Shopping for perfume is much like shopping for a new wardrobe for the season. In the same way you would consider the weather when choosing your outfit of the day, you should also consider the temperature outside when selecting a fragrance to wear. Some fragrances work better during the spring and summer months, while others are better worn during fall and winter.
Lighter clothing is usually worn during spring and summer, while heavy, warm clothing is worn during the fall and winter. In the same way, lighter fragrances should be worn during warmer seasons, while heavier, warm scents work best during colder months. Now that winter is here, I will show you four things to look when searching for the perfect fragrance.
1. Base Notes Rule
Every fragrance consists of top notes, middle notes, and bates notes. Top notes are light, fresh, and evaporate the fastest. You will smell the top notes in a perfume immediately after it is applied to the skin. Any citrus scent would be considered a top note.
Middle notes are considered the heart of the fragrance, which you will notice after the top notes fade. Floral scents like rosemary and lavender are considered middle notes.
Base notes are the most dominant and are perfect for the winter months. They are the heaviest and last much longer than top and middle notes. Base notes are warm, rich, and most noticeable after your fragrance dries down. Some popular base notes include vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli, and musk.
2. Go for Sweet
During the winter, you can’t go wrong with gourmand fragrances. Gourmand fragrances are sweet scents that smell similar to desserts; ie: vanilla, chocolate, caramel, cotton candy.
Sweet fragrances can be a little overpowering in warmer months, but are perfect in cold weather. It’s nothing like a whiff of vanilla or warm caramel on a cold winter night. Fragrances like Prada Candy, Thierry Mugler Angel, and Dior Hypnotic Poison are three great gourmand fragrances.
3. Spice it Up
Spicy fragrances, also known as Orientals, are great to wear during the winter months. Spicy fragrances commonly include notes of cinnamon, ginger, cumin, and nutmeg. Spicy fragrances are warm, exotic and sophisticated. Chanel Coco and Yves Saint Laurent Opium are examples of spicy fragrances.
4. Enter the Woods
Woody fragrances also come from the family of Orientals. These scents include notes of sandalwood, cedar, patchouli, and oak moss. Perfect for the winter season, woody scents are dry, musky, earthy, and often considered unisex. Chanel Bois des Iles and Ormand Woman are examples of woody fragrances.
Hopefully this post will help you find the perfect winter fragrance. Leave your comments. I would love to hear of some of your favorite winter fragrances!
Shari says
This post was right on time for me and much needed. Every time I step in Sephora to pick up a new scent, I get overwhelmed by all of the choices. This breakdown of the notes and fragrance suggestions was great! I’m bookmarking this page so I can refer back to it. 🙂 #BLM
Rothesia Stokes says
Hi Shari! Yes, it can get quite overwhelming with choosing from so many different perfumes. I’m glad this post was helpful.