“Sh*t you smell good, what are you wearing?”
Not sure what perfume to add to the cart next? This guide is sure to have your perfect perfume match!
By Harriet Nixon
If you want to start hearing “sh*t you smell good” from strangers on the street, it’s time to find your next signature scent. Life is too short to be spending heaps of money on perfume that doesn’t last all day, and I want strangers to give you the best (in my opinion) compliment you can receive.
Whether you reach for sweet, clean, warm, or spicy fragrances, this guide will help you discover your new favorite perfume (personally tried and tested by yours truly)! Plus, because I’m already giving all of my tips away, I’ll share my secrets for layering scents like a pro— so your fragrance lasts all day (and turns some heads while you’re at it!).
Ready to find the one? Let’s dive in.
D.S. & Durga Pistachio - Vanilla-y, warm, and sweet.
In a nutshell (hey, see what I did there?), this is probably the most complimented fragrance I own. People go NUTS (okay, last one) when I wear this out, and it lingers on my clothes for days after. So, why does it last so long? Each perfume is made up of different layers of notes: top, heart, and base. The base notes last the longest and tend to be deeper and richer, while the others fade more quickly. For this particular scent, the base notes are pistachio, patchouli, and vanilla crème. There is just something about this scent that is so unique to me; I truly have never smelt anything like it before.
Glossier You - Soft, woodsy, and warm
Honestly, I’m not sure there’s anything left to say about Glossier You that hasn’t been said already; this fragrance is THAT girl for a reason! This scent is so popular because it’s meant to smell different on everyone. Glossier themselves describe it as a “skin enhancer.” Remember what I said about base notes above? Glossier You is primarily made with base notes, so this one will truly last all day. I will say, I have tried the old version (RIP) and am hoping Glossier will bring it back. However, the new version is still just as beautiful. It’s not too overwhelming or overpowering, so it’s hard to pinpoint its exact scent identity, but it has a warm and slightly sweet lingering scent. It is uniquely you.
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia - Floral and sexy
If you love a floral scent, Gucci’s Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is for you! This one will make you feel like you’ve just walked out of a blooming garden on a beautiful sunny day. Both bold and playful, this fragrance will have people running across the street to ask what you’re wearing. It’s sharp, fun, fruity, floral, and sugary— oh-so-sophisticated, and also a little laid back. Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is super layered and multifaceted.
Malin+Goetz Dark Rum - Spicy, leathery, and sexy
Okay, close your eyes and set the scene. You’re walking down the street in your best outfit. The air is crisp, not too cold, not too hot. You’re on your way to meet your friends at the new underground bar in your city. You’re wearing your show-stopping (faux) fur coat, your hottest heels, and you feel amazing. You enter the bar and order a drink, something smooth with a bit of a kick. Everyone you walk past takes a second glance; even long after you’ve walked away, you linger. That’s what it is like to wear this fragrance. This perfume wraps you in a bold, intoxicating scent that is just so effortlessly sexy. Equally warm and smooth with a touch of vanilla, prepare to feel unstoppable in this.
Maison Margiela Lazy Sunday Morning - Clean and fresh
To me, this scent encapsulates the same feeling as hopping into bed with clean, fresh sheets that have been drying on the clothesline all day. You’ve put on clean pajamas, and your skin and hair are moisturized, soft, and smooth. Life is good. It’s the ultimate fragrance for those who want to step out each day carrying the feeling of effortless freshness and tranquility.
My tips to make your perfume last all day long.
So, you’ve chosen your new signature scent— yay! Let’s dig into how to make sure it lasts all day and night.
Sun and perfume? A risky little duo.
Growing up, my mum taught me to spray my perfume on my chest before I put my necklaces on (to reduce tarnishing them) and never on my neck during the day. This is because spraying perfume on your neck can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in sun damage. Our skin is delicate enough as it is— treat the rest of your body as if it were your face and protect it from the sun, please and thank you! At night, you can spritz away to your heart’s content, but during the day, especially if you're spending time outside, not the greatest idea, bestie. Leave the neck for necklaces, not perfume.
Where to apply?
In my opinion, the best order to apply your perfume is on top of your head, the back of your neck, inner elbows, wrists (but do not rub in), and behind the knees. When spritzed on the pulse points where your body naturally radiates heat, your perfume will blend with your warmth, helping it last and linger (and get those compliments) all day.
Perfume your threads.
Another tip on where to apply perfume: your clothing. All the fragrances mentioned above have had lingering effects on my clothing that I’ve worn for days after. The fibres in our clothing help lock in the fragrance, no matter the weather. So, before you head out the door, spray a little of your fragrance on the front and back of your outfit to lengthen the life of your scent.
At the end of the day, the perfect perfume isn’t just a scent, it’s a feeling. It’s part of getting dressed. It’s just as important as the clothes you choose to wear for the day, and just like we want to turn heads with our outfits, we also want to turn heads with our scent. All that’s left to do now is wear it, own it, and wait for the “What’s your name? Who are you wearing?” compliments to roll in.
