Finding your signature fragrance, one that really gives you a distinctive wake, is something that takes patience. Here are a few tips to make the process easier.
To test it, spray a tiny cloud on your wrist and wait a few moments to let the notes develop. Not convinced? Wait another 20 minutes or so before smelling it again. If the scent doesn't capture your heart, give it one last chance: try the fragrance another day, preferably in the morning, when your nose is at its most receptive.
Good to know: Factors like your body chemistry, what you've eaten, stress or temperature can make a fragrance that smells divine in the bottle (or on someone else) smell terrible once it touches our skin. So buying a fragrance is a bit like rolling the dice... and the ultimate test is the moment of truth!
It's great to be faithful to a scent, but it's even better to break your olfactory routine with a second or even third fragrance. Ideally, you'd build a 'wardrobe' of complementary fragrances that change like the seasons, adapting to how you're feeling and what you're doing... just like clothes and accessories!
OK, great. But how do you choose the right fragrances? One good place to start is by identifying the notes in your favourite perfume. Once you've done that, you could look for fragrances that have variations on the same theme. For example, if you like fruity blends, you could choose a fragrance that's light and bubbly, with notes of orange or grapefruit for the office. Then, for weekends out, try a more luscious nectar orchestrated around notes of pear and amber.
Good to know: Heat makes the perfume molecules evaporate more quickly. So in summer, it's best to choose lighter scents that can be applied more frequently. And in winter, fragrances take longer to release their full bouquet, so you should choose more powerful scents that vaporize slowly over time.
It's not necessarily wrong. But, to help the scent diffuse more efficiently, you should apply it to your pulse points, the areas where you can feel your heart beating: the tops of your ears, the indentation at the base of your neck, your wrists (but don't rub them together!), elbows, ankles and behind your knees. These areas are heated by the flow of blood so they amplify your fragrance leaving its perfect scent in your wake.
How much should you use? For eau de toilette, you can perfume up to 8 pulse points, depending on the intensity of the fragrance. For eau de parfum, choose 6 to 8 points. And for perfume, 2 to 3 points should be enough. For very intense fragrances, you can also create a little cloud or puff of fragrance and walk through it slowly so it has time to settle on your clothes and skin.
Good to know: Perfume applied to a large area lasts longer than when it's applied to a single, localized point. To make sure your spray covers the greatest area, hold the bottle at least 30 cm from your body.
There's an easy way to tell if you've gone overboard with your fragrance. Imagine a circle around yourself, about as wide as an arm's length on all sides. If someone beyond that imaginary circle can smell your perfume, you've used too much. Your signature scent should be kept for your closest encounters.
