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The Art of Seduction: How to Find Your Signature Scent

According to science, the human nose can detect up to 1 trillion smells.

While this is amazing and makes the world of perfumes that much richer and more varied—it also means that finding your signature scent might be harder than you thought!

If you have already begun the hunt for the perfect scent that is so you that you could wear it forever…Then you have probably already had a whiff of the difficulties involved in finding a signature fragrance.

Not only can it take time to find that special fragrance, but if you do not go about this in the right way, you might find yourself buying numerous bottles of perfume that you end up disliking, not wearing and feeling guilty about whenever you think of them. 

I don’t know about you—but to me, that is one of the most annoying shopping scenarios! This is why I have compiled this list of tips and tricks that you can use to simplify the process of finding your signature perfume. So that you can enjoy scent hunting, and not break the bank in the process. 

To find out what these tips are, read on!

Don’t Be in a Rush

First up, don’t be in a rush about discovering the perfect perfume for yourself. Aiming to nail down your signature scent in a week is asking for disappointment and frustration. And probably a couple rushed purchases.

Instead, approach the process like you would finding a future partner! After all, you wouldn’t rush that, so why rush finding your soulmate in a perfume?

Taking your time to really explore the different perfumes that are available will also be a lot more fun and exciting than trying to hurry through the process. 

Get Clued up on Scent Categories 

One of the top perfume buying secrets lies in understanding the different categories of scents. Once you have an understanding of the different categories and what their vibes are, you can decide if there are any which scream ‘you’ more than the others. 

This can then help as a guide when you are out shopping for scent.

Some of the main scent categories are:

  • Woody: Rich, earthy and clean, these scents bring in notes of not only wood but also of things like petrichor (the smell that comes when the rain meets the earth)
  • Floral: This category encompasses all the floral notes that exist (and the list is extensive!)
  • Oriental/Spicy: These fragrances are sultry and comprise of things like cardamom, black pepper, musk, amber, and incense
  • Fruity: Into this category falls all of the fruit-based terpenes which are a vibrant mix of spicy and citrus
  • Citrus: Citrus on its own is a category because it is a useful component in many perfumes, adding freshness and energy to other scents
  • Aquatic: Reminiscent of water and sea, these scents usually have elements that remind one of fresh coastal air, salt, and even algae
  • Green: Scents in the green category are grassy, light and fresh
  • Gormand: This category comprises of dessert-like perfumes that smell sweet and powdery and often include notes such as vanilla, caramel, and chocolate

Most people will tend to prefer one or two of these categories. If you know which categories of scents you love, you can quickly refine your search to include mostly perfumes that are dominated by these.

You can also use these categories to pick out perfumes that suit a specific need.

For example, if you are having issues relaxing and dealing with stress, then you might want to try out a scent that incorporates vanilla tones. In published research, vanilla registered as being one of the most calming scents, bringing about feelings of happiness in test subjects.

Interestingly, vanilla is also one of the world’s favorite scents according to Ranker!

Suss Out Scent Strengths

Next up in perfume 101 is scent strength. Buying the correct strength of perfume can be just as important as the scent itself. 

These are the different fragrance strengths:

  • Aftershave / Eau Fraîche: Very mild, and lasts for under two hours
  • Eau de Cologne: Slightly more concentrated, and should last about 3 hours
  • Eau de Toilette: Moderately concentrated, and lasts up to 4 hours
  • Eau de Parfum: Has an essential oil concentration of 15-20% and should last between 4 and 5 hours
  • Parfum: The most concentrated and lasts up to 8 hours

If you are someone who does not like perfume lingering on you too long, then selecting an Eau de Cologne or Eau de Toilette might be ideal. On the other hand, if you want to stay scented all day long, then go for a more concentrated perfume type. 

Take the Seasons into Account

Before you settle on a scent it is a good idea to consider the seasons. Lighter, fresher and fruitier tones work best in summer, with citrus being an all-time hot weather winner.

More exotic, muskier and heavier fragrances, on the other hand, are best suited to winter where they will not feel too weighty or cloying. 

In the case of signature perfumes, you can either choose to have a signature scent for each season or you can aim to pick a scent that works well in both hot and cold weather.

Do Not Try on More Than 3 Perfumes at a Time

The rule of thumb for perfume shopping is to never try on more than three perfumes at once. More than this will be confusing for your nose. 

You can opt to smell more than three scents of course but only apply up to three onto your skin at a time. 

Walk Away for the Day

The next hot shopping tip is to never buy immediately. Instead, leave the shop after applying up to three perfumes on different parts of your skin.

Carry on with your day, stopping to sniff the different areas every so often. As the day goes on the scents will develop on your skin and you will get an idea of how the subtle (and highly unique) scent of your own skin reacts with the smell of the perfume. This is called body scent compatibility!

Take a Sample of Your Favorites Home

Once you have zeroed in on a couple of fragrances that you like, you can also ask if you may take samples home with you. This way you can try out the perfumes at home, and get even clearer on how they smell on you throughout the day. 

And there you have it! If you would like to learn more about scents, then you can continue your research by reading up on Expert Perfume Advice.

Savor the Journey to Finding Your Signature Scent

Finding your signature scent can feel like a daunting task, but with these tips, you are equipped to commence your fragrance search like a pro.

Just remember, that there is no need to rush your search and that the more you savor it the more enjoyable it will be!

If you have any questions or something you want to share, please comment below. And if you enjoyed this article be sure to share it with your friends!

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