With many synthetic products on the market, we believe it is more important than ever to educate our readers about the importance and the processes behind developing and manufacturing natural perfumes.
We hope this article provides something for the beginner perfumer as well as the seasoned enthusiast.
The history of perfume is as curious as it is extensive. The earliest recordings of perfume date back to ancient Egypt and ancient Greece.
This article ensures that the wonders of the history of perfume are not hidden by perfume historians and are instead shared with fellow perfume enthusiasts.
A Women’s perfume gift set is proof that great things truly do come in small packages. Many high-quality sample perfume bottles can last months or even years.
Furthermore, the humble fragrance gift comes in packages as large as shoeboxes while only being only slightly more expensive than a full-sized bottle – making them a fantastic bargain.
A women’s perfume gift set allows that special lady to test out different fragrances. Unfortunately, in the beauty industry perfume often comes at the bottom of the list. A gift set can give a woman the freedom to try something new and broaden their horizons.
Even if the recipient of the gift set already has a signature fragrance, it is likely they will want to have another addition to their collection.
There is an astoundingly wide range of signature notes that can be found in perfume. Having several at their disposal will leave your loved one prepared for almost every occasion.
The Essential Fragrance Categories For Any Women’s Perfume Gift Set
Woody Perfume
Earthy and mossy notes are synonymous with a woody fragrance. The typical perfume notes one ought to expect are sandalwood, cedarwood and vetiver.
Oriental Perfume
Oriental fragrances are likely to be the heaviest perfume to feature in a women’s perfume gift set. Oriental perfumes tend to be spicy, musky and sometimes sugary. Their most popular notes are vanilla and cinnamon.
Aromatic Perfume
Aromatic fragrances are known to remind people of freshly mown grass or vibrant herb garden. Sage, rosemary, lavender and basil are all staple notes of aromatic perfumes.
Citrus Perfume
Citrus fragrances are a must-have in any women’s perfume gift set and are the perfect choice for those who prefer to avoid traditional fragrances. the zesty aroma of orange and lemon notes are attractive due to being fresh but also subtle.
Fruity Perfume
Fruity fragrances make the perfect gift due to the extensive ingredients at their disposal. Fruity perfumes can come from any fruit you can think of, be it peach, black current or even apple.
Floral Perfume
Last but by no means least comes the most common and feminine fragrance of all. Not only are there countless flowers to choose from (e.g. rose, daisy, magnolia etc.), there are just as many floral perfume brands to chose from.
In fact, the choice of brands can be so extensive that we recommend starting by choosing your favourite flower rather than a particular brand.
Women’s Perfume Gift Set Top Tips
1. When testing their perfume gifts, we recommend the recipient pays close attention to the base notes rather than the top notes for they will create longer-lasting aromas.
2. There are two key terms that will appear a lot when looking for a women’s perfume gift set. Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette. These terms can be quite confusing and therefore we recommend you read this short article by Hello! Magazine.
Does the Perfect Fragrance Gift Set Exist?
Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, there are countless gift sets on offer and you should certainly shop around. Although, we do invite you to consider our Fragrance Library | Perfume Experience Box. Not only does it include a vast array of perfumes, once the man in your life has found ‘their’ fragrance, but you can also get the cost of the experience box refunded when you buy the full-sized bottle.
If someone is looking for the perfect men’s perfume gift set, it is safe to assume they are looking to treat a special man in their life – be it family, friend or colleague.
Fragrances continue to be a classic choice as a gift for men as it is regarded as a very thoughtful and personal gift.
However, what if the wrong fragrance is chosen and while you believe that one fragrance encapsulates your loved on, they have a completely different view of themselves altogether?
This is why men’s perfume gift sets were invented in the first place.
Benefits of a Men’s Perfume Gift Set
First of all, it empowers that special man to discover their own identity through cologne and fragrance. This is not only due to the choice of perfume available in a gift set, but also because the bottles in a gift set have larger amounts of scent liquid than a single perfume bottle.
