How to Choose a Fragrance That Reflects Your Personality and Style

Your fragrance says a lot about you. But choosing the right one can be intimidating if you’re unsure where to start. Good news: Finding the best perfume that fits your unique style is easier than you think. Keep reading to learn how to select a fragrance that reflects your personality!

Fragrance Families: What Are They?

First things first: Before looking for a new fragrance, you’ll need to know about the different fragrance families. Experts typically group fragrances into four main categories:

Floral
Oriental
Woody
Fresh

Floral scents are light and sweet, like fresh-cut flowers, while Oriental fragrances are sensual and spicy (think: amber and vanilla). Woody scents evoke a warm and earthy touch, with notes of sandalwood or cedarwood. Lastly, fresh aromas like citrus or ocean scents are clean and crisp. Each category has its own subcategories that can help you narrow down your ideal fragrance.

What’s Your Personality and Style?

Now that you understand scent profiles, identify what makes you unique. Think about these questions to narrow down your preferences:

Are you outgoing or reserved?
Do you like trendy styles, or do you prefer classics?
When you do your makeup, do you choose bold or subtle looks?
What’s your preference: bright or neutral colors?

Try Before You Buy

There’s nothing more frustrating than purchasing a fragrance based on an online description or attractive packaging and not liking how it smells. And did you know the same fragrance can smell different on different people? As a general rule, test each perfume before buying it to determine how it reacts to your body chemistry.

Consider the Occasion

Different fragrance profiles are best suited for certain occasions. For example, if you’re attending a formal event, you might want to pair your outfit with an elegant fragrance. On the other hand, for casual errands, a light, fresh perfume may make more sense. It helps to have a few fragrances you like so you can switch them up when needed.

Stick to What You Know

Choosing the perfect fragrance can take years, so when you find one you love, hold on to it! There’s nothing wrong with having a signature scent you wear every day.

Don’t Be Afraid to Mix and Match

If you can’t find a particular fragrance you like, try layering different scents together to make your own unique combination. You can do this with multiple perfumes or complementary body washes, lotions, and hand creams.

Trust Your Instincts

While the tips we discussed in this article will point you in the right direction, at the end of the day, the best choice for your personalized fragrance will be what you like. Test out a few options until you find one that makes you feel confident and beautiful!

Our Picks:

Floral: Ellis Brooklyn Florist Eau de Parfum ($108, shop here)

One of Ellis Brooklyn’s most popular fragrances, this floral perfume celebrates notes of tuberose petals, honeysuckle, and gardenia.