Perfume choosing guide

{{whyLabel}}: Knowing the families helps you narrow down thousands of options to the categories you naturally prefer.

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• Floral: Romantic and feminine (Rose, Jasmine, Lily).
• Fresh: Clean and energetic (Citrus, Aquatic, Green/Grass).
• Woody: Earthy and grounding (Sandalwood, Cedar, Vetiver).
• Amber (Oriental): Warm and exotic (Vanilla, Spices, Resins).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You can identify which 1-2 families sound most appealing to your personality.

{{whyLabel}}: Perfumes evolve over time; the first spray is never the final scent.

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• Top Notes: The first 15 minutes (usually citrus or herbs). These evaporate quickly.
• Heart Notes: The 'soul' of the scent, appearing after 20-60 minutes (florals, fruits, spices).
• Base Notes: The final dry-down that lasts 4-8+ hours (musk, woods, vanilla).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You understand that you must wait at least 30 minutes to judge a perfume's true character.

{{whyLabel}}: The concentration determines how long the scent lasts and how much it projects.

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• Eau de Cologne (EdC): 2-5% oil, lasts 1-2 hours. Best for a quick refresh.
• Eau de Toilette (EdT): 5-15% oil, lasts 3-5 hours. Great for daytime/office.
• Eau de Parfum (EdP): 15-20% oil, lasts 5-8 hours. The most popular choice for longevity.
• Parfum/Extrait: 20-40% oil, lasts 8-12+ hours. Very intense and sits close to the skin.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have decided which concentration fits your daily routine.

{{whyLabel}}: Your brain already has positive associations with certain smells from your environment.

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• Walk through your home and garden.
• Note if you prefer the smell of fresh laundry (Musk/Fresh), rain (Aquatic), forest (Woody), or baking (Amber/Gourmand).
• Write down 3-5 'key notes' you love.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a list of 3-5 favorite scent notes.

{{whyLabel}}: A signature scent should match your lifestyle and the message you want to project.

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• Professional: Look for 'clean', 'soapy', or 'light woody' scents.
• Romantic/Sensual: Look for 'deep florals' or 'spicy ambers'.
• Athletic/Casual: Look for 'citrus' or 'marine' notes.
• Decide if this is for daily wear or special evenings.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a clear 'vibe' description (e.g., 'Fresh and professional for the office').

{{whyLabel}}: You need to experience the scents in person to see how they react to the air and your nose.

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• Go in the morning when your nose is 'fresh'.
• Do not wear any perfume or scented lotion on your arms that day.
• Limit yourself to testing only 3-4 scents per visit to avoid 'nose fatigue'.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You are at a fragrance counter ready to test.

{{whyLabel}}: Blotters allow you to quickly eliminate scents you dislike without committing them to your skin.

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• Spray the paper from 15-20cm away.
• Wait 10 seconds for the alcohol to evaporate before smelling.
• Label each strip with the name of the fragrance immediately.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have 2-3 'finalist' strips that you genuinely enjoy.

{{whyLabel}}: Skin chemistry (pH and oils) can drastically change how a perfume smells compared to paper.

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• Apply one scent to your left inner wrist and another to your right.
• If testing a third, use the inner elbow.
• Crucial: Do NOT rub your wrists together; this 'crushes' the molecules and ruins the top notes.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have 2-3 scents developing on your skin.

{{whyLabel}}: Perfume stores are saturated with scent, which distorts your perception.

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• Step outside for at least 15 minutes.
• If your nose feels 'blocked', smell your own unscented skin (like your shoulder) or a clean sleeve to reset.
• Note: Coffee beans are a myth; fresh air is the best reset.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You are in a neutral-smelling environment.

{{whyLabel}}: You need to see how the heart and base notes develop over several hours.

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• 30 Minutes: Check for the 'Heart' (is it still pleasant?).
• 2 Hours: Check for the 'Base' (does it smell too heavy or sweet?).
• 4-6 Hours: Evaluate longevity (is it still there?).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have identified which scent smells best after a full development cycle.

{{whyLabel}}: A one-day test isn't always enough to ensure you won't get a headache or grow tired of the scent.

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• Ask for a 2ml sample or buy a 'Discovery Set' from the brand.
• Wear the scent for 3-5 consecutive days in different settings (work, gym, home).
• Observe if you receive compliments or if the scent feels 'tiring'.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have worn the scent for multiple days and still love it.

{{whyLabel}}: Perfume has a shelf life; unless you use it daily, a large bottle may go bad before you finish it.

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• Start with a 30ml or 50ml bottle.
• Check the 'Batch Code' on the bottom to ensure it is fresh stock.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You own your new signature scent.

{{whyLabel}}: Heat, light, and humidity break down perfume oils, making them smell 'sour' or weak.

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• Keep the bottle in its original box if possible.
• Store it in a cool, dark drawer or cupboard.
• Never store perfume in the bathroom (humidity) or on a sunny windowsill.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Your perfume is stored in a dark, temperature-stable location.