Tips On How To Select And Purchase The Good Perfume
Everyone likes to wear an aromatic fragrance. It makes you feel special to be wrapped in a blanket of perfume. Both women and men have their own reasons for using fragrances. For some, smelling nice makes them feel good. Other people like to use them to make a statement wherever they go. Of course, perfumes have also been used for countless years throughout history as a seduction method of attracting someone of the opposite sex.
Buying a fragrance is not just a matter of picking up a bottle and paying for it. You really should test the fragrance on your skin first. Fragrances smell differently on each person; what might smell great on someone else will not necessarily smell good on you.
Table of Contents
The reason that fragrances smell differently on people has something to do with each person’s signature scent. It refers to the chemical makeup of our body which in return dictates how our skin will react to any perfume we apply to it. A person’s signature scent is determined by his or her lifestyle, dietary conditions, medication, skin type and color. These factors make us all unique, and the same is true for each fragrance which we wear.
Understanding Perfume Notes
A fragrance is a mixture of aromatic oils, fixatives, and solvents to produce a pleasant scent. In this context, perfume notes are the aromatic compounds that make up a fragrance’s scent. All fragrances have three notes:
The First Impression. These are detected immediately after spraying. They are volatile and fade within 5–15 minutes.
- Purpose: To draw attention to the perfume.
- Common Scents: Lemon, orange, mandarin, bergamot, lavender, rose.
The Body. This is the true essence of the fragrance. They emerge once top notes fade and last for a few hours.
- Purpose: To convey the main theme of the scent.
- Common Scents: Jasmine, geranium, neroli, ylang-ylang, spices, fruits.
3. Base Notes
The Foundation. These appear after 20-30 minutes and last the longest (5–10 hours). They add depth and solidity to the perfume.
Common Scents: Amber, sandalwood, cedarwood, moss, musk, patchouli, vanilla, smoke, tobacco.
Perfume Families
Perfume notes can be combined to obtain a fragrance with a complex scent profile that can be grouped into fragrance families. Each family provides a certain quality to the fragrance.
| Family | Description | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Citrus | Tangy, crisp, naturally refreshing. | Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot. |
| Floral | Sweet, romantic, flower-like. Most popular for women. | Rose, Violet, Lily, Jasmine. |
| Fougere | Fern-like, clean, and natural. | Lavender, Oakmoss, Coumarin. |
| Fruity | Sweet, fresh, evocative of summer. | Apple, Berry, Peach, Melon. |
| Gourmand | Edible, dessert-like sweetness. | Honey, Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel. |
| Green | Energetic, sporty, grassy. | Fresh leaves, Mown grass. |
| Oceanic | Crisp, fresh, modern aquatic smells. | Sea air, Salt, Algae. |
| Oriental | Exotic, sensual, warm, and seductive. | Incense, Amber, Resins, Spices. |
| Spicy | Warm, alluring, old-fashioned mystery. | Cinnamon, Ginger, Pepper. |
| Woody | Sharp, strong, forest setting. | Bark, Moss, Tree Resins. |
You can check the wheel of fragrances for more details.
Types of Fragrances by Concentration
The concentration of perfume refers to the strength of the fragrance. It tells us how many essential fragrance oils have been added versus alcohol and water.
| Type | Oil Concentration | Longevity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parfum (Extract) | 15% – 40% | 6-8+ Hours | Strongest scent, sensitive skin (less alcohol). |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15% – 20% | 4-5 Hours | Daily wear, balance of price and strength. |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5% – 15% | 2-3 Hours | Light daytime wear, dissipates faster. |
| Eau de Cologne | 2% – 4% | 2 Hours | Very light, cheaper, often splash-on. |
| Eau Fraiche | 1% – 3% | 1 Hour | Freshening up, lowest alcohol content. |
1. Know the Fragrance Families
Understanding these broad categories helps you narrow down your search immediately.
| Family | Vibe | Common Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Floral | Romantic, Feminine, Classic | Rose, Jasmine, Lily |
| Fresh | Clean, Uplifting, Aquatic | Lemon, Bergamot, Sea Notes |
| Woody | Warm, Earthy, Dry | Sandalwood, Cedar, Vetiver |
| Oriental (Amber) | Spicy, Sweet, Sensual | Vanilla, Amber, Incense |
| Fougère | Aromatic, Herbaceous | Lavender, Coumarin, Oakmoss |
2. Consider the Occasion & Season
Not every scent works in every situation. Here is how to match the scent to the environment:
- Day/Office: Light, fresh, and citrus scents are non-offensive and energizing.
