Find Your Signature Scent
design: Ella Welch
Transform your perfume into yours only.
by JULIA KARASU ★ JANUARY 11, 2024
From Princess Diana wearing Diorissimo by Dior to Lily-Rose Depp wearing Chanel No. 5, every beauty icon has her signature scent. Let’s find you yours!
There is a huge difference between just wearing a perfume and it becoming your signature scent. The best compliment is someone asking me, “Oh my god! What perfume do you wear?” I have been stopped everywhere; I swear someone once pulled out their phone on a Friday night out and asked me to type my perfume in her notes app. And let’s not forget the power of a guy remembering your scent. My ex once texted me, after months of no contact, telling me he passed someone in Spain wearing my perfume–I didn’t even know he went to Spain! So here is your guide on transforming your perfume into your signature scent.
The best way to figure out your signature scent is by trying it all. Go on a shopping date with yourself and smell, spray, and repeat until you narrow it down. If you're more of an online shopper, no problem. Sephora has created a Perfume Sampler Set with 16 of their best sellers. A few of the perfumes included are Black Opium YSL, Paradoxe by Prada, and Gucci Flora. Fragrances are personal, skin chemistry and your environment can change how a scent smells on someone. Also, perfumes have three notes, top, middle, and dry. The samples allow you to test out your perfume before committing will let you learn the different notes and scents and test the strength of your perfume.
Picking out your scent won’t be as hard as you think. Spraying your perfume should brighten up your mood as you are leaving your room for the day. It should make you more confident and excited for the rest of your day.
Here are some recommendations to get you thinking about the different kinds of fragrances and scents available to you:
La Vie Est Belle by Lancome
My signature scent! Seriously, I live by this perfume. I stole it from my mom maybe three years ago and have never looked for another scent. It is a blend of sweet and floral notes and it lasts the entire day! And, in my opinion, it is the perfect fragrance for all four seasons.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Baccarat Rouge 540
This one is on the pricier side but it is heavenly. My best friend from home wears this perfume and I adore it. It has such rich notes and blends a warm amber and woody yet floral scent. Even if you don’t commit to this one, please go and try it.
Chanel No. 5
It’s a classic for a reason! This is a fragrance every woman should try at least once. Notes of rose, jasmine, citrus, and vanilla, this is a timeless wear that many celebrities love to use.
Chanel Chance
My mom’s signature scent. Thanks to the floral base of iris and jasmine with the sweet vanilla and white musk, my house always smells like her. With four variations of this collection, we have the original Chance, Chance Eau Fraiche, Chance Eau Tendre, and Chance Eau Vive. The best way to describe the scents of all would be fresh and feminine.
Jo Malone
There are so many fragrances to choose from here so really it would go to preference. Jo Malone fragrances are divided into six families: citrus, fruity, floral, light floral, spicy, and woody. These are long-lasting and are loved by many celebrities like Sofia Richie Grange and Meghan Markle.
Tom Ford
This is another great designer to buy fragrances from! With so many different scents, I’ve never heard a negative review from any.
Marc Jacobs Daisy
It’s a classic; it’s adored. With notes of strawberry, sandalwood, and jasmine, Daisy is a light floral fragrance that is young, playful, and fresh! There’s no going wrong with this scent.
Glossier You
In a good price range, Glossier You is formulated to be a personal skin-to-scent perfume. That means it smells a little differently on everyone and is uniquely you! This was a huge release for Glossier and has become very popular. Its notes are white florals, and peppercorns, with a warm and sweet center.
Hair, makeup, and outfits are ways that we self-express. Having a signature scent is just one more way to reveal the type of person you are or aspire to be. By spraying your perfume, you will feel good and smell good every day. And to others, it will become a subconscious way they remember you.