Why a strip is not enough

Blotter strips are made for comparing openings side by side. They are useful, but paper has no warmth, no oils and no movement, so it flattens the way a fragrance develops. Skin changes a scent: it can soften a sharp citrus, deepen a vanilla or make a woody base feel dry.

That is why the same perfume can smell different on two people, and why a decant is the fairest test you can give it.

Plan a one-week trial

A 10 ml decant holds enough for around a week of daily wear with a few sprays each morning. Treat that week as an experiment rather than a commitment.

Days one and two: ordinary days

Wear it on a normal workday. Notice how it smells after an hour, after lunch and in the evening. Write down one word for each moment; you will be surprised how quickly your impressions change.

Days three to five: different settings

Try it in warm weather and cool weather, indoors and outside, on a quiet day and a busy one. A scent that shines at a dinner can feel heavy on a crowded train.

Days six and seven: ask someone

Other people smell your perfume more than you do. Ask someone close what they notice, and how far it seems to carry.

Where and how much to spray

• Pulse points such as the wrists and the base of the neck release scent with body warmth.
• Two or three sprays are enough for most fragrances; add one more for a light citrus.
• Do not rub your wrists together; it bruises nothing, but it does speed up the top notes.

Wear it long enough to forget you are wearing it. Then notice when you remember.

Deciding after the week

If you reached for it without thinking, it is probably yours. If you kept checking whether you liked it, it probably is not, and that is a perfectly good result for a small bottle.

When you are ready to try the next one, browse the decants and pick something in a different family to compare.