5 fragrances each handsome person must activity this fun season

How to Choose, Test and Wear a Signature Scent

A list of well-known fragrances is a useful starting point, but the right scent is personal. Skin chemistry, climate and the settings you spend your days in all change how a fragrance performs, so a little method goes a long way before you commit to a full bottle.

Test on skin, not just paper

Blotter strips show you the opening notes, but a fragrance develops over several hours. Apply one spray to your wrist or inner elbow and wear it through a normal day. The bright citrus or spice you notice first often fades within half an hour, leaving the heart and base notes, such as woods, musks or amber, that people around you will actually notice. Try no more than two or three scents in one visit, because your nose tires quickly.

Match the scent to the season and setting

Fresh, aquatic and citrus fragrances tend to feel comfortable in warm weather and in offices, where a heavy scent can be overwhelming. Warmer, spicier or resinous compositions usually suit cooler evenings and social occasions. In a damp, mild climate like the Pacific Northwest, many people find that mid-weight woody scents work well for most of the year.

Apply with restraint

• Two to three sprays is usually enough. Aim for the neck, chest or wrists.
• Apply to clean, moisturised skin. Fragrance tends to last longer on hydrated skin.
• Avoid rubbing your wrists together, which can dull the top notes.
• In meetings or shared workspaces, err on the lighter side. Your scent should be noticed up close, not across the room.

Store it properly

Heat, light and air break down fragrance oils. Keep bottles in a cool, dark cupboard rather than on a sunny bathroom shelf, and keep the cap on. A well-stored fragrance can stay true for years.

Above all, choose something you enjoy wearing. Confidence in how you present yourself matters as much in a client meeting as at a dinner. For more practical reading on professional presence, browse our Insights and Guides.