Perfume Shopping Guide | How to Buy Fragrance Online | Molton Brown® UK

Once you’ve established your scent profile, you’ll be a step closer to finding your ideal fragrance family. Fragrance families are a way to classify perfumes in olfactory groups, dependant on their composition and characteristics. For instance, the citrus family is uplifting and zesty, while an opulent is sophisticated and rich with ambery notes. Woody fragrances are dry, deep and comforting, while, more uniquely, the fresh fragrance type is invigorating and herbaceous. 

Next, the difference between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette is crucial to knowing how to pick a perfume based on your desired intensity. Our Eau de Parfum is blended with 20% oil concentration for a long-lasting scent on the skin, perfect for special occasions or if you like to make a lasting impression. For a lighter, everyday option, our Eau de Toilette contains 10% oil, ideal for those who prefer a more subtle scent trail.

Considering the mood you want to create will inform you how to choose a perfume. The olfactory and emotional centres of our brain are closely linked, meaning that we associate the scents we encounter with specific experiences and memories. It also means that certain aromas can have huge positive impacts on our mind. Citrus notes help to boost energy and alertness, while vanilla notes are proven to elevate feelings of joy. Flower oils, like lavender, can create a calm mood.

If you’re the type that has – or wants to build – a ‘scent wardrobe’, when considering ‘What fragrance should I wear today?’, many external factors come into play. Just as your wardrobe changes with the time of day, season, and occasion, so can your scent. Fresh, fruity notes suit warmer months and daytime, while opulent scents are ideal for evenings. Autumn calls for woody fragrances, and winter invites warm, comforting scents with festive notes. Experiment with layering your fragrance with the corresponding body wash and lotion: all our products are designed to be used together for a long-lasting scent trail. And if you’re feeling experimental, enhance or alter a scent to make it work for different occasions, for example by deepening a floral scent with rich, spicy notes to create a more alluring, evening-ready aroma.

Navigating the world of online perfume shopping can be overwhelming, so make the most of all available tools. Customer reviews are valuable for learning how a perfume performs in real life, such as its longevity. Understanding product descriptions is also key. Familiarise yourself with the fragrance notes you tend to be drawn to, and keep in mind that although top notes are the first you smell, they’re the quickest to fade, before the heart and base begin to fully emerge.

We’ve developed an interactive profiling tool, Fragrance Finder, that charts your emotional response to sensory stimuli – think of it as your journey of ‘scent self-discovery’. Through a series of illuminating questions that connect you to your perfect match, you’ll learn as much about yourself as the fragrance that suits your unique, unfiltered personality.

Armed with these tools, you should feel confident to pick the perfect Molton Brown fragrance for you. One that rouses memories, boosts your mood, and ultimately, makes you feel your most authentic self.

If you’re still unsure, pop in-store where you’ll be able to relax with an indulgent Hand & Arm Massage as a dedicated team member offers their personalised advice on your signature Molton Brown scent. Plus, look out for our year-round store events for immersive, sensorial experiences. 

Explore our full fragrance collections at The Hub, our immersive fragrance station, available in each store. Stay in the loop with upcoming launches and in-store events by joining our email guest list.