Although perfume testing can be fun, it doesn’t honestly tell us what the scent is like.
For instance, did you ever buy a fragrance after testing but didn’t like it afterward? I have been there as well.
But without knowing how to properly taste a fragrance, you might end up buying a scent that doesn’t suit you in the long run.
Don’t worry! I have gathered everything you need to know about perfume testing, so just keep scrolling to learn about them.
How to Properly Test a Fragrance?
Perfume testing in stores can be deceiving. For example, few sniffs can’t help you deduce the scent’s nature. Also, you only smell the top notes on the first spritz; you must let the fragrance settle to smell the middle and base notes. Therefore, it’s essential to test a perfume.
Start by choosing your one to test and then spray either your wrist or back of the hand in a downward motion. Two spritzes should do it. Drop your hand to your side and wait at least 30 seconds for the scent to settle on your skin. Once it has started to dry, bring your hand up and inhale.
How to Test Fragrance Like An Expert
Tell me if this has ever happened to you: you have gone to a store and tried a perfume that you absolutely hated but loved later or vice versa?
As a result, you may wonder why you feel so inconsistent with a simple fragrance. Here’s the thing, scents are anything but simple. So you are bound to have a rollercoaster relationship with them.
Therefore, the testing of fragrance is pretty intricate and complicated.
Moreover, a lot of kind of confounding variables go into when you test a scent. So it’s imperative that you properly test out your fragrance to determine whether you like the aroma or not.
Have some time to spare? Check out- Deodorant vs. Perfume
Here are some tips to help you test fragrances:
Skin Test
You truly get the essence of the fragrance when you apply it to your skin. So spray it on the back of your hand to check if you hate or love the scent. Also, you should spray perfume where the skin texture is similar to where you’d generally spritz it –wrist, elbow, or neck.
Test One Fragrance at a Time
You should always try one fragrance at a time to avoid scents being intertwined. Because when too many different scents interact, you can’t get a clear aroma. As a result, you don’t end up with a good idea of what each fragrance smells like.
Therefore, you should give a proper wearing dedicated to scents individually.
Try in Various Environments
Fragrances are often created according to weather or where you are at. For instance, some perfumes you may adore in summer but can’t bear in winter.
On the other hand, some fragrances are great for outdoor events but harsh for indoor activities.
So, try out a scent by wearing it a little to check which environment it is suitable for. It is because you never know what fragrance shines in what circumstances.
Clear Skin
Perfumes definitely smell way different on our skin than on a piece of paper. In other words, particles interact and influence how a scent develops in our skin.
Similarly, what you have eaten might influence the sweat, and once that comes in contact with a fragrance – you get a completely new aroma.
Furthermore, if there’s already a scent on the skin, then cluelessly layering it with a fragrance that doesn’t go with it can result in a disastrous aroma.
As a result, when you test a fragrance on clear skin, you get a clean slate on whether the scent is for you.
Test on Clothes
Perfumes do last longer on clothes. However, dupe fragrances smell better on clothes than on skin. Therefore, it’s safer to test scents on your skin and clothes.
Test According to the Time of Day
Some fragrances may be appropriate for the daytime and some for the evening. For example, light citrusy scents are suitable for offices. Whereas heavy, spicy aromas are great for date nights.
Test more than Once
Make sure you test a fragrance more than once. It’s important to smell a scent in different scenarios and environments to get a feel for it. So try fragrance once and return to it after a while – a few days, a week, or a month.
It is because your nose will develop, or the perfume itself may change. Therefore, if you are unsure about a particular fragrance, sniff it again in a little while and see how you feel about it.
Above all, scents change and develop over time – niche fragrances with natural ingredients will morph as time goes on. So you can’t get a consistent aroma during its lifeline.
Don’t Overspray
By over-spraying, you are potentially ruining a scent. As a result, you will find an unfamiliar overloaded aroma that you will eventually resent.
Therefore, 2 sprays are fine for heavy fragrances, or 5 sprays if the scent is light.
In short, don’t be like “yeah, I like this scent” and hit 20 spritzes– that can be catastrophic. Most importantly, you got to try to work with your fragrance to recognize it as your signature scent.
However, if you have a scent upon the first spritz, then there’s no point in dwelling much on it.
