How to Choose Women’s Perfume

Finding an everyday scent or the perfect women’s perfume for a special occasion can be overwhelming. The fragrance you choose hints about your unique style and disposition. A fragrance may also lift a mood, conjure vivid memories, and help you smell great as you take on each new day.

With so many scents to choose from, you may wonder how to pick a perfume that suits you. Luckily, this fragrance buying guide will give you all the information needed to find your signature scent or choose a gift for a loved one.

Choosing Perfume Scents Based on Natural Chemistry

There are many explanations as to why we are attracted to different scents, but we can safely say that finding the perfect fragrance boils down to two factors: preference and natural chemistry.

Our sense of smell is closely linked to our memories, probably more so than any of our other senses, which is precisely why fragrances are able to trigger a flood of memories or intense emotions. The smell of fresh flowers on a warm, sunny day may make you think of your wedding or a musky scent may remind you of the cologne your father wore when you were a child.

We are also individually attracted to other people's unique brand of smell. In other words, the way you smell to someone else may depend on how a perfume relates to your pheromones and natural odors.

What Are Fragrance Notes in Perfume?

Most fragrances are formulated using either plant-based or synthetic aromas, but some manufacturers still include animal-derived notes. Perfumers generally employ a three-part structure to compose most fragrances.

• The head note—or top note—of any fragrance is the first olfactory impression that the perfume imparts.
• The heart note—or middle note—is the primary scent that helps a perfume last for several hours.
• The base note is the scent that reinforces the fragrance as a whole, enhancing the top and middle notes.

Whether used alone or combined, these base ingredients speak to something buried deep within us. Determine what notes are most appealing to you, and you can start your fragrance search from there.

Choose Perfume by Scent and Feeling

No one knows you better than you, which can come in handy when choosing a perfume. Here are some of the fragrance families to be familiar with while searching for a fragrance to call your own.

Animalics

Notes of: musk, amber, leather, caviar, civet, etc.

If you couldn't tell by the name alone, animalics are notes that derive from the secretions of animals. Although the idea of using the glandular secretions of certain animals may seem outlandish, animalics actually played an important role in the art of perfumery—but you may be relieved to know these scents are now recreated synthetically. Animalic fragrances are slightly more nuanced than spicy and woody fragrances, but they are universally appealing and well-suited to romantic dinners or special occasions.

Aromatics

Notes of: cinnamon, coffee, pepper, sesame, pimento

Aromatic compositions are typical of fragrances for men but also appear in women’s perfumes. Many of these notes can be found in facets of everyday life, especially in the kitchen. Perfumers employ cumin, lavender, rosemary, sage, and other plants that possess an intensive grass-spicy scent. Aromatics are luxurious, making them perfect for when you need to make a big impression.

Aquatics

Notes of: water, salt, seaweed, ink, sand

There's nothing quite like the rhythmic sound of waves crashing along the shore or the feeling of sinking your feet into the wet sand. Aquatic fragrances capture these sensual experiences of being near the sea. Aquatic fragrances are sharp and refreshing without being overly forward, making them ideal for a night out or any weekend when you want to smell and feel more adventurous.

Citrus

Notes of: orange, bergamot, lemon, kumquat, yuzu, blood orange

Fresh and zesty scents with a citrus base have an effervescent quality about them as well as a hint of cleanliness. Citrusy fragrances are bursting with energy, which is why they are an all-time summer favorite fragrance.

Florals

Notes of: rose, lily of the valley, gardenia, sweet pea, tobacco blossom

Floral compositions are complex and romantic in nature. These fragrances inspire confidence, sensuality, and feelings of love, which can all add up to one very romantic evening between you and your special someone.

Fruits

Notes of: apple, pear, berries, pomegranate, persimmon

Whether you are looking for a refreshingly light fragrance for the fall or a deliciously sweet perfume to get you through the summer, fruity compositions will make you smell good enough to eat and clue people into your playful nature.

Greens

Notes of: green tea, leaves, juniper, clary sage, cactus, tobacco

Green fragrances have earthy, leafy, and vegetal notes that derive from leaves and plants. Green notes are very refreshing and often used by perfumers to add a sharpness to floral compositions.

Gourmands

Notes of: praline, sugar, caramel, dark chocolate, cupcake, maple syrup

Gourmand fragrances are predominantly sweet, with saccharine and edible notes that feel nostalgic and comfortable.

Orientals

Notes of: patchouli, vanilla, cloves, orchid, curry, masala chai

Also known as the “amber fragrance family,” oriental fragrances are rich and predominantly spicy, with zesty, peppery, and warm notes.

Woods

Notes of: cedar, oak moss, vetiver, spruce, eucalyptus, plum

Woody fragrances are predominantly warm and opulent or dry, with earthy notes that blend very well with floral and musky compositions. Masculine fragrances often contain a dash of citrus or aromatic notes.

Are you and your scent a love match? If you still feel lost, it's important to remember that your skin never lies. If you find yourself constantly reaching for a certain scent or particular brand of perfume, chances are that you are right on the money. Finding your signature perfume—the perfect fragrance match for you—may feel like a special experience or even an experiment at times, but it is well worth the wait.

At Stages West, we proudly offer a wide selection of hand-blended fragrances from the Annie Oakley Perfumery and Studio. If you have any questions about our fragrance buying guide or selection, please feel free to contact us for additional information or further assistance.