Master the art of buying perfume online

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Master the art of buying perfume online

Online shopping is without a doubt one of our favourite pastimes. Not only does it allow us make new purchases while lying in bed (another favourite pastime), it also means we skip mass crowds, stressful parking situations and heavy lugging of shopping bags. But as much as we love online shopping, it definitely has risks.

The biggest downfall of buying online is opening the package to find it’s not quite what you expected. It’s tricky to buy a lipstick without having tried it, but fragrances are even harder.

To eliminate the risk of making the wrong purchase, here are our go-to tips for buying perfume online – and loving it long after. 

KNOW YOUR NOSE

Firstly, it’s important to understand the connection between a fragrance and our olfactory. Smell is one of our most subliminal and evocative senses, which is why perfume is so personal. You see, our brain links smells to experiences, like a memory of childhood, summer holiday or poignant moment.

Though there are many subcategories in the fragrance world, there are four overarching group notes. Knowing which ones you prefer will help you to choose the right perfume:

Fresh: The family consists of simple, elegant, clean notes, so anything citrusy, green or organic (think fresh air after a rainstorm) falls into this category. Go with fresh notes if you’re after a youthful and outdoorsy scent. 

bh loves:Philosophy Amazing Grace, Bobbi Brown Almost Bare Fragrance, CLEAN Fresh Laundry EDP, Jo Malone Grapefruit Cologne

Floral: No prizes for guessing what you’ll find here! Roses, lilies, jasmine and magnolia are common notes, and you’ll also find floral blends, like fruity floral (such as strawberries, pomegranate and guava) and floral oriental (like vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon). So whether you’re girly or love a bold and exotic scent, there’ll be something on the floral spectrum that suits. And if you’re a ‘roses only’ lover, check out these 15 divine rose-based scents. 

bh loves: Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream, Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll, L’OCCITANE Arlésienne Eau de Toilette, Tom Daxon Crushing Bloom

Woody: Scents in this family remind people of the outdoors. Here, you’ll find notes of sandalwood, cedar and birchwood, to name a few. Woody notes are popular in men’s fragrances, so consider these if you find yourself spritzing (and loving) your boyfriend’s cologne on the reg. 

bh loves: Clinique Aromatics Elixir, Lady Gaga Eau De Gaga EDP, Tom Ford Sahara Noir

Oriental: Not for the faint-hearted, oriental notes are big, bold and dramatic – the perfect fit for those who love feeling sensual. You’ll find exotic notes of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon musk, patchouli and leather in this family. 

bh loves: Kiehl’s Musk, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Yves Saint Laurent Opium, Dior Addict

GIVE IT TIME

Don’t be concerned if the smell of the fragrance is different once you spray it onto your skin. This is to do with your skin’s unique pH. Remember: you have to wear a scent for at least five minutes to smell more than the top notes, and about twenty before you get to the bottom. The base notes are the ones that linger on your skin. 

PAY ATTENTION

You know those descriptions that often accompany perfumes? They’re worth reading! They evoke a sense of emotion, and will help you to figure out if a particular scent will suit your personality and lifestyle. A bright and sunny fragrance isn’t going to suit someone looking for a seductive, sensual scent, so go with the perfume whose description appeals to you – and not the one with the prettiest bottle.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

These days, it’s not uncommon to find your favourite fragrance in wax form. For instance, if you love your Glasshouse Marseille Gardenia Triple Scented Candle, look for a fragrance with similar notes. If you love it in your home, you’re sure to love it on your skin.

bh loves:Glasshouse Fragrances Rio De Janeiro Passionfruit & Lime, Tom Dix Orientalist, Diptyque Figuier Candle

Have you ever bought a fragrance online without smelling it first? Which fragrance family of notes do you prefer?

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Comments 5

  1. I did bling buy a perfume recently. eeek , no more. One thing for sure: flowery perfumes are not for me. It was described as oriental…no. I love true orientals and woody deep balsamic, inscency, ambery, sticky and dry.