Shopping for Perfume Online
It can be difficult to find the perfect perfume, especially if you’re shopping online and you can’t smell the fragrance through the screen! Ultimately, we decide on perfume by smelling it. However, if you don’t have time to head into store, that doesn’t mean you can’t purchase a new scent online and still love it. Fortunately, we’re here to help you figure out how to get the best fragrance for anyone in your life.
The first tip we have for customers trying to buy a fragrance online is to find out what scent “notes” are, and how to read them.
Here is a gorgeous perfume by Hugo Boss – it’s called “The Scent for Her”.
This perfume is said to have:
Top Notes: Peach and freesia blossom
Heart Notes: Osmanthus
Base notes: Roasted cocoa
While that all sounds like it smells very nice, what do all of these “notes” mean?
Now that we know what notes are and how to read them in our online product descriptions, let’s discuss the types of notes and scents available.
Some common fragrance types are:
- Warm (eg. Cinnamon),
- Woody (eg. Cedarwood),
- Oriental (eg. Jasmine)
- Fresh (eg. Grapefruit)
If you’re buying a perfume for yourself, search the notes you have most often enjoyed and you may see they all belong to similar categories. When buying a new perfume, even if you have never smelled it before, you will be much better able to make a decision based on your previous preferences.
Our next scent example is much different, as it is a floral scent. Gucci “Bloom” is true to its name, with florals inside and out. The notes here are:
Top note: Jasmine
Middle note: Tuberose
Base note: Rangoon creeper
Now that we know what notes are in this scent, it is easier to think about whether it is the right one for you or the person you are purchasing for. Whether a citrusy, musky, or floral perfume – that’s for you to decide!
The next step in deciding what perfume to buy online is to look at who you are buying for. Judging someone else’s tastes in something as personal as perfume can be tricky. Let’s look at the top factors to consider when purchasing a fragrance as a gift.
Age
Believe it or not, age has a lot to do with the kinds of scents we prefer. Over time how we use fragrances changes – younger people are more likely to prefer body sprays, while more mature adults may prefer an Eau de Parfum. The kind of notes we prefer in our fragrances can also change, with many younger women preferring sweet and floral fragrances, while older men may prefer musky and woody scents.
Gender expression
With so many scents to choose from, it makes the choice very personal. Many people will have a “signature scent” or multiple signature scents that they choose from. Young men often opt for the Lynx Africa scent range, while Ariana Grande’s perfume range is beloved by many young women.
Budget
Let’s face it, high-quality fragrances can be quite luxurious gifts. Luckily, fragrances for all budgets can be found in multiple formats such as body sprays, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, and even body lotions!
What’s the difference between an Eau de Toilette and an Eau de Parfum?
The translation for Eau de Toilette essentially means “body spray”. Eau de Toilette is less perfumed with oils and instead has a higher alcohol content, which dilutes the fragrance and allows you to get the same amount of fragrance for less cost. A side effect of this is that Eau de Toilette fragrances do not last as long as Eau de Parfums, which uses a higher concentration of fragrant oils. If you’re unsure about a scent or if you want to get a taste of luxury for less, Eau de Toilette is the way to go. If you want a higher quality perfume with the best balance of fragrance, then the Eau de Parfum is the one for you.
Some brands, as mentioned before, will even infuse their most popular fragrances into body lotions and other scented products. An example of this is One Million by Paco Rabanne, which also comes in a deodorant spray, deodorant stick, shower gel, and body lotion! You can even buy a set with a mini spray, available here. Layer up on your new favourite fragrance using these trusty kits, or check out the range of gift sets available to suit any occasion.
If you’re still having trouble deciding, let’s go through some of our top fragrance recommendations!
For Him
Opening with vivifying notes of ginger, the new Eau de Toilette for men beckons into a heart of exotic Maninka fruit.
A unique base note of sensual white suede transports the fragrance into a new olfactive territory, providing a tender balance of warmth and light that brings another dimension to this timeless story of seduction.
Invictus eau de parfum is a mens fragrance by Paco Rabanne and a mythical scent for a man who is a legend!
Some of its key ingredients are amber gris, bay leaves, grapefruit peel, marine accord and patchouli. A sensually fresh scent that is available in two sizes.
Billionaire by Jenny Glow is a sensual masculine scent, perfect for a man who is adventurous and daring.
Top notes: Blood Mandarin & Peppermint
Middle notes: Rose Absolute & Cinnamon
Base notes: Leather Accord & Amber
One of the most-wanted scents of the decade!
This womens perfume is a glamorous symbol of empowerment. It encourages you to embrace both your good and bad sides as you wear this sophisticated and luminous scent. It can be worn day and night for an ultra-feminine and bold fragrance that plays with the ‘femme fatal’ symbol.
Stored within a gorgeous black-lacquered bottle this light scent with the exquisite quality of jasmine sambac imperial also hints at tonka and the soft velevety aroma of dulce de leche. It is available in two sizes.
This fragrance is both a mix of the sweet and the sultry, perfect for any woman.
An oriental gourmand scent beginning with top notes of juicy Anjou pear and Mirabelle plum, heart notes of coconut and tobacco leaves, and base notes of vanilla bean and tonka bean. An innovative, dimensional gourmand with dark undertones and addictive notes.
Fragrance notes include Anjou pear, Mirabelle plum, coconut, tobacco leaves, vanilla bean, tonka bean.
Since it first hit the fragrance scene, this gorgeous scent all-rounder has been a crowdpleaser!
This gorgeous fragrance was inspired by hope and optimism and offers an oriental scent. Notes of lavender, bergamot, and pear are followed by cashmere, coconut, praline, and orchid. This great beauty buy inspires happiness and positivity!
If you’re still unsure and do wish to pop into store, the beauty department in any of our Shaws Stores will happily help you with making a final decision on the perfect fragrance for you and or your loved one.
Enjoy fragrance shopping online and in-store with Shaws!
