How to Choose a Fragrance Based on Your Personality

Where should one use perfume?” a young woman asked Coco Chanel. ‘Wherever one wants to be kissed,’ she said. Coco Chanel added, Perfume is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion… that heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure. But here’s what the fragrance houses don’t tell you: your perfect scent isn’t hiding behind the most expensive bottle or the latest celebrity endorsement; it’s written in the pages of your own personality.

Through research and countless interviews with master perfumers from Grasse to Tokyo, I’ve discovered that choosing a fragrance is less about following trends and more about understanding your own character arc. Let me take you on an olfactory journey that might just change how you think about perfume forever. Never miss a beat in fashion, arts, beauty, and lifestyle, follow FAB L’Style Magazine.

Fragrances for Introverts: Subtle, Sophisticated, and Comforting

Contrary to popular belief, introverts aren’t all about hiding in the shadows. In a fascinating study from Carleton University, researchers found that introverted individuals exhibit greater sensitivity to sensory input compared to extraverts. Additionally, anecdotal evidence from online communities indicates that some introverts report heightened sensitivity to fragrances, experiencing discomfort or adverse reactions to strong scents. You may start to think of sophisticated skin scents like Le Labo’s Another 13 or Glossier You—fragrances that whisper rather than shout, creating an intimate bubble of comfort that feels like a cashmere sweater for your soul. Start to see and think of fragrance as your olfactory autobiography. 

Bold Scents for Extroverts

You’re the life of the party, so why shouldn’t your fragrance be? Here’s the plot twist: the best fragrances for extroverts aren’t necessarily the loudest. A master perfumer once told me, “An extrovert’s fragrance should be like their personality… inviting conversation, not dominating it.” Consider bold but sophisticated compositions like Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino or Byredo’s Gypsy Water, scents that evolve throughout the day, giving you new stories to tell.

Creative Souls: Niche Fragrances with a Story to Tell

You’re the ones who see poetry in everyday moments. Skip the obvious florals. You need something that challenges the status quo. This is where niche houses like Comme des Garçons and Maison Margiela excel, with their abstract interpretations of everyday moments. Take Replica Jazz Club; it’s a time machine in a bottle, transporting you to a smoky Brooklyn jazz bar circa 1953.

The Analytical Mind

Here’s something that might surprise you: some of the most successful perfumes among CEOs and analytical thinkers are actually the most complex ones. A recent industry study revealed that people who excel in logical thinking tend to appreciate fragrances with clear, identifiable progression. Chill! Your appreciation for precision doesn’t mean you’re destined for clinical scents. Consider the mathematical beauty of Hermès’ Terre d’Hermès, where perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena created what he calls “a vertical structure” of citrus and minerals. It’s architecture in a bottle, speaking to your love of elegant solutions.

For the Nurturers

Your empathetic nature calls for something more than just comfort scents. Research indicates that certain scents can positively influence prosocial behaviours. For instance, a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that exposure to lavender aroma promoted interpersonal trust among participants. Similarly, a study published in the journal Flavour and Fragrance found that exposure to pleasant ambient fragrances increased spontaneous helping behaviours in shopping malls.

Additionally, research in the journal MDPI Behavioural Sciences demonstrated that warm scents increased individuals’ intentions toward prosocial behaviour by enhancing their need for social connectedness. In line with this, try Diptyque’s Orphéon, where the vanilla isn’t sweet but rather sophisticated… like a warm embrace translated into scent.

The Adventure Seekers

While everyone might expect you to wear something bold and spicy, consider this: the most adventurous choice might be something unexpectedly subtle. Frederic Malle’s L’Eau d’Hiver whispers rather than shouts, making it the olfactory equivalent of that secret mountain trail only locals know about.

What they don’t tell you in perfume shops

Here’s what they don’t tell you in perfume shops: Your personality isn’t static, and neither should your fragrance wardrobe be. This is a secret that took me years to understand. Your perfect fragrance isn’t just about who you are, it’s about who you want to be. The same person who wears power suits to lead morning meetings might slip into silk kimonos for evening poetry readings. Your scent should have the same versatility.

The next time you’re fragrance hunting, forget everything you’ve read about top notes and base notes for a moment. Instead, ask yourself, “What story do I want my scent to tell?” Because in the end, the best fragrance isn’t the most expensive or the most popular… it’s the one that feels like it was composed just for you, by someone who knows you better than you know yourself.