Also, to be pragmatic, perfume sets often come with an offer when they are purchased which means you can save money to go towards another gift for that man in your life.
Which Fragrances Should A Men’s Perfume Gift Set Include?
Fougere
Fougere fragrances are certain the most commonly attributed to masculinity with many brands describing how these colognes represent a man who is cool under pressure and handles a crisis well.
The original Fougere perfume (Fougere Royale, launched in 1882) contained notes of oakmoss, tobacco, lavender and coumarin. These notes have been considered as the building blocks of Fougere fragrances ever since.
Fun fact: Fougere, (pronounced ‘foo-jair’) comes from the French word for ‘fern’
Gourmand
Gourmand colognes are also definitively categorised as masculine and make the perfect addition to a men’s perfume gift set.
They have become ever more popular in recent years, most likely down to their indulgent aromas produced from notes of vanilla, chocolate and coffee. If a man reminds you of dessert, you can safely assume he is wearing a gourmand fragrance.
Such a cologne is as seductive as it is versatile, although, we recommend that they are worn in the winter – a season of true indulgence.
Chypres
Chypre perfumes are a truly timeless fragrance for men who usually revolve around labdanum, oakmoss and bergamot. In fact, it is suggested that chypres fragrances can date back to the Roman Empire and are certainly often mentioned in manuals written in the 18th century.
They are associated more with the ‘mature’ gentleman and are often worn in the autumn. However, chypres fragrances are perfect for gift box as they are incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide range of scenarios.
Fun fact: Many mistake Chypre to be a reference to the cypress tree. In truth, it comes from the French word for Cyprus.
Oriental
Oriental perfumes are certainly considered as one of the more seductive fragrances and are distinctive through their emphasis on amber. The most common ambers notes that are used include patchouli, truffle and vanilla. Although oriental perfumes can be further categorised, for example, there are Spicy Orientals and Woody Orientals.
Nevertheless, if you have a young (or not so young) Batchelor in your life, this fragrance would be an accessory for a night on the pull.
Spicy
As previously mentioned, spicy fragrances do form a large sub-category of oriental fragrances. However, we believe that no man’s mini perfume set should be without a spicy aftershave. Nevertheless, oriental and spicy fragrances do fulfil very similar needs.
Although, as well as typical oriental notes, spicy perfumes often contain notes of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Therefore, such fragrances are also commonly associated with sensuality and warmth – perfect for the evenings.
We would recommend a spicy cologne during the winter where notes such as cinnamon and nutmeg are certainly seasonally appropriate.
Floral
While floral ingredients are more commonly found in feminine fragrances, they are becoming ever more prevalent in men’s cologne, particularly the two cornerstone notes of jasmine and rose. The former adding refinedness and complexity and the latter builds cohesion amongst the other notes in the perfume
Floral fragrances are easily identified for they remind everyone of gardens, flowers and blossoms and are best worn during the spring and summer months to complement the blooming season.
Another added bonus with floral fragrances is that due to the heat amplifying perfume bouquets, just a couple of squirts (and perhaps a quick spritz in your hair) will achieve the desired effect.
Citrus
Citrus colognes are a perfume gift box essential and are designed for the long summers day.
As one might expect, citrus fragrances are mostly composed of strong fruity notes such as tangerine, bergamot and grapefruit. Although, in citrusy men’s colognes, Neroli is very common.
Furthermore, due to the strength of citrus perfumes, floral and chypres ingredients are often also included in order to round off the citrus.
Fun Fact: The world’s first Eau de Cologne was a citrus accord.
Aquatic
If you are buying a men’s perfume gift set for a man who loves the water, well that is when aquatic fragrances are at their best. Aquatic colognes are perfect for a sunny day by the sea, although they are also among the most versatile fragrances.
Also often known as ‘Ozonic’ fragrances, Many claim their aquatic cologne reminds them of the sea air lingering on their clothes.
