Top 10 Perfume Buying Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Top 10 Perfume Buying Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

The 10 Biggest Perfume Buying Mistakes

Sniffing Only the Cap or Spraying on Paper

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • Paper strips don’t show how a perfume interacts with your skin chemistry.

  • Caps only reveal top notes (which fade in 30 mins).

 Fix:

  • Spray on your wrist, wait 30 mins for the true scent (middle/base notes) to emerge.


Blind Buying Based on Brand/Reviews

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • A 5-star perfume for others may smell terrible on you.

  • Online reviews can’t predict your skin’s reaction.

 Fix:

  • Order decants or samples first (Farzeel offers 2ml trial sizes!).

  • Check return policies.


 Ignoring Seasons & Occasions

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • Heavy vanilla scents overwhelm in summer.

  • Light citrus perfumes disappear in winter.

Fix:

  • Summer: Fresh/citrus (e.g., Bombshell Attar)

  • Winter: Spicy/woody (e.g., Tuscan Leather Attar)


 Overlooking Longevity & Projection

Why It’s Wrong:

  • Some perfumes fade in 1 hour (e.g., most body mists).

  • Others are too strong for offices.

 Fix:

  • Ask: “Is this for daily wear or special occasions?”

  • Choose attars (like Farzeel’s) for 8-12 hour wear.


 Testing Too Many Scents at Once

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • Your nose gets overwhelmed (olfactory fatigue).

  • You’ll confuse similar fragrances.

Fix:

  • Test max 3 perfumes/day.

  • Sniff coffee beans between scents to reset your nose.


 Not Considering Skin Type

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • Dry skin makes perfumes fade faster.

  • Oily skin amplifies base notes.

 Fix:

  • Dry skin? Apply unscented lotion first.

  • Oily skin? Use lighter sprays to avoid overpowering.


 Falling for Packaging Over Scent

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • A fancy bottle ≠ a great fragrance.

  • Many "luxury" perfumes use cheap synthetics.

 Fix:

  • Focus on ingredients & notes, not branding.

  • Try niche attars (like Farzeel’s) for quality oils.


 Not Checking for Allergies

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • Alcohol, musk, or florals can trigger headaches/rashes.

Fix:

  • Patch-test on your elbow first.

  • Choose hypoallergenic attars (alcohol-free).


 Buying the Biggest Bottle "For Value"

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • Perfumes expire (usually 3-5 years).

  • You might get bored of the scent.

Fix:

  • Start with 30ml or travel sizes.

  • Farzeel’s 6Gm roll-ons are perfect for trying new scents.


 Not Researching Before Buying

 Why It’s Wrong:

  • Notes like "oud" or "patchouli" can be polarizing.

  • Some perfumes smell better on clothes than skin.

 Fix:

  • Read fragrance breakdowns (check Farzeel’s blogs!).

  • Watch YouTube reviews for real wear tests.


Bonus: How to Shop for Perfumes Like a Pro

 Test in-store, then buy online for better deals.
 Ask for samples—many brands give free vials.
 Layer scents (e.g., attar + lotion) for longevity.

💡 Pro Tip: Farzeel’s attar sampler set lets you try 5 scents risk-free!

Shop Smart: Explore Farzeel’s Best Sellers

Back to blog