Seamus Hammond
When it comes to buying perfume, it's important to try before you buy. While product descriptions can be helpful, smelling the fragrance first-hand is ideal. When shopping in-store, it's recommended to use paper blotters to test perfumes, rather than spraying directly onto the skin, as this can contaminate other scents. If you're buying online, it's a good idea to research the different fragrance families, such as fresh, floral, oriental, and woody, and read product descriptions carefully. You can also purchase smaller bottles or samples to test before committing to a larger bottle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| In-store | Avoid rubbing your wrists together as it increases the surface area for the perfume to evaporate |
| Allow the alcohol to evaporate before smelling the perfume | |
| Try and evaluate the perfume in an environment free from other odours | |
| Ask for a small sample to take home and wear | |
| Online | Understand the different fragrance families, including fresh, floral, oriental, and woody scents |
| Read the product descriptions carefully, including the notes, colour, and packaging | |
| Pay attention to the name of the perfume as it may indicate the fragrance | |
| Consider buying a smaller bottle or a perfume sample to test the fragrance | |
| Look up the scent notes of the perfume on the site or on Fragrantica |
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What You'll Learn
- Online shopping tips: Understand fragrance families, read descriptions, and buy smaller bottles or samples
- In-store testing: Avoid rubbing wrists, wait for alcohol to evaporate, and use olfactory palate cleansers
- Sample sources: Online or in-store, decants, testers, and gift sets
- Scent notes: Citrus, floral, woody, and oriental
- Jo Malone: A safe bet for buying unsniffed
Online shopping tips: Understand fragrance families, read descriptions, and buy smaller bottles or samples
When shopping for perfume online, it can be challenging to find the right scent without smelling it first. Here are some tips to help you navigate the world of online perfume shopping and make informed choices:
Understand Fragrance Families
Knowing the different fragrance families can help you narrow down your options and find perfumes that align with your taste. The key fragrance families include Floral, Oriental, Woody, and Fresh. Within these primary families, there are subcategories and crossovers, such as Green, Citrus, and Woody-Oriental. Floral fragrances, for example, are often found in women's perfumes and are known for their popularity. On the other hand, Oriental fragrances are characterised by rich, heady scents created with spices, resins, and herbs, resulting in an opulent and exotic appeal. By understanding these fragrance families, you can identify the types of notes and ingredient combinations that appeal to you.
Read Descriptions Carefully
When shopping online, take the time to read the product descriptions thoroughly. Note the listed notes and try to visualise how they might blend together. Top notes are the lightest and first scents you'll perceive, giving you an initial impression. Middle notes form the heart of the fragrance, blending with the base notes to create the full body of the scent. Base notes are the heaviest and most prominent, ensuring the fragrance lingers. By analysing these notes, you can determine whether the perfume will suit your preferences. Additionally, pay attention to the fragrance strength classifications, such as Eau de Cologne (EdC), Eau de Toilette (EdT), Eau de Parfum (EdP), and pure Parfum, which indicate the intensity of the scent.
Buy Smaller Bottles or Samples First
Instead of committing to a full-sized bottle, consider purchasing smaller bottles or samples to test the perfume. Websites like Fragrances Line offer samples and travel-size decants of niche fragrances, allowing you to explore various scents without breaking the bank. This way, you can try different perfumes, wear them on your skin, and see how they interact with your body chemistry before investing in a larger bottle. Some companies, like Pairfum London, even include free mini samplers with your purchase so you can try before you open the pack. Sampling helps you make informed decisions and ensures you don't end up with an expensive bottle of perfume that you don't enjoy.
Additional Tips
When testing perfumes, whether in-store or with samples, allow the alcohol to evaporate before smelling. This ensures that you experience the true scent without nasal fatigue from the zingy fumes of alcohol. Additionally, try to evaluate perfumes in an environment free from other odours to avoid confusion. When shopping online, take advantage of tools like the fragrance wheel, developed by expert perfumer Michael Edwards, to understand how different scents interact within their fragrance families and complement each other.
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In-store testing: Avoid rubbing wrists, wait for alcohol to evaporate, and use olfactory palate cleansers
When testing perfumes in-store, it is important to avoid rubbing your wrists together. While this is a common practice, it increases the surface area from which the perfume can evaporate, leading to faster dissipation. Instead, wait for the alcohol in the perfume to evaporate before smelling it. The alcohol can skew your perception of the fragrance, as the fumes can quickly saturate and block your nose, causing nasal fatigue.
To properly evaluate a perfume, it is recommended to wait until the spot where you applied the perfume is dry before inhaling. This way, you can truly enjoy the scent without the interference of alcohol fumes. It is also advisable to test perfumes in an environment free from other odours, although this can be challenging in department stores, perfumeries, and duty-free shops where multiple fragrances are present.
To avoid contamination when testing different perfumes, refrain from touching your nose with the smelling strip. Even a slight touch can leave a trace amount of perfume, causing subsequent fragrances to be influenced by the previous scent. Similarly, avoid touching the wax or reeds of candles and reed diffusers, as the scent will adhere to your fingers. When testing lotions, do not apply them to the back of your hand, as this can also impact the fragrances you sample later.
