How to choose a perfume
Whether for yourself or as a gift to a loved one, choosing a perfume always involves a lot of thought. Perfume is like a personal signature, which is an integral part of our identity and expresses both our character and our tastes. Better understanding perfumes, their composition and their characteristics is a first part of the answer. Knowing yourself well and knowing the tastes of the person to whom you are giving a perfume is the second part of the answer. Find out how to choose the fragrance that suits your tastes by following some useful and pragmatic advice.
Know the basics of perfume: the different olfactory families
To choose a perfume carefully, it is essential to know the main olfactory families. Indeed, each perfume belongs to one of these categories, and this allows us to better understand the notes that make up the fragrance.
Oriental perfumes
Opulent and sensual, oriental perfumes play on a composition rich in precious raw materials such as patchouli, vanilla, musk or amber. They often evoke an exotic and mysterious universe. This type of perfume is generally more suitable for people who like to make their presence known and assert their personality.
Woody scents
Often associated with masculine fragrances, woody fragrances immerse us in the heart of nature, between majestic forests and balsamic scents. Vetiver, sandalwood, cedar and even oak are all noble essences around which these elegant and refined fragrances are developed.
Fruity scents
True concentrates of energy, fruity fragrances give an impression of freshness and vitality. Very popular during the hot seasons, they appeal to both women and men. Citrus fruits (lemon, bergamot, mandarin) are often featured in these fragrances, as well as apple, pear and blackcurrant.
Floral perfumes
They are designed around one or more types of flowers and generally recall the smell of fresh bouquets. Floral fragrances are particularly appreciated by women, who see them as an ode to their femininity. Among the great classics, we find rose, jasmine and even ylang-ylang.
The olfactory families of Mercedes-Benz perfumes
In women's perfumes, Mercedes-Benz Parfums offers 2 perfume ranges: For Women and Woman. For Women offers an olfactory partition between floral and fruity while Woman is a gourmet perfume that can be classified among fruity fragrances.
Mercedes-Benz Parfums offers men a wide choice of olfactory palettes. So, for example, Mercedes-Benz Parfums offers the LAND·SEA·AIR trilogy. Its particularity is that each perfume can be worn separately or in the combination of your choice. Each of the three fragrances has floral and woody scents of patchouli. They have different properties: Mercedes-Benz LAND offers notes of cocoa shell, tonka bean combined with fresh nuances. Mercedes-Benz SEA offers very fresh notes, energized by lively mandarin and sea algae. Finally Mercedes-Benz AIR is an eau de parfum which offers fresh and floral notes thanks to mugwort oil combined with the aroma of citrus and turmeric leaf.
Decipher the notes of a perfume using the olfactory pyramid
Decipher the notes of a perfume using the olfactory pyramid. It is therefore important to take into account the evolution of the perfume on your skin to make an informed choice. Indeed, what you smell first will not necessarily be what remains after a few hours. This is why the discovery kits in the form of samples that you can find on our e-shop are an excellent way to make the right choice of perfume. Discover more information on the olfactory pyramid in our dedicated article.
Top notes
They appear immediately after spraying the perfume and fade after just a few minutes. They give the first impression of the fragrance and are often fresh and light.
Heart notes
They represent the true spirit of the perfume and reveal its personality. They are often composed of flowers, spices or precious raw materials.
Background notes
They give depth to the perfume and ensure its longevity on the skin. Woods, resins, musks and even delicacies are all ingredients used in this part of the olfactory pyramid.
Understanding the different qualities of perfumes
A dimension well known to the general public since it significantly impacts the price scale of a perfume is the type of perfume depending on the concentration of perfume composition. We can also talk about different qualities of perfume.
There are in fact several qualities of perfumes, classified according to their concentration of aromatic essences which determines the duration during which these perfumes remain fragrant on the skin.
- Eau de Cologne : the lightest of the concentrations, with approximately 2 to 6% fragrant raw materials dissolved in alcohol. It lasts about 1 to 3 hours on the skin.
- Eau de Toilette : contains between 6 to 20% perfume composition and lasts varying from 3 to 6 hours on the skin.
- Eau de Parfum : more concentrated than eau de Toilette with a content of approximately 15 to 30% perfume composition, it lasts between 6 and 8 hours on the skin.
- Perfume or Extract : the most concentrated form with approximately 25 to 40% perfume composition, which can last up to 24 hours on the skin.
It is important to note that it will not necessarily be the content of the perfume composition which will be the good argument but clearly the power, the sillage and the staying power of your product which will be the determining factors.
Determine your personal preferences
In order to choose the right perfume, it is essential to ask yourself certain questions:
- What is your favorite olfactory family? (floral, fruity, oriental, woody)
- Do you prefer light or intense fragrances?
- What occasion will you wear this perfume for? (day, evening, work, etc.)
By answering these questions, you will be able to refine your searches and direct yourself towards perfumes that really match your tastes and expectations.
Consider your lifestyle and personal tastes
Choosing the right perfume is not only about the fragrance itself, but also how it fits into your daily life. If you work in an office or are often in close contact with other people, it is better to choose less powerful perfumes so as not to inconvenience those around you. Choose a perfume that matches your personality: Your perfume should reflect who you are. If you are sensitive, consider floral fragrances and if you like to be the center of attention, opt for a bold and sensual perfume.
Choose the scent that suits the season
Cooler temperatures can intensify fragrances, while warm temperatures can weaken them. To match the seasons, it is possible to opt for fragrances that evoke the atmosphere and climate of each time of year.
- Spring : Choose perfumes with fresh and floral notes that recall nature reborn, like Mercedes-Benz Man.
- Summer : When it's hot, opt for light, fruity fragrances that provide a feeling of freshness, like Mercedes-Benz SEA.
- Autumn : Woody and spicy notes are in order for this season, warming the atmosphere around you, like AMG Black THRILL.
- Winter : Finally, oriental and gourmand fragrances, rich and deep, are ideal for facing cold winter days, like Mercedes-Benz Club Black.
Dare to think outside the box
There are no absolute rules when it comes to choosing a perfume: what matters most is that it matches your personality and gives you pleasure. So don't hesitate to explore, follow your intuition and try fragrances that you wouldn't think of at first. Perhaps you will discover a new, unsuspected side of yourself!
Take your time before making a decision
Finally, let's remember that there is no universal answer to the question "which perfume to choose." Even if there are tests and advice to guide us in our search, ultimately it is our own judgment that will decide. It is therefore essential to take your time and listen to your desires and instincts before opting for this or that perfume. This way, you can be sure to wear a fragrance that truly suits you and with which you will feel comfortable in all circumstances.
Doing tests on your skin is good but it's not enough
You can of course opt for discovery kits in the form of samples, it's a good way to know if a perfume suits you. Keep in mind that in stores you will generally only smell the top notes of the perfume. Throughout your quest for the ideal perfume, know that each fragrance can react differently depending on each person's skin. This is why it is interesting to carry out tests directly on your skin to find out if the scent and the staying power of the perfume are satisfactory. As a general rule, it is better not to test more than three perfumes on your skin during the same session to avoid unpleasant olfactory mixtures.
Olfactory chronicles
by Mercedes-Benz Parfums
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