Looking for a new scent that screams, “Surprise!”? Or maybe your collection is begging for an overhaul?
The best way to break into perfumery is to learn about the top notes, base notes, and scent composition. Once you know the elements that make up a scent, you will be able to find more exciting scents.
And speaking of scents, what better way to get your collection going than with a signature scent? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to spice up your perfume collection.
Think before you buy
Before you head to the store to make your purchase, do your research. Read up on the different types of scents and how they affect people. Pay attention to each fragrance’s main notes, base notes, and composition. This will help you determine which scents are better suited for you.
Check the fragrance notes
Read the label on the back of the bottle to familiarise yourself with the fragrance notes. These are the scents you will smell in the bottle.
Top notes are the first scent you will smell when spraying a fragrance. They are very short-lived and will fade away within 30 minutes.
Base notes are the prominent smells you will pick up from a perfume. They tend to last longer than the top notes and fade away after about three hours.
The notes are also known as the “aroma” of a fragrance. A perfume may have a mixture of citrus, floral, woody, and earthy notes.
Discover your signature scent
Take a trip to your local perfume store and let the experts help you find your signature scent. Choose between perfume and cologne, and let the clerk help you pick out a scent that will fit your personality. Remember that scents do not always smell like what they are named after (e.g., a rose scent doesn’t smell like a rose).
Consider a body spray if you are looking for a more up-close and personal scent. Body sprays are meant to be used on your skin; they are much closer to a cologne’s scent than a perfume’s.
The top notes are important
Top notes are what grab your attention in a bottle. They are the initial scent that hits your nose, and they fade away quickly. Coco Rose and Pomegranate are examples of top notes that smell delicious but vanish within minutes.
Top notes are also what makes a perfume smell light and fresh. If you are looking for a more mature scent, go with a fragrance with a lower top note.
The base notes are key
Base notes are what you will smell when the top notes have faded away. They are the underlying scents that give a fragrance its personality.
Darker scents usually have heavier base notes. The richer notes lend depth and last longer in the air.
Some notes have similar scents, so pay attention to the variations in a scent’s notes. Citrus fruits and flowers have similar base notes, but their top notes smell different.
Composition is the key to success
Not all perfumes are created equal. Some are made with cheap ingredients that smell good on paper but do not translate to a bottle. Others use expensive ingredients that smell amazing. Knowing the difference between a cheap production and an authentic perfume can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Final words
Perfumes are beautiful and exciting art forms that can transport you to another world. Learning about the different scents and their creation can expand your horizons. Your perfume collection will thank you for it.
You can expand your knowledge on fragrances through Scentopia’s guided perfumery tours, a short session that you can attend as one of the free things to do in Sentosa. It is one of the popular outdoor team building activities in Singapore as it is highly engaging and enjoyable for people of all ages.
For more information on tours at Scentopia, contact us here.
The best way to break into perfumery is to learn about the top notes, base notes, and scent composition. Once you know the elements that make up a scent, you will be able to find more exciting scents.
And speaking of scents, what better way to get your collection going than with a signature scent? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to spice up your perfume collection.
Think before you buy
Before you head to the store to make your purchase, do your research. Read up on the different types of scents and how they affect people. Pay attention to each fragrance’s main notes, base notes, and composition. This will help you determine which scents are better suited for you.
Check the fragrance notes
Read the label on the back of the bottle to familiarise yourself with the fragrance notes. These are the scents you will smell in the bottle.
Top notes are the first scent you will smell when spraying a fragrance. They are very short-lived and will fade away within 30 minutes.
Base notes are the prominent smells you will pick up from a perfume. They tend to last longer than the top notes and fade away after about three hours.
The notes are also known as the “aroma” of a fragrance. A perfume may have a mixture of citrus, floral, woody, and earthy notes.
Discover your signature scent
Take a trip to your local perfume store and let the experts help you find your signature scent. Choose between perfume and cologne, and let the clerk help you pick out a scent that will fit your personality. Remember that scents do not always smell like what they are named after (e.g., a rose scent doesn’t smell like a rose).
Consider a body spray if you are looking for a more up-close and personal scent. Body sprays are meant to be used on your skin; they are much closer to a cologne’s scent than a perfume’s.
The top notes are important
Top notes are what grab your attention in a bottle. They are the initial scent that hits your nose, and they fade away quickly. Coco Rose and Pomegranate are examples of top notes that smell delicious but vanish within minutes.
Top notes are also what makes a perfume smell light and fresh. If you are looking for a more mature scent, go with a fragrance with a lower top note.
The base notes are key
Base notes are what you will smell when the top notes have faded away. They are the underlying scents that give a fragrance its personality.
Darker scents usually have heavier base notes. The richer notes lend depth and last longer in the air.
Some notes have similar scents, so pay attention to the variations in a scent’s notes. Citrus fruits and flowers have similar base notes, but their top notes smell different.
Composition is the key to success
Not all perfumes are created equal. Some are made with cheap ingredients that smell good on paper but do not translate to a bottle. Others use expensive ingredients that smell amazing. Knowing the difference between a cheap production and an authentic perfume can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Final words
Perfumes are beautiful and exciting art forms that can transport you to another world. Learning about the different scents and their creation can expand your horizons. Your perfume collection will thank you for it.
You can expand your knowledge on fragrances through Scentopia’s guided perfumery tours, a short session that you can attend as one of the free things to do in Sentosa. It is one of the popular outdoor team building activities in Singapore as it is highly engaging and enjoyable for people of all ages.
For more information on tours at Scentopia, contact us here.
Join Scentopia, Sentosa's latest tourist attraction wonderful orchid scent crafting, fragrance tour, bridal shower or corporate team building which includes perfume making onsite and offsite, beach activities and more. We also serve primary school learning journey, secondary students and pupil on industrial excursions. Know more about our orchids perfume bar or therapeutic orchid scents and other wellness aromas. Conatct Perfume workshop or book a scent crafting session here.