One of the biggest mistakes when smelling from blotters
The Fatal Scent Strip Mistake You’re Probably Making—and How to Fix It
Have you ever left a department store with a pounding headache, a few fragrance samples, and absolutely no recollection of which perfume made your heart flutter? You’re not alone. But according to Florian, a professional perfumer and creative force behind Laborynthia , your fragrance-testing woes might stem from one key mistake: crossing your scent strips.
In a recent video (featured above), Florian brilliantly (and humorously) breaks down why this seemingly innocuous mistake is actually fatal when testing perfumes. Let’s dive into his advice and uncover a step-by-step strategy to avoid this fragrance faux pas.
The Big No-No: Mixing Scent Strips
As Florian explains, the cardinal sin in perfume testing is letting scent strips touch or cross paths . Why? Because once two or more strips mix, they create an unintended cocktail of scents. What you think is the fragrance of your dreams might just be an accidental layering of multiple perfumes.
“You think, ‘Ah, that's really nice,’” says Florian with a knowing smile. “No, you're not getting that. You’re getting a layering of different scents."
This creates confusion not just in identifying fragrances but also in evaluating their individual beauty. The unintended mingling of molecules on crossed scent strips leads to a muddled olfactory experience that doesn’t reflect the true essence of the perfumes.
Florian’s Fix: The Notebook Method
Fortunately, Florian offers an elegant and practical solution to this all-too-common mistake: carry a notebook or book when sampling fragrances , and use it to separate your scent strips. Here’s how it works:
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Label Your Scent Strips: Before doing anything else, make sure each scent strip is clearly labeled with the fragrance name. This is vital for keeping track of what you’re smelling.
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Bring a Notebook (or Any Book): Pack a small notebook with plenty of blank pages. Don't have a notebook handy? Any book will do, as long as it has enough space between the pages.
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Keep Scent Strips Separate: After spraying a scent on a strip, smell it thoroughly. Then, immediately place it into your notebook or book. Make sure to leave multiple pages between strips to ensure the scents don’t mix.
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Repeat the Process: Work systematically, repeating the same process for each fragrance. Place each strip in its own space without letting it touch another.
Not only does this method help preserve the integrity of each fragrance, but as Florian points out, it comes with a delightful bonus: your notebook or book will absorb those scents over time, creating a uniquely perfumed keepsake. “By the end, your library is going to smell absolutely amazing,” he quips. Though, fair warning—you won’t be able to use that same book for future testing. Time to start a “scent library”!
Why This Matters (AKA, Don’t Wing It in the Perfume Aisle)
It’s easy to dismiss sample mistakes as trivial—after all, we’re just spraying and sniffing, right? But as Florian reminds us, perfume sampling is an art. If you’re serious about finding the perfect scent, approaching the process with care is essential.
Perfumes are intricate compositions of top, middle, and base notes that develop over time. Mixing or muddling strips compromises your ability to appreciate the fragrance’s true complexity. And while experimenting with layering fragrances is fun (when intentional), accidental layering in the early stages leads to skewed results and missed opportunities.
A Final Word
“Don’t cross your scent strips,” Florian says with a chuckle, repeating it like a mantra. As I reflect on his advice, it strikes me as a great metaphor for approaching fragrance selection as a whole: handle it with curiosity, intention, and respect. Testing perfumes is not about rushing or random spritzing—it’s a sensorial journey, an art form worth savoring.
So, next time you’re testing fragrances, channel your inner perfumer. Take Florian’s advice to heart, grab a notebook or book, and take your time. With this simple yet transformative tip, you’ll be one step closer to finding your signature scent—and enjoying the process along the way.
Watch the full video of Florian above to see his storytelling in action, and don’t forget to let me know: What’s your biggest perfume-testing mistake? Did this advice change the way you think about sampling? Let’s talk in the comments!