Who a perfume suits
A perfume suits someone who already wears one and would enjoy a nicer bottle of it, or someone whose scent you know well enough to choose with confidence. It is a classic gift for a partner, a mum, a sister or a close friend, and it fits Christmas, Mother's Day, a birthday or an anniversary.
It is a personal gift, so it asks for a little knowledge. The safest route is a scent they already wear, or a close relative of it. Guessing a brand-new scent for someone you don't know well is a gamble, because fragrance is one of the most individual things a person chooses.
What to look for in a perfume
- Concentration. Eau de parfum has more fragrance oil than eau de toilette, so it usually lasts longer on the skin. Eau de toilette is lighter and often suits daytime and warm weather.
- Scent family. Floral, fresh and citrus, woody, and warm or oriental are the common groups. If you know what they wear, stay in the same family.
- Size. A 30 mL bottle is a good size for a first try or for a scent they wear sparingly. A 100 mL bottle suits someone who wears it daily.
- Men's and women's labels. These are marketing rather than rules. Plenty of people wear whichever scent they like, and the range filter on this page shows each side on its own.
- Refillable bottles. A few brands sell a refill, which suits someone who will use the bottle for years.
Check the listing for the size and the type, because two bottles with the same name can differ in both.
When a perfume is the wrong gift
If you can't say what they wear now, a perfume is a guess, and it can end up unopened in a drawer. If they are sensitive to fragrance, or work somewhere that asks for no scent, it won't be used. In both cases a gift they can try first, such as a set of small bottles, or something other than fragrance, is the kinder choice.