Shopping is not what it used to be, even ten years ago. Thanks to the internet you no longer have to leave the comfort of your home to see what your favorite clothing stores have to offer. You can buy virtually anything with just a few strokes of your keyboard. People make a living reviewing products via video or article so you don’t have to go through the trials and tribulations of new products. All of this, of course, doesn’t help when shopping for the perfect perfume. You can certainly view them from your screen, but finding the right scent for you requires a little more effort from your part. And I don’t mean just picking up the fanciest bottle or choosing based on your nose’s first impression.
There are a lot more factors that you should take into consideration when perfume shopping. Knowing which type of scent you are looking for is a first. There are scents that are able to take you back to a pleasant memory and finding a perfume that mimics that is what you need. There are scents that make a great first impression. When people ask you what perfume you are wearing and take note, know that you’ve probably made a good choice. Scents are definitely a huge part of first impressions. People remember your firm handshake or dazzling smile, sometimes people also remember if you smelled, especially when you smell great.
What is your signature scent?
First and foremost, get familiar with scent vocabulary. Fragrances can typically be divided into a few families: green, oceanic, exotic, woody, floral, citrus, sweet, and spicy. Know more or less which scents would appeal most to you. Perfumes also come in five types, for example Eau de Perfume, Eau de Toilette, and the most known, Perfume. Eau is the French word for water. Each of these indicates how much each product is concentrated. The other types are Eau Fraiche and Eau de Cologne. The most concentrated formula will be those that just say perfume, with a range of 15% to 40% of essential oils in it. Be observant and notice the labels on each bottle. The level of concentration will determine how long the scent will stay on your person.
Are you too picky to choose just one?
With so many options, it could be daunting to pick just one fragrance. If your mission is to find just one signature perfume for you, you have some options before settling down with just one. You could always try a smaller sample size or vial before committing to that full-sized bottle that might set you back 100 dollars. A handy website is The Perfumed Court. They offer small samples of virtually every perfume imaginable and offers small vials of selected perfumes for a few dollars. Wearing a scent for the day could help you decide if you want to commit to that scent or test drive another.
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How do you want to be remembered?
Once you’ve made your decision and have a perfume that perfectly complements your look and personality, know how to apply it to make the most of your perfume wearing experience. Choose areas on your body that are hot or warmer to unlock notes in the perfume that would otherwise go unnoticed unless activated. These areas include your neck, along your shoulders, and your wrists. An added tip is to not rub the perfume into your skin as that makes the scent be used up faster. To make the scent last even longer on you, apply lotion to the areas you’re going to spray beforehand.
Be cautious when making your purchase
With the perfume industry being as big and powerful as it is, it is only natural that there are products being manufactured with the same packaging, but is an entirely different product. Be aware and mindful when browsing perfumes that isn’t a reputable store. Some ingredients could potentially be harmful to you, especially if you are a person with sensitive skin.
Allergies should also be something you need to keep in mind, not only when potentially dealing with counterfeit scents. If you do experience allergic reactions on your skin, make sure to read the packaging closely to avoid an unwanted reaction. If you’re unsure how your skin will react to a new perfume, maybe spray a small area like your wrist and see if there is any type of reaction before you spritz your body.
If you’re still unsure how to go about choosing, perhaps set aside a day where you are able to explore different scents or talking to a salesperson at a department store that would be a little more knowledgeable in facilitating your decision. And be sure not to wear any fragrance if you’re out perfume shopping, too many scents could confuse your nose in deciding on one. Once you have the particular perfume that completes you, shopping will be easier since you’ll be able to shop for it online.
