The power of a fragrance should lift you up, enliven or empower you. It should evoke memories, a summer spent under the sun or perhaps a walk in autumnal woodlands. These are all very personal things which in turn make it tricky finding a signature perfume.
Firstly you need to understand what you want from a perfume either as the wearer or as the recipient of a gift. It's important to remember not to get drawn into gender fragrance. Some of the best ones are unisex. If you get it right, you’ve cracked it.
Perfume groups
The fragrance you or your partner already loves is going to be from one of the perfume families or a combination of two of them. However, the vast majority of us have one perfume group they particularly like. As long as you pick from this group, it’s hard to go wrong. It’s a simple science and with knowledge, you can ensure you buy the correct one.
There are fourteen perfume groups to consider but for sake of ease, you can break this down into four main groups, floral, oriental, woody and fresh. Each of these has their own subsections which overlap between the four main groups.
We’ve expanded the list so that when it comes to matching each individual group, we can present you with the perfect fragrance.
Floral
One of the most popular fragrances which covers the gamut of all things flowers, evoking summer meadows full of blooms.Oriental
These are inspired by Indian and Arabic exotic scents. We put these as fragrances for special occasions, going out in the evening. The ingredients are seductive and include sandalwood, vanilla, and amber.Woody
Think autumnal woods, roaring fires, incense with ingredients such as patchouli and notes of cedar.Fresh
Or in other words, the citrus family, featuring lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit and the like. Think Italian riviera.Sub families
Fougere
These are generally greener scents where lavender, vetiver, oakmoss and other herby notes feature.Chypre
These are feminine, sophisticated, complicated and rare, marrying a woody, warm and dry smell with elements of the other fragrance families.Gourmand
All the fun of the kitchen in a bottle with notes of caramel, chocolate, sweets, toffee.Top tips for buying fragrance as a gift
Detective work
You need to be a bit sneaky here and check out the fragrances the recipient likes. Find out which brand they use and hopefully the results will guide you to the correct fragrance group. You want to find a fragrance that is a better version of what they already have.
Research
We've mentioned the perfume groups which should be your first point of action. If citrus based fragrances are popular, you could push the boundaries a litte and wander into crossover floral territory. Fragrantica is a brilliant online resource for increasing your knowledge and read reviews by popular beauty bloggers.If you’re trying fragrances in store, don't over test your senses as your noise switches off after five to ten different scents, much the same as our taste buds at a wine tasting.
Buying fragrance
Once you've done your research, you can now consider purchasing a fragrance. Fortunately, you'll find a wide selection of perfumes on sale at Notino, who not only make online shopping a breeze but also offer great discounts.
Home to some of the best deals on perfume and beauty products, Notino showcases top designer fragrances with great discounts.
Aromatic:
Armani Emporio Stronger With You
This is an uplifting Eau de Toilette for the modern man, an interpretation of confident elegance and careless nonchalant youth. Top notes include a combination of cardamom, pink pepper, and violet leaves.
And you can do matchy matchy with the fragrance's feminine version too, Armani Emporio Because It’s You, as the fragrances complement each other.
Floral:
Gucci Bloom Profumo di Fiori
You'll find yourself in a dreamy garden with this floral fragrance. Sweet jasmine and white tuberose jostle for attention with ylang-ylang and sandalwood adding more depth.
Oriental:
Calvin Klein Obsession
An intoxicating cocktail of flowers, exotic spices and warming wood make for an intense fragrance, suitable for wearing in the evening and at special occasions.
Fresh:
Acqua di Gio Giorgio Armani
Reminiscent of summer holidays by the sea, this fragrance was inspired by the Sicilian island of Pantelleria. It’s uplifting and stimulating, perfect when you need a pick-me-up. Such is this fragrance’s success, it was first launched in 1995 and is still going strong.
Fragrance guide
What are the components of a fragrance, you might ask? Principally it’s a mixture of alcohol and water to which essential oils and natural and synthetic fragrances are added to.
Here’s a quick guide that explains the different types of women's perfume.
Parfum:
The most potent concentration of a high end luxury fragrance.Eau de Parfum (EDP):
You’ll find this available in high street fragrances. Use sparingly in the evenings or at special occasions.
Eau de Toilette (EDT):
This is the most popular type of fragrance. It contains a high percentage of water and is normally presented in spray/spritz form. This is what you’d wear every day.Eau de Cologne:
This is weaker than Eau de Toilette and less common these days. You’d normally splash this on wrists or neck.Eau Fraiche:
The weakest form of fragrance which can sometimes be termed as ‘mist.’ It’s perfect for summer and provides a light scent.How to make fragrance last longer
Fragrance reacts differently from person to person, sometimes lasting much longer than on others. The oilier your skin, the less perfume you need for the scent to be impactful, and the longer the scent will last. With drier skin, you’ll probably need to spritz more often. Also top notes of a fragrance leave your skin first, so it's worth noting what the base notes are.
Follow these tips and tricks to make scent last longer
Apply after a shower or bath as the moisture in your skin gives the fragrance something to cling on to. This helps boost its staying power.
Moisturise your skin with a great product and this acts as a primer to make the fragrance stick.
Use products from the same fragrance range before applying fragrance. You can also apply some Vaseline to pulse points before spritzing., helping the fragrance last all day long.
Apply to pulse points such as nape of your neck, inside of elbows, wrists, back of knees as here your temperature fluctuates.
Don't rub the perfume in to your skin.
How long does fragrance last in a bottle
Its potency lessens with time and the general rule of thumb is that the better the quality, the longer the fragrance will last. Most perfumes don't have an expiry date. Parfumiers say that perfumes with heavier base notes last the longest (that's your oriental, patchouli, amber groups) while fragrances with lighter base notes such as citrus, green and florals, don't last as long as the solution is more volatile. These top notes can oxidise, giving off a slightly mettalic off scent.
Storage
Don't store your fragrance in direct sunlight, heat or humidity. A bedside table draw or shaded shelf/cupboard is the best place. Unopened fragrance last for years if stored correctly.
In summary
You've got the knowledge now and can buy fragrance confidently whether for yourself or as a gift. Enjoy your adventure to find your new perfume.
September 2022
By Team GWG
In collaboration with Notino
