Start with what you love
Fragrance is personal. It can lift your mood, spark a memory and say something about who you are without a word. The best place to start is with the notes you are naturally drawn to.
If you love a fresh, energising feel, citrus notes like bergamot, lemon or grapefruit bring a clean, uplifting character. Prefer something warmer? Amber, vanilla and spices create a rich, cosy depth. And if you are drawn to softer scents, florals like rose, jasmine or orange blossom add a timeless, elegant touch.
Think about the smells you already enjoy: fresh coffee, a sea breeze, cut grass, a bakery. They are clues. A coffee lover will often fall for a gourmand like Lattafa Khamrah Qahwa. Someone who loves the coast will feel at home with a fresh aquatic like Armaf Bucephalus IX.
Match the moment
Most people end up with a small wardrobe rather than a single bottle, and that is no bad thing. A light, fresh scent suits the office and warm afternoons. A deeper amber or woody fragrance comes into its own in the evening and in cooler months.
On every product page you will find the occasions and seasons we think each fragrance suits best, along with its longevity. Use them as a starting point, not a rule. Plenty of people wear a big evening scent on a Tuesday morning simply because it makes them feel good.
Wear it your way
There is no right or wrong when it comes to fragrance. Some prefer a single standout scent, while others like to switch it up depending on the day, the season or the occasion. What matters most is how it makes you feel.
Apply to pulse points such as the wrists, neck and behind the ears, and resist rubbing your wrists together, which crushes the top notes. Two or three sprays is usually plenty for an eau de parfum.
Give it time
Give your fragrance time to settle. Notes evolve on your skin, often revealing a different side after a few hours. The bright opening you smell in the first ten minutes is rarely what you will be wearing by lunchtime.
Try it, live with it for a day, and if it still feels right in the evening, you will know. If you are in Gibraltar, come and try a few in person at The Barbers Club or Lush & Co Studios. We are always happy to help you narrow it down.
