Some people are able to pick one thing, commit to it and become loyal customers or users. For others, monogamy can be quite difficult, whether this is a perfume, type of food, clothing brand or whatever. They crave variety and being unpredictable, never wanting to limit their options and always on the hunt for something new, a novel experience or adventure.

What does this have to do with perfume?

Some people like to have a favorite scent – a signature fragrance if you will. Something that you come to associate with them and everyone who is familiar with them – partner, family and friends – can smell them from a mile away or know when they have been there because of that unique smell that has become their calling card. Whether you realize it or not, fragrances really do linger whether in your home, office or clothes. If you have a signature scent, it becomes associated with you and others’ memories of you.

Other types like to vary their scent, either layering different combinations or never sticking to any one perfume for too long. In fact, some people make it a point never to use the same scent twice and find a thrill in new finds and scent discoveries.

Whichever one you are is absolutely alright. There is no right or wrong here. However, if you would like to have a favorite scent, one that could be your olfactory ID, then this guide is for you. Here are tips and tricks on how to go about selecting a perfect signature scent, which include things you need to know and how you can go about making this important decision. If you are reading this, you obviously know how important your choice of scent is and the effect it can have on others. It is imperative to choose a scent that reflects who you are or who you would like to portray.

You can also choose to have a number of signature scents for different occasions or seasons. Having a signature scent does not in any way limit you to just one perfume for the rest of your life. There are way too many fragrance options to be worried about getting stuck!

What do you need?

A fragrance is like your friend or partner and is with you for a long time, especially if you are going to keep using it as a signature scent. It is important to ask yourself what you need this fragrance to be. Scents can affect your mood or be based on how you are feeling.

Some things to consider are:

Are you looking for something that matches or showcases your personality?
Are you looking for something popular or pricey?
Do you want a unique scent that keeps others guessing?
Would you like a mix that is tailored to varying needs and can be multipurpose?

You need to be sure that your signature scent or scents fulfills all your fragrance needs or there is absolutely no need for you to be committing to it. 

Steps To Take To Find The Perfect Signature Scent

1.   Do some research. You should get to know the different fragrance families, notes and their sub-categories and pick the right scents for your different needs. 
2.   Be sure to sample as many scents as possible to find out what fragrance    families you gravitate towards and rule out those you dislike. Watch out for how each fragrance combines the different notes and how strong or subtle it is. However, do not try too many at once. At any given time, consider about 3 scents.
3.  Reflect on your personality or the one you would like to portray.  Are you conservative or traditional and tend to stick with the more classic, floral, or simple fragrances? Do you want your scent to say dainty and delicate, shy, sexy, exotic, sultry, or diva? Do you want more of an outdoorsy style or are you more in favor of those subtle scents? You need to ask yourself these questions and when trying out samples, look for fragrances that match your answer. You can have a friend along to give you a second opinion and this can also make for a fun date or outing if they are into fragrances or even with your partner who might be particular about your scent and in any case would be directly impacted by your choice. Picking a signature scent that your long term partner is averse to could be a recipe for disaster so feel free to involve them too.
4.   Don’t make instant decisions when it comes to fragrance. You might like a scent when you first try it out but it later gets old or too strong, doesn’t last long enough or starts to feel cloying.  No one likes to feel like trapped by a perfume that is so excessive it becomes disgusting.Take your time to experience the scent and its effects to see if you really like it and can go with it long term. Most perfume stores will even give you samples that you can try before making a decision. Make sure that the scent serves your purpose before you take it home with you. Although you can always switch things up if you don’t like it, you don’t want to be investing in a signature scent that you end up hating.
5.   Consider your budget. An important factor to consider is what you are willing to spend on finding that signature. If you have a bottomless wallet and don’t have to worry about money, then you can skip right through this but if that’s not you, what’s your perfume budget? Knowing how much you can spend helps you eliminate options. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go for cheap and tacky options but you do have to make strategic choices of where to shop, how long it’ll last before you need to make another purchase, how much you would need to use to get a lasting stay which of course impacts how long it lasts. If you like brand names, pricey options, luxury and quality fragrances, you also need to look at the varying price ranges and pick one or two that’s ideal for you. Consider how much of a bargain you get by buying a bigger bottle. If you will be buying multiple fragrances and have less to spend on each one, you also need to budget for each option.