How to Test Multiple Perfumes?
Perfumes have this incredible hold on us; without being visible, an aroma can make us beautiful, confident, bold, and so much more. So, I know the excitement of smelling a fragrance at the first chance you get.
Plus, everyone deserves a signature scent, so it’s a mission and a personal journey to find the right fragrance.
But you got to hold your horses and don’t put so much pressure on your nose by overdosing it with tons of scents simultaneously. To clarify, too many fragrances can cloud your judgment, and you won’t know for sure which perfume to choose at the end.
First of all, it’s ideal for testing one or two fragrances when you are at a store.
Second, spray two scents on each of your hands and sniff one, then take some time to sniff the other one.
Lastly, do not layer scents when checking out fragrances because you will just mix them and produce something completely new.
Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Buy Vintage Perfume?
How to Test Perfume at Home?
It’s okay to prefer testing perfumes at home rather than in stores. For instance, you get a cleaner environment – not dosed in multiple scents like in stores.
Moreover, fragrance subscriptions are a fantastic way to get designer fragrances delivered to your home.
However, without testing a scent, you can’t judge it or accept it. But testing fragrances are easy, and you don’t have to do anything different.
For example, test the scent one at a time on your bare skin, on your clothes, or spritz it around your room.
How to Test Perfume in Stores?
For the longest time, we have been spending time and money on stores like Sephora or perfume boutiques to discover the fragrance of our soul.
Also, you may have been trying the usual way of testing perfumes. And getting disappointed with what you bring home? It is because you have been sniffing it all wrong.
Here’s how you test a fragrance in a store:
- Spray Blotter
First, you take a blotter and spray the scent on it, right? It’s perfectly fine because you are on the right track.
As a result, you get the fragrance’s first impression, which will give you an idea of the scent profile, structure, and category. And you can go from there to check whether the scent profile fits your taste. For example, if the perfume can be fruity floral, spicy, etc.
Most importantly, you only smell the opening from the blotter – the top notes.
- Smell the Cap
You have to try perfume caps to smell the dried-down scent. So you will get a better idea of what the scent smells like when it settles and other notes surfaces.
Plus, sometimes the opening of a scent can be harsh and synthetic but dried down can ve pretty beautiful.
- Don’t Smell more than 3 Fragrances
Make sure, no matter how tempted you get, don’t test more than 3 fragrances.
In other words, your nose is overstimulated when you are in a perfume store. It is because there are lots of fragrances sprayed from people around you.
As a result, your nose will lose its receptors and stop picking up the fragrance of your choice correctly.
Also, check our latest investigation- How to Find Your Signature Scent?
How to Test Longevity of Perfume?
The longevity of a fragrance has been a concern for the longest time. You wouldn’t want your perfume to wear off in just a couple of hours, right?
- Check Concentration
So, fragrances come with different oil concentrations. And usually, the higher the concentration, the longer it lasts. Therefore generally, go with the strongest version to have a long-lasting scent. Here is the list:
Eau de Cologne – weakest
Eau de Toilette – Second weakest
Eau de Parfum – High concentration
Parfum – Even higher concentration
Pure Perfume Oil – The highest concentration
- Check the Fragrance Structure
Suppose you see a fragrance that consists of vanilla, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, and tobacco – instantly, you can be sure that these notes last long. On the other hand, scents with fresh, fruity, and floral notes don’t last long.
So check the molecular structure for longevity, like rich, thick, and spicy fragrance.
- Whole Day Test
Wear a scent on the top of your hand and go on with your day. And check how long the aroma sticks to your skin to conclude its longevity.
Meanwhile, you can check two scents simultaneously by spraying them separately on each of your hands.
Scent to Test
Perfume is a very personal choice for every individual. That is to say, when we wear a fragrance– it’s always of our taste and reflects our personality.
On top of that, fragrances cost a lot, so it can be painful if you don’t invest in the right one.
Therefore, you must adequately check a fragrance to understand its characteristics. After that, you can determine if a scent is for you or not.
Also, check our latest investigation Should You Wear Perfume to School?
In conclusion, always test a fragrance and then invest in it.
I hope you found the article helpful, and do share your thoughts in the comment section below.
