The ten commandments of perfume

Buying a perfume is like a tasting session. Here are the steps to follow:

1. To choose your perfume, you should get up early. You smell better in the morning, your nose is fresher.

2. Dress in the style you feel most comfortable in. This is the small detail that will allow the perfume consultant to better target you.

3. Do not put perfume on yourself beforehand: this will create olfactory interference. Do not put perfumed milk on your body.

4. Think of bringing small pieces of fabric: silk, flannel or cotton that can be perfumed. This allows you to smell, "with a rested nose" at home, the perfumes that you have not managed to smell on your skin (there can be good surprises on the base notes).

5. Take your time, smell first on the blotter strips, if a perfume holds your attention, spray it on your skin (inside of the wrist).

6. Go for a walk and return to the perfumery a few hours later. This gives you time to get to know your fragrance.

7. Don't smell too many fragrances, as this can lead to saturation. Five tries is the maximum.

8. Taste different concentrations. You will be asked to try the eau de toilette versions, ask to smell the eau de parfum and, if possible, the extract. In richer concentration you will find real marvels. It's more expensive, but often a few drops are enough.

9. Ask for samples. When this is not possible, ask to spray the perfume you liked on a silk or cotton handkerchief. Avoid asking a friend's opinion, the choice of a perfume is personal. As for the man in your life, don't force him to smell too many olfactory strips, bring your samples home, or wear the perfume on your skin and test his reaction.

10. If you get compliments, don't leave this perfume!

Sylvaine Delacourte perfumes

Discover Sylvaine Delacourte's brand with her Orange Blossom, Musk and Vanilla Collections. You can try them thanks to the Discovery Boxes (5 Eaux de Parfum x 2 ml) and rediscover these raw materials as you have never smelled them before.