How to Find a Perfume That Suits You

Perfume is sometimes called an invisible form of style, and it is an important way to express who you are. Even beginners, regardless of age or gender, can find a fragrance that suits them perfectly. Indeed, as the saying goes, “Perfume today has no gender boundaries; the scent that resonates with you is the one that is right for you.” Choosing a fragrance is a deeply personal matter. In this article, I explain everything clearly and carefully for beginners, from the basics of perfume and the meaning and importance of a signature scent, a fragrance that represents you, to the steps for finding a perfume that suits you and tips for choosing one.

What Is a Signature Scent, and Why Does It Matter?

A signature scent is a fragrance that represents a person, much like a personal signature. It might be your very favorite perfume, one that suits your personality so well that people around you think, “That is the scent I associate with that person.” A signature scent means more than simply a perfume you often wear. It is described as “something like a statement of who you are,” a fragrance that feels right for you regardless of the season or whether it is day or night. Wearing it can make you feel comfortable and true to yourself, while also leaving a memorable impression on the people around you.

In fact, perfumer Jérôme Epinette has said:

A signature scent is an extension of your personality, a part of your identity that expresses who you are regardless of the season or occasion…

Jérôme Epinette

That is how Epinette describes it.

It has also been described as “a fragrance you can no longer do without once you have found it,” an “irreplaceable presence” that perfectly matches your personality[9]. Being surrounded by a scent you love can make you feel confident or relaxed, or help you feel like yourself again when you smell it. The emotional support it offers is another part of a signature scent’s appeal.

Fragrance also has the power to connect strongly with memories and emotions. One perfumer put it this way: “Perfume is an art that speaks to memory.” True to those words, it is not unusual for a particular smell to bring back a specific memory or a feeling of nostalgia.

Wearing a fragrance that evokes precious memories or positive emotions can, in itself, make everyday life feel richer and more positive. More than simply “smelling nice,” a signature scent can be described as a companion that stays close to your life, memories, and style.

There are broadly two ways to find a perfume that suits you: 1. Use an online fragrance quiz to get a general idea; 2. Explore in greater detail by reflecting on yourself and trying perfumes in stores.

1. Get a General Idea

If you want to get a general idea or simply give it a try, I recommend using an online fragrance quiz.

This is an easy, quick approach that does not require talking to anyone else, so it is ideal if you just want to try things out. Fragrance quizzes are also a very popular topic on this site. There are many different quizzes, so try a variety of them to get a sense of the kinds of perfume that might suit you.

2. Explore in Greater Detail

If you are looking for a signature scent, I recommend taking a more thorough approach. Fragrance quizzes are useful for getting a general idea, but they are kept simple so that more people can use them; they are not specialized, and most focus on a particular brand. It takes some effort, but I have set out one method below, so give it a try when you have time.

Step 1: Learn About Different Types of Fragrance and Explore Your Preferences

First, get a sense of the kinds of scents you enjoy.

Do you like the radiant character of floral scents, feel drawn to refreshing citrus, or prefer calm woody fragrances or sweet gourmands? Make a mental map of the scents you like and dislike.

For clues, think back to cosmetics or body-care products you have used, foods you enjoy, or scents in nature. You might think, “I like the smell of flowers,” “Fresh scents that remind me of the sea feel pleasant,” or “The sweet smell of vanilla helps me relax.”

Everyone has different fragrance preferences, so it is important to start by honestly accepting what your own nose likes. It can also help to use a perfume database such as Fragrantica to look up notes, or fragrance materials, that interest you and perfumes with similar scents[11].

Step 2: Picture the Image or Mood You Want Your Fragrance to Convey

Perfume is also a way to express a person’s image and lifestyle.

With that in mind, ask yourself, “What do I want to express through this scent?” In other words, this step is about imagining the impression you want to give others through fragrance, or how you want to feel yourself.

For example, do you want your fragrance to convey “a fresh, clean impression”? Or are you looking for “a distinctive presence that attracts attention”?
If you want to turn heads, a bold, powerful scent might be a candidate; if you prefer something understated and elegant, a soft, gentle scent may be a better fit.

Your personality, clothing style, and the occasions on which you want to wear your signature scent can also offer clues. Bright, active people may enjoy lively citrus or green fragrances, while those who want to enjoy a romantic mood may feel drawn to florals. Choosing with an awareness of the message a fragrance conveys can bring you closer to a perfume that makes you think, “This is just right for me.”

Reflecting on yourself and getting to know yourself better is the most important and fastest way to find a signature scent.

Once you have completed these two steps, try bringing your thoughts together. I have made lists below for beginners and advanced enthusiasts, so please use them. Click the images to download and print them.

Step 3: Actually Try the Perfumes That Interest You

Thinking about it is not enough; ultimately, you need to smell the fragrance for yourself. The most important tip for avoiding a disappointing perfume purchase is said to be “always try before you buy.”

Keep the list you made earlier in mind, or take it with you, and ask at a nearby shop that sells perfume. The biggest question here is whether there is a salesperson who can give you a useful answer. I suspect there may be only a few dozen perfume salespeople in all of Japan who can do that, if that many, which actually makes this the hardest step in finding a signature scent.

That is why I think, wherever possible, it is better to start searching or asking around as soon as you finish Step 2, using Fragrantica, X, a website I recommend, or people you know. Once you have some perfumes in mind, try them in a shop a few times, and you may be lucky enough to find a salesperson who can help.

When you find a perfume in a store, do not judge it only on a paper scent strip, or mouillette; always try it on your own skin. Testing a fragrance on your skin lets you properly experience whether it works with your skin chemistry and how its scent develops over time. Many people tend to judge a perfume only by the smell sprayed onto a blotter, but skin pH and body temperature affect how it smells, so do take your time trying it on your skin.