Major Fragrance Families and Their Subcategories

• Floral, as the name implies, gives off a flowery scent or mix of different flowers. The subcategories and mixes are floral-green, floral-fresh, floral-marine, floral-fruity, floral-aldehyde, and floral-oriental. If you are a floral person, then look for options from roses, jasmine, white flowers, etc. You might want try try Chloé or Gucci Bloom to see if this appeals to you.

• Oriental is a spicy option, that reminds you of incense but with a bit of sweetness. You can find oriental-fruity, oriental-spicy, or oriental-woody options. For two different sides to the same coin, consider Tom Ford Black Orchid or Guerlain Shalimar.

• Citrus is a popular option which usually gives off the scent of citrus fruits like oranges, limes and lemons. Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin is a favorite in this category.

• Musk is a more natural option which a number of people prefer as it smells more like our natural bodies and musk. Clean Cashmere and Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely are both sniff worthy  scents of this type.

• There are also green scents that are reminiscent of grass, plants or even tea leaves. Philosykos is a nice example of this.

• Gourmand scents are based on food flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, honey and candy. You can think of these as olfactory desserts. Give Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb or Dior Hypnotic Poison a whiff if sweetness is your thing. 

• Woody scents can include sandalwood, patchouli, or cedar etc. The vibe given off is warm and earthy. The oud or agarwood scent is a really popular  scent you’ve probably heard about. It’s a rich and bold scent that’s exotic and sensual. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black might strike your fancy if this is what you’re into.

• Chypre (pronounced sheep-ra) scents are characterized by an accord of citrus top notes, a labdanum heart and a mossy-animalic base note of oak moss. They are often described as warm and dry and have a vavoom quality. The subcategories include chypre-green, chypre-fruity, chypre-fresh, chypre-floral, and chypre-animalic. Try Paloma Picasso to experience this kind of perfume.

• Fougere scents (pronounced foozh-air) are used in many men’s fragrances but of course can be worn by anyone who enjoys this aroma. The dominant notes here are lavender, citrus, herbs and oakmoss which give it a sharp herbaceous quality. Florals, woods and animalic notes are often present in the fresh symphony of scents. One which has been quite popular is Tom Ford Black Orchid.

• Marine fragrances are best described as clean, light and breezy. Translucent notes such as water lily and water hyacinth often provide the marine theme. L’Eau d’Issey is a brilliant example of this type of scent.

•  There are also leather, tobacco, smoky, and a number of other categories out there. If you are looking for something that will whisk you off to a particular moment or thing, definitely check out Demeter Fragrance Library which offers an amazing range of scent types. Some examples of their current top sellers are: Kitten Fur, Cannabis Flower, Gin & Tonic, Laundromat and Paperback.

If you cannot find one or two signature scents, that’s totally okay. You can pick a number of options for different occasions allowing you switch it up when you want to. You can also use Sephora’s Fragrance Finder in stores or online to find the perfect scent for you. There are numerous other quizzes and tests to help you figure out what you prefer and what your personality scent would be. 

Don’t be afraid to seek expert help and advice although you definitely do not want to be confused by what someone else thinks. If you have an idea about what you want or are looking for don’t let the perky sales associate lead you in a different direction while she croons the name of the latest and greatest perfume and starts to spritz you with it. Expert advice can however be invaluable in helping you nail down the scents you love and then you can pick out which suits you best.

If you already have a perfume that you adore and want to find one like it, definitely check out Michael Edwards Fragrances of the World website which can be found here. His Fragrance Wheel will be immensely helpful in your scentual explorations.

Finally, remember to have fun. A perfume search should never be stressful. You should be excited and enjoy trying on the different scents. If it gets overwhelming, take a step back and pace yourself but you definitely should not be getting anxious when looking for your perfect signature scent..

I hope this has been helpful. Happy hunting and good luck!