IS IT WORTH SPLASHING OUT ON EXPENSIVE PERFUME?

The beauty aisles fill up with new must-have scents every year. Fragrance expert Andreas Wilhelm reveals what to look out for

Most of us wouldn’t leave the M house without a spritz of our favourite perfume, but what is it about fragrances that make such an impact, and is it really worth saving up for a bottle of designer EDT? With celebs launching signature smells and fashion brands releasing fragrances, we get the facts from a master perfumer.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Andreas advises, “If you’re looking for a longer-lasting finish, it’s all about the strength of perfume oils. The less alcohol and more oils in a scent, the more likely it is to linger. Ingredients like Oud or Orris are linked to higher quality products, and are worth spending more on as each spritz will last a while. Another clue to look for is the quality of the bottle – if it looks cheap, the scent is likely to be lower quality.” If you don’t fancy splashing out on a designer bottle, cheaper perfumes can be just as good, you’ll just need to apply it more often throughout the day.

Always store your bottles in a drawer or cupboard as light and exposure to the sun will quickly spoil your scent – no matter how how expensive it is. Andreas explains, “Make sure you buy perfume from a trusted store or website, as there are many fake scents being sold online.”

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Get a tester so you can be sure you really like it before you commit. And remember, perfumes smell different on each person, so try wearing it for a few hours to check if you still like it.