The best perfume is the one that makes you feel like yourself, but slightly more fabulous. Still, a few smart shopping tips can help you make better choices.

  • First, sample before buying when possible. Spray the perfume on your skin, not just on paper. Paper can tell you the opening, but your skin tells you the real story. Give it at least a few hours before deciding.
  • Second, think about the season. Fresh citrus, aquatic, fruity, and airy floral scents often feel amazing in spring and summer. Warm vanilla, amber, sandalwood, praline, pistachio, and deeper florals usually shine in fall and winter.
  • Third, match the perfume to the occasion. A soft musk or fresh floral can be perfect for office wear. A fruity gourmand can be fun for weekends. A warm, ambery, floral, or creamy woody scent can feel beautiful for evening plans.
  • Fourth, pay attention to longevity and sillage. Longevity is how long the scent lasts. Sillage is the trail it leaves behind. For daily wear, moderate sillage is often ideal because it smells pleasant without overpowering others.
  • Fifth, trust your skin chemistry. The same perfume can smell sweeter, sharper, creamier, or muskier to different people. That is normal. Your favorite should smell good in the bottle, but even better on you.