How to choose your perfume: the step-by-step guide

Choosing a fragrance is a personal act that deserves more than 30 seconds at the perfume counter. This guide provides a simple 6-step method to find a scent that truly reflects you.

Step 1 — Identify your dominant olfactive family

Every fragrance belongs to one or more of the 7 main families: floral, woody, oriental, fruity, fresh, gourmand, spicy. If you don't know where to start, take our 2-minute olfactive quiz.

Step 2 — Define the occasion and time

  • Office: discreet to moderate sillage, elegant, not too sweet.
  • Evening and dates: noticeable sillage, sensual, oriental or gourmand.
  • Everyday: a light floral or an accessible fruity scent.
  • Events and ceremonies: a lasting personal signature (extrait de parfum).

Step 3 — Choose the right concentration

The concentration of essential oils determines longevity and sillage:

  • Eau de cologne (2-4% oils): very fresh, short-lasting (2-3 hrs).
  • Eau de toilette (EdT) (5-15%): light, daytime (4-6 hrs).
  • Eau de parfum (EdP) (15-25%): noticeable, evening and daytime (6-10 hrs).
  • Extrait de parfum (25%+): intense, long-lasting sillage (10-14 hrs).

Step 4 — Test on skin (never on paper)

Perfume reacts with your skin's chemistry (pH, hydration, diet). A fragrance that smells beautiful on a blotter might disappoint on you. Our advice: spray 1-2 times on the wrist, live with it for 6 to 8 hours, and observe its evolution (top → heart → base).

To test without risk, start with a discovery set with several samples.

Step 5 — Consider the season

Having 2 to 3 perfumes for the seasons is smarter than wearing just one all year round.

Step 6 — Decide with confidence

Before purchasing the full bottle: check the composition (IFRA allergens), concentration, and stated longevity. A discovery set at Amour & Nectar includes a discount coupon for re-purchase — it's the most economical option.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing at "first sniff" without letting the perfume develop (top notes are misleading).
  • Smelling too many perfumes in a row (your nose gets saturated after 5-6).
  • Buying because you liked it on someone else (skin changes everything).
  • Testing under heat or stress (body chemistry is altered).

Frequently asked questions

How many perfumes should you have in your collection?

Three are usually enough: a light daytime scent, a more prominent signature scent, and an occasion/evening scent. Beyond that, you lose coherence.

Should you buy in-store or online?

Online with discovery sets is often more economical and fairer: you test at home, in your own environment, without sales pressure.

How do I know if a perfume lasts well on me?

Resmell 3-4 hours after application, then 8 hours. If the sillage is still perceptible at 8 hours, the longevity is excellent.

Updated in 2026 by the Amour & Nectar team.