How to Become a Perfume Enthusiast

Many people have told me that they are interested in learning more about perfumes and Become a Perfume Enthusiast but feel that this hobby might be too costly. As the saying goes, “the world of fragrance is as deep as the sea.” So, how can one explore the dreamy world of perfumes within their budget? In the realm of various hobbies, collecting perfumes can indeed be an expensive endeavor. However, with some savvy tips, you can enjoy this passion without breaking the bank. Back when I was a student, relying on the allowance sent by my family, spending over $100 on a non-essential item like perfume required considerable determination. Now, with additional responsibilities, such as supporting a family, careful consideration before purchasing perfume is even more crucial.

The true joy of discovering perfumes lies not in accumulating dozens of bottles on your vanity but in experiencing the pleasure of scents, and this comes for free. If you genuinely want to nurture your perfume hobby, here are a few suggestions that might help.

Smell with Intent, Experience Different Scents

• If you simply want to appreciate a fragrance, you don’t need to buy anything. Boldly explore scents at places, like Sephora or various counters offering testers of any perfume they have for sale.When you encounter a new fragrance, don’t rush to judge. Focus on experiencing the ambiance the scent creates. Occasionally stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something slightly different can help redefine your taste. Moreover, using a scent strip is cost-free; if you don’t like the fragrance, you can discard it, unlike buying a bottle that you might regret later.

It’s worth noting that the scent on a test strip can differ from the scent when sprayed on the skin. The layers and projection might vary, so don’t solely rely on the scent strip to judge your preferences.

Don’t Rush Into Purchases

When you start collecting perfumes, resist the urge to buy immediately. Take some time to understand your preferences because impulsive decisions now might lead to regrets later. The more scents you encounter, the more nuanced your taste becomes.

Personally, I understand the temptation to purchase something after seeing others praise it. However, consider buying a decant to test it first. If you like it, you can invest in a full-sized bottle. If you’re interested in a niche fragrance, research others with similar notes before committing. In the fragrance community, similarities between scents are common. For instance, if you enjoy Ann Gerard’s Cuir de Nacre, you might find Hermes Kelly Caleche appealing, as both share an iris-leather accord.

Train Your Nose with Classic Fragrances

• While not everyone needs to own or appreciate classic fragrances, delving into them becomes essential once you step into the world of perfume collecting. Many classic fragrances have undergone reformulations, but they still offer value for money. Chanel No. 19, despite being reformulated, remains a worthy purchase. Similarly, Estee Lauder Youth Dew’s rich, warm, and sweet base is worth exploring, even if you find it initially heavy.Sampling Dior’s Eau Sauvage, with its unique forest-like essence, is a good choice for those looking to experience a classic with a fresh citrus twist.

As a perfume enthusiast, it’s important not to feel obligated to love every classic fragrance. The key is to keep an open mind, revisit them occasionally, and see if your perceptions evolve. If classics like Guerlain Mitsouko are not to your liking, don’t feel guilty; there are numerous other fragrances waiting to be discovered. For example, even though I’m not a fan of Jean Patou’s Joy, it becomes my go-to when I crave an unparalleled jasmine fragrance.

Explore Niche Fragrances at a Later Stage

• As the opposite of widely available mainstream fragrances, niche perfumes are undoubtedly attention-grabbing. I vividly remember the excitement when I discovered L’Artisan Parfumeur and Serge Lutens. Niche fragrances inject a refreshing stream of creativity into the somewhat stagnant perfume market. However, their rapid expansion in the past decade has not necessarily led to a corresponding increase in quality; often, the only noticeable change is the price. Moreover, many expensive niche fragrances are mere imitations of classics. For instance, Bond No. 9 Scent of Peace is akin to Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue, and Amouage Gold is comparable to Guerlain Shalimar.

The more you understand classic fragrances, the better equipped you’ll be to discern quality, making informed decisions.

Smell Everyday Life

As a perfume enthusiast, to enhance your mental olfactory map, smell things around you, such as herbs, tea, coffee, chocolate, olive oil, or even the fruits displayed at a grocery store. Many perfumers are born into families with a fragrance background, where they train their sense of smell from a young age. While you might not have essential oils or spices, smelling fruits or spices while shopping not only sharpens your sense of smell but also enhances the flavor of the food you purchase!

Don’t forget to go to the kitchen and smell cinnamon, black pepper, or star anise. Just by smelling the aroma of black pepper, you can experience the essence of Vioresi Piper Nigrum by Lorenzo VVoresi. Haha, now you can save money on ordering test tubes. Alternatively, you can grind fresh pepper to perceive its top notes, paying attention to whether there is a refreshing citrus scent. Then, after 10 minutes, smell again to discern the subtle differences between woody and smoky notes. The scent of natural spices is as complex as any perfume itself, and most of the perfumes you like may use only one or two natural spices.

Buying a sample firstly

Buying a sample first is wiser If you want to try a perfume or if you have found a scent that captivates you, consider buying a small sample bottle first. Branddecant offers genuine samples, or you can check reliable online shops. For the price of a movie ticket, you can carefully select a bunch of samples to enjoy for a few days. If you don’t like them, there’s no loss—why not give it a try?

Try swapping samples or perfumes You can also exchange decants or perfumes with other fragrance enthusiasts in the second-hand section. This way, you can not only try new scents and expand your collection but also make friends with similar interests.

Don’t buy blindly

This is similar to the second point but worth emphasizing. Impulse buying without a plan can be dangerous when you’re on a tight budget, leading to ending up with a bottle of perfume that doesn’t suit you. I only buy a full bottle of perfume when my passion for a particular sample or decant persists for two consecutive months. Otherwise, I switch to other perfumes. Sometimes, I even wait longer. For example, because I already have a bottle of Serge Lutens Borneo 1834, I took six months to consider whether I really needed another chocolate-scented perfume like Chanel Coromandel. A year later, I still love my Lutens, so I’m glad I didn’t waste money.

Conclusion

Unless you want to collect perfumes, buying too many perfumes is meaningless. If your collection is extensive, you won’t be able to use them all, but perfumes do change. In other words, the more scents you smell, the deeper your olfactory memory becomes, and your preferences become simpler. A sweet smoky scent in early autumn, the sweet and sour aroma of maple syrup in spring, the fragrance of a bakery in a bustling street… I believe these subtle discoveries are the best proof of one’s passion for perfumes.

If you’re unsure where to start with perfumes, I’m willing to share recommendations for fragrance samples suitable for beginners, featuring various scents. Click here to read more and becoming a Perfume Enthusiast.