We’ve all had this happen; we’re walking down the street and we get a whiff of something strong, overpowering even. You look around and notice you’re alone. No, that can’t be me! you think, sniffing your wrists, trying to remember just how much of your favorite scent you sprayed on in the hazy hours before your morning commute. If you were the culprit, don’t worry. Fragrance expert Denise Estrada of Melange Apothecary provided us some awesome tips on discovering a signature scent that's perfect for you (and won't make everyone in the room drop like flies). So read on for how to find that custom blend that makes people shout ooh la la instead of oh no no.
Top Fragrance Tip: Do not wear any fragrance when you go out to try new ones. They intermingle and you will not get a real sense of the actual perfume you are trying. Get a cup of coffee first. Inhaling the coffee aroma between fragrances will clear your palate so everything does not end up smelling the same.
Top Fragrance Tip: Try to go alone. This is your fragrance. My philosophy is that you and your friend probably wouldn't order the same meal in a restaurant, so don’t buy a perfume based on somebody else’s assessment.
Top Fragrance Tip: Trust your instincts! I cannot emphasize this enough. It does not matter how nice the packaging is, who created it, what is costs, how many of your friends wear it, or the advertising behind it. If you don't love it when you try it then keep moving.
Top Fragrance Tip: Spend some time with your chosen fragrance. Wear it for a while. Ask for a sample. Come back in a few days and try it again. Many perfumes evolve as they dry down. Do you still love it a few days later? Take all of this into account.
Top Fragrance Tip: For the warmer months, I prefer green or citrus-based fragrances. There is nothing worse than somebody wearing a rich, overpowering perfume in hot weather. Keep in mind that citrus fragrances do not last as long as they are light by nature. I personally love fruit and citrus blends or green notes paired with floral for the spring and summer seasons. For fall and winter, I go for sweet pomegranate, pear, or grapefruit. Vanilla gets a wonderful boost when you combine it with tropical orchid or a crisp mandarin orange.
Top Fragrance Tip: Try blending. In French, "melange" means to mix or blend. We make solid fragrances in different notes just for this reason. You can mix or match them in infinite ways to create a custom blend. After all, ladies already do this with lipstick and eyeshadow. On your own, try carefully mixing your own existing fragrances to see if you can achieve your own personal blend. Lighten it up for spring and summer or add warmth for the colder months.
Top Fragrance Tip: Consider niche fragrances. They cost a little more, but the quality is very high and they last a long time. A nice example of this is L’Artisian Parfumer, Jo Malone, or Juliette Has a Gun, a personal favorite of mine.
Additional reporting by Stephanie Nolasco.
