To test a perfume on skin, wear a single candidate, note the application conditions and observe its evolution at several times. The mouillette helps to do an initial sorting; The skin test allows you to decide if you really like wearing the fragrance.
An immediate purchase after opening may leave out the part of the scent that you will perceive later. You don't need technical vocabulary: a few personal words and comparable conditions are enough to keep a useful record.
Prepare the test
Avoid wearing another perfume at the same time. If possible, keep body products low in scent while comparing. Follow the instructions for use and do not apply the perfume to irritated skin or an unsuitable area.
For a first discovery in store, smell a limited number of candidates and give yourself a break when the smells become difficult to distinguish. The objective is not to test an entire department in a single session.
Mouillette and skin: two complementary steps
The mouillette gives a first impression of the perfume on paper and allows you to rule out a direction that you do not like. Write down the name above so as not to confuse the fragrances. It does not allow you to accurately predict your experience on the skin.
When you have a favorite, test it on an area provided by the product advice. To compare multiple scents, separate days make the impressions easier to distinguish. If you are testing two areas simultaneously, clearly identify them and prevent them from touching.
What to note throughout the day?
| Information | Example question |
|---|---|
| Conditions | What quantity, what area and what environment? |
| Opening | What impressions come to me in the first minutes? |
| Evolution | Does the scent become sweeter, fruity, floral or woody to my nose? |
| Presence | Do I perceive it up close or around me? |
| Desire | Do I want to wear it again? In what situation? |
You can return to your notes after about an hour, then at the end of the day. This calendar is a comparison tool, with no standard expected duration. The guide sillage, projection and longevity specifies the presence criteria.
Use a tester or Discovery Set
A trial format allows you to make this decision at home. Check its capacity and presentation before ordering. For several perfumes, consult the references actually included in a Discovery Set.
Reserve a second try for your two favourites. You will know better if the first enthusiasm corresponds to a lasting desire. Don’t just try to know which scent is “the strongest”: softness, evolution and pleasure also count.
Errors that make comparison difficult
- Layer several fragrances without having discovered them separately.
- Compare very different quantities or conditions without writing them down.
- Conclude a disappearance only because you no longer notice the smell.
- Choose according to the name, the packaging or a number of hours announced without testing.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you wait before buying?
There is no universal deadline. Observing developments over the course of a day and retrying a favorite helps decide beyond the opening.
Should I rub my wrists?
To keep the test comparable, let the product sit according to the instructions for use. The goal is to avoid changing the distribution or transferring the scent between the areas tested.
How to decide between two favourites?
Look at your usage and your budget: which one do you want to wear most often, and in what situations? Our choice guide helps to decide.