How to Find Your Fragrance Family

You don’t need to sniff a hundred bottles to find your family — a few honest questions get you most of the way there.

Ask yourself

Do I gravitate toward sweet desserts, or savoury, earthy food? (Gourmand vs woody/spicy)
Do I prefer cosy jumpers or crisp linen? (Amber/oriental vs fresh/citrus)
Am I drawn to flower shops, or wood-panelled rooms? (Floral vs woody)
Do I want to be noticed, or to smell quietly, personally good? (Bold oud/spicy vs soft musk)

Then test, don’t just theorise

Once you have a likely family in mind, sample two or three fragrances within it on your own skin over a full day. Your instinct is a good starting filter, but your actual skin is the final judge.