How to choose a niche perfume (even your first)

When choosing a niche fragrance, you start with what you already like, not the most famous fashion house: the perfume you use, a note you love, a memory. From there, you find the fragrance family, try two or three perfumes on your skin for a few hours, and decide carefully, preferably after trying a sample.

In the boutique, this is the first thing we ask: “What do you wear now?”. Even those who say “I don’t know anything about perfumes” already have a precise taste; they just don’t yet have the words to describe it.

1. Start with what you already use

The perfume you wear today, even if it’s a commercial one, says a lot: whether it’s fresh or sweet, floral or woody, subtle or bold. It’s the most reliable starting point. We talk about it in from commercial to niche.

2. Find your fragrance family

Citrus, floral, woody, amber, gourmand, aromatic: every family has its own character. You don’t need to know them all; it’s enough to understand which way your nose leads you. You’ll find a simple guide in navigating fragrance families.

• If you love fresh scents: a citrus fragrance like Silver Mountain Water by Creed or Erba Pura by Xerjoff.
• If you love flowers: a clean rose like Roses Musk by Montale.
• If you love sweet scents: a gourmand fragrance like Intense Café by Montale.
• If you want something that many people will like: Hacivat by Nishane, fresh and long-lasting.

3. Choose the concentration

Eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and extrait differ in longevity and presence. An eau de parfum is perfect for everyday wear; an extrait is for those who want the perfume to last a long time. All the differences are in the guide to fragrance concentrations.

4. Look at longevity and sillage

On our product pages, longevity and sillage are rated from 1 to 5. If you work in close contact with people, a subtle sillage is better; if you want to be noticed in the evening, a stronger sillage. The longest-lasting ones are in the niche perfumes that last the longest.

5. Try it on your skin, and wait

The first spray is almost always citrusy and bright, but it fades within a few minutes. The true perfume is what remains after an hour. Try at most two perfumes at a time, one on each wrist, and don’t decide right away.

6. Try a sample first

A niche fragrance is a major purchase: trying it at home for a few days helps you avoid making a mistake. In orders over €100, you’ll find 10 free samples, and the trial sizes are explained in samples.

Our advice

Don’t look for “the most beautiful perfume”: look for the one that suits you. If you want some extra help, the scent journey in the boutique is an hour dedicated to understanding your tastes, at your own pace.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best niche perfume to start with?

There isn’t one that suits everyone. A good first perfume is similar to one you already use, but more refined. Many start with a citrus or gourmand fragrance, as these are the easiest families to wear.

How do I figure out which niche perfume is right for me?

Start with what you like, choose a fragrance family, try it on your skin for a few hours, and see how it makes you feel. If after a day you’re still looking for it on your wrist, that’s a good sign.

How many perfumes can I try at once?

At most two or three, on your skin. After that, your nose gets tired and the perfumes blend together. It’s better to come back another day or use samples.

Are niche perfumes always unisex?

Often, yes: many fashion houses do not categorize perfumes by gender. What matters most is the fragrance family you love.