Unfortunately, unlike floral perfumes where essential oils are extracted, science is still unable to put the beauty of the sea breeze in a bottle.
Woody
Woody fragrances are very distinctive and are known to remind people of nature through notes such as bark, patchouli, resin, cedar and vetiver.
Similar to other fragrances ideal for a men’s perfume gift set, woody perfumes can be split into different subcategories such as woody fruity or woody leather. However, unlike other fragrances, it is very rare to find a fragrance that is simply ‘woody’.
Fortunately, due to the influence in several other fragrance families, woody colognes, while best suited for the autumn, are very flexible. Although, they do better suit the rugged man rather than the refined gentleman.
Leather
Last but by no means least comes the leather fragrances who are considered to be the most formal cologne of any perfume gift set for men. It is for this reason that we advise you should avoid informal and casual settings and instead reserve the leather cologne for those formal occasions where your man is required to take charge.
Notes of smoky birch or bitter-smelling isoquinolines are unmatched in replicating leathery aromas while enabling the wearer to exude confidence and power.
What Men’s Perfume Gift Set Should I Buy?
There are countless gift sets on offer and you should certainly shop around. Although, we do invite you to consider our Fragrance Library | Perfume Experience Box. Not only does it include a vast array of perfumes, once the man in your life has found ‘their’ fragrance, but you can also get the cost of the experience box refunded when you buy the full-sized bottle.
We start this perfume samples UK guide with a brief commentary on pandemic trends.
Throughout lockdown, testing beauty products such as perfume samples in shops were rendered impossible and as more and more publications become online, the regular perfume samples UK magazines would normally include are ever more elusive. Although, this may have been a blessing in disguise. While department stores were closed, you weren’t forced to decipher the different tester perfumes in the air of the shop as customer after customer samples perfume after perfume.
Nevertheless, testing perfume in the real world and taking the time to analyse how it reacts to your skin is as important as ever. Fortunately, perfume samples exist to fulfil this need.
Rather than having a small sachet or a quick spray, a small bottle of the actual perfume will contain all of the fragrance notes. This empowers an individual to truly decide if the ingredients react with your skin, but if that particular fragrance is the right one for you.
Personal Applications of Fragrance Samples
Simply Wear it
Of course, this is most likely why someone would have a perfumesample in the first place. We recommend having a collection of perfume samples and then test the different fragrances over a period of time.
DIY Scented Body Lotion
This suggestion is perfect if you have a date that evening. Simply add a few drops or spritzes to an unscented body lotion. The degree of concentration or strength of the fragrance is up to you.
DIY Dry Shampoo
You will need a couple of ingredients but it is certainly worth the effort. Apply some baby powder or corn starch mixed with your perfumesample to your scalp to absorb any oil. A perfect dry shampoo solution if you find yourself short on time.
Add Some Variety To Bath Time
Bath bombs can sometimes be overbearing and a tester perfumesample could be a subtle and magical alternative. Adding a sampleperfume vial to your bath water should do the trick.
Freshen Up Your Clothes
Upgrade Your Underwear
If you have a perfume sachet, then we recommend tucking them into your underwear drawers. Otherwise, apply a quick spray of your perfume samples to a drawer liner.
If you are interested in creating your own perfumed drawer liners, we have written a guide which you can find here
Spruce Up Your Suitcase
Once again, a sachet perhaps may be more appropriate for this suggestion. But we recommend putting your perfume samples to the test by throwing an unopened sample into your suitcase before you leave for the airport. Depending on how long you are gone, the fragrance can last the entirety of the trip.
Store Perfume Samples In Your Shoes
Storing a sachet or giving a quick spray to your shoes will ensure you have the best-smelling feet and shoe rack around.
Tackle Musty Coat Pockets
As we approach the summer months, weather permitting, it is likely your coats will be living in a cupboard. Perfuming the pockets with a samplefragrance will keep the musty aroma at bay.
