Fragrance is like an accessory — it can elevate your wardrobe and add the perfect finishing touch to your look. Whether you’re building your fragrance collection from scratch or just adding to what you already have, here are some expert tips from perfumers about how to build the perfect collection.
1. Know Your Scent Preferences
A fragrance wardrobe is much like a closet full of staple clothing basics that can be mixed and matched to fit any occasion or mood. Just as jeans and a white shirt are perfect for an office meeting, but not so great for a glitzy party, having a variety of perfumes lets you express the different parts of your personality in a way that feels unique to you.
Start by creating a list of perfumes that you love and those that you dislike. This will help you narrow down your search pool and save time testing scents that you won’t end up liking. Additionally, this list can serve as a guide to the type of perfumes you should try in the future. For example, if all of the fragrances you dislike contain fruity florals, you should focus your perfume testing on other categories. You may find that you love vanilla or tonka bean fragrances instead.
2. Consider the Seasons
Scents can be influenced by the seasons, so it’s important to consider this when building your fragrance collection. In the warmer months, try lighter scents like floral, citrus, or green. In cooler weather, opt for spicier or more musky perfumes. By considering the season, you can create a well-rounded collection that will suit any occasion.
Having multiple perfumes in your collection allows you to switch between them depending on your mood. For example, you might want something more powerful and masculine for work or meetings, and a lighter, fresher scent for date night.
This way, you’ll always have a perfect fragrance to match your mood. By following these tips, you can easily build a fragrance collection that will suit your individual tastes and preferences. Just remember to be open to trying new fragrances and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone! You never know when you’ll find your next signature scent.
3. Explore Different Brands
Just like your wardrobe, you need a variety of perfumes to suit different situations. That’s why it’s important to have a few day scents, evening scents, and fragrances that can be layered together.
It’s also a good idea to explore different brands of perfume. This will give you a more diverse collection and allow you to find the right perfume for your skin type. If you’re not sure where to start, try reading reviews from perfume blogs. However, be careful because many of these blogs are geared towards sales and may not provide an accurate picture of the fragrance’s true scent.
Building your fragrance collection is a fun way to express your personality and style. So go ahead and stock up on a few new scents, but don’t forget to include your signature scent!
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Scents
Fragrance is an important part of your personal style, and creating the perfect collection will take time. It’s important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your fragrance wardrobe. Take your time and smell many scents before making a purchase.
As you start sorting through your current collection, keep in mind that it’s okay to let go of perfumes that no longer speak to you. When evaluating your perfumes, consider making three piles: keep, donate/sell, and toss. This will help you focus on the scents that truly make you feel good and reflect your personality.
Fragrance is an important part of your style and personality, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new scents, like billie eilish launch of a new fragrance. It can be difficult to know what will work for you, but it’s worth the effort in the end when you find a perfume that truly fits your personal style and mood.
It’s also a good idea to experiment with different concentrations, like eau de parfum and eau de toilette, as each has a different level of fragrance oils. This will help you find the perfect balance between a light, airy scent and a rich, bold perfume.
Once you’ve established a few scents you love, it’s time to evaluate your collection and sort through it to determine what scents no longer bring you joy. Be sure to set aside any fragrances that you no longer enjoy to donate or sell. This will help keep your collection fresh and free of unused bottles.
5. Layer More Than One Perfume
Fragrance layering can be a great way to create a unique signature scent that is completely your own. To get started, try layering two perfumes that share similar base notes. This will help to keep the fragrances from clashing and create a more complex, long-lasting smell.
You can also experiment with different perfume concentrations to find a balance that is right for you. When layering, it is best to start with the heaviest scent first and then add in lighter scents on top. This will allow the heaviest perfume to “cook” on the skin before adding in the more subtle scents.
Additionally, you can experiment with spraying the perfumes on different areas of your body to see how they interact with each other. For example, you can try spraying one perfume on your wrist and another on your neck to see how they blend together without physically mixing on the skin.
6. Don’t Limit Yourself to One Brand
Many people think of a signature perfume as a wardrobe staple, but we’re in an age when fragrances can be more playful. You can layer multiple scents or mix and match different types of perfumes to create a unique, personalized smell.
A single scent may not express every facet of your personality or complement all occasions, so a collection is an ideal way to find options for all situations. Plus, it can be fun to play with the same fragrance in different concentrations and formulations.
One of the best ways to build your fragrance collection is by using scent discovery boxes or brand-specific sets to try new smells, says Sivrican. This way, you can discover what works for you and what doesn’t—without spending a lot of money. Another great option is to host a Bring A Bottle perfume garden party with friends so everyone can try different scents and swap them if they don’t work out.
7. Consider Your Skin Chemistry
Fragrance is an intimate and personal thing, so it’s natural that your body chemistry might affect the way a perfume smells on you. This is why many perfumers test their creations on a variety of skin types and textures.
The amount of hydroxyl on your skin is a big factor in this, as is your natural oils and pH balance. This all makes it difficult to predict how a fragrance will smell on you.
Layering perfumes can help with this, too. You can try a perfume and then apply another of the same family over it to intensify the scent and create your own signature stamp. Alternatively, you could also experiment with different concentrations of perfume, such as an eau de parfum and an eau de toilette. Both will have a different level of raw materials, meaning they will last longer and project differently on your skin. This is a great way to experiment with different scents and find the ones that work best for you.
8. Keep an Open Mind
Just like your wardrobe, you need to carefully curate fragrances that can be worn in a variety of situations. Having a few options means that you can always find a perfume to suit your mood, and even change things up by layering different scents together.
Consider having a Night Out scent, a Date fragrance, and a Special Occasion fragrance. This will give you something to wear when you want to feel more sexy and confident, as well as something that’s suitable for important occasions such as weddings or family gatherings.
Building your fragrance collection can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be tricky to navigate. Remember to keep an open mind and experiment with different scents to find what works for you, and don’t be afraid to try new products and brands. Also, make sure to store your fragrances properly by keeping them away from heat and sunlight.
