Niche perfumes rarely reveal themselves completely on the first try. They are characterful, layered scents that change on the skin over time, so choosing one takes a little more time. Here are a few steps to guide you.
1. Read the story
The name and narrative of a niche scent tell you what it is trying to express. A story that moves you is often the first sign of a scent that will suit you. Every Puzzle fragrance has a meaning told in the artist’s own words; Daylight’s “new beginning” and Gece’s “inner journey” open two entirely different worlds.
2. Look at the notes, but don’t get stuck
Notes are a map: warm or fresh, spicy or floral? Knowing which materials you like and dislike helps. But a fragrance is more than the sum of its notes; give it a chance on the skin instead of deciding from the list.
3. Try it on skin, not on paper
Scent behaves differently on paper and on skin. The warmth and chemistry of your skin change it. Apply it to your wrist and carry it for a few hours.
4. Give it time
The first ten minutes are the top notes; the real character appears in the heart, and the lasting impression in the base. Smell in the evening what you tried in the morning. Wearing a scent on several different days shows whether it truly suits you.
5. Don’t try too many at once
Your nose gets tired. Try two, at most three, scents in one go, with breaks between them.
6. Ask yourself
How do I feel wearing this? Is it just beautiful, or does it feel like mine? The value of a niche perfume lies in feeling like part of you.
Starting with Puzzle
For this process the Discovery Set brings five fragrances together in 2.5 ml bottles. To spend longer with a single scent, see the 2.5 ml testers.
Read next: A guide to fragrance notes
