Since you have already discovered in our previous article what are the different types of perfumes and which are the dissimilarities between them, it’s high time to go on with the selection of the best one. No need to mention that the perfume’s role is more than just associating us with a certain aroma. It’s all about seducing, slightly flirting, and boosting confidence in ourselves. Let’s all admit it. Forgetting to wear a scent when leaving the house is like forgetting a part of us and we might feel incomplete, especially when we are truly perfume-addicted. So, how exactly do we choose it? I’ve mentioned in the previous article that every fragrance opens up differently for different persons. It is unlikely that the Million of Paco Rabanne will leave exactly the same scent on your BFF as on you. Therefore, the question is: How to select it wisely and be sure that you come across that irresistible and passionate aroma turning all the eyes on you?
A scent like no other
More than just simply opening an aroma, your fragrance opens up your personality. It is like a confession of who you are and how you feel. So your perfume should match your personality and inner spirit. You are unique, and so your perfume should be. Among hundreds of overwhelming aromas, it gets tough to pick the right one, especially when your mood is swinging and you don’t know what character trait characterizes you the most. With this ultimate guide, you will become more confident in your selection.
Unveiling your personality
Regardless of the scent you opt for, one thing remains unchanged: the aroma you leave behind should unveil your temperament and increase your courage. To begin with, let’s “tidy up” the information about different olfactory groups and place them into categories. Further on, you will be able to choose which category resonates with you the most and you would like to express it more stronger:
- Oriental group: this group refers to aromas with strong tempting and sensual notes. Most commonly, these are chosen by personalities with enigmatic spirits, wanting to seduce through their delicate, yet sensual temperament. Aromas in this category include vanilla, musk, and spices.
- Woody group: aromas from this group resonate with adventurous people full of courage. In this category usually enter the cedar, patchouli, or sandalwood.
- Hesperides group: the common scents from this group are perfect to emphasize the energy of dynamic, active, and always joyful persons. Traditionally, fresh citrus aromas describe this group like no others.
- Aromatic group: this one is close to the previous one since it also describes energy and extroverted personalities. However, it does not include citric aromas in favor of rosemary or lavender, which are recommended for slightly mature persons.
- Floral group: aromas from this group describe happiness, vividness, and affection. This group resonates perfectly with warm-hearted, tender, and simply sweet persons. Jasmine, iris, or lily of the valley- all come from this group.
- Chypre group: probably the strongest group of aromas. This class harmonies perfectly with authentic and strong temperaments, full of elegance and seduction. Frequently met notes in this group are patchouli and bergamot.
Take a moment to contemplate this listing. Try to hear yourself and reflect on what part of your spirit you want to highlight the most. Think about where you plan to wear your perfume and what the circumstances are. Maybe you want to have a perfume resonating with specific environments. If it’s a cocktail night, you might want to emanate chypre notes more than woody notes. So, it’s time to have a conversation with the inner you.
Take age into account
Apart from the specific olfactory groups to rely on, you should also consider your age. I always recommend that when talking about perfumes, even though many people don’t find it necessary. I do. And I suggest you do the same. Although no specific rules are available, perfumes seem to somehow adapt to the temperament of the owner. Not in vain fragrances for young ladies mostly include light notes of honeysuckle, for instance. Simply because this aroma resonates with the energy specific to the age. In contrast, a 20-year-old young lady is in her full potential of spiritual dynamism and beauty. In such a context, a scent opening up the fusion between subtle femininity and a carefree spirit would be more than perfect. Looking from another perspective, a 30-years-old lady is all about passion, seduction, and intellectual maturity. No other than the aroma revealing intense mystery, flirt, and elegance would be more appropriate for her.
So, we go back to the previous idea of contemplating the moment. Stop all the activities you perform and talk to yourself. Try to figure out for a moment whom you resonate the most with. Is it with the youngish adventurous spirit? Or with the beauty of an elegant and seductive maturity?
Female perfume, male perfume, or unisex?
I bet you didn’t expect such a question and you can’t even imagine what it refers to. But, here is a little secret you have to know. During the creation process of the aroma, the perfumer doesn’t split the fragrance into male or female. He is an artist, he just creates perfumes by combining different ingredients. It’s the marketing that sets aromas apart into masculine and feminine, in fact. Scents with strong aromas of tobacco or leather are more attractive to men. In contrast, light notes of wood or floral notes are traditionally more appealing for women.
At the same time, we can disregard the fact that many women are attracted to tobacco scents since they feel more potent and confident. Such a scent is especially welcome when having a high-positioned job and having to express the strength of character and resistance. In case male perfumes sound too unusual for a lady, a unisex perfume might also be an option. These are well-balanced between strong and mild scents, so they are frequently seen as a win-win solution.
The perfume notes have a lot to tell
While picking a perfume, don’t forget about considering the olfactory pyramid. Why do I insist on that so much?- you would ask. Simply because we don’t have just one character trait. We have a lot of them. We can be innocent, adventurous, elegant, shiny, and passionate- all at the same time. So, how would you expect your perfume to open up that multi-faceted personality at once? The answer is: based on the notes pyramid.
As you might already know, most perfumes unveil 3 types of notes: base, heart, and top notes. The first one to express is the top note and is usually the most potent one. After a while, the heart note unveils, expressing the true value of the perfume. The base notes are the last to express and are those that associate with the sillage, or the trait you leave behind.
So, it’s up to you to select the pyramid you like the most. What really matters is to wait a couple of minutes until the perfume reveals all its notes. Only by giving it time will you be able to detect the full aromatic potential of a perfume.
Eco-friendly perfume
It might sound weird, I know. But, we have to take it into account when selecting the best perfume. No specific instructions here. All you need is to read the label of the fragrance. An environmentally friendly product should not contain UV filters or controversial dyes. The minimum you can do is opt for recyclable bottles to support environmental sustainability. In a perfect scenario, a refillable bottle would solve all environmental issues. So, if you have the chance to use one, you have all my admiration.
How many perfumes should you have?
As many as possible. Considering the multi-faced personalities we all have, owning several perfumes is a great idea. Remember that fragrances usually reflect our state of mind. And our state of mind is never linear; it changes swinging back and forth in accordance with the dynamic lifestyle. So, having different aromas in your collection is a good option to show the different parts of your personality. In addition, you should create your small fragrance collection to be prepared for any type of event or circumstance. For the office environment, go for a hesperidic fragrance to keep you energized. Similarly, use an oriental scent to envelope yourself in a seductive and enigmatic charisma when planning to attend a night event. So, you interchange your aromas depending on the environment you are in. This is how you can adapt and reveal the full potential of your personality.
Don’t disregard the seasons of the year
I hope you share the same opinion that a refreshing citrus aroma is not the best option for an autumn walk. Hopefully, you got the idea. You should always consider the season of the year and opt for woody, gourmand, and spicy notes when it’s about winter or fall. Similarly, you adapt the fragrance in favor of citrus and floral notes when it comes to spring and winter.
Bottom line
Have I structured the ”mess” in your head a little bit, at least? Truly hope so. Choosing the right aroma is never easy, especially when we have to select only one single perfume. It would be great to have the opportunity of choosing as many perfumes as we want, wouldn’t it? Either way, I hope these instructions have brought a little light on the matter. Don’t rush into the first shop to buy the first perfume you see on the shelf only because it is on discount. Talk to yourself. Listen to your personality voice. And choose wisely. I wish that your perfume makes people turn their heads on you, as you really deserve to be admired.