Finding a signature scent isn’t about owning the most expensive perfume on the shelf (though can you *really* blame a girl for eyeing up that $80 Marc Jacobs with the cute packaging?). When every bottle at Sephora claims to smell like “moonlit jasmine with a whisper of mysterious amber” (srsly…what does that even mean?), the whole process can feel kinda overwhelming.

Whether you’re shopping for your very first perfume or ready to retire the bottle you’ve been borrowing from your mom, here’s exactly how to find a signature scent you’ll *actually* want to wear every day.

Figure out your vibe first

Before you even step into the store, think about the scents you already love. Obsessed with vanilla candles? Constantly buying citrus body washes? Love the smell of fresh laundry? Those everyday faves can be your first clue to the notes (aka the different layers of scents) you’ll naturally gravitate toward.

Need a cheat sheet? Here’s the vibe:

🌸 Floral = romantic and classic
🍦 Vanilla & Gourmand = cozy and sweet
🍋 Citrus = bright, fresh and energetic
🌊 Clean = crisp, airy and effortless
🌲 Woody = warm, earthy and a little mysterious

Be Patient (Annoying, We Know)

The biggest perfume mistake ever? Spraying a fragrance once, sniffing it for three seconds and deciding it’s not for you.

Perfumes have layers, so the scent you notice after the first spritz isn’t always the one you’ll still be smelling an hour later. Spray it on your wrist, wander around the mall for a bit (after an iced matcha ofc) and come back to it before making up your mind.

Pro tip: Don’t rub your wrists together after spraying perfume! It can make the fragrance evaporate faster and alter how it develops. Instead, let it dry naturally.

DON’T test your whole wishlist

When every perfume smells amazing, it’s tempting to try everything. But after a few fragrances, your nose starts getting confused, and suddenly, they all blur together.

Instead, stick to three or four scents in one trip. If you find one you really like, snap a quick pic of the bottle so you remember it later (because trying to remember “the pink bottle near the front” might send a Sephora employee into a valid mini-spiral).

Say It With Me: Try Before You Buy

Perfume can smell completely different once it’s on your skin. The fragrance your bestie swears by might smell overpowering on you—and that’s normal.

If the store offers samples, grab one! Wear it to school, on a weekend or while hanging out with your friends. If you catch yourself randomly sniffing your sleeve all day? Congrats, girl—you might’ve just found The One (perfume edition).

Head spinning after discovering 20 versions of citrus bloom? DW girl, here’s our quick rundown of highly-rated (and affordable) scents to try first:

🌸 Pacifica French Lilac Spray — Soft floral, $22, pacificabeauty.com
🍦 Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth — Cozy vanilla, $30, fragrancebysabrina.com
🍋 Moschino Funny — Bright citrus, $27, walmart.com
🌊 Clean Classic Warm Cotton — Fresh laundry,, $48, ulta.com
🌲 Fine’ry Jungle Santal — Warm woody scent, $30, fineryfragrance.com

Make It Yours

Trends come and go, but your signature scent should make you feel confident every time you wear it. Whether you fall in love with fresh florals, cozy vanilla or crisp citrus, the best fragrance is the one that makes people instantly think “Wait… I know that girl!”

P.S. Once you’ve found your match, try spritzing a little onto your sweater or scarf before school, or dab a tiny bit of petroleum jelly onto your wrists before applying your perfume. Both tricks can help your fragrance last a little longer!

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Images: @alexandrarab, @svitlana_ugc, @beautyandthespender, @kaveeta, @soursummer, @dreamsofglow, @cocoweekend