Ah, the thrill of fragrance shopping when on holiday! If you’re anything like us at The Perfume Society, as soon as you arrive on your long-lusted-after trip abroad you’ll be checking out the scented goods provided in the hotel’s bathroom (many a holiday has been made by the discovery of something fragrantly fabulous awaiting your pleasure in the shower!)
And of course, there’s the promise of new perfumes to purchase while you’re away.
Yet, in the gilded haze of sunlit boutiques and bustling local markets, how can you truly discover if a perfume is about to become your new olfactory soulmate, rather than just a fleeting infatuation fuelled by piña coladas and unfamiliar skies?
Holiday perfume shopping is as much about mood and memory as it is about scent. The fragrance that sets your heart afire on a moonlit Mediterranean terrace may not raise a flicker amidst the drizzle of the daily commute. Here’s how to make your fragrance quest rewarding, thoughtful, and joyously memorable – wherever you may roam.
Before You Travel
- Research: Jot down names of renowned local fragrance houses, perfumeries, and hidden boutiques. Delve into local blogs or ask well-travelled friends for insider recommendations.
- Go beyond the obvious: Concierge staff, local shopkeepers, or even your taxi driver might tip you off to markets and out-of-the-way shops where treasures await far from tourist-busy thoroughfares.
- List your loves and loathes: Knowing roughly which scent families appeal (gourmand, citrus, floral, woods) can help steer your nose in the right direction when overwhelm sets in.
In the Boutique: Testing Like a Pro
Treat scent discovery as a slow, delicious journey – not a sprint to the till. Some thoughtful tips to make sure a fragrance truly suits you:
- Begin with blotters: Spray potential choices on paper blotters first. This allows the opening notes to reveal themselves without settling fully on your skin.
- Label everything: Write the scent’s name on the blotter and add a few notes (in your phone or a notebook) about your first impressions – an invaluable step should your testing pile grow unruly.
- Narrow your shortlist: Once you’ve whittled down your options, choose a maximum of two or three to try on your skin. Any more and your nose may check out before you do.
- Apply thoughtfully: Spritz on pulse points free from jewellery, as metal can affect the scent. The inner elbow or top of the arm is often recommended.
- Let the fragrance evolve: Step outside the shop. Stroll, have a coffee, let the scent settle. Fragrances unfurl in layers – top, heart, and base notes all have their moment. What begins as sparkling lemon may melt into sultry amber over a few hours.
- Return only if love lingers: If a scent still entrances you after a few hours (and in the soft company of your own skin), it may be time to bring home a bottle.
Holiday Scent Wardrobe: Experiment, Play, Discover
Don’t rely on finding ‘the perfect perfume’ to buy in an unfamiliar destination. The playful spirit of travel is the perfect perfumed permission slip for olfactory experimentation you can pre-plan and then delight in while away.
- Sample-sized wonders: Small vials or discovery sets are ideal for packing light, breezing through airport security, and indulging in a different note each day. They invite adventure – try fragrances beyond your usual comfort zone, mirroring the freedom of exploring a new city, climate, or wardrobe.
- Seasonal and situational flair: Hot climes, balmy nights, and wearing different fabrics or styles of clothing can transform how familiar notes behave – and how you feel wearing them. Embrace the chance to discover something entirely new about yourself as you do about your destination.
The Holiday Purchase: A Scent for All Seasons?
It is immensely tempting to fill your suitcase with sun-drenched souvenirs for the senses. But pause and consider that what sings here might not harmonise at home. Like a beloved local aperitif that falters in the British chill, some scents might not travel as well as you’d hope. What to do then, to ensure that bottle doesn’t stay sad an neglected, gathering dust on a shelf somewhere back home?
- If the love fades back home: That is no failure, and we’re not going to judge. You may adore it again one day, or perhaps it’s an invitation to explore layering to create your own personalised perfume that’s part you on holiday, part you at home again?
- Consider other olfactory options: Instead of only concentrating on perfumes, seek scented bath oils, soaps, or body lotions as gentler olfactory reminders. These small luxuries cue instant ‘holiday mode’ for the spirit, acting as portals to memory and mood, whenever you need a holiday from the everyday.
Fragrant Take-Aways – Our Top Tips for Scented Holiday Success:
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Do your research beforehand & seek out little-known local brands.
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Take a good selection or small samples with you – have fun trying new scents!
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Take your time: rush only guarantees regret.
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Explore with intention but allow for delightful diversion.
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Make notes on everything – even impressions can be fleeting.
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Keep in mind the fact temperature can seriously skew our sense of smell.
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Be open to serendipitous discovery off the beaten retail path.
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Remember: the purpose is perfumed delight, not a trophy bottle for the shelf.
In the end, holiday fragrance shopping is a dialogue with scent memories and your true self. The right perfume to bring back with you shouldn’t be seen as just another scent – make sure it’s one that has its own story, a secret perfumed portal that serves as a fragrant return-ticket to places and feelings you never want to leave behind…
Written by Suzy Nightingale