Finding the right perfumes for women can be just as tricky as finding the right shade of foundation. You want a perfume that complements your style and personality. At the same time, you want a fragrance that lasts throughout the day and doesn’t dissipate within moments of applying. And it doesn’t end here. There are many more things that need to go right for you to find “the one”.
Whether you’re making your first perfume purchase or looking to expand your collection, we don’t want you to struggle. That’s why, in this perfume buying guide, we will break down seven simple steps for you to find the perfect perfume for your vanity. By the end of this guide, you’ll be making place on your dresser for a new bottle.
- Find Your Favourite Fragrance Family
All perfumes falls under a fragrance family. The most common fragrance families are floral, fresh, oriental and woody. If you like fresh flowers, then you’ll find yourself drawn towards floral scents like roses, jasmines and peonies. For instance, the Full Rose Eau de Parfum from The Body Shop is floral perfume. On the other hand, musk, amber and sandalwood notes belong to the family of woody perfumes. Sometimes, there can be an overlapping of families too, and that’s when your knowledge of fragrance notes will come in handy.
- It All Comes Down to the Notes
Every fragrance has three sets of notes- top, middle (heart) and base. Together, these notes make up the scent. The top notes are the initial scents you’ll smell and usually last for about 5 to 15 minutes. Then, the middle or heart notes take over and last about an hour. Finally, the base notes, which settle on your skin, come into the play and last for the duration of the wear. Some fragrances for her may open with fruity or floral notes before settling into spicy or woody notes.
- Determine Your Scent Profile
Now that you have a basic understanding of fragrance families and notes, finding your personal scent becomes a lot easier. Determining your scent profile will help you narrow down your options. Start by thinking about the kind of fragrance you like. Are you drawn towards fresh and citrusy scents or do you lean towards dark and spicy perfumes?
If you want a more evolved scent profile, you can also go for versatile perfumes like the White Musk Eau de Parfum from The Body Shop which has floral, sensual and clean notes that will leave you feeling empowered.
- Choose Your Concentration
Ever heard about the terms Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette or Eau de Cologne? If they all sound like fancy French to you, you’re not alone. These terms actually describe the concentration of perfume oils in a fragrance and determine its longevity and intensity. The higher the concentration, the longer the fragrance lasts. Let’s know the difference between them.
Eau de Parfum has about 15-20% concentration and even a couple of spritzes can last all day. Eau de Toilette, on the other hand, has an 8-15% concentration and lasts for about six to eight hours. Lastly, Eau de Cologne contains 2-5% perfume oils and thus, lasts only for 2 to 3 hours.
- Don’t Overlook the Occasion
When choosing a women perfume, keep in mind the occasion you’ll be wearing it to. If you’re heading out for a casual day outing, then invest in a light, refreshing fragrance with floral or citrusy notes like the Full Orange Blossom Eau de Parfum from The Body Shop. It blends notes of bergamot, orange blossom, neroli and vetiver to give a fresh, floral and citrusy fragrance.
On the other hand, if you’re going to a special occasion like a birthday or get-together, then pick warm, rich scents. You can never go wrong with woody or oriental scents that are known for their longevity.
- Select a Scent for the Season
Besides the occasion you’ll be wearing the perfume to, the ongoing season also matters. If spring is in bloom and summer is about to dawn, pick light and fresh scents that don’t feel overwhelming in the warm temperatures. While in the colder months, go for woody and spicy fragrances that add depth and crispness to the atmosphere. Ideally, you should have 2-3 fragrances in your vanity to keep up with the demands of the season.
- Always Try Before You Buy
Once you’ve shortlisted a few perfumes based on the fragrance family, notes and occasion, it’s time to put them to the test. Whether you decide to buy The Body Shop fragrances online or in-store, it is important to test the fragrance. If you’re buying at the store, use testers. If you’re ordering online, you can try minis or samples. Take your time with these perfumes, wear them for a day and see which feels like you in a bottle.
Final Thoughts
Buying a perfume for women is not as easy as going to a store, picking the first fragrance on the aisle and swiping your card. You must select the fragrance family and notes you prefer, choose the right concentration, consider the occasion and the season and finally, test the shortlisted perfumes. But all this effort pays well once you start receiving compliments for your fragrance.