There is nothing like the feeling of wearing a new perfume for the first time. If you didn’t already know, scents have powerful effects on our moods. They can even invoke memories or self-confidence. A little spritz of sweet perfumes in the morning can change the course of your entire day, so if you are ready to start rocking a new signature scent, here are five tips for shopping for a new perfume.
Table of Contents
1. Learn How to Read Scents
When shopping for perfumes, you are going to want to learn the lingo that comes along with it. You may not know this, but there are specific terms for describing the different layers in a perfume. They are called the top, middle, and bottom notes. Here are how to distinguish each note in a perfume:
- Top: The top note is going to be the strongest element of the perfume. This is also going to be the scent you first notice when the perfume is immediately applied. It may also be referred to as the dominant scent.
- Middle: The middle note of a perfume is going to become more prominent as the day goes on. Once you apply the perfume and the top layer has settled in, you will start to smell the middle note for the duration of the day.
- Bottom: The bottom note will linger towards the final hours of your day. The top and middle notes will still be noticeable, but the bottom note will become more dominant as you near the end of the day.
Now that you know a little bit about what each note or layer of the perfume means, you can make a better-informed decision when shopping for perfumes based on descriptions. So, if you see a perfume that has middle notes that you really like, but maybe has a top or bottom note that you are not as fond of, you can decide based on the scent of the longest lasting note. Additionally, this should tell you that the perfumes you sample in the store may not be completely accurate to how they will smell throughout the day, which brings us to our next point.
2. Wear Before Buying
Because the scent of the perfume can shift throughout the day, it is best to sample your perfume before your purchase. And another thing you may not know is that each perfume will smell slightly different on each person who wears it. This is due to the perfume mixing with our own natural scents when applied to the skin. This, along with the difference in notes throughout the day, is why you want to wear a sample of your potential new perfume for a full day before making your purchase.
3. Know What You Want
Testing out new perfumes can be overwhelming. There are dozens of different brands and scents on the market for you to choose from. Because our noses have a limit on how many scents you can test out in one go, it can be helpful to come in with a good idea of what you are looking for. This will help you to narrow down the scents that you want to test in the store, which will then make it easier for you to select which ones you want to test out for a whole day before purchase. If you know what type of scents you like, you can research which perfumes have the notes that you’re fond of before heading to the store. You can find scents that are fruity, floral, sweet, fresh, or musky. The options are truly endless so don’t be afraid to test out different combinations.
4. Day or Night?
While many perfumes are going to be versatile, there are some scents that are too heavy for the day or too light for nighttime wear. Consider when you plan to wear your new scent the most. If you want to be able to rock your perfume all day long, then keep an eye out for scents that are more in the middle.
5. Ask For a Second Opinion
It can also be helpful to ask your loved ones what they think of your new potential scent. During the days that you are testing out your new perfumes, don’t be afraid to ask friends, family, or coworkers what they think of your new scent. While the decision should ultimately be up to you, it can be helpful to get a second opinion, especially if you have tested out a lot of different scents.
Your Signature Scent
Use some of these tips and tricks the next time you want to change up your signature scent. Perfume shopping can be overwhelming, so make sure you choose something that makes you feel happy and confident when you put it on.