How to test and wear a perfume: simple habits that make a difference

3 min read

How long to test a decant, where to spray, why not to rub, and how to store it. Practical, simple and the same for any perfume.

A perfume smells different on paper, on a friend and on you. Skin, heat and what you ate all change it. These habits help you judge a perfume fairly and get more out of it once you own it.

Testing a perfume

• Test on skin, not only on paper. A strip shows the first minutes; your skin shows how it develops and how long it stays.
• Spray one perfume at a time. Two or three on the same day will blur together.
• Wait. The first few minutes are the top notes. The heart comes after about 15 to 30 minutes, and the base after a few hours. Judge after the base appears, not at the first sniff.
• Wear it for a few days, in different moods and weather, before you decide. This is the main reason a 3 ml decant exists.
• Note how long it lasts and whether you still like it after the first hour. A perfume you love at minute one is not always the one you love at hour four.

Wearing a perfume

• Spray on clean, slightly moisturised skin. Dry skin lets perfume fade faster.
• Common spots are the wrists, the neck and the chest, because they are warm. A spray from about 15 to 20 cm away covers the area evenly.
• Do not rub your wrists together. Rubbing can change how the top notes smell; let the perfume dry on its own.
• Start with one or two sprays. You can always add more; you cannot take it back. Strong perfumes and hot weather need fewer.
• Clothes can hold a scent for a long time, but some perfumes stain fabric. If you spray clothes, test on a hidden spot first.

Storing a decant

• Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight, which break down perfume faster. A drawer or a cupboard is better than a window sill or a car.
• Close the cap or the sprayer after each use. Air slowly changes a perfume.
• Do not store it in the bathroom. Steam and temperature changes are not good for it.

This is general advice that applies to any perfume. Every skin is different, so treat it as a starting point and trust what you smell on yourself.