Ways to choose a perfume

Choosing a perfume is difficult because it is difficult to describe. We say “fresh,” “sweet,” “clean,” and everyone means something different. That is why, in the boutique, we never start with words: we start with what you have already loved.

1. Start with the perfumes you have already worn

Think of two or three perfumes you really liked, even years ago. Search for them on the website and look at their notes and scent profile: almost always you will find a common fragrance family. That is your starting point.

2. Look at the base, not just the opening

Top notes last only a few minutes; base notes stay all day. If a perfume has a base that does not appeal to you (too sweet, too woody, too musky), you are unlikely to fall in love with it.

3. Try it on your skin, not on paper

Paper tells you what the perfume is like; skin tells you how it is on you. Your body heat, hydration, and even what you eat change the way it develops. Spray it on your wrist or the crook of your elbow, do not rub it, and let it develop for at least a few hours.

4. Do not try too many at once

After three or four perfumes, your nose gets tired and everything blends together. It is better to try just a few, take your time, and try one each day if you can.

5. At home: use samples

This is the safest way to choose online. A sample allows you to wear the perfume for a full day, at the office, in the evening, and the next day on your clothes. Many of our perfumes have samples available for purchase directly on the product page, and with orders over a certain amount, we include complimentary samples.

6. Ask for advice

If you do not know where to start, the website’s guided consultation asks you a few questions (who it is for, when you will wear it, what you like) and suggests three perfumes, explaining why. Or write to us: we will respond personally, just like the people you meet in the boutique.

Frequently asked questions

How do you try a perfume the right way?

Spray it on your skin (wrist or the crook of your elbow), do not rub it, and wait at least an hour before deciding: the first spray only reveals the top notes.

How many perfumes can you try at once?

Three or four at most: otherwise your nose becomes saturated and the differences blend together. Between one perfume and the next, it helps to smell your own clean skin.

Can you choose a perfume online without smelling it?

Yes, by starting with the notes and fragrance family of perfumes you already love and trying a sample first. That way, you only choose the bottle after you have worn it.