How to choose a perfume (without making a mistake)

There are two types of people: those who always wear the same perfume and those who have five open bottles in the bathroom. Both are fine. Both make mistakes sometimes. Because choosing perfume isn't easy, but it's not as complicated as it seems either.

• Test it on your skin and wait 2–3 hours

• Choose by routine (day/night/plan)

• Meet 6 basic families

• EDT vs EDP: when to use each one

• Avoid 4 common mistakes

The hard part isn't finding a perfume that smells good. The hard part is finding one that represents you. One that fits your life. One that you won't get tired of after three days. Here's how to do it.

How to test a perfume (step by step)

1. Apply to wrist

2. Do not rub

3. Wait 2–3 hours

4. Repeat another day with 2–3 finalists

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Start with your skin, not the bottle.

The most common mistake: buying a perfume because the bottle is pretty, the name is aspirational, or your friend wears it and it looks great on her. Your friend doesn't have your skin. Or your pH. Or your body chemistry.

A perfume smells different on everyone. The same bottle, two different scents. That's why samples exist. That's why you have to try it on YOUR skin and wait. Not five minutes. An hour minimum. Three is better.

Perfumes have a structure: top notes (the first thing you smell), heart notes (what comes next), and base notes (what lingers at the end). Judging a perfume by its top notes is like judging a TV series by the first episode. Sometimes it works. Sometimes you miss the best part.

Tip : Apply to your wrist, don't rub (it breaks down the molecules), wait. If after two hours you still want to smell it, it's yours.

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Your life decides your perfume (not the other way around)

Do you work in an air-conditioned office or outdoors? Do you go out at night or stay in? Do you live in pajamas or get dressed up every day? Your perfume needs to fit into your real routine.

• For long, active days : fresh and discreet. Puro Lino smells like clean sheets. Sailing Day in a breeze. They accompany you without disturbing you.
• For evenings and dinners : here you can go all out. Marrakech Intense or Un jour sans fin have a presence. They are noticeable. They remain.
• For everything : Pure Talc works at 9am and 11pm. There's a reason it's Laconicum's best-selling product.
  

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The families you need to know

You don't need to be an expert. Just understand the basics.

• Citrus fruits : lemon, bergamot. Fresh, energizing, short-lived. Perfect for summer and daytime. Puro Neroli is your starting point.
• Floral : from soft to intense. The most versatile family. Virēre blends citrus, fig, and green tea. It evolves on your skin.
• Woody notes : cedar, sandalwood. Character and depth. Jazz Club smells of rum, tobacco, and leather. It's not for going unnoticed.
• Orientals : vanilla, amber. Sensual and persistent. Gourmand Broth is sweet, warm, addictive.
• Greens : tea, moss, grass. Real nature. From The Garden smells of green tomatoes and wet earth.
• Powdery : iris, violet. Comforting elegance. Blanc Poudre is both sensual and innocent.

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EDT or EDP: they are not the same

• Eau de Toilette : light, 2-4 hours, for everyday use. You can reapply.
• Eau de Parfum : Intense, 6-8 hours, special occasions (or not, you decide).

Many fragrances exist in both. Pure Talc , Pure Linen , Pure Neroli . The same fragrance, two intensities. Choose according to the moment.

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What not to do when choosing

• Don't smell more than 4 in a row : your nose will get saturated. After the fourth, you won't be able to distinguish anything.
• Don't buy on the first day: try it, live with it for a few hours, come back the next day if you're still convinced.
• Do not rub your wrists: That typical gesture ruins the fragrance. Apply and let it dry.
• Don't always use the same perfume: if you don't change your clothes in July and winter, why use the same perfume?

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Based on your personality (if you want guidance)

• You are practical and direct : citrus or watchful. Pure Linen smells clean. Period.
• You are curious : you need variety. Osmarine is different every time you smell it. Shifumi is a nocturnal citrus fruit (yes, they exist).
• You are sophisticated : complex florals or orientals. Virēre evolves on your skin for hours.
• You are natural : green and aromatic. When The Rain Stops smells like rain on dry land.

But these are just suggestions, not rules. If you're practical and fall for an intense Asian man, go for it.

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The truth about choosing perfume

There is no such thing as "the perfect perfume." There are perfect perfumes for different moments. A fresh one for the morning. A woody one for the evening. A special one for when you want to feel different.

The key: try it on your skin, give it time, trust your instincts. If after three hours you still want to smell it, it's yours. If not, next.

And if after reading this you're still lost, write to us at hola@laconicum.com or come to Piamonte, 21 in Madrid. Sometimes the best recommendation doesn't come from a blog. It comes from smelling.

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How to make your perfume last longer

Making your favorite perfume last all day isn't just about the fragrance itself, but also about how you apply it. Here are some easy but effective tips:

• Moisturize your skin before applying perfume: well-hydrated skin retains fragrance molecules better. You can use your usual cream or a fragrance-free moisturizer.
• Apply the perfume to your pulse points: wrists, behind your ears, neck, and behind your knees. The temperature of these areas helps the fragrance diffuse better.
• Don't rub the fragrance: rubbing your wrists together can break down the perfume molecules and alter its scent.
• Perfume your clothes: some fragrances adhere very well to fabrics; just be careful with delicate fabrics that may get stained.
• Close the container tightly: contact with air oxidizes the perfume and can cause it to lose intensity faster.

With these simple gestures, your perfume will not only last longer, but will also be enjoyed at its maximum intensity throughout the day.

Explore our perfume collection

By: Anabel Vázquez
co-founder of Laconicum