If you do find yourself in a coat during the summer, at least you will smell good doing it.
Spread The Fragrance Around The House
Freshen Up Your Wardrobe
Adding perfume samples to your wardrobe can ensure that your clothes remain fragrant all year round.
Pillows, curtains, even stuffed animal, the opportunities are endless when testing your perfume samples
Spray Your Linen
If an individual tends to be an undecided perfumesample tester, we recommend they should sleep on it – literally. If you enjoy your sample at night as much as you do first thing in the morning, then it is definitely a keeper. (Of course, the opposite is also true.)
Freshen Up Your Mattress
With your linen above and your mattress below, you will struggle to find anything more enjoyable than fragrant surroundings.
DIY Carpet Refreshers
Simply add your tester perfume to some baking soda and sprinkle the mixture across the entirety of your carpet. Once you have waited for 10 minutes and completed and vacuumed the residue, the results will speak for themselves.
Convert Foul Aromas From Household Waste Into A Pleasant Fragrance
The unpleasant contents of your rubbish are often presented by the aroma that leaks out of your bins. Dip some tissue paper or cotton balls into your perfume samples and the placing them at the bottom of your bin before adding the bag.
Build A Light Bulb Diffuser
Add a few drops or a quick spray of your samplefragrance onto a cold lightbulb. Then when you turn it on, you have effectively made a DIY diffuser that will spread your fragrance across the room.
Design Your Own Air Freshener
There are actually a number of ways in which you can use perfume samples as an air freshener. You may want to spray some fake plants, perhaps simply apply your sample as a room spray. There some cases of people even using their fragrance samples in Himalayan salt diffusers.
A Pet Deodorizer
We are no advocating spraying your perfume on your pets directly, that can be very dangerous. On the other hand, mixed with some baking soda, light sprays in a litter box or couch cushions can eliminate those enduring odours.
‘On The Move’ Applications For Perfume Samples
Improve the smell of inside purse
The typical purse is full of all sorts of bits and pieces and with that comes all sorts of smells. Fortunately, it isn’t something that a quick perfumesample can’t fix.
Car Seat Air Fresheners
Your typical car air freshener is dull and sometimes a bit stale. We think you would find placing a fragrancesample under your car seat to be an appealing alternative.
The Perfect ‘On The Go’ Solution
On those days where you are low on drive and energy, you will find having a handy fragrance that can give you a spring in your step rather useful.
Emergency Ampit Refreshment
While a spray would work, in this case, a paper perfumesample would work best as the paper absorbs the sweat while the perfume will add a refreshing scent.
Although this is only in emergencies – you should avoid using perfume as a replacement for deodorant.
Scented Hair Accessories
People often use body sprays and fragrance mists to help scent their hair but due to the alcohol in perfume, their hair ends up dry. This side-effect can be avoided if you spray your hair accessories instead. A spritz on a scrunchie should be plenty.
How To Upcycle Your Perfume Samples UK Guide
Give Them Away
Of course, the most straightforward course of action if you don’t want a perfumesample is to give it to a colleague, friend or family member. Although due to their flammable nature, you may want to give it to them in person rather than risking an accident or confiscation by a courier.
Create scented cards
If you spray your cards directly, they will probably stain. But if you test a perfumesample on a cotton ball and drop it in a plastic bag containing your cards, after a few hours your cards will be pristine and the fragrance will last much longer.
Glass Sachet
Using an almost empty sample of perfume as a glass sachet can add a pleasant fragrance to your clothes if placed at the back of your wardrobe.
Upcycle the bottle
When a perfumebottle has been emptied, it is by no means useless. DIY toiletry holders, crafts, decorative displays – the possibilities are endless.
NEXT STEPS – Perfume Samples UK Guide
Now, gather all of your samples and try out some of your favourite suggestions below.
