Find Your Signature Scent

Why a “signature scent”?

Scent is the invisible accessory. It’s tied tightly to memory and mood, and catching a whiff of a fragrance you love throughout the day is pure joy. A signature scent doesn’t have to be one bottle forever - many women have a small wardrobe: something fresh for work, something warm for evenings.

Notes: the three-act story

A fragrance unfolds over time:

• Top notes - the first 5–15 minutes. Bright and fleeting: citrus, berries, herbs.
• Heart (middle) notes - the main character for a few hours: florals like rose, jasmine and peony, or spices.
• Base notes - the long, cosy finish: vanilla, musk, woods, amber, patchouli.

This is why you should never buy from the first sniff. The top notes are only the opening scene.

Fragrance families

Family	Smells like	Try if you love…
Floral	Roses, jasmine, peony, lily	Bouquets, spring, classic femininity
Fresh / citrus / aquatic	Lemon, bergamot, sea air, clean laundry	Light, sporty, everyday
Fruity	Pear, berries, peach	Playful and sweet
Gourmand	Vanilla, caramel, chocolate, coffee	Dessert, warmth, cosiness
Powdery	Iris, violet, baby powder, soft musk	Soft, clean, “makeup bag” vibes
Amber / oriental	Resin, spice, vanilla, incense	Rich, warm, evening
Woody / chypre	Sandalwood, cedar, moss, patchouli	Grounded and sophisticated

Concentrations (how strong and long-lasting)

From strongest to lightest: Parfum / extrait → Eau de parfum (EDP) → Eau de toilette (EDT) → Eau de cologne → Body mist. EDP is the usual sweet spot; body mists are cheap, fun and great for layering or a light office scent.

How to sample like a pro

1. Start on paper. Spray the testing strips, write the name on each, and wave them gently.
2. Three to four scents at a time - your nose gets tired after that. Sniffing coffee beans or the inside of your own elbow resets it.
3. Move your favourite to skin. Perfume smells different on everyone. Spray once on a pulse point (wrist, inner elbow) and don’t rub - it crushes the top notes.
4. Live with it for a day. Do you still love it at dinner time? That’s your answer.

Wearing it

• One to three sprays is usually plenty: neck, wrists or chest. If people can smell you from across the room, it’s a bit much.
• Spray after moisturiser - fragrance lasts longer on hydrated skin. A matching or unscented body lotion helps.
• Spray before you put on jewellery and silk scarves, to avoid staining.
• Store bottles somewhere cool, dark and dry, not the bathroom windowsill.