The first step to choosing the best perfume is to understand the seven different scent families. From light, citrusy notes to heavier, muskier undertones, the right scent is the perfect pairing for various occasions. We explore them below and how you can best wear them:

1. Citrus

One whiff of citrus perfume can give anyone an extra boost of energy they need for the day. Crisp, clean and characterised by notes of orange, grapefruit and lemon, citrus scents are perfect for sunnier climates and warmer temperatures. Perfumes like Gucci Guilty Cologne Eau de Toilette perfume for men and CLINIQUE Aromatics Elixir Perfume Spray for women are light, energising and refreshing with the right amount of zestiness for daytime wear and most casual events.

2. Floral

Like citrus scents, floral perfumes are perfect for day events and casual get-togethers like a trip to the amusement park or a picnic under the sun. Subtle yet pleasant, they are flirtier and more romantic daytime scents that carry an air of playfulness. Some well-known floral fragrances include Jimmy Choo Floral EDT perfume for women and Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Boy Eau de Toilette perfume for men. The romantics at heart will love the vanilla undertones that floral aromas offer.

3. Woody

Woody fragrances are earthier and warmer, and carry a sense of mystery yet comfort. Aromas offer notes of amber, sandalwood and vetiver, and are excellent scents for an evening event. These woody scents are further categorised into earthy, dry, sweet and muskier smells. They are reminiscent of a walk in the park or a trek in the forest.

Try Jo Malone London Midnight Musk & Amber Cologne perfume for women to experience the alluring scent of amber or Burberry Classic Men EDT perfume for men for cedarwood notes.

4. Fruity

A sweet scent for hot days, fruity fragrances incorporate sophisticated to whimsical aromas with pear, peach and mango hints. They are perfect for busy travellers who are consistently on the move, adventurers who enjoy discovering nature’s wonders and beach lovers who love the feeling of salt-breeze and warm skin. Fruity perfumes include Tommy Hilfiger Perfume Tommy Girl Cologne Spray for women and Karl Lagerfeld Bois De Yuzu EDT perfume for men, containing hints of black currant and yuzu wood, respectively.

5. Aquatic

Love the smell of the sea? Aquatic (or marine and oceanic) scents are definitely for you! Lively and free-spirited, they are akin to exploring the waters on a yacht or walking along the beach on a warm day without a care in the world. Marine fragrances like Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt perfume for men and women carry notes of fresh sea air, salt and algae. Aside from making its wearer smell great, marine scents also have a calming effect. Versatile, they pair well for both daytime and evening activities.

6. Spicy

Exotic spicy fragrances carry warm yet sultry notes of incense, pepper, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom. Ideal for evenings and cooler climates, scents like The Lab Fragrances’ Pepper & Tobacco unisex perfume are for the playful, bold and carefree. These distinct scents are for people who want to make a strong impression. Smokey and spicy, they will turn heads at any venue.

7. Gourmand

The final scent family on our list is Gourmand fragrances. These are attractive scents that tend to smell almost edible, with notes of almonds, toffee, vanilla and even caramel or candy. Distinctive scents like Prada Candy EDP perfume for women and Jimmy Choo 'Seduction Collection' Vanilla Love EDP ladies’ perfume are stellar choices for a shopping spree at luxury shopping malls.

While browsing for perfumes, you might come across terms like “EDT”, “Eau de Cologne”, “parfum” and so on. What do these all mean? Let’s take a closer look:

1. Parfum

Need a scent that keeps you smelling fresh for the entire day? Parfum refers to fragrances with the highest concentration of fragrance - between 20-30%. Due to its high concentration, parfums can typically last for around six to eight hours.

2. Eau de Parfum (EDP)

EDP fragrances are great for people with sensitive skin as they have a lower concentration of fragrance than parfums. The concentration varies from 15-20%, and it can last up to five hours.

3. Eau de Toilette (EDT)

Lighter, subtle, but still pleasant, EDT scents have a concentration of 5-15%. They can last for two to three hours. If you are concerned about wearing a smell that is too overwhelming, EDT perfumes are a safe choice. 

4. Eau de Cologne (Cologne)

Cologne has the lowest concentration of fragrance, 2-4%. The terms “perfume” and “cologne” are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is a fundamental difference between them: the concentration of essential oils. Perfumes have a higher concentration (usually 20-30%). They carry more intense and pungent scents than colognes, but they might be overwhelming.

5. Body Mist

Also known as a body spray, body mist is a mix of water and alcohol with a small amount of fragrance oil for a very subtle and light scent. Body sprays are more suitable for short-term wear.

Now that you have a better understanding of the seven prominent fragrance families and perfume lingo, let’s take a closer look at how you can find your signature scent.

Embarking on the hunt for the perfect scent brings with it a unique sense of adventure and mystery. If it’s your first time, it’s completely understandable that the scents can feel (and smell) overwhelming. Perhaps it might result from the vast number of scents in the perfume shop or the fear that you might choose a scent that is not quite the right fragrance for you.

Whatever the reason, there are several ways to expedite the process. Here are two of them:

1. Find your scent profile

What exactly is a scent profile?

Basically, a scent profile determines the type of fragrances that best suits your lifestyle. The idea here is that everyone has a scent that matches their personality. The right scent highlights a wearer’s proudest attributes and traits. It makes them feel confident and uplifts them even when they are down or fatigued. Sometimes, it also comes down to personal preferences. One may like lighter scents while others like the stronger profiles of heavier scents.

Ultimately, your statement scent should be a symbol of who you are.

Understand your own attributes and weaknesses, lifestyle, likes and dislikes, and individual sense of style. Also, decide the kind of impression you want to have on others and how you like to be perceived. Settle on a fragrance family that complements these aspects of your life.

