HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SCENT

Omar Hamwi asks the chief of perfume house Penhaligon’s for some expert advice

The art of selecting the right fragrance for your personal style, an event or outfit can be tricky. In an age where you can find answers to almost anything online, how to go about selecting a scent takes a little more than just a Google search. There’s a certain intuition that comes with picking a fragrance and knowing when to wear it.

This is the view of Lance Patterson, CEO of Perfumers 1870, a brand collective that manages luxury British perfume house Penhaligon’s ( penhaligons.com). To find out how the experts do it, T3 asked Patterson how he goes about choosing the ideal fragrance. “Buying a fragrance is all about instinct,” he says. “You will respond automatically to something you are drawn to.”

But how can you test fragrances correctly to discover their qualities, or to determine how the scent might develop once it has settled on your skin? Patterson recommends a couple of methods to get this part right as you explore. “Ensure your skin is moisturised to make it last longer. Spray at a distance – the skin should not be wet,” he explains. “Don’t rub after applying, as that can alter the fragrance as it develops on your skin.”

Ultimately, Patterson recommends picking your fragrance the same way you would an outfit: “Think about how you want to feel, and what look you are going for. Think of this fragrance as the ultimate accessory, that finishing touch to an outfit, like your cufflinks.”