Bergamot, Vetiver, Jasmine, and Sandalwood. Vanilla, neroli, musk, and musk. Choosing a distinctive perfume is a bit like choosing a beloved child, especially for those who love olfactory engagement. Today's trend is to create a fragrance collection full of scents that are as distinctive as individual moods.

First, you might feel overwhelmed, especially if you don't understand the vocabulary of scents. To simplify the process, we have selected perfumers who are in the business of perfumery to help you understand the details of perfume jargon. In addition, experts share tips for creating a wardrobe of fragrances - from iconic favorites to big brands.

What are the categories of fragrances? You will most likely choose one of two categories of fragrances: eau de toilette (EDT) and eau de parfum (EDP). The difference between EDT and EDP has to do with the concentration levels of the materials that affect the longevity of your scent.

"EDPs are more concentrated in the raw materials, so they are stronger and last longer," Tanis explained. Subsequently, they became more expensive. EDT is generally cheaper than EDP. On the other hand, Tanis pointed out that "EDT has a lower concentration and a shorter scent duration, but this may vary from skin to skin."

When it comes to choosing between EDT or EDP, consider the type of fragrance you buy: synthetic or natural (note: most of the fragrances in the big box are synthetic, and some of the lines are natural). "For natural scents, I would recommend the EDP," advises Little. "You will need a concentration of raw materials to give you longevity and sillage [the scent trail].

I love EDT with synthetic aromatic chemicals. I find synthetic scent chemicals to be very overpowering and sometimes too much.

EDTs are much less concentrated, so they are easier to put on and cause fewer headaches. "Sivrikan agrees that it is nice to have both EDP and EDT when creating a perfume wardrobe. She also proposes to create a collection "consisting of colognes, perfumes, mists for the face and perfumed oils for hair and body."

Perfume designers break down a fragrance into notes that affect its scent. There are three notes: top, heart (or heart), and base (or base).

He says he thinks of the composition as a pyramid, which is a useful analogy: "All the notes in a fragrance are enclosed in an olfactory pyramid. The pyramid is a fragrance composition. The composition is composed of notes or ingredients that combine the scent." When choosing a scent, look for the description of each note to see how best to smell the scent.

Finding your signature scent is a truly subjective experience. For starters, Little suggests doing a small personal inventory focused on perfume. However, you can systematically search for perfumes for your wardrobe, even if it requires looking inside and listening to your intuition.

"Really ask yourself the question, what attracts YOU? Finding a scent that attracts you is so personal, unconscious, and cerebral that it can elude even the most curious. "Second, think of a scent as something that Little suggests "cheers you up." Thus, the scent (or rather its key ingredients) is "an invisible and irreplaceable part of the wardrobe." The perfumer encourages people to perceive fragrances as "individual".

So how do you better understand the character of a fragrance? It all comes down to how you feel about perfume. "Some personalities are stressed, some are aggressive, and others are shy and reserved," explains Little. Finally, to find out if you like perfume, consider the following.

"If it evokes feelings of joy, excitement, surprise, or nostalgia," Sivrikan says, you should take a scent. "If you tried it but didn't buy it and keep thinking about it, buy it because it calls you, and you'll regret it if you don't," he says.

When it comes to layering scents, there are several factors to consider and, of course, your overall philosophy of smell. How the fragrance line was created is important.

For example, Little explains that he created the Heretic Parfum line "100% natural materials, making them ideal for layering." He adds: "I created the collection so that you can easily mix and match any scents to create beautiful and unique scents." Because his fragrances are made from only natural materials, they are "clean, vibrant and transparent," making them suitable for layering. Plus, natural (non-synthetic) ingredients don't last as long as synthetic ones, so applying layers can increase the longevity of your perfume.

Tanis notes that Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrances can be applied and combined, even if "they weren't created for that. Kurkdjian fragrances are meant to be used alone. "She personally disapproves of layering scents, saying, "The scents should be different, just like the clothes in your wardrobe." Ultimately, the decision remains with each owner.

When you buy a perfume wardrobe, you can reimagine a distinctive scent. Tanis says: "Consumers have outgrown brand name fragrances and are wearing fragrances that are appropriate for the occasion, event or activity. Modern men and women want an olfactory or aromatic wardrobe, not a scent. "

Sivrican invites you to buy a "new scent every time you travel to a different location. You will always remember the place and time you visited, every time you smell it. "

When you are shopping online, it is helpful to understand the language of fragrance to break down comments and descriptions. "The comments on perfume blogs are very helpful, because some of them really understand how to interpret fragrances," Sivrikan said. "Sometimes the other person's point of view can help you make a purchase decision, or at least give you something you might not have considered.

If possible, try it if the brand offers it," he says. Alternatively, you can visit sites like MicroPerfumes to order samples before purchasing a full-size bottle when shopping online.

The more you live and use the scent, the more you learn to appreciate its ability to reveal moods, memories and promote an overall sense of well-being. The rules can help understand the chemistry of a fragrance and the different types of perfume categories. Still, once you have a working understanding of the vocabulary, the most important thing in putting together a fragrance wardrobe is to follow your intuition. 

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