While it should be fun and exciting, choosing a perfume can be nothing short of overwhelming, as there are so many different scents and types to choose from. However, by following a few simple guidelines, you can find a perfume that suits your individual style and preferences. Below, we’ll give you some tips on how to go about selecting a fragrance that suits you:

1. Determine your scent preference:

Before you begin trying different scents, it's important to determine the type of scents you prefer. Are you drawn to floral, fresh, woody, or spicy scents? If you’re unsure, try to remember fragrances you have enjoyed in the past and research their notes. This will help you narrow down your options and make the process of choosing a perfume less overwhelming.

2. Test perfumes on both skin and paper:

How you test fragrance depends on whether you are in store or have a tester version at home. If you have a tester version great, you’ll get a more accurate idea of whether you like it or not. Due to a combination of factors, fragrances can smell different on different people, so it's important to test perfumes on your skin. Spray a small amount on your wrist or behind your ear and give it time to settle and work through its phases before deciding if it's the right scent for you.

If you are in-store, it’s unlikely that you will be there long enough for the It’s also important to use a test strip if possible as it’s unlikely you will be in-store long enough to get through the three phases of the fragrance. Therefore, it’s a good idea to use a test strip that you can bring home with you. Bear in mind that it may smell different on your skin as stated above.

3. Consider the occasion and season:

Think about where and when you will be wearing the perfume. Different perfumes are suited to different times and occasions due to their compositions and notes. For instance, an Eau de Parfum is perfect for a lengthy occasion as it has better lasting power than other fragrance types.
Fragrances can also be better suited to some seasons more than others. Warm and spicy notes such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg lend themselves to autumn and winter more so than spring and summer.

4. Pay attention to the notes:

Fragrances are made up of different notes, such as top, middle, and base notes. Top notes are the initial scents that you smell, middle notes are the scents that develop after a few minutes, and base notes are the scents that linger. This means that the initial scent does not tell the full story and your first impressions may be misleading. Pay attention to the notes in each phase and how they develop over time to ensure you like the overall scent.

5. Trust your instincts:

Unless you are a fragrance enthusiast, the chances are that you buy fragrance once or twice a year. As such, researching notes and compositions may not be at the upper end of your priorities. Provided you choose a perfume that you love and that makes you feel confident and comfortable, you probably won’t go far wrong. Trust your instincts and choose a scent that speaks to you.

There we have it! That’s how you choose a fragrance that is right for you. To finish, fragrance is subjective, smelling different to and on everyone. For that reason it’s important you buy based on what appeals to you. Choose your fragrance and test it if possible, as this will allow you to make an informed decision.