It’s no secret that the sense of smell is closely tied to memory. Certain fragrances can remind us of people, places, or things from our past—sometimes bringing back strong emotions. So it’s no wonder many of us take great care in selecting a fragrance that we feel represents “us.” But how do you choose a fragrance that’s perfect for you?
Choose the right time to shop
If you’re serious about finding a new fragrance, take some time to focus on the task at hand. That means setting aside an hour or so when you can go to a store without feeling rushed. It will give you time to test different scents and see how they interact with your skin chemistry.
For perfume shopping, go in the morning. In the daytime, the brain distinguishes odors more easily; by evening, olfactory reflexes weaken.
Wear comfortable clothes
You’ll be doing a lot of smell, so make sure you wear comfortable clothes that won’t irritate your skin. And if you wear perfume regularly, it’s a good idea to refrain from using it before shopping. This way, your nose won’t be too overwhelmed when trying out new scents.
Don’t shop when you’re hungry
You might think being hungry would make you more attuned to smells, but the opposite is true. When we’re hungry, our sense of smell is dulled—likely because the body is channeling all its resources towards digesting food. So if you want to be able to sample the scents around you, make sure you’ve eaten beforehand.
Be open to new things
When choosing a new fragrance, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of finding a scent similar to ones you’ve worn in the past. But part of the fun of perfume shopping is trying something new! So if you’re feeling stuck, ask a sales associate for recommendations. They’ll be able to help guide you towards scents that are similar to what you like but with a twist.
Avoid trying too many scents at once
Smelling multiple perfumes quickly can be overwhelming and make it hard to focus on each scent. So take your time testing out each one. And if you’re sampling from a perfume tray, cleanse your wrist between each fragrance. You can do this by wiping it with a tissue or cotton pad soaked in alcohol. It will help you smell each scent more clearly.
Do not rub the fragrance after application
When you’ve found a scent you like, it’s time to test it. First, apply a small amount to your wrist and wait a few minutes to see how it develops on your skin. Then, once it’s had a chance to settle, take a step back and smell it from a distance. It will give you a better idea of how the fragrance will smell when you wear it. And whatever you do, don’t rub your wrist after applying the perfume. It will break down the molecules and change how the scent smells on your skin.
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