I used to believe one good perfume was enough.

Seriously. I had my go-to bottle. Sprayed it on before work, family dinners, weddings – you name it. It felt like a “signature scent” at the time. Until I realized I was missing the point completely.

Scent isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not like choosing a lucky pen or a phone case. Smells are weirdly tied to how we feel, who we’re with, what we’re doing.

And once you realize that? It kind of changes everything.

One Perfume Can’t Do Everything

Imagine this: You’re wearing a strong, spicy perfume to a beach brunch. It just doesn’t work, right? The heat, the salt in the air – it needs something lighter.

Or say you’re heading out on a date night and still wearing that “office fresh” scent. Clean? Sure. But… exciting? Not really.

Different moments of your life ask for different scents to go with it. Just like we change our clothes depending on where we’re going or how we’re feeling, perfume should follow that same idea.

A floral scent on a rainy day feels different than on a sunny one. That matters.

Why Scents Are Tied to Moods and Memories

Ever caught a smell that took you way back?

It’s wild. Your brain stores scents next to memories, it’s insane how it does that. So when you smell something again – boom, you’re back in that moment. Maybe it’s your mom’s old perfume. Or the vanilla from a childhood bakery. These tiny scent-memories stick for years.

That’s why having a few perfumes actually helps you create memories too. You wear one perfume on a trip to Italy, and there – it’ll always remind you of that place. Another for your graduation night, and suddenly, it’s more than just fragrance. It’s nostalgia in a bottle.

It’s not deep philosophy or anything. It just makes total and complete sense.

Scents and Memories: They’re Tied Together

Ever had a smell stop you in your tracks?

Turns out, this isn’t just a “me thing.” Scientists say that your brain processes smell in the olfactory bulb, which is right next to the areas that handle memory and emotion — the amygdala and hippocampus. That’s why scents feel emotional.

A 2013 study published in Chemical Senses found that smells are more effective than images or words at triggering emotional memories. That’s huge.

So when you wear a certain perfume on your wedding day or a vacation, your brain files it away. Months or years later, a single spritz brings that moment right back. Almost like time travel, but through your nose.

Where to Start: Three Scent “Categories” That Make Life Easier

Don’t go rushing to buy ten perfumes. You honestly don’t need that many.

Start small. Just divide your perfume needs into three categories:

1. Daily/Work/Easy-going – Something fresh, nothing too bold. Great for errands, meetings, casual stuff.
2. Evening/Night Out – This is where you bring in the bold stuff. Deeper notes. More intensity.
3. Special moments – That one fragrance that makes you feel confident, elegant, and kinda unstoppable.

This is where perfumes like Valentino Born in Roma at Parfumdreams come in. Although, it’s not an everyday scent, but more like something you’d reach for when you really wanna show up. It’s warm and floral but has an edge. You feel more like walking into a room and lowkey owning it without trying too hard.

A Quick Note on “Notes” (No Pun Intended)

If you’ve looked at perfume descriptions and got confused by “top notes” and “base notes,” you’re not alone. Took me forever to get it.

Here’s the version:

• Top Notes (first 10–15 minutes): Usually lighter molecules like citrus, herbs, or light florals.
• Heart Notes (after 30 mins): The real “body” of the perfume — jasmine, lavender, cinnamon, and so on.
• Base Notes (after 1 hour): These last the longest. Think woods, musks, and resins like amber or vanilla.

Fun fact: According to data from fragrance industry reports, over 70% of luxury perfumes are built around floral heart notes, which makes sense — they’re easy to layer and appeal to most noses.

So when someone says a perfume is “sweet but grounded,” that’s because the base note might be vanilla or tonka bean, while the top is something like blackcurrant or citrus.

Valentino Born in Roma, for example, starts with that juicy fruit vibe, but then the jasmine and bourbon vanilla kick in – gives it a whole different depth.

Layering Scents: Kinda Advanced, But Fun

Okay, so here’s where it gets a little extra, but in a good way.

You can layer perfumes. Like literally wear two perfumes together to create a custom scent.

Not all perfumes play nice together though. First you may want to test maybe something light and citrusy with a soft vanilla base. Or musk with a floral twist. It’s trial and error.

Some folks even layer perfume with body lotions or scented oils. Just don’t overdo it – you’re not trying to start a nose war.

Weather Can Change a Scent’s Entire Vibe

Yep. The same perfume smells different in the summer vs. winter.

Heat brings out the sweetness and strength in perfumes, which can make some feel way too intense when it’s hot. However, on colder days, perfumes fade quicker – so richer scents work better.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Hot days? Go citrus, marine, or green notes. Think: clean and refreshing.
• Cold weather? Bust out the warm, spicy, or gourmand (sweet) stuff. Vanilla, amber, and woods feel cozier.

If you don’t want to rotate too many scents, even having just two – one for warm months, one for cold. This makes a massive difference.

Start Small — Travel Sizes Are Your Best Friend

Nobody wants to spend £80 on a bottle that turns weird on their skin after 15 minutes. So don’t splurge.

Start with travel sizes or samples. Even rollerballs or decants from online shops. Try the scent for a few days. See how it holds up on your skin. If you still love it after a week, go for the full bottle.

You’ll save money and avoid regret. Win-win.

Be Yourself, Not the Trend

Perfume TikTok or Instagram will hype up new releases every week. You’ll see the same 4 bottles being praised like they’re magic potions that will make you smell heavenly.

But here’s the deal you need to know what smells amazing on your friend might be a total no-go on you. Skin chemistry changes everything.

Don’t chase trends. Find what actually works for you. Maybe you love powdery florals, or maybe you can’t stand them. Try, sniff, mess up – that’s the fun part.

In 2025, the worldwide market is projected at around £45 billion, with the UK alone reaching £1.74 billion in 2024, and expected to hit £2 billion by 2029

Make It Personal

Some days I wear perfume for others. Like a date or a party. But a lot of days? I wear it just for myself.

Even if I’m at home in pajamas.

Because in all honesty smelling good makes me feel a bit better. More awake. More me.

Having more than one perfume isn’t about showing off or being “extra.” It’s about having options. Scents that fit your vibe, your mood, your story.

That’s the beauty of building a scent wardrobe.

It’s not about owning 20 bottles.

It’s about finding your smells for your life.