Where to Buy Perfume In-Store? Guide to a Successful Boutique Experience
Choosing a perfume in-store can be influenced by several criteria: the bottle, current trends, promotions, or the brand. But to find the fragrance that truly suits you, you must look beyond marketing. Here is how to make your visit to the perfumery a success, whether you are a novice or an expert.
1. Choosing a Perfume In-Store if You Are a Connoisseur
If you already have knowledge of perfumery, prepare for your visit by defining the types of fragrances that appeal to you.
Defining Your Olfactory Family
Before heading to the store, target the family that matches your style:
- Citrus family (Freshness)
- Floral family (Femininity, Nature)
- Chypre family (Character)
- Woody family (Warmth, Structure)
- Fougère family (Classic Masculine)
- Oriental or Amber family (Sensuality)
Searching by Dominant Note
An expert client can be more precise in their perfume search, focusing on specific ingredients:
- Fresh notes like bergamot.
- Specific flowers: jasmine, rose, or solar flowers.
- Distinctive woods like patchouli or vetiver.
- Gourmand notes (vanilla) or leathery ones (see Leather Facet).
2. Choosing a Perfume In-Store if You Are a Novice
For novices, the immense choice in traditional perfumeries can be confusing. Advisors are there to help you, but it is crucial to know how to talk to them about your tastes.
Preparing Your Answers for the Advisor
So that the advisor can guide you effectively, prepare your answers to these key questions:
- Which perfumes have you enjoyed wearing in recent years?
- What are the smells of daily life that attract you (coffee, cut grass, vanilla, sea)?
- Are you looking for a discreet or powerful sillage?
- What are the scents of your childhood (your olfactory heritage)?
The Alternative: Niche Perfumery
A person looking for their signature perfume will benefit greatly from heading to niche perfumeries (or confidential ones). The experts there are often more passionate and take the time for a real consultation, far from the hustle and bustle of large chains.
3. The Online Alternative: Testing at Home
If you do not wish to travel, or if you find the in-store experience too saturated with odors, buying online with home testing is the modern solution.
On the Delacourte Paris website, you can order a Discovery Set (5 samples) to test perfumes quietly on your skin, in your daily environment. It is often the best way to validate a fragrance before purchasing the bottle (the price of which is reimbursed).
Conclusion
Whether in classic or alternative perfumery, the golden rule is to take your time. Always test on your skin and let the perfume evolve for several hours (or overnight) before deciding. A beautiful perfume is one that gives you a vivid and lasting emotion.
