10 Tips to Finding Your Signature Scent

I love that during any ordinary day there are certain things that can suddenly trigger a memory and unexpectedly bring you whirling back to a very specific moment or period of the past. For me, when I hear particular songs, I can usually pinpoint the exact season and year, maybe even month, of which I’m reminded. Naturally, the same happens with scents; a bouquet of flowers, chocolate chips baking in the oven, suntan lotion, even just the general smell of changing seasons prompt distinctive memories that appeal to our emotions.

Scents obviously serve as a catalyst for nostalgia and that’s one reason your perfume of choice holds such importance. But it’s certainly not the only reason for having a signature scent. It’s a fragrance that incites others to think of you, it can easily make a day better or change how you feel and it’s a fabulous sensory addition to any outfit.

So how do you go about finding your signature scent?

1. Know what fragrance family you typically like. Do you prefer woodsy, fruity, floral, oceanic   or oriental scents? 

2. Visit a store to get an idea of what you like. Go when you’re feeling happy and upbeat because as emotion is linked to smell, your mood will affect your decision and you don’t want to choose wrongly! 

3. Don’t wear scented body lotion or another perfume so you’re starting with a clean palette

4. Know the difference between perfume, Eau de Parfum, and Eau de Toilette. Each contains essential oils, but is diluted to a different degree, which effects the strength of the smell.

·         Perfume (22% essential oils) is the most expensive

·         Eau de Parfum (15-22% essential oils) comes in second

·         Eau de Toilette (8-15% essential oils) is the least expensive

5. The fragrance industry has been overrun by celebrities and pretty packaging, but don’t let the popular name or cute little bottle weigh into your decision.

6. Consider the season. Lighter scents = warmer weather,heavier scents = cold, dry temperatures.

7. Test out the perfume on your arm rather than the cardboard pieces provided by the store. Each fragrance has three perfume notes (top, middle and base), which results in a unique scent for each person and means it’s not usually best to buy a perfume just because it smells nice on someone else.

·         Top note: the smell directly after application and is mostly alcohol

·         Middle note: smell the fragrance five minutes after spraying it

·         Base note: about an hour or two after the fragrance has had time to mix with your skin and body. 

8. Before trying other fragrances, smell a handful of coffee beans to neutralize the scents so the fragrances won’t mix.

9. Apply the scent to your wrists, neck, elbows, knees, but don't rub it in. You can spray it in the air and walk through it or even spritz it on your hairbrush!

10. Take your time, let the scent sit, maybe go shopping or do other errands and then if you like it, go back and buy it. Your signature scent shouldn't be an impulse purchase!

Do you have a signature scent and if so, what is it??