Do not stop at the top notes immediately after application. Smell it again after 30 minutes and after a few hours to experience the transition through the middle and base notes, or drydown. Some perfumes change quite considerably from their initial impression, and the scent that remains at the end is the essence of the fragrance. Rather than rushing, experience it in your everyday life for a few hours, or a full day if possible, to decide whether it is a scent you can truly love.

Step 4: Notice the Emotions and Memories the Fragrance Evokes

As you choose a perfume, how you feel in response to it is another important guide. If smelling a fragrance brings up positive feelings such as “This is pleasant and calming,” “This lifts my spirits,” or “This makes me nostalgic,” it may be a scent with special meaning for you.

As mentioned earlier, scents readily connect with memories and can bring back childhood experiences or important moments. For example, vanilla might remind you of “the treats my mother baked for me” and leave you feeling warm and tender, or wearing a floral perfume might make you feel confident and cheerful. Such emotional responses can be a sign that a fragrance suits you.

“A scent that brings you closer to the person you want to be when you wear it” or “a scent that brings happy memories back when you smell it” is exactly the sort of candidate that could become your own signature scent.

Step 5: Trust Your Preferences Rather Than Trends or Other People’s Opinions

When choosing perfume, trust your own nose and sensibility above all else. A fragrance that is popular with someone else will not necessarily suit you. “Put fashionable fragrances and the scents other people wear to one side for now; following your own path is the shortcut to finding your signature scent.”

Everyone experiences fragrance differently, and how it works with the skin varies enormously too. Rather than other people’s opinions, focus on whether you genuinely love it. There is also no need for preconceptions such as “This perfume is for women, so I should avoid it because I am a man.”

Scent has no strict gender, and anyone can wear a fragrance that smells good. In fact, the boundaries between scents traditionally considered “masculine” and “feminine” have become less distinct in recent years; if it feels good to you, it is the right choice. Remember that your own sense of smell is the ultimate authority when choosing perfume.

Following the steps above should gradually help you see what kind of perfume will make you think, “This is it!” That said, there is no need to become too attached to having only one signature scent. Many people enjoy changing their fragrance with the season or their mood, and it is also lovely to have several favorites, known as a fragrance wardrobe. Start by finding one perfume that feels central to you, then gradually explore more of the world of fragrance.

Tips for Choosing Perfume in Stores and Online

Finally, here is some practical advice on choosing perfume, divided into shopping in stores and online. Keep these tips and cautions in mind to avoid disappointing purchases.

When Trying Fragrances in a Store

It is important to find ways not to be distracted by the scents around you.

At department-store fragrance counters and cosmetics shops, many scents hang in the air and can easily confuse your sense of smell. Since stores are filled with strong fragrances, I recommend trying a scent outside in fresh air. If possible, step away from the boutique and smell the blotter in the open air, or apply the perfume and take a walk outside the shop. It is also important not to try too many different fragrances at once.

Limit yourself to three or four fragrances per visit, and reset your nose between scents by doing something such as smelling coffee beans or your clothing.

When Choosing Perfume Online

• Check the notes and reviews carefully: When choosing perfume online, read the product description and the listed fragrance notes, or the materials that make up the scent, carefully. An important clue is whether it includes materials you already know you like, for example, “I enjoy fragrances with vanilla.” Specialist perfume-review websites such as Fragrantica, as well as other customer reviews, can also be helpful. However, the impression you get from reading about a perfume often differs from the actual scent, so treat these only as a guide.
  
• Start with samples or miniature sizes: Buying a full bottle without first smelling the fragrance carries a risk. If possible, make use of sample sets or atomizers available from official websites or specialist shops. Discovery sets, or trial sets, are useful because they let you compare several fragrances in small quantities. Services that let you try perfumes through decants or subscriptions have also become more plentiful recently. It is wise to buy a full-size product only after trying it and feeling confident that it works for you. If you really cannot get a sample and decide to make a blind buy, purchasing without trying it, do not forget to reduce the risk by choosing something with consistently high customer ratings, buying the smallest size, and checking any return guarantee.
  
• Test your perfume in a calm setting when it arrives: When a perfume you bought online arrives, start by taking your time with it in a quiet setting. In some cases, the fragrance may settle more after a few days following delivery than it has immediately on opening. At first, limit the amount you apply to your skin to about one spray at a time, and calmly follow it from the top notes through the drydown. Even if your first reaction is “This is not what I expected,” do not rush to a conclusion; try it a few times on different days. You may come to love a scent that does not click with you at first, while a perfume you initially like may start to feel wrong as you keep using it. Take your time deciding.

Final Thoughts

Finding a perfume that suits you, your signature scent, may take time and some trial and error. Yet the process itself is also an enjoyable journey of rediscovering your sense of smell and your preferences.

As you learn the basics of perfume, encounter different fragrances, and find one that makes your heart leap, it will surely become a treasure that is yours alone. Like an extension of yourself, the fragrance you find will express who you are and should leave a lovely impression on the people around you.

Finally, everyone truly experiences scent differently, and there is no single right answer and there are no rules. It is fine to choose one fragrance, just as it is fine to switch among several depending on the season or your mood. To take the comparison a little further, just as you do not wear the same clothes every day, you do not need to wear the same scent every day.

Ultimately, what matters is whether wearing that scent makes you happy. That is the most important guide of all. Take your time, enjoy the process, and find a special fragrance that is yours alone. Wishing you the best on your fragrant journey!