What Is The Correct Way To Test Perfume Or Fragrance?

I’m unsure if I’m not opening them correctly, but almost every perfume I’ve tried smells like alcohol to me. Could it be that I’m not testing them properly (maybe I’m holding them too close or not giving the alcohol time to evaporate)? What is the correct way to test perfume if that’s the case?

Before heading to the counter to try perfumes, it’s a good idea to do some research, starting with basic perfume knowledge:

• What do a perfume’s top, middle, and base notes mean?
• What are the fragrance notes, and how are they specifically categorized?
• Which perfumes typically correspond to these notes?

With this foundational knowledge, you can narrow down the types of fragrances you prefer and identify which perfumes you’re most interested in trying. This way, you’ll approach the counter with a clear sense of purpose. When testing a perfume, if you discover a scent you like, you can confidently make a purchase.

However, for niche or less popular perfumes that might not be available at the counter, you can explore them by purchasing decants or samples.

Before we dive into the correct way to test perfumes, let’s first look at some common mistakes people often make during the testing process.

Testing Multiple Fragrances Simultaneously or Using Coffee Beans to “Reset” Your Sense of Smell

Ideally, you should not test more than three perfumes at a time, with two being the recommended number. After testing one perfume on one wrist, wait a while before testing another on the other wrist. If you try more than three perfumes at once, the scents can become confusing, and your sense of smell may be overwhelmed.

Some sales associates might suggest smelling coffee beans to reset your sense of smell after testing perfumes. However, this is a misconception. The strong scent of coffee beans can overwhelm your senses further, making it harder to distinguish other fragrances.

Spraying Perfume Closely on a Test Strip

Spraying perfume onto a perfume test strip is a common method used at perfume counters. However, many people mistakenly spray too closely, saturating the strip with perfume. This is similar to placing the bottle cap directly under your nose; it intensifies the scent of alcohol rather than allowing you to experience the true fragrance of the perfume.

Directly Sniffing the Bottle

When trying to smell something, the instinct might be to bring it close to your nose. However, with perfume, directly sniffing from the bottle is not advisable. At this stage, most of what you’re smelling is the alcohol and the quickly evaporating top notes, which can be harsh and not representative of the perfume’s true scent.

So, what is the correct way to test perfume?

• Spraying Perfume on Your Wrist

Spray the perfume on your wrist, but don’t smell it immediately. Wait for about 3 minutes before smelling it for the first time.

Even if you don’t like the initial scent, don’t dismiss it right away, as this is just the top note of the perfume. The heart of a fragrance is its middle note, which is the most important part and lasts the longest.

Wait another 5 minutes before smelling it again, and then continue to smell it a few more times over the next few minutes. What you’ll be smelling then is the middle note.

If you want to test 2-3 perfumes at the same time, you can use your other wrist and the crook of your elbow, repeating the same method.

• Using Perfume Test Strips

For those who want to test 2-3 perfumes at once or prefer not to spray perfume directly on their skin, using a fragrance blotter strip is the best option.

First, fold a small crease at the end of the test strip to create a 3D angle. Then, spray the perfume evenly on the strip (without spraying too close—let the perfume mist fall onto the strip evenly). When smelling the perfume, don’t hold the strip directly under your nose. Instead, wave it back and forth in front of your nose, allowing the scent to reach you more naturally.

Testing perfume with a perfume smelling strip is often considered more objective because different skin types can affect how a fragrance develops, due to variations in how quickly the alcohol evaporates.

However, if you’re testing a perfume and intending to buy it for personal use, it’s recommended to spray it on your skin to better understand how the fragrance suits you.

When choosing a perfume, don’t just buy what’s popular or what smells good on someone else. The best perfume for you is one that you’ve tested yourself and truly love.