Making a good impression is more than just looking nice. Smelling nice can also make you stand out from the crowd. However, choosing a fragrance isn’t always simple.

A scent should provide an initial impression of your identity. This is in addition to expressing the various aspects of your personality. So it’s wise to give it some thought! 

Here is our guide to choosing your signature scent at https://www.mensfragrance.co.uk/. After reading it, you’ll be well on your way to being an expert at identifying your ideal fragrance.

Understand the differences between different fragrances

The word “fragrance” is a generic, unisex phrase for perfume. It can go by many names. However, it usually fits into one of these categories:

Eau de Cologne, or Cologne

This is the oldest word for perfume. It is used to describe manly fragrances in North America. Usually made out of 2-4% perfume oils in alcohol and water, it is light, fruity, and fresh. This term is mostly seen in scents for younger consumers. Cologne often lasts for 2 hours or so.

Eau de Parfum, or perfume

This is the ideal term for defining a fragrance. It was historically used to describe both men’s and women’s products. It lasts for roughly 5-8 hours and contains 15-20% pure scent essence.   

Eau Fraiche

This is the most diluted kind of fragrance. It typically contains 1-3% perfume oil in alcohol and water. It lasts less than an hour on average. 

Toilette (Eau de Toilette)

This refers to a light mist made of 5–15% alcohol-dissolved pure perfume essence. It usually lasts for 3 hours or so.

Parfum

This is a mispronunciation of the Latin expression per fumum, which means “through smoke.” It is the priciest and most potent scent available. Parfum (or perfume, you see how these names get mixed up!) is a little oilier and contains 20–30% pure perfume essence. The duration of a single application is up to 24 hours.   

Examine the notes

The life cycle of fragrances is divided into three stages. Visualize an evaporating pyramid, with the top gradually vanishing until you reach the base. What you smell is a combination of distinct notes or fragrances. They are found in each of the three regions.

The majority of perfumes are composed of three distinct note types: top, midrange, and base notes.

Top note

This is the fragrance’s first, milder scent that reaches the nose right after skin application. The high note lasts from 15 minutes to 2 hours. Typical top notes include citrus, fruity, powdery, marine, aquatic, and spices like cinnamon. It also consists of a variety of delicate floral smells.

Medium-sized note

Also known as the heart or middle notes. The fragrance’s focal point is highlighted in the middle note. Middle notes can linger for 3-5 hours after being sprayed, developing after the top note clears. They build onto each other after the top note. 

The most common heart notes include:

• Greener fragrances like grass or stone. 
• Stronger floral notes like jasmine.
• Fruity aromas like berries.
• Spices like clove and cinnamon.

Base note

These scents are typically the last to mature. They are the strongest ones that emerge later in the day. The base notes set the tone and will dictate how long the scent lingers on your skin. Usually, they last 5-10 hours. 

Common base notes include sandalwood, leather, tar, vetiver, moss, musk, smoke, and tobacco.

Therefore, the fragrance you wear will fluctuate over time as certain aromas fade and others become more noticeable. This is crucial to keep in mind when trying to identify a distinctive smell. 

Know the seasonality of fragrance families

The weather DOES affect how you perceive a perfume and how it works on your skin. So, it’s important to take that into account when selecting a scent, both while you’re trying it on and when you wish to use it.

Heat causes molecules to evaporate more quickly. This enhances the smell notes and speeds up their “bloom” on the skin. Top and heart notes last longer in colder climates. This is because the rate of evaporation is slowed down. You may also notice that your smell doesn’t project as much during the winter months.

However, sometimes, the sensation that certain scents arouse is more important than simply how long they remain on your skin. Wearing a scent that conjures images of cashmere or velvet and roaring log fires on a hot day can feel a lot like wearing a heavy jumper in the summer.

The greatest summer fragrances include green and aquatic notes. This is different from what works in winter (warming tobacco, leather, or spice). The same is true for fall (patchouli, musk, and vanilla). Typical spring fragrances include floral or citrus notes. Some of them may function well throughout the year, or at least for half of it.

Choose between designer and niche fragrances

The majority of stores sell designer fragrances. Armani, Chanel, Burberry, and other designer labels produce them. Each bottle of these scents ranges in price from £25-150. 

These scents are usually safer (that is, they avoid intense emotions) and designed for a broad audience. They also frequently use less expensive materials to reduce expenses and facilitate mass production.

On the other hand, niche scents are created using more costly and superior ingredients. These perfumes are designed by artists in the industry for a more discerning clientele who wants to wear something strong or unusual. Not all people will find niche scents as appealing as designer scents. 

Rather, the creators acknowledge that the strong fragrances may not appeal to everyone. They are suitable for a scent enthusiast who wants to push the envelope. They can cost more than £50 or hundreds of euros.

Takeaway hints

• The best person to decide which perfume is right for you is you.
• Gift smells go unused for years for a reason, so don’t allow others to make your decision.
• Rather, use other people’s perspectives to support or challenge your choice.
• The most effective way to discover a new scent is to personally test the perfume over the course of a day. This way, you will see if it blends well with your natural body odor.