Give the gift of scent to last all seasons

Scents and fragrances are one of those magical parts of life that can make or break our first impressions and create or conjure memories for a lifetime. From food to outdoor activities to personal fragrances, we all encounter scents continuously throughout our days. So, when it comes to stepping out in the world with your best foot forward, the right fragrance for your skin, personality and season can go a long way in making a lasting impact on the people around you.

This is why gifting scents, perfumes and cosmetics has become a go-to for many. But is it as easy as “pick one and check out”? This article will help you pin down your loved one’s signature scent, decide between different fragrance concentrations, and find the perfect stores for fragrance gifting at Capegate Shopping Centre.

Let’s take a look at how you can surprise and delight your gift recipient with a fragrance that shows just how much you know and love them.

The first step to finding the perfect fragrance for a loved one (or yourself – self-love and self-gifting are equally important) is to know the types of scents they gravitate towards. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to know their absolute favourite fragrances by heart and shop only from that list. Instead, a general understanding of their personality, style and taste will help you make a decision.

For example, if your loved one usually wears florals and can’t seem to order anything but fruit salad at your favourite breakfast spot, chances are, they’ll be into a fragrance with floral and fruity notes. On the other hand, if they’re usually seen in head-to-toe black, including their bitter coffee in hand, they might be better suited to dark and woody aromas. Now, these might be extremes, but taking some time to paint a mental picture of your loved one in a similar way can be a great starting point for finding their ideal fragrance profile.

But what on earth is a fragrance profile? And what are notes? Grab your notebook and a pen; it’s time to talk notes.

Most fragrances and perfumes are made up of notes – usually three layers – comprising a balanced mixture of various smells to create the perfect scentsation with depth and throw. Each layer or note type can feature a few different scents that combine to tell a fragrant story.

Top notes – the “first impression” of a perfume lasting around ten minutes. The top notes of a perfume are usually the lightest and give way to the stronger notes over time.

Heart notes – the core characteristics of a fragrance lasting between 30 minutes to an hour. Heart notes carry forward some of the top notes while paving the way for the base notes to shine through. 

Base notes – the lasting impression that a fragrance leaves on the wearer. Base notes shine through once the top notes have faded away, creating the final scent of the perfume and lasting the duration of the fragrance throw (how far and long a fragrance can be detected – usually around 6 hours, depending on the concentration).

See why you had to use more than one answer to determine your loved one’s fragrance profile? Since most perfumes are made up of all these layers of notes, they will usually feature more than one scent in a balanced combination.

Pro tip: make sure your gift recipient’s favourite scent is present in the base notes, as this will determine the lasting smell of their new perfume.

Now that you know all about your person’s preferences and what to look out for in a fragrance, you need to decide what type of scented experience you want to give them and find a place to stock up.

Firstly, you need to decide what type of scented product you want to gift. Perfume? Hand lotion? Fragrance diffuser? Bath bomb? The options are pretty much endless.

For lotions and bath accoutrement, your task is a little bit easier since they’re not as layered and complex as perfumes. However, the tips we’ve mentioned still apply, as you’ll need to decide on a scent regardless. If you’re wondering where to find such deliciously scented bath products, Capegate Shopping Centre has you covered with stores like The Body Shop and Edgars. Pop in on your next visit, and pick out a perfumed pamper package for your person. 

However, if you’re more interested in the classic spray-and-stay perfume as a gift, there’s one last thing to consider – concentration. This refers to the volume of perfume oil per bottle. Eau de parfum is usually more concentrated, meaning a better fragrance throw and longer-lasting scents. Eau de toilette, on the other hand, is less concentrated, meaning it’s more affordable in exchange for a decreased fragrance throw.

Whichever you prefer, remember that Capegate Shopping Centre is equipped for your fragrance fill. Follow your nose and stop by Fragrant House, Foschini and Truworths for an incredible range of local and international perfumes and eau de toilettes.