Since her first visit to a Bath & Body Works in middle school, Kaitlin Clark has been an unwavering fragrance fanatic. Over the years, she’s spritzed countless classic and new scents, cultivating a sophisticated nose. Now, as a professional perfumer, she says finding your signature fragrance is all about learning to speak the language of scents—and knowing which ones work for you.
To help with that, she suggests identifying the types of notes you like best, whether floral, citrus, woody, or clean. Next, she recommends paying attention to the top notes, which are the first scents you smell when applying a fragrance. From there, you can narrow down your search by focusing on the middle and base notes, which are often more rounded and linger longer than the top notes.
For example, the crisp opening of Hermes’s coveted H24 scent features top notes of blackcurrant, ruby red grapefruit, and bergamot before moving to a heart and base of clary sage, rose, ambroxan, and sandalwood for a fresh and clean feel. And the soft and feminine finish of YSL’s J’adore is just right for your day-to-day women’s perfume, with a light and airy blend of ylang ylang, Damascus rose, and jasmine.
As for those with a more adventurous spirit, try Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum for a rich, heady scent. It’s made from raw materials that are sourced from the famed perfume capital of Grasse, France, and promises to transport you to a “mystical” and romantic place. And, as a bonus, the bottle is so pretty, you’ll want to display it on your vanity.