How to test perfume correctly: tips and common mistakes

Buying perfume is an investment in your style. Proper testing will help you find out if the scent really suits your skin, lifestyle, and occasions. In this article, you'll find a simple guide on how to test like a pro, and what to look out for.

1. Prepare the skin

Before the test, take a shower and avoid perfumed body lotions or deodorants with strong scents. Clean skin is the basis for authentic fragrance expression .

2. How many sprays should I use?

Start with 1-2 sprays on clean skin. This is the perfect amount to test out before a meeting or work. Remember, less is more .

3. Where to apply perfume?

• wrist or forearm
• neck (back of the head)
• elbow pits (for longer durability)

Tip: don't rub your wrists together. This will disrupt the perfume molecules and the scent will develop differently.

4. Watch the scent evolve over time

• Head (0–30 min): first impression, citrus, spices, fresh notes
• Heart (30 min – 2 h): main character, flowers, fruits, spices
• Base (2–8 h): long-lasting accords – woods, amber, musk

Most common testing errors

1. Rubbing the skin: changes the structure of the scent.
2. Testing 5+ perfumes at once: your nose gets tired, you can't tell the differences.
3. Evaluation only from paper: the scent must develop on the skin.

Tips from the pros

• Test the scent twice on two different days (outdoors and indoors).
• Use a perfume sample so you have enough sprays to last you the whole day.
• Take notes – how the scent behaved, the reactions of those around you.

Recommended samples for testing

Fresh and clean

Sweet and warm

Niche and luxury

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