Shopping for perfumes can be daunting, especially if you’re a first-time perfume buyer. There are so many different brands and fragrances to choose from, and it can feel like there is an endless variety of options. That being said, not all perfumes are created equally, and some may be better for you than others. If you’d like to get the most out of your first experience with perfume, read on for some helpful tips that will help you find the ideal scent.

Try before you buy
When you’re trying on perfumes, always put on as much of the perfume as possible. For example, if you’re trying on a perfume in a department store, spray it all over your body and then walk around the store holding the perfume until you’re ready to leave. This will help you get a better idea of whether the perfume works for you, and it can prevent sales associates from recommending a scent that doesn’t actually smell like anything.
Additionally, it can also give you a better idea of the price range you would be comfortable purchasing a bottle of perfume in. While trying on perfumes, don’t forget to also test out nail polish and makeup as well. You might be surprised by how different perfumes smell on different parts of your body.
Always test perfumes on your wrist
Wrist swatches are the best way to find out if a fragrance suits you. You can even use this trick when you’re trying a fragrance on in a store. If you’re trying on a perfume in a store, spray it all over your wrist, hold it up to your nose, and then smell it. This can help determine if the scent is something you’d like to wear. If the scent isn’t something you like, you can quickly spray it on your wrist and then leave the store.
The scent will stay on your wrist for at least 24 hours, so you can come back to the store a few hours later and see if you like it better. Wrist swatches are also helpful if you have a friend with you while trying on perfumes. You can both hold your wrists up to each other and compare notes on whether the scent is something you’d like to try on.
Don’t skimp on the sniff test
While testing perfumes on your wrist is helpful, sniffing a scent directly from the bottle is even better. Many perfumes don’t even come with a sample smelling jar, so you won’t get the chance to smell them directly unless you buy a full bottle.
However, sniffing directly from the bottle will give you a better idea of the scent and how it smells on your skin. You can also sniff the bottle directly to find out if the scent is something you’d like to purchase. If you’re at a store and don’t have the chance to sniff a full bottle of perfume, make sure to test the scent on your wrist before leaving. This will let you know if you’d like to try the scent again in a different scent.
Check out sample sizes first
You can also try a perfume out in a sample size for less than $10. Many department stores, Sephora, and specialty fragrance stores will offer sample sizes of perfume. You can buy these perfumes online as well, which is a great way to try out a scent before committing to a full bottle. You can also try a smell out via social media, such as Instagram and Pinterest.
If you’re worried about committing to a full bottle of perfume when you’re not sure if you’ll like it, sample sizes are a good way to find out. You can try a spray or two of the fragrance in a sample size, see how you like it, and then decide whether or not you want to commit to the full bottle.
Let the professionals help you
If you’re looking for advice on which perfume to buy, there are plenty of professional perfumers and fragrance experts who can help you. Many department stores and specialty stores will have a professional perfumer on staff, and you can often find them through Yelp.
Another option is to search online for a local fragrance expert. If you live in a city where there are a lot of professional fragrance companies, you might also want to consider checking out local scent appreciation tours and events. These tours are often led by professional perfumers, and they’ll help you explore different scents and learn more about scent appreciation.
Take a friend with you
If you’re struggling to find a perfume that you like, you might want to take someone with you who is more knowledgeable about scent and fragrance. This can help you navigate the store or department store smells, and it can also help you navigate the scent selection process. You can even split the cost and pick up a couple of perfumes between the two of you, which can help you find the perfect scent. If you’re shopping online, you can also consider taking a fragrance expert with you.
While many sites will let you sample scents, you might want to avoid buying something you wouldn’t actually wear. A fragrance expert can help you navigate the site and navigate through the scents until you find something that you like. They can also help you decide which scent is the perfect fit for you, which can make the whole shopping process easier.
Other things to avoid while shopping for perfume
- Avoid alcohol-based scents, such as vodka or gin. These scents contain alcohol, which can dry out your skin and strip it of its natural oils. Alcohol-free scents, such as vanilla and rose, are a better option.
- ‘Avoid heavy perfumes that contain a lot of notes. Many perfumes, even high-end ones, contain only four to six notes.
- Avoid perfumes that include floral, musk, or animal scents. These are popular perfumes, but they’re not the best option for your scent.
- Don’t be afraid to ask a sales associate or the fragrance expert for help. You might have a hard time navigating a store full of scents, and you might not know what you’re looking for.