Choosing the perfect perfume is not easy. With all the varieties and fragrances out there, it's easy to throw in the towel and buy any one, without thinking too much. However, getting informed before going to the perfumery will help you narrow down your selection. While in the store, keep track of your goal and compare fragrances so you can make an informed decision that you won't regret!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Inquire
Step 1. Set a budget
Perfume is a luxury and the cost can vary a lot from one product to another. Some cost less than 20 euros, others hundreds or thousands of euros. Before going to the perfumery, decide how much you want to spend.
If it's a gift, consider your financial situation and the relationship you have with the recipient. Obviously you should give your wife a more expensive gift than any acquaintance
Step 2. Choose the fragrance concentration
Perfumes have different names based on the concentration of the essential oils they contain. Usually the more expensive ones last longer, while the cheaper ones are less persistent. Normally this information is shown on the front of the bottle, under the name of the perfume.
- The eau de cologne has the lowest concentration, with a duration of about 2 hours. The presence of essential oils is equal to 3-5%, diluted in a solution based on water and alcohol.
- The eau de toilette is a slightly more concentrated type of perfume and lasts 3-4 hours. The concentration of the essential oils is about 4-8%.
- The eau de parfum has a higher oil concentration than the eau de toilette and lasts about 6 hours. It consists of 15-18% essential oils and alcohol.
- The perfume extract has the highest concentration of essential oils. It is very persistent and lasts all day. The percentage of oils mixed with alcohol is 15-30%.
Step 3. Choose an olfactory family
Consider the fragrance that you or the gift recipient would like. Perfumes are generally separated into 4 categories, although many are characterized by a delicate combination of fragrances. If you have to give it to someone, consider their tastes. If, on the other hand, you are not sure what you might like, don't worry: you can identify your favorite category by making attempts in perfumery.
- The floral / sweet scents are reminiscent of freshly picked flowers. The most commonly used fragrances to prepare them are rose, lavender, carnation and orange blossom. Floral perfumes are the most used by women thanks to their sweet and feminine fragrance, appreciated by almost everyone.
- The citrus / fruity aromas are reminiscent of fruit, especially citrus. The most common tones are citrus-like, so fruits such as orange, grapefruit and lime are used, but also apricot, apple and peach. In general, these are sparkling and fresh fragrances.
- The oriental / spicy scents have a musky and complex scent. Many of them feature spicy tones such as star anise, cinnamon and vanilla.
- The woody / powdery scents have a hint that recalls wood and earth. Many contain fragrances such as bergamot, oak moss and patchouli.
Step 4. Ask people what perfumes they use
Learn to distinguish the various fragrances worn by the people around you, whether at work, on the train or in the classroom. If you hear any notes you like, ask the person concerned what perfume it is. You never know: you could find the right one for you without even having to go to the perfumery.
If you don't like your friends' scents, try to identify specific elements that don't convince you. This is valuable information that will help you narrow down your selection
Part 2 of 3: Go Shopping
Step 1. Don't rush
Don't try to choose the perfect perfume the first time you go to the perfumery. The more fragrances you smell, the more your sense of smell will lose sensitivity, so it will become difficult to try multiple fragrances. Since it is necessary to consider several fragrances before making a decision, try to go to the perfumery several times.
Step 2. Do not wear any perfume before going to the perfumery
Avoid any scented products, such as body creams, sprays, or particularly intense deodorants. These fragrances can distract you and interfere with the scents you try.
Step 3. Invite a friend to accompany you and help you make up your mind, especially if you need to buy it for someone else
The contribution of a person who knows the recipient of the gift can be very helpful. If you have to choose one for yourself, consider whether inviting a friend will help or hinder you.
Step 4. Find out about the shops
Choose carefully the perfumeries you will visit. Make sure they have a good reputation and experienced staff who offer personalized customer service. Plus, they should fall within your price range.
- Big perfume shops like Sephora have good customer service, but the products tend to be expensive.
- Small perfume shops can be expensive and have less variety (depending on the size of the shop), but the products and customer service should be of high quality.
- Try to make this purchase in a store that actually specializes in perfumes and offers a wide range of products. If you go to a clothing store that only sells a few perfumes, you won't have many options, plus the clerks are unlikely to have the same knowledge as a perfume shop staff.
Step 5. Get help from a salesperson
By now you should have a pretty good idea of the scent you want. Approach an available salesperson and ask if they can help you find the right product. He will be happy to lend a hand and his knowledge will facilitate the search.
- You can try saying, "I'm looking for a perfume for me and I need help. I'm looking for a fragrance that lasts about 6 hours, citrusy and smells clean. My budget is around 70-120 euros".
- If you don't have a clue what you like, ask the clerk to let you smell the most popular perfumes by taking one from each of the 4 categories.
- If it's a gift and you don't know the recipient's tastes, ask the clerk to show you the most famous perfumes, especially floral ones, as this is the most popular category.
Part 3 of 3: Try and Choose a Perfume
Step 1. Try only 6 fragrances at a time
Do not overdo it, in this way you will be able to appreciate the complexities of each perfume and you will not confuse the sense of smell. Since you've already narrowed down your selection, you won't have to waste time with perfumes that aren't right for you.
Step 2. To start testing a perfume, smell it from the bottle so you know if you like it or not
If it doesn't convince you at all, you'll be glad you didn't spray it on your skin.
Don't breathe in too much, or you risk weakening your sense of smell prematurely
Step 3. Spray the perfume on a tester card
Let it sit on the paper for about 10 seconds, then smell it. If you still like it, label the card and put it in your bag or backpack. This way you can smell it again later and remember which scent it is.
Step 4. Spray your favorite perfumes on the skin
If you like a fragrance a lot and think it might be the right one, sprinkle a few drops on your wrist or in the crook of your elbow. Wait for about 10 seconds for the alcohol to evaporate, then gently smell the scent. The smell changes slightly on contact with the skin, so it is important to test the main candidates on the skin as well, as well as using the test cards.
Do not apply more than one perfume on each arm, otherwise the fragrances will start to blend
Step 5. Take a break
In between scents, refresh your sense of smell by smelling something neutral, like your skin or your shirt. In this way the fragrance of the last perfume will not persist and will not interfere with the next one.
Step 6. Request samples
If you try a perfume you love, keep the card you sprayed it on and ask if you can get a sample as well. Explain to the salesperson that you are thinking of buying it, but that you want to consider this option first. Most perfumeries have free samples available which they are very happy to give to customers who are actually interested in buying.
Step 7. Compare the scents you have left
After visiting all the chosen perfumeries and considering different fragrances, group all the samples and cards. Use the same procedure used in the store to test each product. Keep narrowing your selection until you make a decision.
Step 8. Try to buy a sample set
If you can't choose just one perfume, buy a sample set from Sephora or Douglas. These boxes contain testers or travel-sized bottles of multiple scents.
You can test each perfume over a period of 2-3 weeks, and then buy the regular bottle of the one you prefer. Some boxes offer a discount to purchase the actual product
Advice
- Remember that everyone has their own tastes. If you have to give a gift, consider the recipient's preferences, don't think about yours.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. The shop assistants are good at offering products suited to their tastes.
- Don't let a salesperson force you to buy a perfume that is too expensive or you don't like.