Consider the following questions:

• What do you like most about yourself?
• Where are your favourite places to visit?
• What are your intentions of finding a statement sent?
• How would you like to be perceived by others? (For example: do you want to be perceived in a more professional light? Do you want to create a more inviting appearance?)
• What is your proudest physical asset?

The trick here is to be honest with yourself - particularly about who you are and how you prefer to live your life. For instance, you would want to wear more subtle scents if you are very introverted and shy but still want to appear approachable.

2. Decide on the occasion

Are you looking for a perfume that you can wear daily or a distinct and bold fragrance for a black-tie event?

Besides learning what perfume best suits your personality and lifestyle, you also need to consider when and where you want to wear the perfume as some scents are more appropriate for some occasions than others. Bold scents can be a showstopper but you do not want it to overpower how others feel around you. At the same time, you don’t want a scent that is hardly memorable, dulling your outfit and look for the event.

Here’s a quick rundown of the seven fragrance categories and what events they are most suitable for:

• Citrus: Suitable for everyday wear to school, work, travel and outdoor activities. Citrus perfumes are ideal for warmer climates (eg. Singapore).
• Floral: Great for tropical temperatures. Among the seven fragrance families, floral scents are probably the most versatile. You could wear them out on dates, get-togethers or even to work.
• Woody: More suitable for evening activities and formal occasions like black tie events and corporate functions.
• Fruity: Appropriate for daily wear. They are more suitable for millennials and pair well with smart-casual attire.
• Aquatic: Suitable for laidback activities like a spa day because of their soothing notes. They keep you smelling fresh and clean.
• Spicy: Perfect scent to make a bold impression on a romantic date in the evening. These sensual spicy smells are definitely for the fearless.
• Gourmand: Naturally strong scents. They are suitable for both work and leisure, and pair well with luxury handbags and sunglasses.

Shopping for a gift can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if the recipient is someone important to you. There is so much to consider!

Beautifully packaged in an elegant bottle and with the right scent, your recipient will know they have a very important place in your heart. If you are on a hunt for the perfect perfume for your best gal pal or your beau, here are two considerations to bear in mind as you make your pick:

1. Day-to-day life

This includes where they work, how they commute around and beyond their hometown, and how they prefer to spend their free time. Taking these into account helps you pick out a scent that does not make them stand out for the wrong reasons.

Choose lighter, subtle colognes and EDT perfumes from the floral, fruity and aquatic families for individuals who are constantly moving about. On the other hand, pick a stronger and bolder woody and spicy fragrance for social butterflies who enjoy a tipple or two at a fancy bar each weekend.

2. Fashion sense

Do they like taking risks with loud colours or prefer going with neutral shades? An individual’s style says a lot about their personality. Observe how they dress and find a fragrance that fits their style.

3. Key Tip for Gift-shopping

Here's a quick tip to bear in mind when shopping for a bottle of perfume as a gift: avoid polarising scents and parfums if you are unsure about your recipient’s preferences. You definitely do not want them to be uncomfortable with the fragrance. Instead, go with something neutral.

Believe it or not - the method in which you apply your perfume can affect how it smells on you and how long it stays on your skin.

There are three main types of perfumes: bottled, roll-ons as well as oil. Here’s how you apply them:

• For Bottled Perfume: Spray the perfume in front of you and walk into it. It should leave a light and evenly distributed layer on your clothes. You could also spray them on your pulse points at your wrists and neck.
• For Roll-ons: Simply apply the perfume to your neck and wrists. Lightly use your fingers to dab it.
• For Perfumed Oil: Use your fingers to apply the oil directly to your skin. Avoid contact with clothes or fabrics as it might leave oil stains.

Tips to Help Your Fragrance Last Longer

If you find that your perfume isn’t staying as long as you would like it to, here are some helpful tips:

• Do Not Rub The Perfume: Friction produces heat and could cause the fragrance to evaporate faster.
• Apply Only On Dry Skin: Water would dilute the fragrance. Apply the perfume only on dry areas.
• Do Not Apply On Areas With A High Concentration Of Sweat Glands: Avoid spraying perfume on areas like the underarms, feet and palms as those areas have a higher concentration of sweat glands which could mix with the fragrance and give off an unpleasant smell.

One of the biggest fears most perfume-lovers have is to have a fragrance get stale. Sadly, perfumes (in all forms) can turn stale over time because of their natural chemical reaction.

Keeping your scent safe from natural elements like heat and humidity can be difficult, though it's not impossible. Fortunately, there are some ways to keep perfumes fresh. Here are four of them:

1. Keep them out of the sun

Hot weather in tropical cities like Singapore can stimulate the chemical reaction. As such, do keep your fragrances out of the heat and sun. Instead, store them in dark and dry places like a dressing table drawer to keep sunlight away. Never expose your fragrance to direct sunlight.

2. Do not leave the bottle open

Exposing the bottle of fragrance to oxygen could dilute the scent and even change its colour due to oxidation. Keep the bottle closed and avoid opening it under any circumstance.

3. Establish a designated spot for storage

Perfumes might go bad if they are constantly exposed to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Thus, avoid shifting them around too much.

4. Open new perfumes only when ready to use

The clock starts ticking the moment you remove the bottle of perfume from its packaging. Keep your perfumes as they are and open them only when you are ready to use them. 

From citrus to woody and spicy fragrances, iShopChangi offers a wide range of fragrances for him, her and both. Whether you are looking for a work-friendly scent or a light fragrance for the weekend, there is definitely something for everyone in our catalogue.

Plus, we absorb the taxes so you can get the best deals online. Treat yourself to a statement scent without breaking the bank!

Simply browse to view our comprehensive range of fragrances and buy your favourite perfume online. You may opt either for self-collection from Singapore Changi Airport or local delivery to your address in Singapore.