Avoid These Perfume-Picking Mistakes to Find the Right Fragrance

Choosing the right perfume is more difficult than you think.

Maybe you think that’s a load of rubbish. It’s as simple as picking out something that smells alright and buying it, right?

Wrong! In fact, that’s the first mistake that you’re making when you buy perfume. You’re assuming you don’t have to put much thought into it.

That’s how you end up with a fragrance that sits on the shelf after one or two uses because it doesn’t really suit you.

In this article, we’re going to cover some of the other mistakes that you might not even know that you’re making.

Mistake #1 – Thinking There’s Such a Thing as Too Strong

This one might sound a little strange. Almost everybody has that experience of running into a fragrance and thinking that it’s too powerful for them.

That’s not the case.

What you need to understand is that there are years of lifetime experience that goes into your fragrance preferences. The perfumes that your family wore and the smells you remember in your childhood are more influential than you realise.

When you smell something that’s “too strong” you’re actually smelling something that you’re not really familiar with. Your nose is trying to get used to these unfamiliar smell, which can be an overpowering experience on its own.

So, we recommend that you take a step back after thinking that something’s “too strong”. Come back to it a little later and give it another try. You may find that your increased familiarity helps you to unlock the fragrance’s true potential.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll think it’s the right one. But writing a perfume off after one smell means you may end up missing out on something great.

Mistake #2 – Buying Based on the Packaging

A quick browse through our catalogue will show you bottle after bottle of gorgeous-looking perfume.

But looks aren’t what you’re going for when you’re buying a fragrance. Despite this, every manufacturer tries to make their scents look as classy as possible. You’ve seen the ads for different perfumes on TV. They’re filled with models doing model things while the voiceover tries to create an air of mystery.

That’s all there to create a preconceived notion of what the perfume is.

Your goal is to look past that preconception so that you can make a choice based on your nose alone. Let the fragrance do the talking, instead of the marketing people.

Mistake #3 – Not Buying Based on Your Lifestyle

Different scents have a range of effects on you.

For example, a rose-scented perfume may make you feel sleepy. That’s fine if you’re looking to relax after a hard day at work. But if you’re buying a perfume for the office, that sleepiness is the last thing you want.

You need a fragrance that’s going to help you feel alert and ready to take on the day. It’s got to be something that refreshes and excites you.

The point we’re making is that it comes down to more than just liking the smell. You also have to consider the effects that the fragrance has on you and how those effects will manifest themselves in different situations.

So, think about the purpose and you won’t end up choosing something that ends up being unsuitable.

Mistake #4 – Don’t Choose When You’re in a Hurry

The key to picking a great perfume is to take your time and really learn about the fragrance. You want to learn about the notes that lie behind it and ideally give yourself time to sample it, alongside a few others.

When you buy while you’re in a rush, you’re letting your first impression do all of the talking. You’re not giving yourself enough time to explore the fragrance and confirm that it’s the right one for you.

We recommend that you don’t go shopping for perfume after you’ve had a heavy day. The stress from the day will affect your decisions, which leads to you rushing just because you want to get back home.

Set aside some time to really explore. Aim to make the experience as fun as possible and you’re on the right track to finding the perfect perfume.

Mistake #5 – Buying Based on What Works For Others

We all have that friend who seems to smell phenomenal at all times.

You ask them about what perfumes they use and then you rush to the shop to grab a bottle yourself.

But now, you’re creating two problems for yourself.

First, you’re basically copying somebody else’s style. Your perfume is meant to be as unique as possible to you. It’s one of the things that people will think about when they describe you. If you’re buying based on what somebody else uses, you’re not picking a fragrance that will define you.

The second issue is that different perfumes suit different people. What works for your friend may not even work for you.

Your choice of perfume is a very personal thing and letting others influence your decisions leads to you making the wrong choice.

Mistake #6 – Not Trying it On Your Body

Most fragrance stores will give you the little paper strip that you can spray the perfume onto so you can sample it.

That’s good for figuring out the fragrance’s key notes. But you’re going to find that every perfume that you buy will smell different when you apply it than it does on that paper.

When perfume hits your skin, it’s reacting against all sorts of other things. There are the oils that your skin naturally produces, plus any creams or beauty products that you use.

Ideally, you’ll be able to try the perfume on yourself to get a sense of what it smells like on you.

Otherwise, you’re just hoping that you get something similar to what’s on the paper strip.

The Final Word

If you can avoid these mistakes, you’re certain to find the right perfume for you.

That’s where we come in. At Elite Perfumery, we have an extensive catalogue of Oud perfumes for you choose from. Browse our collection and you’re sure to find something that you like.