PickGlobeFragrance is the hardest thing to buy online. You can't smell it through a screen, and a scent that is lovely on a paper strip can change completely on your skin. A few simple habits make it much less of a gamble.
Understand the concentration label
The words on the bottle describe how much fragrance oil is in the liquid. Higher concentration generally means a stronger scent that lasts longer, and usually a higher price.
| Label | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Eau de cologne / body mist | Light and fresh; fades fastest |
| Eau de toilette (EDT) | Moderate strength; a common everyday choice |
| Eau de parfum (EDP) | Stronger and longer lasting than EDT |
| Parfum / extrait | The most concentrated; a little goes a long way |
The exact percentages vary between brands, so treat the table as a guide rather than a rule. Two bottles with the same label can behave differently.
Read the notes, but don't trust them blindly
Product pages list "top", "heart" and "base" notes. These are a helpful hint about the style (citrus, floral, woody, sweet), but they are written to sell. Use them to narrow down families you tend to like, then confirm with a sample.
- Top notes are what you smell first and they fade within minutes.
- Heart notes make up the main character once the opening settles.
- Base notes linger for hours and are what you remember at the end of the day.
Always try a sample first
The single best way to avoid a wasted purchase is to test on your own skin.
- Look for sample or discovery sets. Many independent houses sell small vials or sets of several scents for a modest price.
- Wear it for a full day. Spray one wrist only, and judge it after the first hour and again after several hours.
- Test one scent at a time. Mixing several on the same arm makes everything blur together.
- Ask about decants. Some stores sell small portions from a full bottle, which lets you live with a scent before committing to the large size.
Check the returns policy before you order
Fragrance is often treated differently from other products when it comes to returns.
- Many stores will not accept returns on opened bottles, because of hygiene and tampering concerns. Read the policy before you buy the full size.
- Unopened, sealed bottles are more likely to be returnable, but you may have to pay the return postage.
- Postal rules can limit delivery. Fragrance contains alcohol and is often classed as a restricted item for air freight, so some stores won't ship it internationally. Check the delivery page, and see our guide to international shipping and customs if you are ordering from abroad.
Watch for signs of a poor seller
- Prices far below what other stores charge for the same bottle. Our guide to comparing prices across stores shows how to check this fairly.
- No batch code, no clear company address, or vague wording about where the stock comes from.
- Packaging photos that look different from the brand's own site.
If something seems off, run through the checks in is this online store legit? before paying.
Allergies and sensitive skin
Fragrance is a common trigger for skin reactions. If you have reacted to scented products before, test a small area first and stop using the product if your skin becomes irritated. For anything persistent, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
The short version
Learn the concentration labels, use the notes only as a rough guide, and test a sample on your skin before buying a full bottle. Read the returns and shipping pages first, because opened fragrance is often not returnable, and be cautious of prices that look too good to be true.