Here’s how we recommend cutting through the fragrance clutter to find a fragrance that’s endlessly you.
Choosing a signature scent feels oddly personal, like curating your close friends list or figuring out your coffee order. Your fragrance announces your presence before you’ve said a word. But standing clueless in front of endless perfume counters isn’t going to help anyone, so here’s a playful, uncomplicated roadmap to help you pick a scent worth buying the full size for.
Step One – Define Your Mood
Fragrances have feelings, too, so first decide what mood you’re chasing. Maybe you want to radiate an everyday cool (Glossier You) or lux confidence (Le Labo Santal 33). If you’re leaning into flirtatious energy, try something playful like Parfums de Marly’s Delina. Remember, your fragrance is an extension of your personal style—make sure it feels genuine. As perfumer Jérôme Epinette, the nose behind Byredo’s most-loved scents, told Allure in 2022, “Perfume is like clothing. Ask yourself what feeling you want your fragrance to express.”
Step Two – Know Your Notes
Perfumes are composed of layers known as notes, which unfold over time. Top notes are your fragrance’s first impression — a bright citrus in Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees or fresh pear in Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia. They’re immediate and lively, but fade within minutes. Middle notes, or heart notes, bloom once the top layer dissipates and usually consist of florals, spices, or fruits, lingering for hours. Finally, base notes anchor the fragrance, lasting longest and creating depth. These often include richer elements like vanilla, musk, sandalwood, or amber. A balanced combination of these layers makes a scent distinctive and memorable.
Step Three – Forget the Hype (Folllow Your Nose)
Trends come and go faster than viral TikTok challenges. That wildly popular perfume everyone swears by? Great if you genuinely love it, but don’t be afraid to skip it if it doesn’t vibe with your style or chemistry. Your fragrance should complement you, not define you, no matter how many likes it gets.
Step Four – Spray on Skin First
Test fragrances on your pulse points (neck, wrists, elbows)—never rely on a flimsy paper strip. Perfume interacts differently on everyone, thanks to individual skin chemistry. A scent like Dior Sauvage or Chanel Coco Mademoiselle might smell completely different on you than on your best friend. So spritz, walk around, grab a coffee—let it breathe before you buy.
Step Five – Don’t Rush the Relationship
Finding your signature scent is more “long-term commitment” than “fling,” so take your time. Live with a fragrance for a few days, feel it out, see if you miss it when you’re not wearing it. This trial period is essential, as Francis Kurkdjian, perfumer of the iconic Baccarat Rouge 540, told Allure in 2021, “Patience is key—wearing a scent over time reveals how well it integrates into your daily life and personality.”
