different application techniques and find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
To test perfume without blending, you can use blotters or paper strips. Spray the perfume on the strip and hold it about an inch from your nose to evaluate the top notes. You can also label each strip to track how the scent evolves.
Your sense of smell can handle about 3 scents before it gets confused, so it's best to limit yourself to testing 2-3 fragrances per session.
When testing perfume on your skin, choose pulse points like your wrists, neck, behind your ears, or inner elbow, where the scent can develop with your body chemistry. Spray the perfume and wait at least 30 minutes before smelling it, and periodically refer back to enjoy how the scent changes.
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