Tips on Buying Niche Perfumes Online Without Smelling It
The world of fragrances is fascinating, and buying niche perfume online can open the door to a vast array of scents that may not be available in your local stores. However, the challenge with buying perfume online is the inability to smell the fragrance before purchasing. That said, there are a few ways to navigate the online niche fragrance market and find the perfect scent for you. Here are some tips to help you buy perfume online without smelling it first.
Understand Your Scent Preferences
When searching for a new scent, it’s important to understand your overall scent preferences: which fragrance notes you enjoy and more importantly which ones you stir away from and try to avoid. Sometimes knowing your dislikes is crucial! Think about the fragrances you currently own and which notes you prefer or don’t appreciate anymore (e.g., floral, fruity, woody, oriental). This can guide you toward similar scents when browsing online.
Take an Online Quiz
Some online niche perfume brands and retailers offer quizzes and fragrance tests to help you with your fragrance selection. They present options for you to choose from when it comes to a new scent based on your tastes and likes. It can be an easy and fun way to get recommendations and try new things. Here is a link to Scentrique’s fragrance quiz to get you started.
Research the Brand and Fragrance
When buying perfume online, it's essential to research the brand and specific fragrance you're interested in. Look for reviews on social media (especially on Youtube) to get an idea of how the scent is perceived by others. Look for detailed descriptions of fragrances, including top, heart, and base notes on retailer’s or brand’s website. That said, scent is a subjective and deeply personal experience. You should always take other people’s reviews with a grain of salt. What works for one person, won’t necessarily work for another. Find influencers and fragrance reviewers with similar tastes as yours. It’s helpful to have a few trusted reviewers whose recommendations you can rely on. For example, Niche Talk Youtube channel offers unbiased reviews of popular niche fragrances in a concise and educational manner.
Explore Niche Perfume Samples
Many online retailers offer perfume samples or fragrance samples for purchase and it can be a great option to test a fragrance without committing to a full-sized bottle. Samples are especially useful when exploring niche fragrances or niche perfumes that may be less familiar, more complex and therefore more risky to blind buy taking the price into consideration.
Consider the Season and Occasion
Certain fragrances are more suitable for specific seasons or occasions. For example, light, fresh and citrusy scents are perfect for spring & summer, while warmer, spicier and heavier fragrances are better for winter. Notes to look for when buying a spring or summer fragrances can include: bergamot, citrus, aquatic, jasmine, rose or white musks. Notes that are traditionally associated with fall and winter scents are amber, leather, oud, tobacco, cardamom, cinnamon, and tonka bean. When buying perfume online, think about when and where you plan to wear the fragrance to help narrow down your choices.
Stay Away from Discounters and Grey Market Websites
Although it might be tempting to find a fragrance that you really want for a fraction of the price, be aware of fake fragrances and overstocked fragrances that were not stored properly and therefore might have been spoiled or expired. Buy only from reputable online sources, such as an official retailer with a physical brick-and-mortar location or directly from the brand. Support local businesses and indie perfumers where possible.
Don’t be Afraid to Experiment and Try New Things
After doing your research and considering your preferences, don’t forget to have fun with it! If a particular fragrance piques your interest and even though it doesn’ align with your taste, give it a try. Sometimes, the best discoveries come from stepping outside your comfort zone.
Explore Niche Fragrances at Scentrique for Your Next Favorite Scent
Ready to explore a world of captivating fragrances? Visit Scentrique online or in-store to take a fragrance quiz or to buy fragrance samples from top niche perfume brands. Whether you’re a beginner in your scent journey or an experienced collector, Scentrique offers a wide range of niche perfume samples to help you find your perfect new scent. Discover your next favorite fragrance today!