When you buy a Scent Sampler Kit from our site, you’ll find a pack of 6 signature fragrances inside. Allow a few minutes for the alcohol and the top notes to subside, and then smell the perfume. At this stage you may be able to eliminate one or more, if they don’t appeal – but it is really the heart notes and the lingering base notes which you will live with, and are crucial.

These descriptions are used to identify the strength or concentration of oil in a fragrance. The concentrations can vary from fragrance to fragrance but here is an average guide. In general, the higher the percentage, the higher the price – but be aware that different concentrations (Perfume, or Eau de Toilette, etc.) may also have different notes in them, and not simply be weaker or stronger. So when you like a fragrance, we suggest you explore its different concentrations.

Extract/solid perfume – 20-30%

Perfume – 15-25 %

Eau de Parfum (EDP) – 8-15%

Eau de Toilette (EDT) – 4-8%

Cologne (EDC) – 2-4%

After Shave – 2-4%

Soap - 2-4%

Perfumed candle – 10%

Absolutely, Only in the last 150 years have distinctions been made between male and female fragrances. Of course, some may be more suited to a particular gender, but it is all personal choice. We know men who wear Celeb Aqua and Be Naughty, and plenty of women who adore Noir or Rouge. There really aren’t any rights and wrongs.

It’s difficult, but not impossible. If you know what that person wears, you have the choices: buy a bottle of exactly the same perfume, or what’s known as a ‘flanker’ – sometimes a limited edition, but echoing elements of the original. Secondly, you could buy a different concentration.

If you don’t know AT ALL what someone likes, we would probably recommend chocolates – or flowers. Or a gift voucher for a fragrance. Just because you like the way something smells, that doesn’t mean someone else will.

Coco Chanel advised women to apply perfume ‘where you want to be kissed’… What that means is: spray/dab on your hot spots, or pulse points – behind the ears, temples, wrists, nape of the neck, back of the knees, in the crease of your elbows, between your breasts, the small of your back, navel area… The blood flows close to the surface in these zones and heats the fragrance oils. But do be aware of one no-no: perfume industry ‘insiders’ never, ever rub their wrists together after applying fragrance, because it affects the oils. Spray, waft your wrists around – and be patient…!