The first step is to identify the main fragrance families. These are the broadest categories, and each one has its own unique characteristics. Once you know which family you prefer, you can start to narrow things down.
The most common fragrance families are:
Floral: As the name suggests, floral scents are dominated by flowers. They can be light and airy, or rich and heady, but they always have a strong floral component.
Fruity: Fruity scents are, unsurprisingly, dominated by fruit notes. They can be sweet or tart, and sometimes have a floral component as well.
Oriental: Oriental scents are often heavy and exotic, with strong spices like cloves or cardamom. They can also be sweet, like vanilla or amber.
Woody: Woody scents are dry and often earthy, with strong notes of wood like cedar or sandalwood. They can also have a green component, like pine or juniper.
Now that you know the main fragrance families, it’s time to start thinking about what you like in a scent. Do you prefer something light and fresh, or something rich and heady? Something sweet or something spicy? Something floral or something woody?
Once you’ve decided on the general type of scent you’re looking for, it’s time to start testing things out. The best way to do this is to go to a store that specializes in perfume, and ask for samples. Most stores will be happy to give you a few sample strips to take home and try out.
When you’re testing out a perfume, it’s important to give it a few minutes to settle on your skin. Perfume interacts with the natural oils in your skin, and it can take a few minutes for the full effect to be apparent. So don’t judge a perfume too quickly – wait at least five minutes before making your decision.
Once you’ve found a few perfumes you like, it’s time to start thinking about price. Perfume is a luxury item, so it’s important to set a budget before you start shopping. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and spend more than you intended, so it’s best to have a firm number in mind before you start looking.
Once you’ve found the perfect perfume for you, it’s important to take care of it properly. Perfume is best stored in a cool, dark place – sunlight and heat can cause the scent to deteriorate over time. And don’t forget to keep the cap tightly closed when you’re not using it – otherwise the scent will evaporate and be wasted.