Whether it’s a last-minute Valentine’s Day buy or a special birthday buy, fragrance can often seem like the perfect gift idea. Provided you’ve made the right pick, fragrance can hit the spot every time.
However, selecting a suitable scent for your other half can prove a minefield. Worried about making a fragrance faux pas? Below, we’ve put together some helpful pointers to help you make the right choice when shopping for that special someone.
Consider Occasion
In the UK, the fragrance market is big business. In 2025 alone, an estimated £2.2 billion in sales are expected, with online sales accounting for more than 40% of all revenues. However, not all of these purchases result in happy recipients. To ensure you’re landing on a buy that’s going to go down a storm, think about occasions when singling out fragrance.
Looking for men's aftershave they can use every day? Look for scents dominated by herbaceous and citrus notes, with woody heart and base notes for a structured backbone. For a more non-assuming aroma, keep the focus on fresh and clean notes like grapefruit and bergamot. For something more masculine, seek out scents with notes of cedarwood and vetiver.
When it comes to women’s perfume, the basic approach remains the same. If you’re looking for a new ready-to-go daily favourite, opt for scents with base notes of warm vanilla and fresh patchouli, topped off with uplifting citrus notes and florals.
Think About Budget
If money is no object, you’ll want to hone in on Eau de Parfum for its higher concentrations of scent oil. With these premium bottles, a little goes a long way, making them a smart long-term investment. The best bottles have concentrations as high as 20%, meaning those signature scents will endure for hours after a single application.
Eau de Toilette is comparatively affordable, but the tradeoff is weaker concentrations topping out at around 15%.
At the budget end of the spectrum is Eau Fraiche. While you’ll still find a trace of authentic oils here, low concentrations of around 2% require constant applications if you want those aromas sticking around.
Are Custom Fragrances Worth It?
Rather than go with an off-the-shelf solution, it might be an idea to go with a custom scent. These tailor-made fragrances are a good shout if you know your audience well and are confident on the notes they love.
With a custom fragrance, you can be confident that you’ve got a gift they’ll treasure, and, when done right, deliver a signature scent they’ll want to reach for again and again. The downside? Custom fragrances aren’t cheap, so be prepared to spend a premium.
When All Else Fails, Play to Their Personality
If finding out what they’re currently wearing isn’t an option and you don’t want to take the punt with a personalised scent, simply play to their personality when selecting a fragrance. Buying for someone who’s understated to the core? A pared-back scent that’s all about subtlety is the way forward.
Picking out a gift for someone who likes to get noticed? Don’t be afraid of taking a chance on an aroma profile that’s packed with more daring ingredients and attention-seeking notes.
