The scent guide
How to find, wear and love your fragrance
Everything you need to choose with confidence — from what “notes” really mean to the scents that suit an Indian summer.
1 · The notes pyramid
A perfume changes as you wear it
Perfume ingredients evaporate at different speeds. That’s why the scent you smell in the first minute isn’t the one you smell at lunch. Perfumers build in three layers, so the fragrance tells a story over the day.
Tip: judge a perfume after 20–30 minutes on your skin, not from the first spray.
-
Top notes15–30 minutes
Citrus, bergamot, pink pepper, herbs
-
Heart notes2–4 hours
Rose, jasmine, cardamom, iris, lavender
-
Base notes6+ hours
Oud, sandalwood, amber, musk, vanilla
2 · Fragrance families
Start with the family you love
If you love one perfume in a family, you’ll probably enjoy others from it too.
Bold · Regal · Evening
Oud
Deep, smoky and resinous — the jewel of Arabian perfumery.
Agarwood, saffron, rose, leather
Romantic · Graceful · Timeless
Floral
Bouquets of rose, jasmine and tuberose, from dewy to opulent.
Rose, jasmine, peony, tuberose
Clean · Bright · Daytime
Fresh
Crisp, clean and energising — like the first breeze of the morning.
Citrus, mint, neroli, sea notes
Intimate · Comforting · Everyday
Musk
Soft and skin-like, a warm whisper that stays close.
White musk, ambrette, iris
Warm · Sensual · Winter
Oriental
Warm spices, amber and resins wrapped in sweetness.
Amber, cinnamon, vanilla, benzoin
Calm · Elegant · Office
Woody
Sandalwood, cedar and vetiver — grounded and quietly confident.
Sandalwood, cedar, vetiver
Joyful · Light · Summer
Citrus
Sparkling lemon, bergamot and orange to lift the mood.
Bergamot, lemon, mandarin
Sweet · Playful · Cosy
Gourmand
Edible, cosy notes of vanilla, caramel and tonka.
Vanilla, tonka, caramel, coffee
3 · Concentration
Parfum, EDP, EDT, attar — what’s the difference?
The more perfume oil, the richer and longer-lasting the scent. Higher isn’t always better: lighter concentrations are perfect for heat and daytime.
| Type | Perfume oil | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Parfum | 20–30% perfume oil | The richest form. A few dabs last all day and stay close to the skin. |
| Eau de Parfum | 15–20% perfume oil | Full-bodied and long-lasting — the everyday choice for most people. |
| Eau de Toilette | 5–15% perfume oil | Lighter and brighter, lovely for daytime and warm weather. |
| Eau de Cologne | 2–5% perfume oil | A fresh splash that fades gently within a few hours. |
| Attar | Pure oil, no alcohol | Traditional concentrated oil. Apply a little to pulse points; it melts into the skin. |
| Body Mist | 1–3% perfume oil | A soft veil of scent to spray generously and refresh through the day. |
4 · Seasons & occasions
Scents for the Indian calendar
Summer
Heat makes fragrance project more, so go light: citrus, neroli, aquatic and green notes, Eau de Toilette or body mists. Re-apply rather than over-spray.
Monsoon
Humid air holds scent close. Clean musks, vetiver, light woods and soft florals stay fresh without feeling heavy.
Winter
Cool air mutes perfume — the season for oud, amber, vanilla, leather and spice. Eau de Parfum and attars shine.
Festive & weddings
Long days and crowded rooms call for richness that lasts: jasmine, rose, saffron and oud, applied a little earlier in the evening.
5 · Wear it well
Make your fragrance last longer
- ✦Apply to pulse points — wrists, the base of the throat and behind the ears — where warmth helps the scent bloom.
- ✦Spray onto skin moisturised with an unscented lotion; fragrance lasts longer on hydrated skin.
- ✦Don’t rub your wrists together. It crushes the top notes and shortens their life.
- ✦A light mist on clothes or hair holds the scent longer — keep a little distance from delicate fabrics.
- ✦Store bottles away from sunlight and bathroom humidity to keep them true for longer.