Hi DIMES! In general, I’m all about switching things up in my beauty routine. But when it comes to perfume, I like to have a signature scent. It’s another way for me to express myself and it gives me confidence! Today I’m here to help you find your signature scent because there is something so appealing about having a scent that is your own.
The way someone smells affects my first impression of them. I have always been into perfumes and body sprays, but never fully understood the details or complexity of the whole deal. And let me tell you guys… it gets REAL complicated! But no need to stress babes because I did all the research for you. I have taken what I learned and created this beginner’s guide to finding your signature scent, so you don’t have to. You’re welcome – enjoy! 😉
Understand The Types of Perfume
The types of perfumes differ simply in their concentrations of the actual perfume oil that’s mixed in with an alcohol solution/base. I’ve laid out the perfume types in order of strongest to weakest in terms of how long they last and how much actual perfume oil exists in the product.
- Perfume Oils/Rollerballs of Essential Oils: 100% concentration of perfume oil.
- Parfum: 15%-40% concentration of perfume oil.
- Eau de Parfum: 10%-20% concentration of perfume oil.
- Eau de Toilette: 4%-15% concentration of perfume oil.
- Eau de Cologne: 3%-5% concentration of perfume oil.
- Body Spray/Body Splash: 1%-3% concentration of perfume oil.
Keep in mind that the actual percentages vary quite a bit, but these are the averages.
Scent Preference – Find Your Signature Scent
What scents appeal to you in day to day life? Take a look at this list of the main perfume scents and see which ones stand out to you most.
The main scents:
- Citrus: A tangy aroma of citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, lime, and bergamot.
- Floral: Smells of fresh-cut flowers. such as rose, gardenia, lilies, peonies, etc. It’s both a classic and feminine choice.
- Fruity: Bright and familiar scents of fruits such as apples, peaches, berries, and mangos. Fruity scents are often combined with floral scents.
- Oriental: The most powerful of these categories – includes notes of musk, vanilla, and oriental resins. Think of incense sticks with a hint of spices such as pepper, cloves, or cinnamon.
- Woodsy: Another powerful scent category with a wide range of smells from spicy and dank to nutty and woody to fresh forest greens. Examples include notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, and other potent woody scents.
Test Test Test!
Now that you know what your general fragrance preference is, it’s time to look for scents in that family. Then, try out a few testers or go the old school route and search through magazines to find scent samples (that’s how I discovered my current favorite perfume Lancôme La Vie est Belle Eau De Parfum). Skip the paper testing strips and apply the fragrance samples directly to your skin. It’s important to allow the perfume to react with your body’s natural chemistry (pheromones) in order to get a full portrait of how the scent will develop over time on YOU.
My Personal Favorite Perfumes
- Lancôme La Vie est Belle Eau De Parfum – It’s a wonderfully warm and feminine fragrance that’s both sweet and floral.
- Jimmy Choo L’Eau Eau de Toilette – It’s very light, sweet, and not overpowering. I’m a big fan of the combination of musk and sweet/floral scents because it’s both sexy and strong.
- Philosophy Fresh Cream Spray Fragrance – I get so many compliments whenever I wear this perfume. It’s a very sweet smell kind of like a sugar cookie.
- Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette – A soft scent that’s great for day-to-day use. It’s sweet, floral, and citrusy.
Keep in mind that you want your scent to reflect your personality because others will associate the smell with memories of you. Now it’s time to begin your personal fragrance journey and find your signature scent. Let me know if this helped make it more enjoyable for you!
xoxo DD