How to choose your perfume

Choosing a perfume is an intimate thing; it deserves time and thought. Here is how we would guide you.

Know the olfactory families

Perfumes fall into broad families: floral, oriental, woody, fresh. Recognising which ones you are naturally drawn to will narrow the search.

Test in the right conditions

Try no more than three perfumes in one session. Apply to skin rather than paper, and let the scent evolve for a few hours before deciding.

Follow the seasons

Some fragrances suit summer — fresh notes, citrus — and others winter, with oriental and woody notes. There is no harm in changing with the season.

Trust yourself

Beyond any trend, the best perfume is the one that makes you feel like yourself.