Our olfactory systems are one of our most powerful senses. One whiff of a certain smell can transport you to a different place and time and remind you of long-forgotten memories. Your signature scent is a key component of cultivating your own personal brand and emphasizing the aura you want to carry with you into the world.
But if you’re new to the world of fragrance, choosing the right perfume can feel daunting. How exactly can you find your signature scent? Today, we’re discussing the most popular fragrance families and offering a few tips to help you find your perfect everyday perfume.
What is a signature scent?
A signature scent is a specific fragrance that you would wear regularly and make uniquely yours. It reflects your personality and style and interacts with your body chemistry to create a distinctive aroma. Essentially, it becomes the scent that people associate with you when they smell it.
And we’ve all been there: You pass someone in a hallway or brush past a stranger in the grocery store, and you immediately notice that they smell incredible. That’s a person who has found their signature scent. Here are a few qualities of this aesthetic essential:
A scent that gets associated with you
Consciously or subconsciously, people will think of you when they encounter your signature scent in the wild. The right fragrance will catch the attention of your friends and family in all the right ways.
A scent you love
Perfume and cologne smell different on everyone, so what works for your best friend may not work for you. Your signature scent should be a fragrance that puts a smile on your face and makes you fall a little deeper in love each time you apply it.
A scent you wear frequently
Of course, you can’t really consider a perfume your signature scent if you don’t wear it regularly. You don’t have to apply it every day, but it should be your go-to for special occasions and times when you need a sensory pick-me-up.
What types of fragrances are there?
If you’re ready to find your signature scent, you’ll want to start by understanding which scent families you prefer. You can think of these groups as genres of music or styles of art, and most people are drawn to certain fragrances, even if they can’t quite explain why. Here are are the most common olfactory families, along with some recommendations for finding your signature scent:
Floral
Floral fragrances are timeless scents that add an air of luxury to any aesthetic. Ideal for everyday wear and special occasions, these notes are feminine, romantic, and highly versatile. Orange blossom, rose, jasmine, peony, and tuberose are frequent finds in the fragrance department.
Planning to rotate your signature scent? Opt for florals during the day and throughout spring and summer.
Recommendation: Violo Nere - Meo Fusciuni
Scent family: Flowery, Facets: Flowery, Fruity, Earthy Musk
Fruity
Fruity fragrances are playful, vibrant, and youthful. They can be sweet, tangy, or fresh and offer a surge of energy. Apple, peach, pear, berry, and citrus notes like bergamot, orange, and grapefruit are all popular picks.
Recommendation: Cactus Abduction - Heretic
- Top notes: grapefruit, bitter orange, carrot seed, cedar
- Heart: green pepper, geranium absolute, prickly pear
- Base notes: vetiver, patchouli, benzoin, aloewood
Clean
If you prefer a minimalist fragrance profile, you might enjoy a light, clean signature scent. These scents are usually subtle, making them a great choice for the workplace. Think fresh laundry, soap, rain, and salty ocean air.
Recommendation: Stora Skuggen - Thumbsucker
- Top notes: Honey, Narcissus
- Mid notes: Violet, Cherry
- Base notes: Himylayan Cedar, Bitter Almond, Styrax Balsam and Candle Wax.
Spicy
Bold, exotic, and sensual, spicy fragrances tend to balance a cozy vibe with a hint of mystery. These are great signature scents to wear at night or during cooler months when you want to heat things up a bit. Cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and incense are often components.
Recommendation: Mihan Fragrances - Mikado Bark
- Top notes: Autumn Dew, Sage
- Mid notes: Cinnamon Bark, Clove
- Base notes: Patchouli, Virginian Cedarwood
Woody
Woody fragrances are warm, earthy, and sophisticated. Notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, oud, and patchouli can be smoky or creamy. A woody signature scent can provide a sense of grounding and connection with the earth.
Recommendation: Dirty Amber - Heretic
- Top notes: Bergamot, Geranium, Frankincense, Cassia Bark, Juniper, Cardamom
- Heart: Amyris, Elemi, Cistus
- Base notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Labdanum, Myrrh, Styrax, Cypress, Patchouli, Benzoin, Guaicawood, Balsam Copaiba Resin, Oleum Succini/Ambar (fossilized amber)
How to find the perfect scent for you
Ready to get started? Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you find your signature scent:
1. Think about your personal style
What kind of vibe do you want to exude on a daily basis? Whether you want to conjure dreams of beach vacations or cultivate an air of professionalism, the scent you choose will help you manifest it.
2. Experiment with different fragrance profiles
Don’t lock yourself into a single fragrance profile before you’ve explored the variety of scents available. Test the waters and step out of your comfort zone to discover the perfect signature scent. You might surprise yourself!
3. Pay attention to your unique body chemistry
Your body will respond differently to various notes in fragrance products. Spritz a perfume or cologne onto your skin and take note of how the aroma changes. Top, middle, and base notes will slowly reveal themselves.
4. Opt for subtle to start
Before diving into the most intense fragrances available, consider working your way up from more diluted options.
- Eau de Toilette (EDT): More affordable, lasts three to five hours and contains 5% to 15% oils.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP): More expensive than EDT, lasts six to eight hours, with an oil concentration between 15% and 20%.
- Perfume: Premium fragrances that last eight to 12 hours, with 20% to 40% oil concentration.
Many people enjoy layering perfumes for a complex signature scent. After a bath or shower, apply one fragrance and allow it to set. Then, spritz a complementary scent to design your own unique fragrance profile.
5. Use the testers before you buy
A fragrance-finder quiz can help you narrow down your options, but you won’t truly know your signature scent until you smell it for yourself.
Check out the fragrance counter at your favorite beauty store to test out samples and see what piques your interest. Then, you can use a reputable provider to shop for full-sized bottles once you find a signature scent you can’t live without.
Find a signature scent as unique as you are at RAREBIRD Boutique!
At RAREBIRD Boutique, we’re driven by authenticity, individuality, and connection. What better way to embody these values than to help our customers find their signature scent?
Browse our collection of sustainable, ethically sourced fragrances for the body and home, or explore our collections of apparel, shoes, and decor.
