How to Choose a Perfume That Suits You: (A Step-by-Step Guide)
You went to buy perfume, tried the testers, and didn’t even understand which was the best? This happens to a lot of people!
But the key is to choose a scent that suits your personality, matches the occasion, and smells good on your skin for hours.
Ready to find your signature scent? Let’s get started!
Understanding Perfume Notes
Have you ever noticed that a perfume smells strong at first but gets softer later? That’s because perfumes don’t stay the same—they change over time.
Understanding these scent layers will help you find a fragrance that truly suits you. Perfumes are made up of three types of notes:
1. Top Notes (First Impression): These are the initial scents you notice right after spraying the perfume. They're usually light and fade within a few minutes. Common top notes include citrus, fruity, or herbal aromas.
2. Middle Notes (Heart of the Perfume): These emerge once the top notes begin to fade. They form the main body of the fragrance and tend to last longer. Typical middle notes include floral, spicy, or sweet fruity scents.
3. Base Notes (Long-Lasting Scent): These are the deeper, richer scents that develop later and linger the longest. They give the perfume its lasting impression. Common base notes include vanilla, musk, or woody tones.
How to Choose a Perfume That Suits You: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you understand perfume notes, finding the right fragrance gets much easier. Just follow these 7 simple steps to pick a scent that truly matches your personality.
Step 1. Decide Your Budget
Perfume is a luxury item, and its price can be low or very high. Some cost 1,000 PKR, others 5,000 PKR, and some even go up to thousands.
That’s why it’s a good idea to set a budget before you start exploring scents. This way, you can find the best perfume without spending more than you planned.
Step 2. Choose the Right Concentration
After setting your budget, the next step is choosing the right concentration. Perfume strength affects how long it lasts on your skin. Higher concentration means a stronger, longer-lasting scent.
1. Eau de Cologne (EDC): It has the lowest fragrance concentration, around 2-4%. It smells fresh but fades quickly, usually within 2 to 3 hours. Many men’s perfumes come in this form.
2. Eau de Toilette (EDT): It contains 5-15% fragrance oil and lasts 4 to 6 hours, making it ideal for everyday use. EDT perfumes start strong but soften over time.
3. Eau de parfum (EDP): It has 15-20% fragrance oil, staying on the skin for 6 to 8 hours. It has a richer scent and requires only a few sprays.
4. Parfum: It contains 20-40% fragrance oil, making it the most intense and longest-lasting type. It can last 8+ hours, sometimes even a whole day.
If you want a light scent for daily use, EDT is a good choice. For long-lasting fragrance, go for EDP or Parfum. Also, lighter scents work well in summer, while stronger ones are better for winter.
And if you want to ensure your perfume lasts even longer on your skin, check out our detailed guide on How to Choose Long-Lasting Perfume.
Step 3. Find a Scent Family You Like
Perfumes have different scent families. Pick the one that matches your taste. Here are the four scent categories:
1. Floral / Sweet perfumes: These fragrances smell like fresh flowers such as rose, jasmine, and lavender. They have a soft, romantic feel and are the most popular perfumes for women because of their sweet and feminine scent.
2. Citrus / Fruity perfumes: These scents have notes of orange, lemon, apple, and peach. They give a bright, energetic feel, making them great for everyday use.
3. Oriental / Spicy perfumes: These perfumes feature deep, exotic notes like vanilla, cinnamon, and amber. If you like bold and mysterious scents, you’ll love these.
4. Woody / Chypre perfumes: These fragrances have deep, natural tones like sandalwood, cedar, and patchouli. They have a strong and classic feel, perfect if you prefer something sophisticated.
Step 4. Avoid wearing perfume while shopping
According to Noteology, it’s best not to wear any scented lotions, body sprays, or perfumes when shopping for a new fragrance. Other smells can mix and make it harder to judge the fragrance. Keep your skin fresh so you can test perfumes properly.
Step 5. Take a friend with you
If you can’t decide which perfume to buy, take a friend with you for a second opinion. Sometimes, someone else’s perspective can help you choose the best one.
Step 6. Test Your Perfume the Right Way
Test on a Blotter:
If you want to shortlist a perfume, test it on a blotter (paper strip) first. Because only limited perfumes can be tested on the skin. Yes, the scent might smell a bit different on a blotter than on your skin, but it’s a good way to narrow down your choices.
Escentual says you should not test more than 5 perfumes at a time because your nose can get confused. If you want to test more, take a short break, maybe drink some tea or coffee, and then continue.
Test on Skin:
Once you’ve picked a few favorites, try them on your skin. Experts recommend that you test no more than 2 at a time—one on each wrist—so your nose doesn’t get overwhelmed. This way, you can smell how the fragrance reacts with your skin and choose the best one.