- Summer: Fresh and aquatic scents shine in the heat. High temperatures amplify fragrance, so lighter is better.
- Night: Heavier, spicy, or oriental scents work best for evening events and dates.
- Winter: Woody, spicy, and sweet gourmand scents feel cozy and cut through the cold air.
3. Know Your Concentration
This determines strength, longevity, and often, price. Do not confuse an EDT with an EDP!
| Type | Oil % | Longevity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Extrait | 20-30% | 8+ Hours | Most potent, expensive, and longest-lasting. |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15-20% | 6-8 Hours | The industry standard. Great balance of strength and value. |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5-15% | 4-6 Hours | Lighter and airier. Good for everyday or office wear. |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | 2-4% | 2-3 Hours | Very light and refreshing. Requires frequent reapplication. |
4. The In-Store Shopping Process
The Golden Rule
Smell with Your Skin, Not Just Paper.
Blotter strips (paper) are great for a first impression, but your skin’s chemistry (pH, oils, diet) alters a fragrance. You must test it on your skin before buying.
The Process:
- Start Fresh: Go fragrance-free (no scented lotions) the day you test.
- Limit Your Tests: Your nose fatigues after 3-5 scents. Smell coffee beans (or your own sleeve) between sniffs to provide a neutral pause.
- Test on Pulse Points: Apply a small spray to your inner wrist or forearm.
Wait for the Dry-Down
Never buy immediately. A perfume evolves in three stages:
- Top Notes: What you smell immediately (lasts 15 mins).
- Heart/Middle Notes: The core character emerges (lasts 3-4 hours).
- Base Notes: The final, lingering trail (appears after 30 mins, lasts longest).
Tip: Always wait at least 30 minutes before deciding. The dry-down is the true scent you’ll wear.
5. Making the Purchase – Smart Tips
- Get a Sample First: This is the #1 tip. Wear it for a full day in different settings.
- Trust Your Instinct: The “best” perfume is the one that makes you feel confident, not the one with the biggest marketing budget.
- Consider Smaller Bottles: A 30ml or 50ml bottle of a scent you adore is better than a 100ml you get tired of.
- Impulse Buying: Don’t buy based on the top notes alone.
- Buying Fakes: If the price seems too good to be true (especially on eBay), it probably is. Stick to authorized retailers.
6. Online Shopping (Riskier, But Possible)
Only buy online if you have already tested the scent on your skin, or if you are ordering a discovery set first. Use trusted decant sites like ScentSplit or Luckyscent to buy small vials (2ml-10ml) for testing.
Remember: Most fragrances cannot be returned for hygiene reasons once opened.
How To Buy Fragrance Like a Pro
If you are looking for that perfect perfume for yourself or someone special, you can easily be overwhelmed. Here are the golden rules for buying perfume.
- Test on Skin: Don’t buy just because it smelled good on someone else. Your body chemistry is unique.
- Wait 30 Minutes: Spray on your wrist and wait. It takes time for the heart and base notes to release.
- Check for Allergies: Test a sample first to ensure the synthetic compounds don’t irritate your skin.
- Buy Samples: Use free samples or small vials to test a scent for a few days before buying a full bottle.
- Don’t Rush: Top notes are volatile; don’t buy based on the first spray alone.
- Watch Jewelry: Metal jewelry can alter how a fragrance smells on the wrist. Spray higher up the arm.
- Ignore Seasonality: Some scents work better in winter (Oriental) vs summer (Citrus).
Easy methods to buy a fragrance at a discount
- Seasonal Sales: Look for sales around Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas for high-quality sets.
- Discontinued Lines: If a line is discontinued, it is often sold off cheaply to clear stock. It is a great chance to snap up a top fragrance.
- Clearance: Seasonal perfumes (like summer editions) are often cleared out cheaply when the season ends.
- Online Bundles: Some online stores offer discounts when you buy multiple quantities.
- Imitations: “Knock-off” perfumes are copies of famous brands. They are cheap but usually don’t smell exactly the same or last as long.
Summary: How to Choose the Good Perfume
Finding the right fragrance is not easy. Top brands can cost quite a bit of money so doing some research beforehand will help you get the type of perfume you are looking for at a good price.
Storage Tip: Perfumes do not keep for long periods. Don’t buy too many at once. Always store them in an upright position, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, to keep them smelling good.
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