Finding Your Scent: A Complete Guide to the Fragrance Wheel

Do you love perfume but not sure where to start when it comes to finding your perfect scent? Perfume was first used thousands of years ago by Ancient Egyptians. In those days, perfume was oil-based and smeared onto you as a way to denote you as a high- status member of society.

Although most perfume is alcohol-based now, the way perfume is used isn't so different. The best perfume can completely change your mood and make you feel like the best version of yourself. Although you may find that several different perfumes smell delicious, it can be hard to tell whether a scent is right for you. 

Read on to learn all about using the fragrance wheel to find your perfect scent today! 

What is the Fragrance Wheel? 

If you've ever used a colour wheel in school or for your profession, then you already have some idea of how a fragrance wheel works. On a colour wheel, you have a visual representation of all the colours you can use and how they interact with each other.

For instance, colours that are opposite from each other on the colour wheel are called complementary colours and, as the name suggests, they pair well with each other. The fragrance wheel created by Michael Edwards, the editor of Fragrances of the World, works the same way.

On the fragrance wheel, perfume scents that are closer together share similar notes. The ones that are opposite to each other are the most different. They're also grouped into four different families:

• Floral
• Oriental
• Woody
• Fresh

Each family also contains its own sub-family of four different scents. The key to finding your perfect scent is to become familiar with each family and sub-family and shop for perfumes that match those notes.

Knowing the fragrance wheel can also give you a better idea of how different body products interact with each other. For instance, if you have a fruity, floral notion, then your equally floral perfume won't muddy the scent on your body. 

You can even mix and match scents if you know which ones are complementary and which scents don't have any relationship with each other on the fragrance wheel. 

Floral

This is one of the most common types of scents for women's perfume. Perfumes with floral notes smell like fresh flowers and can also smell powdery. They're typically worn during the daytime. The subfamilies are:

• Fruity
• Floral
• Soft floral
• Floral oriental 

While a fruity scent is light and fruity, a floral oriental scent is heavier with more spice. You'll often find notes of rose, jasmine, citrus, and gardenia in these perfumes. The Hugo Boss Ma Vie Florale Eau de parfum is a popular elegant floral scent. 

Oriental

If you're familiar with the exotic scenes of oriental art, oriental fragrance is similar. These scents are rich and full of spice and can also contain dry, resin notes. You'll also find these scents are softened and balanced with sweet amber notes.

Because of their seductive, exotic scent, these perfumes are often worn in the evening. The subfamilies are: 

• Soft oriental
• Oriental 
• Woody oriental

These perfumes contain warm notes such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. They can also contain sweeter notes like jasmine and orchid. 

Woods

Woody perfume often has a strong, incense-like scent and are often unisex. They have strong notes from tree materials such as sandalwood, resin, and pine cones. The subfamilies are: 

• Woods
• Mossy woods
• Dry woods

These warm, opulent smelling perfumes have notes of pine, patchouli, cedarwood, and leather. They can also contain citrus notes and even some floral notes to elevate the scent. 

Fresh

Fresh perfume has a clean scent reminiscent of bright, breezy mornings, and folded laundry. These perfumes are like a splash of refreshing water on your face and have zesty notes that act as a "pick me up." The subfamilies are: 

• Aromatic
• Citrus
• Water
• Green

These perfumes contain all kinds of fresh-smelling notes such as sage, grapefruit, crushed leaves, and sea salt spray.

Using the Frangrance Wheel

Now that you know all about the fragrance wheel and what scents are on offer, you probably have a better idea of what you like and dislike. If you already have a favourite perfume, pick it up from the countertop and smell it.

Does it seem more like an oriental perfume? Does it also have floral notes that you can identify? This is the easiest way to consistently find perfumes that work for you. 

Remember that the fragrance wheel works the same as the colour wheel. Scents that are next to each other blend together well. Scents that are opposite each other on the fragrance wheel are complementary, meaning that they also go well together as well as bring out each other's scent. 

You can also choose fragrances that create a triangle on the fragrance wheel. If you like oriental scents, then aromatic and floral scents will pair nicely with it. 

You can search for perfumes online with the specific notes that you like, or go to a department or perfume store and find some perfumes you're interested in. 

How to Test and Use Fragrances

It's not enough knowing which scents you like the best–you also need to know how to test out and use fragrances.

Testing Fragrances

Perfumes and colognes can be expensive, so before you make a purchase it's important that you test it out on your skin or a blotter first and remember to smell it throughout the day.

This is because fragrances often have a top, heart, and base note. If you only do one spritz into the air, you're smelling all of the top note but probably not much of the heart and base.

Failing to test the perfume on your skin won't give you a good impression of the scent, either. This is because the fragrance can change once it's applied to your body and your natural scent interacts with it. 

Applying Fragrances

You'll need to remember that not all fragrances last all day – in fact, many don't.

• Body mists - One hour
• Cologne - Three hours
• Eau de toilettes - Four hours
• Eau de parfum - Six hours
• Parfum - 16 hours

If you need a scent to last you all day, then purchasing a parfum would be your best investment. You also have the option of purchasing a travel-size version of your favourite fragrance and reapplying it throughout the day.

When you apply your perfume, using it on your clothes, hair, or on top of unscented body lotion will help it last longer. When you apply it directly to your skin, remember to spray it on places that are uncovered by your clothes and at a pulse point, such as your neck, wrists, and inner elbows.

You'll also want to avoid rubbing the fragrance into your skin–simply spray it and let it dry. This is because rubbing the perfume will heat up your skin, creating enzymes that may change the way the fragrance smells.

Keeping Fragrances

Last but not least, it's important that you know how to store your perfume properly so that the scent doesn't change. Perfume isn't good with sudden changes in temperature or light. With this in mind, the best way to store your perfume is at room temperature and in the box it came in.

You also have the option of storing your signature scent in the refrigerator to make sure it lasts even longer.

Once your perfume is halfway used, you want to make sure that you keep using it regularly instead of letting it sit half-empty on your shelf. This is because oxygen is entering the bottle and breaking down the molecules that make up the scent.

Do you find you have a lot of half-empty perfume bottles around your bedroom? Start investing in smaller perfume bottles so that they're used up faster in their freshest state.  

Finding Your Perfect Scent

Knowledge of the fragrance wheel is a great way to get started on your route to finding your perfect scent. Instead of going to a store and smelling each bottle, you can now shop with purpose.

For instance, if you know you don't like fresh scents, you can skip the Versace Bright Crystal or the Philosophy Pure Grace and narrow down brands that cater to your preferences. 

Lastly, knowing how to apply and store your perfume will help you make the perfume last longer throughout the day while smelling its best. If you know you need the scent to last all day and don't have time to reapply, opt for spritzing a bit of parfum on your clothes or hair instead of your skin. 

Ready to shop for perfumes at an affordable price point? Take a look at our bestsellers today!