With winter only recently making its presence known in many areas of the country, many have put off choosing their fragrances for colder weather.  Each occasion typically demands a little extra attention to the choices of fragrance we wear, and the winter months are no exception.

Most individuals are not aware of how significant of a role our body heat plays when it comes to our wearing of perfume.  Body heat works to project the fragrance of the chosen perfume farther while at the same time lending to it evaporating quicker.  Scents that are associated more with the spring and summer months, as a result, will become more muted when worn during the winter.

For your perfume to last longer and project further, it should be warmer, deeper, and more concentrated during the colder winter months than those fragrances typically worn during the warmer months of the year.

We have curated a list of tips for successfully choosing the perfect fragrance to carry you throughout the winter season.

Warm and Comforting

The first step in your journey will require you consider making a choice of fragrance that is warm as well as comforting.  Much in the same manner that you would select the articles of your winter wardrobe based on their comfort—coats, scarves, sweaters—you will want your fragrance to lend to that same fuzzy feeling of comfort and warmth.

Your perfume choice should wrap you up as if in a cocoon that will work to help protect you from those blustery and cold days of winter. 

Type of Perfume Is Key

As a general rule of thumb, it is suggested that you choose from the Eau de Parfums (EDP) for those colder months of the year, rather than an Eau de Toilette or an Eau de Cologne.  Eau de Parfums typically have a higher fragrance concentration than a Toilette or a Cologne. 

An Eau de Parfum leans more towards the tenacious side, with the addition of longevity and intensity, which is needed for facing those colder days of the season.

Go Heavy

The spring and summer months are earmarked for those fragrances that are light and ephemeral.  To make the most impact, you are better off going with heavier scents. 

Because during the winter months, our skin tends to be drier, the scent from a fragrance tends to fade faster than in the spring and summer months.  Picking a heavier scent will ensure that the fragrance will last longer for you.

Base Notes Are Important

During the winter months, the base note of a fragrance will play a more significant role.  All perfumes consist of a top note, a middle note, and a base note.   The heaviest portion of a fragrance derives from its base note

Base notes are the fragrance portion that will linger the longest, with contrasting top notes that fade quicker.  For those perfumes preferred during the colder winter months, base notes typically consist of sandalwood, patchouli, or vanilla, such as those contained in Mon Guerlain

The Scent Category

When choosing a category for your winter fragrance, make sure to look at those fragrances that are sweeter by nature.  The winter months contain those celebrations that remind many of sweet flavors, such as delicious homemade candies and cookies at Christmas.

By making sure that you pick a fragrance that brings to mind those holiday desserts, you are almost assured of choosing the appropriate scent.  A perfect example of one such choice would be Prada Candy by Prada.

Another category to consider is that of spicy scents.  These scents typically fall into what is regarded as the “warm” category.  Some of the more popular winter spices are cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamon—often referred to as Orientals for their exotic, rich aromas.

Also suggested choices for a winter fragrance present with a woody or earthy scent.  These fragrances will offer heavy, rich aromas that bring pine trees and wood-burning to mind.

Scents that typically fall into this category are bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli, and labdanum.  More often than not, the scent may be found paired with a citrusy companion.

Off The Beaten Path

If you find that a winter fragrance is not you, you can always go rogue and still wear a summery fragrance.  Perhaps you have a favorite scent that, although it may not fit into the typical standard of choice for winter, you can’t see yourself retiring it for the season. 

Your fragrance of choice may be something light and florally or simply reminds you of warmer, sunnier days.  That is okay, as when you spritz it on, you may find yourself remembering those warmer days of summer, even in the middle of the colder days of winter.

Take a quiz

If you find you are still stumped on which fragrance to choose, then try taking a fragrance finder quiz.  We offer just such a quiz here at Scentbox that, by answering a few personal questions about your preferences, will then provide suggestions on which of our products may be best suited for you. 

Top Picks We Suggest

After considering all of the tips above, we have a few of our top picks for a winter fragrance below.  The five fragrances listed below are by no means the only choices of winter fragrances that we offer, but they will give you a place to begin your search.

Crystal Noir – Versace

Crystal Noir by Versace is a lush blend of gardenia and amber, this sheer fusion of modern contrasts is the ultimate statement in luxury and femininity.

Euphoria – Calvin Klein

Notes include Pomegranate, Persimmon, Green Notes, Black Orchid, Lotus Blossom, Champacca Flower, Liquid Amber, Mahogany Wood, Black Violet, Cream Accord.

Jimmy Choo – Jimmy Choo

The seductive composition is a modern chypre fruity, with green top notes, tiger orchid, sweet toffee caramel and Indonesian patchouli.

Mon Guerlain – Guerlain

Featuring fragrance notes of lavender and vanilla.

Prada Candy – Prada

The composition includes an elegant mix of musks in the top, a sensual balsamic vanillic accord of benzoin in the heart, and sweet modern caramel in the fragrance base.

Choosing a winter fragrance can be as important as selecting a summer or a signature fragrance.  However, it doesn’t have to prove to be a daunting task.  Following the tips offered above will have you well on your way to a new and enjoyable fragrance in no time.

If you are looking to sample great smelling, premium scents, take a look at Scentbox.  We offer an economical monthly subscription plan that allows you to test a wide variety of scents and determine what works for you without breaking the bank.