Step 7: Trust Your Preference
Perfume is personal. What smells amazing on someone else might not suit you. Don’t buy a perfume just because it’s trendy—choose one that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
Fact: Did you know that a perfume that smells amazing on someone else might not smell the same on you? According to Lelior, this happens because your skin type and body heat affect how a fragrance develops.
That’s why choosing a scent that works for you is important, not just one that’s popular.
Step 8: Try Before You Buy
If you’re still unsure, consider getting a sampler set. Many stores offer testers or small-size bottles, so you can wear the fragrance for a few days or weeks before deciding. This way, you can see how it smells over time and whether it truly suits you before buying the full-size bottle.
Quick Tips: Don't let a salesperson pressure you into buying a too-expensive perfume or one you don’t truly like. Take your time to decide!
You’ll find a fragrance that feels just right for you by following these steps.
7 Things to Know Before Buying a Perfume
A lot of people just smell perfume and try to decide, but they still can’t pick the right one. That’s because just the smell isn’t enough—you need to think about a few important things too. Let’s check them out!
1. Your Personality Matters
Perfume reflects your style, mood, and the impression you leave on others. That’s why it should match your personality. If you’re lively and energetic, fresh and citrusy scents might suit you best.
If you prefer a calm and elegant vibe, floral or woody fragrances can be a great choice. Your perfume should feel like you.
2. Consider Your Age
As you grow, your perfume preferences change too. Younger people often like light, sweet, and fruity scents, while mature individuals may prefer deeper, richer notes like woody or musky fragrances. Choose a scent that feels right for you.
3. Family of Fragrances
Perfumes have different scent families, like floral, woody, citrus, and fresh. If you love sweet and soft scents, floral perfumes might be perfect for you.
If you prefer something deep and warm, woody or oriental scents could be a better choice. When you know these types, it’s easier to find a perfume that feels right for you.
4. Choose by Season
Many people just don’t think about the season and end up choosing a perfume that feels too strong or doesn’t smell as good.
In spring and summer, light and fresh scents like citrus and florals feel refreshing. For autumn and winter, warmer and deeper fragrances like woody, musky, or spicy notes add a cozy touch. Choosing a perfume that matches the season helps it smell better and last longer.
5. Keep the Occasion in Mind
When buying perfume, think about where you’ll wear it. Light and fresh scents are great for daily use, while richer and stronger fragrances work best for birthdays, weddings, and other special events.
6. Understand Your Skin Chemistry
The perfume smells different on everyone because of skin type and body chemistry. Oily skin holds fragrance longer, while dry skin makes it fade quickly. Sweat and pH levels can also change the scent. That’s why testing a perfume on your skin before buying is important.
7. Stay Within Your Budget
Many people believe that expensive perfumes are always the best, but that’s not always true. Expensive ones may have better-quality ingredients and last longer, but budget-friendly perfumes can also smell great and last well. Focus on finding a perfume that smells great, lasts well, and fits within your budget.
That’s it! Just consider these seven points we shared above, and you’ll find the perfect scent for you.
5 Perfume Storage Tips
1. Keep your perfume away from sunlight and heat. Always, store it in a cool, dark place to maintain its scent.
2. Avoid keeping your perfume in the bathroom, as humidity can change its smell over time.
3. Make sure the cap is always closed to prevent the fragrance from fading.
4. Keep your perfume in its original bottle to maintain its quality.
5. Never shake your perfume bottle, as air bubbles can mess with the scent.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Perfume
Study shows that when you smell a special scent, it directly connects to your emotions and memories. That’s why perfume is not just a nice smell—it becomes part of your personality, and people remember you by it.
Finding the right perfume takes time, but it’s worth it. Whether you prefer fresh, floral, or bold fragrances, the best perfume is the one that feels natural to you.
The way you apply perfume also plays a role in how long the scent lasts on your skin. Now that you know how to choose the right perfume, it’s time to find your signature fragrance!
FAQs
Why choose a perfume?
Perfume isn’t just for smelling nice—It’s a way to express yourself, boost confidence, and make a good impression.
What to avoid when buying perfume?
Avoid fake or expired perfumes, and buy from trusted stores. Stay away from scents that are too strong or smell too artificial. Most importantly, choose a scent that suits you, not just what others like.
What makes a perfume good quality?
A good perfume lasts long, smells balanced, and uses high-quality ingredients. It should feel smooth, not too harsh or overpowering.
How do I make sure my perfume is original?
It’s simple, Just check the box for spelling mistakes, and make sure the bottle feels strong, not cheap. The scent should last long and change over time. If it fades too quickly or smells odd, it might be fake.
What does psychology say about perfume?
Psychology says that a good perfume can lift your mood, boost confidence, and even make you seem more attractive by connecting with people through scent.