How to Blind Buy Fragrances
By Jesse Gasperson
2 minute read
Would you spend $300 on a fragrance you’ve never tried?
Let's go ahead and get the obvious out of the way. Fragrances are awesome. We love them for so many reasons. They make us feel different. They cause people to view us in different lights.
The variety of scent combinations is astounding to say the least. But how do we, as consumers and aficionados, make these things work to our advantage? Of course, we can go to sites like fragrantica.com and get the breakdown: fruity, woodsy, warm spicy, floral.
Scroll down a little further though. What the hell is a bergamot? Apparently it's some sort of citrus fruit. Patchouli is a.....plant? Weed?
Before COVID, we could simply go to the store, pick out a fragrance and sample it. Now though, blind buying fragrances is almost all we can do. How do we know if we will like it? If we could identify the ingredients, we would be able to pinpoint our preferred scents. So, let's break a couple down.
Ambroxan
This ingredient is popular with fragrances that one would use for versatility. It is a synthetic replication of ambergris and is known for having a warm woody, leathery, and somewhat peppery feeling. It is typically used as a base note.
Various fragrances you can find ambroxan used in include: Dior Sauvage, Prada Luna Rossa Carbon, Versace Dylan Blue, Mont Blanc Explorer
As you can see, many of these are the ones you would pick if you need something versatile or even more for the office.
Cardamom
Spices are typically used as ingredients in fragrances. Cardamom is one of those. It is a spice that is made from the seed pods of plants in the ginger family. To the nose, it will come off in a sweet, aromatic and slightly spicy way. Perfumers will typically use cardamom as a top or middle note for their fragrances.
Here are a few fragrances that you will find that use cardamom: YSL La Nuit De L'Homme, Dolce & Gabbana The One EDP and Parfums de Marly Layton
Cardamom is a great additive for fragrances that put off a warm vibe. It gives it just a little bit of spice that really balances out well with the other ingredients.
Vetiver
Many fragrances hit with earthy and grassy tones. This is where vetiver comes in. Vetiver is actually a plant that has been used for centuries all over the world, mostly for medicinal purposes. But, for purposes of fragrance, it usually projects tones that are woody,earthy and green.
Some of the various vetiver fragrances include: Lalique Encre Noire, Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, Terre D'Hermes & Montale Red Vetiver
Most of the vetiver fragrances will be perfect for the spring and summer. Although they can be versatile, it is mostly used to give a sense of upscale masculinity.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples. As you research fragrance notes, look at fragrances you already know and recognise. Also, research other well known fragrances and look at their ingredient breakdowns. It will help you know more about what you're smelling without needing to actually sample it first.
Blind buying can seem a bit risky. But, it can be incredibly fun and educational for those who aren't afraid to take a small leap of faith.
- Jesse
