How to Choose a Perfume: Notes, Concentrations and Testing
Fragrance families, top, heart and base notes, eau de parfum vs eau de toilette, and how to test a scent on your skin before you buy.
To choose a perfume you will actually wear, start with the fragrance family you already like, test no more than two or three scents at a time on your skin, and wait at least 30 minutes before deciding. The first spray only shows the top notes; the scent you live with is the heart and base that develop later.
Understand the notes
- Top notes: the first impression, often citrus or fresh herbs. They fade within minutes.
- Heart notes: the main character of the scent, often floral or spicy, lasting a few hours.
- Base notes: the lasting foundation, such as woods, vanilla, musk or amber.
The main fragrance families
| Family | Typical notes | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Floral | Rose, jasmine, peony | Romantic, classic |
| Fresh | Citrus, green, aquatic | Clean, light, daytime |
| Woody | Sandalwood, cedar, vetiver | Warm, grounded |
| Amber (oriental) | Vanilla, resins, spices | Rich, evening |
| Gourmand | Vanilla, caramel, coffee | Sweet, cozy |
Concentration: why the same name smells different
Fragrances come in several strengths. Exact percentages vary by brand, but the usual order from strongest to lightest is extrait or parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, then eau de cologne. Stronger concentrations usually last longer and cost more per milliliter. The same perfume can smell slightly different in each version.
How to test properly
- Spray on a blotter strip to shortlist, then on your skin for the final choice.
- Test on pulse points such as the inner wrist; do not rub your wrists together.
- Wait at least 30 minutes, and ideally a few hours, before buying.
- Ask for a sample or buy a travel size before a full bottle.
Choosing for an occasion or season
Fresh and floral scents suit warm weather and offices; woody, amber and gourmand scents feel richer in fall and winter. In shared spaces, one or two sprays are enough.
Buying tips
- Buy from authorized retailers to avoid counterfeits, which are common online.
- Compare price per milliliter across sizes.
- Store bottles away from heat and sunlight to keep the scent stable.
Building a signature look? Pair your scent with a wardrobe that works, starting with our capsule wardrobe guide.