To reset your olfactory palate and avoid nasal fatigue, it is recommended to take a short break after testing three fragrances. Bend the end of the smelling strip upwards to avoid touching the fragranced end to any surfaces. Hold the strip away from you and spray the perfume downwards onto the strip, avoiding any surfaces underneath.
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Sample sources: Online or in-store, decants, testers, and gift sets
When it comes to sampling perfumes, there are various options available, both online and in-store. If you're buying in-store, you can use paper blotters, or scent strips, to test different fragrances. Spray the blotters with two or three quick spritzes, wave the strip under your nose, and inhale. However, avoid touching the strip to your nose, as this can leave traces of the perfume that may interfere with other scents. You can also 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 smell. It's important to let the alcohol evaporate before smelling, as this can skew your perception of the scent.
If you're buying online, it can be more challenging since you can't smell the perfume before purchasing. However, some online retailers offer free samples or testers with your order, allowing you to try the perfume before opening the full bottle. You can also purchase smaller bottles or travel-sized versions of perfumes, known as decants, to test out before committing to a larger bottle. Websites like Surrender to Chance and Lucky Scent offer a range of decants and samples. Additionally, some brands provide gift sets containing multiple fragrances in smaller sizes, such as the Good Girl by Carolina Herrera miniature gift set.
Another option is to research the different fragrance families, including fresh, floral, oriental, and woody scents, and identify your preferred category. You can then narrow down your options by reading product descriptions, looking for specific notes, colours, and packaging that can indicate the scent. The name of the perfume can also provide clues about the fragrance, with words like "intense", "dark", or "night" suggesting a stronger, bolder aroma.
Whether you're buying online or in-store, it's recommended to try only a few fragrances at a time to avoid overwhelming your sense of smell. Cleanse your palate between scents by smelling coffee beans or your own skin to reset your olfactory senses.
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Scent notes: Citrus, floral, woody, and oriental
When it comes to choosing a perfume, it's important to consider the different scent notes and families to find one that suits your taste and the occasion. Citrus, floral, woody, and oriental are four of the most popular fragrance categories, each offering a unique olfactory experience.
Citrus scents are known for their refreshing and uplifting qualities. They often feature notes of orange, lemon, lime, or bergamot, providing a crisp and tangy aroma that evokes a sense of cleanliness and positivity. Citrus perfumes are perfect for energizing and invigorating the wearer, reminiscent of a sunny day at the beach or a refreshing glass of water in the Italian countryside, like Maison Margiela's fragrance.
Floral fragrances offer a delicate and elegant aroma, often blending various floral notes to create a complex and romantic scent. Floral perfumes can range from light and airy to rich and heady, making them versatile and suitable for any occasion. They can be combined with citrus notes, like in Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue, to create a Mediterranean-inspired fragrance that evolves into warm, woody notes.
Woody perfumes provide a warm and earthy aroma, often featuring notes of musk, amber, or sandalwood. They offer a sophisticated and sensual olfactory experience, perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Woody notes are commonly found in unisex fragrances and can add depth and longevity to a perfume, as seen in the review of Margiela's Under the Lemon Tree.
Oriental fragrances have evolved significantly over the years, particularly influenced by Arabian perfumery. They often feature a unique blend of spicy, warm, and musky notes, creating a mysterious and exotic scent. Oriental perfumes can be complex and captivating, offering a distinct olfactory experience that differs from traditional Western fragrances.
When deciding on a perfume, it's important to sample and test the fragrances to find the one that suits your taste. Techniques such as allowing the alcohol to evaporate before smelling and avoiding rubbing your wrists together can enhance the perfume evaluation process.
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Jo Malone: A safe bet for buying unsniffed
Blindly buying perfume without smelling it first can be a gamble, but Jo Malone is a brand that might be worth the risk.
Jo Malone offers a range of fragrances that have received positive reviews, with customers raving about their uplifting and fresh-smelling perfumes. Their grapefruit scent, in particular, seems to be a crowd favourite, with its citrusy notes providing an energizing experience. If you're a fan of citrus fragrances, their Basil & Neroli and Blackberry & Bay scents are also worth considering.
When it comes to blind-buying perfumes, it's always a good idea to do some research beforehand. Look up the scent notes of the perfume you're interested in to ensure that you like all the ingredients. You can also compare it to similar scents you already own to get an idea of how it might smell. Additionally, some brands offer discovery sets or travel sprays, allowing you to test out different fragrances before committing to a full-sized bottle.
However, it's important to keep in mind that everyone's skin chemistry is different, and a perfume that smells amazing on someone else might not have the same effect on you. This is where sampling comes in handy. Samples and decants provide an opportunity to wear a fragrance multiple times, allowing you to experience how it interacts with your skin and adapts to different situations and moods.
While blind-buying perfumes can be a fun adventure, it's always a safer bet to test fragrances before purchasing whenever possible. This ensures that you make an informed decision and find a scent that truly resonates with you.
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