Scent Shopping

A guide to nding your signature fragrance.

By Raven Lawson

Know the four categories

woody, and fresh.

“One of these will appeal to you more than others,” says Guy.

These general categories are the dominant bases on which perfumers build compositions. Within each category there are endless options to explore, and many fragrances fall into more than one category.

Test it on the skin

The same scent can smell different on each person so it’s important to test what scent you like on your skin. Guy recommends testing multiple on different parts of your arms to see how the fragrance will play out. When shopping for a fragrance, give yourself time to explore and wear different scents.

“Allow your skin to tell the fragrance story,” says Guy.

Be open-minded

One of the biggest mistakes someone can make when shopping for fragrances is going in with a closed mind.

“Fragrances are subjective, and just because a certain scent is popular doesn’t mean it will work for you. Read or watch reviews from independent sources before you visit,” says Guy, to give yourself a starting point and ease some of the stress of hunting for your signature scent.

There’s something about smelling good that makes people feel luxurious. It seems like now more than ever people are indulging in quality fragrances; in uencers show o their shelves of perfumes, there are dozens of luxury dupes, and it can feel like a scent-sory overload. Nir Guy, founder of locally owned niche perfumery, Perfumology, o ers a few tips for nding your signature scent.

Shop Small

You don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money for a quality fragrance. Many small brands provide high quality materials and exclusivity at reasonable prices. There are also great people behind these brands. Small, local perfumeries like Perfumology help customers break down their fragrance questions and help

Guy says that these days perfumes are really powerful and a little goes a long way, so buying smaller sizes can be a great way to explore scents.

Try Layering

“Some people love layering as a way to achieve a unique scent no one else is wearing,” says Guy.

Over the last few years, fewer people are looking for a traditional signature scent, and are instead opting for small collections that allow for layering. To discover your perfect scent and match, and don’t be afraid to play with different intensities (one spray of this, two sprays of that).

Fragrances are a mix of “art and chemistry,” says Guy. Signature scents happen when some scent that you feel represents you and make it your aura, or you can build a fragrance collec