Step 7: Skin Test
Did you know that the top notes you smell on the test strip are what make you buy a fragrance?
Well, it is not uncommon for these notes to be the most intense and pleasant. As you may have guessed, this is not a fluke, and beauty brands invest heavily so that you make a quick decision.
Unfortunately, most of these quick decisions end up in failed purchases. That is why you are going to approach the test of a perfume in a different way.
Once you've researched the internet and found up to four fragrances you want to try, you're going to spray each one on the test strips first and let them dry for a minute or two.
Be sure to write down on the strips which fragrance each one is. Once the perfume has settled, sniff them again and decide which ones are worth spraying on each wrist.
Since everyone's skin is slightly different, each perfume will react differently on you. And that's it. Leave the store and let the perfume develop during the day.
PRO TIP: the decants, which are a smaller format of the original perfume, are used so that you can try the perfume from the comfort of your home and as many times as necessary.
Step 8: Skip the coffee beans
Coffee beans and perfume testing go hand in hand, right? Well, that may not be entirely true. If you've sniffed a couple of perfumes and started to notice "blindness in your nose," we recommend skipping those coffee beans.
Unfortunately, you won't reset the palate in your nose by smelling coffee, as you're just replacing one heavy aroma with another.
What we recommend is to either sniff the unscented part of their skin (such as their elbows) or your clothing to reset your palate between sampling sessions.
Step 9: Wait for them to dry
Once you've picked out a couple of fragrances you initially liked on the strip and spritzed them on your skin, it's time to see how they play out.
Each perfume develops differently throughout the day, and after a couple of hours, you'll see how a particular fragrance works for you.
Everything you've learned before about fragrance notes, fragrance families, and perfume concentrations will come in handy now.
Some fragrances can end up being boring, while others, which may seem strange, can unfold beautifully. In either case, you will have tested the potential purchase the right way.
Step 10: Temperature Affects Perfume Performance
During your quest to find the perfect perfume, you'll discover that some fragrances work better during the colder seasons, and others work better when it's hot.
That is why it is important to know your future perfume. If you use a stronger perfume during the winter, it will work very well.
But, if you decide to use it during the summer, it can look different, and potentially upset other people. Also, keep in mind that during the heat, perfumes evaporate faster due to the combination of pulse, sweat and hot skin surface.
Step 11: Test the perfumes several times
You always have to give a second chance to everything. Especially with perfumes. As it has already been said, you have to dedicate time and do many tests until you find "the chosen one".
If you buy a decant, try that fragrance multiple times to the last drop.
Step 12: Wear what you like and not what others want
The road to glory is not fast, but it will take you to the goal. Many tests, paths full of detours and experiences will make you reach 100%, but let us give you one last piece of advice.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you like. The essence that is your seal is a reflection of your personality and an image of you that you send to the world.
Therefore, always wear what you like and not what others want.