Seamus Hammond
Testing several fragrances at once can be tricky, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents before it gets confused. The best way to test multiple fragrances is to use blotters or paper strips, which are usually provided near fragrance display bottles. Spray each fragrance on a separate strip, holding it away from you to avoid getting any on your clothes or skin. Allow the alcohol to evaporate, then bring the strip to your nose and take short, light sniffs. If testing multiple fragrances, keep the strips apart to avoid mixing scents. You can also write the name of each fragrance on the strip to keep them straight. After testing, you can store your favourite strips in your purse or wallet to experience the scent later in the day. While some people use coffee beans to cleanse their palate between fragrances, others argue that this doesn't work and recommend smelling your own skin or clothes instead. If you want to test a fragrance on your skin, it's best to test no more than two at a time, spraying them on different parts of your body to see how they react with your natural chemistry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fragrances to test | No more than three at a time; nasal fatigue sets in after about three fragrances |
| Testing on paper | Use blotters or paper strips to test multiple fragrances; spray one end once or twice, wait a few seconds, then bring the strip under your nose and inhale |
| Testing on skin | Spray your wrist or the back of your hand; wait at least 30 seconds, then bring your hand up and inhale |
| Number of sprays | One spray on the front and sides |
| Time taken to test | Smell the strip every hour throughout the day to experience the complete fragrance cycle |
| Cleansing the palate | Avoid using coffee beans between tests; instead, smell your own skin or clothes |
| Notes | Jot down your thoughts in a notepad |
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What You'll Learn
Use blotters to test multiple fragrances
Blotters, or paper strips, are a great way to test multiple fragrances at once. They are the first step in the journey of perfume or cologne shopping. They allow you to sample a large number of scents without overwhelming your sense of smell.
When using blotters, it is important to test in a clean, tranquil environment, free from distracting scents. You should also mark all your test blotters with the name of the fragrance, as well as the time and date. Hold the blotter about an inch away from your nose and mouth when smelling and take small whiffs. You can also try using a third blotter with a strong aroma to help your nose distinguish between similar fragrances.
It is recommended that you do not test more than three fragrances on blotters in a day, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents before it gets confused. If you are testing multiple fragrances, keep the strips away from each other to avoid mixing scents. You can also smell the strips at different intervals to experience the complete fragrance cycle.
While blotters are a great way to test multiple fragrances, it is important to remember that the effect of a perfume on paper can be very different from its effect on the skin. This is because the perfume reacts with your skin's natural oils and chemistry. Therefore, it is recommended to test your favourite fragrances on your skin after testing with blotters.
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Test fragrances on your skin
Testing fragrances on paper strips is a good way to shortlist fragrances, but it is important to test fragrances on your skin to understand how they react with your body's natural chemistry. Paper strips do not allow the fragrance to open up properly, and the effect on paper can be drastically different from the effect on your skin.
When testing fragrances on your skin, it is recommended to test no more than two fragrances at a time, one on each arm, to avoid overloading your sense of smell. You can test the fragrances on your wrist, bicep, forearm, or the back of your hand. The back of the hand is recommended as it is easier to smell, but the wrist is a good option if you want to test the fragrance on your pulse points.
To test, spritz the scent once or twice on your chosen body part and wait at least 30 seconds for the scent to settle on your skin. Avoid rubbing your wrists together as this will warm up the scent and cause it to evaporate quicker. Once the fragrance has started to dry, bring your hand up and inhale, keeping your hand at least an inch or two away from your nose.
After testing, it is recommended to take a break and do something else to allow the fragrance to develop and interact with your body's natural chemistry. You can then smell your wrist or the back of your hand after 15-30 minutes to see how the fragrance has developed. You can also test fragrances earlier in the day, as our sense of smell is usually sharper in the morning.
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Avoid nasal fatigue
Olfactory fatigue, commonly known as "nose saturation", is a genuine phenomenon where our senses adapt, recalibrate, and sometimes falter. It occurs when our nasal receptors gradually become less sensitive to specific scents, leading to the misconception that certain fragrances have dissipated. This is your body's natural defence mechanism against sensory overload.
To avoid nasal fatigue when testing several fragrances, it is recommended to test no more than three fragrances in one sitting. You can then take a break for a few minutes before testing the next set of three. This allows your olfactory senses time to recalibrate and prevents nose saturation.
It is also important to avoid wearing your own fragrance or strong deodorant when sampling different fragrances, as these can interfere with your test. You should also avoid testing fragrances just after eating a meal laden with garlic or heavily spiced food.
If you are testing fragrances on paper blotters, be sure to spray the perfume downwards onto the strip and away from any surfaces. This will prevent the perfume from landing on your hands, clothes, or the table, which can influence what you smell.
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Test fragrances earlier in the day
Testing fragrances earlier in the day is recommended because our sense of smell is usually at its peak in the morning. This is when you'll be sharpest and most able to discern the nuances between different scents.
When testing multiple fragrances, it's important to keep the number of scents you're testing at any one time to a minimum. Your sense of smell can generally only handle about three scents well before it begins to get confused. If you're testing on paper blotters, you can test a few more fragrances, but if you're testing on your skin, it's recommended to try no more than two fragrances at a time—one on each arm.
When testing on paper blotters, hold the strip away from you and spray the perfume downwards. Avoid soaking the strip; one or two sprays should be enough. If you're testing multiple fragrances, make sure to keep the strips away from each other to avoid tainting the smells. Wait a few seconds and let the alcohol evaporate before bringing the strip under your nose and inhaling. Don't touch the strip to your nose; instead, sniff it lightly in short breaths.
If you're testing on your skin, start by choosing the fragrances you want to test and then spray either your wrist or the back of your hand in a downward motion. 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. Keep your nose at least an inch or two away from your skin.
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Take breaks between testing fragrances
When testing several fragrances at once, it is important to take breaks between testing to avoid overwhelming your nose and senses. This is known as nasal fatigue, which sets in after about three fragrances. To avoid this, it is recommended to test no more than two or three fragrances at a time.
After testing a few fragrances, take a break and go outside for some fresh air. Avoid inhaling strong smells like coffee beans between fragrances, as this can have the opposite effect and overwhelm your senses further. Instead, smell your own clean skin or clothes to give your nose a "reset". Exhaling into the corner of your bent elbow can also help clear your nose.
It is also important to avoid wearing your own fragrance or strong deodorant when testing new fragrances, as these can interfere with your ability to experience new scents. Similarly, it is best to avoid testing fragrances just after eating a meal with strong-smelling foods like garlic or heavy spices.
Allowing your nose to take breaks between testing fragrances will help ensure that you are able to accurately evaluate each scent without confusion or overlap. This will enable you to make a more informed decision about which fragrances you truly enjoy.
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Frequently asked questions
Testing several fragrances at once can be done by using paper blotters or strips. Spray each fragrance onto a separate strip, holding it away from you to avoid getting any on your hands or clothes. Allow the alcohol to evaporate, then bring the strip to your nose and inhale. If testing multiple fragrances, keep the strips away from each other to avoid mixing scents.
It is recommended that you test no more than three fragrances at once, as your sense of smell can only handle about three scents before it becomes confused or overwhelmed.
To reset your sense of smell between fragrances, try smelling your own skin or clothes. You can also try sniffing coffee beans, although scientific tests have shown that this has no effect.
