How to Choose Your Signature Fragrance

The main scent families

Floral — rose, jasmine, peony, lily. Fresh and feminine or rich and heady.
Fresh/Citrus — bergamot, lemon, grapefruit. Light and energising, shorter longevity.
Woody/Earthy — sandalwood, cedar, vetiver. Warm and long-lasting, works year-round.
Oriental/Amber — vanilla, amber, oud, musk. Rich and sensual, very long-lasting.
Aquatic — sea air, water lily. Clean and fresh, popular in mens fragrances.
Gourmand — caramel, chocolate, praline. Sweet and edible-smelling.

How fragrance notes work

Every fragrance has three layers. Top notes are what you smell first — bright and short-lived (5-30 minutes). Heart notes form the core and last 2-4 hours. Base notes are what you smell after an hour — these define the fragrance's character and last all day.

Key insight: Never buy a fragrance based on the top notes alone. The base notes are what you will actually wear all day. Always test on skin and wait at least 30 minutes before deciding.

EdT vs EdP — what do they mean?

Eau de Parfum (EdP): 15-20% oil, lasts 6-8 hours, the most popular choice. Eau de Toilette (EdT): 5-15% oil, lasts 3-5 hours, usually cheaper. Extrait/Parfum: 20-30% oil, 8+ hours, most expensive.

How to test a fragrance properly

Smell paper strips to shortlist, then spray on skin. Fragrance reacts with your body chemistry and smells uniquely different on you vs the bottle. Test maximum 3 fragrances per session — your nose fatigues quickly.

If shopping online, order samples before committing to a full bottle. Many retailers offer 1-5ml samples for a few pounds — a full bottle is an expensive mistake if the dry-down doesn't work on your skin.

How to apply fragrance properly

Apply to pulse points — wrists, neck, inner elbows, behind the knees
Do not rub after spraying — it breaks the molecular structure
Spray on skin, not clothes — fragrance develops through body heat
Moisturised skin holds fragrance longer — apply unscented body lotion first
Store in a cool, dark place away from heat and light

Frequently asked questions

Why does fragrance smell different on me?+

Fragrance interacts with your unique skin chemistry, pH, and natural scent. Always test on your own skin before buying.

How do I make fragrance last longer?+

Apply to moisturised skin. Layer with matching body lotion. Apply to pulse points. Do not rub wrists together after spraying.

What is sillage?+

Sillage is the trail a fragrance leaves behind. High sillage is noticeable from a distance. Low sillage is more personal and close to the skin.

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