To pick the right perfume as a gift, you don't need to know which brand that person uses. It is enough to find out what type of scent they like.
And that can be figured out without asking and without spoiling the surprise. We explain how to do it in four steps.
Step 1: look for clues without them noticing
Almost everyone leaves traces of their olfactory tastes. You just have to know where to look.
- Their bathroom or vanity. If you see a perfume, notice if it is transparent or amber-colored, and if the name suggests flowers, freshness, or the night.
- How they smell when they are near. Does it remind you of something clean, something sweet, or something warm? That first impression is worth more than it seems.
- Their home. The candles, air fresheners, or fabric softener they choose say a lot about the scents they feel comfortable with.
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Someone in their inner circle. A partner, a sister, or a good friend usually knows more than they think. Ask them, not the person.
➡︎ DISCOVER OUR EQUIVALENCE PERFUMES - MYSTICAL LUXE ⬅︎
Step 2: translate the clues into fragrance families
With what you have found out, you can now place them in an olfactory family. These are the most reliable equivalences:
- They like to smell clean, like freshly washed laundry: fresh or citrus notes.
- They prefer natural things, the countryside, the sea: Mediterranean or fresh notes.
- They are romantic, classic, or very feminine in their style: floral notes.
- They love desserts, vanilla, sweet candles: sweet notes.
- They have an elegant and sober style: woody notes.
- They like to stand out and wear intense perfumes: oriental, spicy, or Arabic notes.
You don't need to guess the exact family. By getting close, you have already ruled out everything they won't like.
Step 3: choose the intensity based on when they will wear it
A perfect perfume can fall flat if it is too strong for their day-to-day. Think about their routine before choosing.
- They work in an office or in contact with people: better something light and fresh that doesn't overwhelm.
- They like to go out and get dressed up: you can go for a perfume with more sillage, warm or sweet.
- They are very athletic or lead an outdoor life: citrus and fresh scents never fail.
Also consider the season. In winter, warm notes are appealing; in summer, fresh ones.
➡︎ DISCOVER OUR EQUIVALENCE PERFUMES - MYSTICAL LUXE ⬅︎
Step 4: if you don't have any clues, play it safe
Sometimes there is no way to find anything out. In that case, there are two strategies that almost always work.
Choose a universal family
Soft florals and fresh scents are the ones that generate the least rejection. They are pleasant, easy to wear, and work at any time of day.
Avoid, however, very intense, very sweet, or very spicy perfumes. People who like them love them, but they are the ones that fail the most when you don't know the person.
Give them the chance to choose
A set of several fragrances in sample format is the safest way not to make a mistake. It allows them to try them calmly and discover which one is theirs.
At Mystical Luxe, you have discovery sets designed just for this, and you can also combine a bottle with some samples of other families to expand the options.
The most common mistakes when gifting perfume
- Gifting the perfume you like. It is the most common mistake. Your taste doesn't have to match theirs.
- Choosing only by how it smells on paper. A perfume changes a lot on the skin. If you can, try it on your wrist and wait a few minutes.
- Going for the most intense one to make an impression. A perfume that is too strong ends up in a drawer. Better to fall short than to overdo it.
- Forgetting their routine. What works for a dinner can be excessive in an office.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a good idea to gift perfume?
Yes, as long as you choose it with the other person in mind. It is a personal, useful gift that is remembered every time it is used.
Which perfume do almost all people like?
Those with fresh notes and soft florals. They are the most versatile and generate the least rejection.
What size of perfume is best to give as a gift?
If you know their tastes well, a large bottle. If you have doubts, a smaller format or a sample set, so they can try it before committing to just one fragrance.
How can I know what perfume someone uses without asking them?
Take a look at their vanity, notice how they smell when they are near, or ask someone they trust. With a clue about the type of scent, you have enough to choose.
With these four steps, gifting a perfume stops being a gamble. And if you still have doubts, a set to discover their fragrance is the gift that never fails.