Perfume Guide

Gianni Versace nailed the importance and allure of fragrance. "Perfume puts the finishing touch to elegance – a detail that subtly underscores the look, an invisible extra that completes a woman’s personality. Without it there is something missing." ­There is indeed.

Fragrance is a powerful communicator, too, and not only helps us to attract others, but also adds to their perceptions of us.

It’s hard to claim to be shy and retiring when you’re wearing a seductive perfume like Lancôme’s Hypnôse. Or appeal to a man’s baser instincts while wearing a version of granny’s flower water. Yet selecting the right perfume isn’t the easy task it once was.

These days, hundreds of scents are released every year and only a fragrance expert has a ghost of a chance of keeping track of them all.

So here’s an in-depth guide to choosing and wearing fragrance – well.

How to Find the Perfect Perfume

The two biggest groups of fragrance buyers are women aged 18-24 and the over-40s, who are dubbed "women of style" by the perfume industry. Age aside, there are a lot of similarities.

Most women fall into one of four major categories when it comes to selecting fragrance – so let’s look at which suit each of them best.

The Romantic
She’s a big fan of anything that brings a tear to her eye, from chick flicks to "big" ballads. She loves floaty fabrics and you’ll never see her wearing anything that could be described as severe. Thierry Mugler’s Angel (1) tops the rankings as the most feminine of fragrances – a powerful combo of vanilla, chocolate, patchouli, sandalwood and caramel ($115 for 50ml). A great introduction is the new Les Parfums Corps Mini Discovery Collection – $48 for five trial-size products: Perfuming Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Body Cream, Hand Cream and Angel Eau de Parfum. Or tick all the boxes with Estée Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia, a sumptuous floral that leaves an unforgettable "trail" ($130 for 30ml).