How do I start in choosing a perfume?

[TorviShieldMaiden]

I want to choose a perfume. My current one is from Next, but discontinued and doesn’t show up on any of those ‘dupe’ lists. (it’s Next Elegance if anyone knows it).

Someone wants to buy me a perfume and I don’t really know where to start. I haven’t worn any proper perfume since I was teen/20s.

I want something I can wear everyday, and can be bought in your average Boots/duty free etc. But my local Boots has locked away all the testers. How do I narrow it down so I can ask to try a few?

my current one says too notes: Bergamot and pear, mid notes Rose and jasmine and base Amber and sandalwood.

Go to boots and ask for something with those base notes?

Perfume blogger here! There are lots of ways to find a new favourite. I recommend the sample boxes from The Perfume Society. Also, many smaller perfume companies will refund the price of a sample set off your next purchase. Try Le Jardin Retrouve (in Paris but post to UK) or Gallivant.

Looking at the notes you've listed, you might like to try one I had recently from Superdrug. It's called Petite Rose by Artiscent Atelier and I think my bottle was about 6.99. It has bergamot, rose and jasmine and is ever so pretty.

You can also look at my blog iscentyouaday.com or even but the book I co -authored with perfumer Sarah McCartney "The Perfume Companion."

Always happy to answer questions!

It’s a shame Boots has locked away all the testers - that’s the case in my branch too. I summoned up the courage to ask them to open it, but then felt obligated to hurry up with my sniffing so they could go back to what they were doing.

Escentual do a monthly blind sample set with an educational reveal, which is a fun (but slow) way of figuring out what you like.

You could always go with something that’s a tried and tested bestseller: Chanel Chance, Mon Guerlain, Miss Dior etc. Even if you don’t love it, it’s pleasant ie you won’t dislike it.

Zara do a good selection of fragrances which you can freely test in store, and a lot of them are dupes. My favourites from Zara are Red Temptation, Gardenia, Fields at Nightfall, Amber Fusion and Rose Gourmand.

Also non-dupes which I love are Flowerbomb, Black Opium, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Good Girl, Olympea, and Alien

I strongly recommend trying something on you and wearing it for a day before purchasing. I've had a few that I didn't like at first that developed into something great. And vice versa!

When I say trying on you I mean your body, not on a tester card if possible.