Buying perfume online without smelling it: a five-step method

Why blind buys fail

Most disappointments have the same three causes. First, people judge by the opening, which lasts ten minutes, and ignore the base, which lasts the day. Second, they buy a name or a mood word such as "luxury" or "intense", which tells them nothing. Third, they forget that skin changes a scent. A good method takes the three out of the equation.

Step 1: read the pyramid and the accords

Start with the base notes, because that is what you will smell for hours. Then read the accords, which are the character of the whole. This is what the common ones mean:

Step 2: use the ratings and the season

Each FAAN page rates projection and longevity from 1 to 5, and lists a season and a moment. These are our ratings, not lab numbers, but they tell you how a scent behaves. Projection 2 or 3 sits close and suits an office. Projection 4 fills a room. Longevity 3 lasts a working day, longevity 5 lasts the evening and the morning after. Season matters more than people expect: a heavy resin in a summer heat is a different perfume.

Step 3: match to something you know

You do not need to know perfumes. You know food, drinks and rooms. If you love a vanilla latte, look for vanilla and coffee. If you love woodsmoke and old books, look for resin, oud and leather. If you wear a fresh citrus cologne every day, begin with fresh and woody accords, such as Coral, and not a heavy Extrait. Our guide to choosing a FAAN perfume uses exactly this kind of match, and the article for beginners to Arabic-style perfume shows three easy starts.

Step 4: start small

Two sprays is the starting dose. Put one on a card and one on your skin, and judge both after an hour, not after a minute. A card shows the notes without the body heat, and skin shows what really happens to you. Remember that all FAAN bottles are 200 ml, so the first judgement should be careful. Notes first, mood second, name last.

Step 5: check delivery and the returns rule

Know the safety net before you pay. In the Netherlands, delivery takes 3 to 6 working days (1 to 2 processing, 2 to 4 transport). In the rest of the EU it takes 5 to 8 working days. You have 14 days from receiving the parcel to withdraw, but only for a bottle that is still sealed, because perfume is applied to the skin. Return costs are yours unless the bottle is defective or we sent the wrong one. Details are on the shipping and returns page. If a bottle shows as sold out, ask to be notified on the product page.

FAQ

Can I really choose a perfume without smelling it?

Yes, if you read the base notes, the accords and the ratings. It is not perfect, but it avoids most mistakes.

Can I return an opened bottle?

No. The right of withdrawal ends once the seal is broken, so decide on the notes first.

What is the safest first bottle?

Qasida Signature if you like sweet, Qasida Al-Badr if you like dry, Amjad Coral if you like fresh. Browse all FAAN perfumes.

Related reading

• New to Arabic-style perfume: where to start with FAAN
• Eau de parfum vs eau de toilette: which one lasts
• Which FAAN perfume to choose: a simple guide