If you are looking for a new fragrance to find your signature scent and you are not sure where to start, we recommend our Perfume Experience Box
It contains 12 distinct fragrances and when you find one you like, we will subtract the cost of the experience box from the full-size bottle if you decide to make a purchase.
If you wish to learn how to correctly test and evaluate perfume, you can read more here.
Are 70s perfume trends now making a resurgence and does it have anything to do with the Pandemic?
As we are emerging from lockdown, we are becoming bolder and a counter-culture is on the rise. Current anti-racist and environmental activism are direct reflections of how the 1970s were also defined as a politically charged decade. Once again, this freedom and expression are extending to people’s wardrobes and fashion choices.
If you are interested in post-pandemic perfume trends more broadly, we invite you to read our recently published article on the subject.
A Revival of 70s Fashion
Throughout the 1970s, you would see men dressing in a more flamboyant manner with a rejuvenating sense of fun while also exaggerating their masculinity. Through web search data we can see a very similar trend emerging today.
Searches for flared jeans have increased by 45% and queries regarding psychedelics have soared.
Sales data shows that quintessential 70s items such as the jumpsuit, tank tops and denim have increased in demand over the past year.
Even the autumn and winter catwalk reflected a 1970s resurgence with representation from a range of styles from glam and rock to hippie and disco.
1970s Style In Post Pandemic Cinema
We hypothesise that much of the web search and sales demand mentioned above are influenced by some high-profile films set in the 1970s that are scheduled to be released in the coming months.
Filming for ‘The Tender Bar’, Ben Affleck has been photographed wearing retro bowling attire, flared jeans, clog-like loafers, a Cuban-collared jersey and a pair of aviators.
On the other hand, Lady Gaga is playing Patrizia Reggiani in a Gucci biopic set in the early 1970s and full of decadent Italian fashion.
But does this newfound enthusiasm for this classic decade transfer to the classic perfumes?
70s Perfume Trends
The hippie movement is a quintessential aspect of the 1970s and they certainly had their own unique scents. They were mostly either patchouli, sandalwood or tea rose attars.
In true ‘flower power’ fashion, people during the 70s would style the atmosphere of their surroundings with oil burners or incense which instantly produce an instant retro feeling.
However if one is to analyse 70s perfume trends, then it is perhaps best to start with some of the most iconic fragrances of that decade. e.g.Â
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent: incense (myrrh), spices (pepper, cinnamon & cloves) and sandalwood
Anais Anais by Cacharel: white floral (lily of the valley, jasmine, honeysuckle, hyacinth lily) and green.
Charlie by Revlon: woody (oakmoss, sandalwood), green (hyacinth, galbanum), aromatic (vetiver)
This Connoiseur’s accord opens with the intense aroma of Rum, nuances of Lime & Lemon and a radiant combination of Nutmeg & Pepper. The heart is deep and rich with Tuberose, Iris and Vintage Leather. A fond of Guaiac Wood, Cedarwood, Golden Amber, Vanilla Pod and Musk complete this luxurious fragrance.
A rich, woody and spicy fragrance where the zest of Grapefruit & Bergamot infuse the opening with freshness. The sensual heart of Masculine Leather is enhanced by the rich spicy elements of Black Pepper and Nutmeg. The base is intense and woody with Black Cedar, Patchouli, Tonka Bean and Moss.
In a sentence, Sensehacking allows us to improve our emotional wellbeing (as well as our cognitive and social wellbeing) by stimulating our senses in different and specific ways. The professor is conducting research as to how we might develop our understanding of this phenomenon to create multisensory environments, interfaces, products and even food.
Why Is Sensehacking So Important ?
Just as an unbalanced diet can lead to poor health, an imbalance in our sensory stimulation can also cause us to experience a number of problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. Such problems can cause someone to struggle to get enough sleep, which actually increases your chance of dying from one of the leading causes of mortality.
