PERFUMES & EAU DE PARFUM

Eau de parfum is a fragrance format with a relatively high concentration of perfume oils. It usually has more depth and staying power than an eau de toilette from the same scent family, although the exact concentration and wear time vary by formula. Our fragrance guide explains the different formats in more detail.

Start with fragrance families and notes you already enjoy, such as citrus , floral , woody , sweet or gourmand. Then consider when and how you want to wear it. A fragrance discovery set or sample-size fragrance is useful because perfume develops over several hours and can smell different on skin than it does on paper. Our guide to shopping for perfume online has more scent-finding advice.

Spritz perfume onto pulse points such as your wrists and neck, following the product directions. Let it dry naturally rather than rubbing your wrists together, which can alter how the opening notes develop. You can also mist clothing if the product is suitable, but test delicate fabrics first.