As per Vogue, when analyzing the perfumes you own, ask yourself if they make you feel "good, happy, relaxed, or special." Next, check if they still smell the same on you. Hormonal shifts and skin's changing pH can mean that the bubblegum-sweet perfume you've had since college might smell very different now. Plus, your nose might not even respond to your go-to signature fragrance from extended wear, meaning it should be nixed.
Once your vanity is at least partially cleared out, it's time to get started. Byrdie advises thinking about what formulas you want to buy. Eau de toilettes are light and refreshing for daytime, eau de parfums are more concentrated and long-lasting for day-to-night, and "face mists ... scented hair and body oils" are other must-have formulations for your collection.
Next up, figure out what perfumes you respond to and what scents spark joy. As Elle explains,"Your perfume wardrobe should comprise the smells you find pleasing," so know what categories you like. Are you green-inclined, loving "fresh and verdant"? Or you might love anything citrus, "warm and spicy" oriental scents, woodsy chypres, or sweet florals. Test out the categories in person, smelling them on the blotters after the alcohol has evaporated, as well as on your skin. As per Byrdie, also learn about fragrance notes, the first scent (or "top" layer), middle notes, and the final whiff of more depth. Once you know how you'll experience notes, even shopping for perfumes online will become much easier.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEpaCsrF6YvK57k25ta25pZMSiutNmq6hlo6mus8CMmmSpnaKbwq6xjJympaSVmMGqu81mn56qlah6qbvWaA%3D%3D