There’s a trio of beauty products every woman hopes to find in her lifetime. The lipstick that brings her skin to life, the fail proof mascara and her signature scent…
One of the best ways to approach finding your signature scent is to narrow down your options to one or two perfume families.
Floral: These perfumes are dominated by floral notes like rose, jasmine, and lily. They are often fresh and feminine, which means they, or their close relatives the fruity/foodie Gourmands, are often the first type of perfume we experiment with as teenagers. Think back to cloying Impulse Body Sprays and fruity concoctions from the Body Shop.
Oriental: Known for their warm, spicy, and exotic scents, oriental perfumes often include notes like vanilla, cinnamon, and amber. They can be quite rich, dark, complex and sensual.
Woody: Woody perfumes feature earthy and forest-like notes such as sandalwood, cedar, and vetiver. They are typically warm and comforting, often associated with unisex fragrances or the more complex scents for women.
Fresh: Fresh perfumes are light and airy, with notes like citrus, green leaves, and aquatic scents. They are perfect for spring and summer, giving a clean and invigorating feel.
Chypre: Chypre perfumes are a blend of citrus, floral, and woody notes, often with a hint of moss. They are complex and sophisticated, with a balance of freshness and depth.
Start by thinking about the types of scents you enjoy and what you dislike. Keep in mind that something that smells fabulous on someone else may prove a disappointment when it reacts with your own skin chemistry.
If possible, pop into Boots or one of the fragrance shops in town and try out a couple of scents. You can use tester strips, but your skin is the only reliable testing ground for a new scent. Don’t make an immediate decision as the initial top notes will wear off, leaving the heart notes and base notes to linger.
For more niche high end brands, TK Maxx is a good option, often throwing up amazing bargains. You could try a specialist like Les Senteurs (lessenteurs.com) in London, who offer an inexpensive sample service. If you’re blind buying without trying a scent first, then check out the reviews on Fragrantica.com which can help steer you towards finding a signature scent you’ll love.
Think about where and when you plan to wear your new scent. A workplace perfume generally has to be less strident that something for a big night out. You also need to consider the effect you want to create. If you’re a Goth, you probably don’t want to smell like a floral disinfectant and might be better with a woody oriental. Similarly, the boardroom is probably not the place to wear a scent that reminds everyone of bubble-gum, nor should your colleagues be aware of your perfume five minutes before your physical arrival.
You might also want to factor in whether the ingredients are from natural sources or man-made equivalents, given that specialist perfume houses tend to use more expensive ingredients compared to the big names whose budget goes on advertising.
The trick is to experiment. Finding a signature scent is a journey with a lot of interesting diversions before you reach your destination. Your signature scent should match your personality, make you feel good and smell wonderful.