In today’s world, this imbalance comes from too much visual and auditory stimulation through excessive screen time, ear phones etc, while on the other hand there is a lack of tactile and fragrant stimulation. All of which are our considered to be our more emotional senses. This isn’t a judgement on your personal choices, this is simply the world that we live in.
Life in Lockdown
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this sensory imbalance has only been exacerbated. For example, we have all heard very sad stories of care home residents being denied the most basic of pleasures of being embraced by their loved ones.
Even before Covid-19, over 90% of the lives of those living in urban environments were spent indoors, often leading to ‘light hunger’ and even Seasonal Affective Disorder. But, throughout lockdown our environmental stimulation has become even more monotonous. The lack of variety and the abundance of the mundane exposure to screens via Zoom and Netflix are not without consequence.
Fortunately, Sensehacking does bring a solution.
Sensehacking In Practise
The Power Of Touch
Skin makes up just under 20% of your total body mass – making it the largest sensory organ in (or on) the human body. Wherever hair is grown (e.g. excluding palms and soles), there are receptors called ‘C-Tactile Afferents’ that elicit a pleasure response. This response is best encouraged through slow and gentle stroking (e.g. a massage).
Infact, just like a massage, if the touch is warm (in regards to temperature, although emotionally helps as well), and if there is a pleasant fragrance in the air, the wellbeing benefits are further enhanced.
However, unlike massages, research into Sensehacking concludes that multisensory stimulation of our skin is a biological necessity, not a luxury.
The Smells & Experiences Of Nature
One of the key principals of Sensehacking is the benefit that being in and amongst nature can have on our wellbeing. It is paramount that the exposure to nature has an all encompassing impact on your sensory stimulation. For example, Sensehacking explores how ‘Anthropocene Noise’ (such as the noise of traffic) can dramatically reduce the benefits of being in nature.
Ideally, as well as looking and listening to nature, you should look for a tactile experience such as feeling the ground beneath your toes or perhaps gardening and growing your own herbs. In fact, growing your own herbs will expose you to the fifth and most important sensory stimulation that nature provides – smell.
Fortunately, the efficacy of nature’s stimulation through our sense of smell is not impacted by whether or not we are actually amongst nature. While it is best to experience the smells of different grasses and wild flowers, Sensehacking shows that air fresheners or scented candles reflecting the aroma of nature can be just as effective. For example, a lavender fragrance as part of aromatherapy can be framed in terms of ‘smelling nature’ – e.g. the olfactory effect.
Furthermore, the positive impact of natural fragrances within the home becomes more pronounced in times of stress and uncertainty – which as we discussed previously, are often caused by an imbalanced sensory diet in the first place.
Taking The First Steps
We would suggest that you might find our large bell reed diffuser to be effective in bringing the outdoors indoors.
Our natural product is perfect for your home and provides your living space with a continuous fragrance. This will allow you to take full advantage of the perks that Sensehacking has to offer.
We understand that you may prefer some fragrances over, so we invite you to have a look at our full range here to find a diffuser that suits your tastes.
If you are unsure as to which fragrance suits your style, many of our customers have found the perfume experience box to be very useful.
This woody and aromatic accord opens with Bergamot, Lime, Green Leaves and spicy Basil. The heart is fresh with Lily, Freesia, Violet Leaf, Rose and Geranium. The note rests on a beautifully rich woody base of Patchouli, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Cedar and Amber.
Get a Full Refund when you later buy a full-sized bottle. Special Offer: Free Gift-Wrap (luxury bag & tissue paper) with every Perfume Experience Box.
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Free Tester: We will include a mini sampler with your Eau de Parfum so you can try the perfume before you open the pack.
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CRYSTALLINE in the UAE
We are honoured & proud that Pairfum London is available for you to enjoy at CRYSTALLINE in Dubai & Abu Dhabi.
CRYSTALLINE LG-110- LOWER GROUND THE DUBAI MALL, DUBAI, UAE Tel +971 4 3398 897