Choosing a perfume is one of the most personal decisions you can make. Unlike a dress you can return or a lipstick you can try in store, fragrance is intimate — it lives on your skin, mingles with your natural chemistry, and leaves an impression long after you've left the room.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know. Browse our Perfume collection as you read.
Step 1: Understand Fragrance Concentration
Not all bottles are the same. The same scent can come in several concentrations, which affects strength, longevity, and price.
| Type | Concentration | Longevity |
|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Extrait de Parfum | 20–40% | 8–12+ hours |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15–20% | 6–8 hours |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5–15% | 3–5 hours |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | 2–5% | 2–3 hours |
| Body Mist | <2% | 1–2 hours |
For everyday wear, Eau de Parfum is the sweet spot. For special occasions, consider a Parfum or Extrait de Parfum like MFK Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait or Parfums de Marly Valaya Exclusif.
Step 2: Know the Fragrance Families
Floral
The largest fragrance family — roses, peonies, jasmine, tuberose. Best for: romantics, daytime, spring and summer.
CSShop picks: Parfums de Marly Delina, Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush, Coach Floral Blush
Oriental / Amber
Warm, rich, sensual — vanilla, amber, musk, resins. Best for: evenings, autumn and winter, bold personalities.
CSShop picks: MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, Dolce & Gabbana Devotion Intense
Fruity
Fresh, vibrant, fun — berries, peach, citrus, tropical fruits. Best for: daytime, casual occasions.
CSShop picks: Parfums de Marly Oriana, Coach Dreams Sunset
Gourmand
Sweet, edible-inspired — vanilla, caramel, chocolate, coffee. Best for: autumn and winter, date nights.
CSShop picks: Laurel Bath House Cannoli, Laurel Bath House Après Ski, Carolina Herrera Good Girl
Fresh / Aquatic
Clean, crisp, airy — sea breeze, green leaves, white musks. Best for: summer, office wear, subtle preferences.
CSShop picks: Parfums de Marly Delina La Rosée
Step 3: Understand the Fragrance Pyramid
- Top notes: What you smell first — fresh and light. Last 15–30 minutes.
- Heart notes: The core — florals, spices, herbs. Last several hours.
- Base notes: The foundation — woods, musks, resins. What you smell at the end of the day.
Tip: Always wait 30 minutes before deciding if you like a fragrance. The top notes are only part of the story.
Step 4: How to Test a Perfume
- Spray on skin, not paper — perfume interacts with your skin chemistry
- Test one or two fragrances at a time — your nose gets overwhelmed quickly
- Wait 20–30 minutes and smell again — the fragrance will have evolved
- Wear it for a full day before committing to an expensive bottle
Step 5: Find Your Signature Scent
- Feminine and romantic: Parfums de Marly Delina or Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush
- Bold and confident: MFK Baccarat Rouge 540 or D&G Devotion Intense
- Fresh and light: Delina La Rosée or Spongellé Jude Rose
- Sweet and cosy: Laurel Bath House Cannoli or Good Girl by Carolina Herrera
- Stand out: Parfums de Marly or Laurel Bath House — conversation starters every time
Our Top Fragrance Picks at CSShop
- Parfums de Marly Delina EDP — the ultimate feminine floral
- MFK Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait — the most talked-about niche fragrance in the world
- Carolina Herrera Good Girl EDP — bold, iconic, instantly recognisable
- Laurel Bath House Cannoli EDP — a gorgeous artisan gourmand
- YSL Tuxedo EDP — for the woman who plays by her own rules
Browse our full Perfume collection at CSShop.