Shopping for a fragrance can become a full on sensory overload - from the colours, the bottles in every colour and shape and the sampling of scents. When you’re shopping for someone else you want to choose a scent that says all the right things, but it can be hard to know where to start. Fragrance preferences can be so unpredictable because we have 400 different types of olfactory receptors. This means that scent that smells amazing might give your friend a bit of a headache or one you aren’t sure about could be the perfect gift they love. A well-chosen fragrance is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give so we’ve gathered some expert tips to help you win the battle of the bottles:
- Who are you shopping for?
Think about what type of personality they have. Is it fun, light and playful or serious, subtle and mysterious? Do they like to try new things or not a fan of change? The experts at your local Pharmacy can help you pick from the latest launches or the classics.
- Do they have a favourite brand?
Casually bring it up in conversation or go on a mission to scope out their dressing table or bathroom cabinet. The sales team instore can help find out if the brand has a new launch or perfume they may not have tried.
- What real life smells do they like?
Are they a fan of flowers? Love lilies or always have roses in their living room? Do they like scented vanilla candles or comment on the smell of warm cinnamon pastries? Start taking notice when you spend time with them. You can then use this information to guide you to find fragrances with these scents or ‘notes’. Most perfumes contain top notes (you smell these first); heart or mid-notes (that include floral ingredients); and base notes (which comprise woods, amber, musk’s or vanilla, and last longest on your skin). The mix of these notes and their various concentrations create a perfume’s overall scent. Ask the sales team instore to help you find a perfume with a larger concentration of their favourite notes.
- When do they wear their scents?
When they plan to wear their fragrance can help influence the strength of perfume you opt for. An eau de toilette (EDT), which typically contains around 4-8% perfume oil and lasts two to four hours on average, is lighter and better suited to being worn during the day. Whereas an eau de parfum (EDP), which contains 8-15% perfume oil and usually lasts up to six hours, will work better for someone looking for fragrance longevity, or who wants a more powerful scent to wear in the evening.
- Are they keen travellers?
Do they always carry fragrance in their handbag? This could help you decide whether a 30ml or 50ml bottle might suit them better. Some brands offer a gift set with a full size as well as a handbag friendly mini or body lotion, which could be perfect.
