Looking to treat someone to a new fragrance this Christmas, but not sure where to start? According to perfume expert Karen Gilbert, choosing a scent (and ensuring it’ll be well loved and received) needn’t be difficult.

“Fragrances are often an extension of our personality, acting as an olfactory expression of who we are or who we aspire to be,” she says. “Just as we choose clothing or accessories to match our style, the scents we wear can convey specific characteristics to those around us.”

From identifying top notes to buying fragrance for the opposite sex, we asked Gilbert for her expert advice on how to select the perfect scent to suit every style and occasion.

Here are her top tips… 

“As fragrances are highly personal, selecting one that matches their preferred scent family increases the likelihood they’ll enjoy it,” says Gilbert. 

“Find out what perfumes they currently wear, then look at their lifestyle. Are they sporty and low-key or more sophisticated in their taste? What are the common themes in their favourite scents (ie, florals)?

“Some people might have a signature scent, a fragrance they consistently wear that becomes intimately associated with them. Others – which is more common these days – might have a whole wardrobe of fragrances to match different moods, outfits, situations or parts of their personality.

“Also, think about the occasion and your relationship. For close friends or family, you could choose something more personal or luxurious. For acquaintances or someone you don’t know very well, a less risky option would be a popular or universally appealing scent.

“All this prior research will help you pick something they’ll truly love.”

“Peach and freesia are versatile notes that have been used in a variety of ways in fragrances for decades,” says Gilbert when asked about fresh, feminine scents. “Fruity notes like peach are youthful and familiar, triggering comforting scent memories, whereas freesia is a delicate fresh floral that is light and elegant.” 

With both notes being found in BOSS The Scent For Her Eau de Parfum, this fragrance makes for a light yet desirable perfume – ideal for gifting those with a certain joie de vivre. 

According to Gilbert, when buying fragrance for the opposite sex, the same rules apply in that you should look at their existing scent preferences and lifestyle. However, there are some classic notes to look for if you’re feeling a little stuck.

“Leather notes can be both bold and subtle. They add strength and depth to a fragrance that stops it from becoming too sweet. Ginger can add a spicy, energetic freshness that feels invigorating, while lifting the top notes for a modern twist.”

If you’re looking for a timeless men’s fragrance that combines both of these notes while remaining light and fresh, then add BOSS The Scent Eau de Toilette For Him to your festive gift list. 

“We classify scents into families based on their dominant characteristics,” says Gilbert.

“Understanding these families and what category our favourites fall into helps us choose fragrances that we like. It also helps us to choose fragrances for particular occasions or explore new fragrances if they fall into the same scent family as perfumes we already wear.

“There are many ways of classifying fragrances so use it as a guide not a rule, as some websites and online resources might disagree. I personally use the following:

Citrus: this category is all about eau de cologne. Fresh and zingy, it can also include herbal and spicy notes.

Floral: this is the biggest family and has lots of sub categories such as green floral, fruity floral, aquatic foral, floral amber.

Fresh/Fougere: this is a classic fragrance family for more masculine scents but it can be unisex. Based on herbal and hay notes of lavender and coumarin (or tonka) paired with citrus notes and sometimes marine accords.

Chypre: this is a category that can be woodsy and green or floral and musky but features fresh citrus paired with mossy notes in the base.

Amber: these are rich deep scents with vanilla, spices and resins. They can also lead into gourmand territory with foody notes.”

“Fragrances are designed and tested to work on the majority of skin types, but they can sometimes smell different depending on various factors contributing to our individual skin chemistry,” says Gilbert. 

“The pH level of our skin can affect how fragrance molecules interact with it, potentially altering the scent. Skin type also plays a role – oily skin can hold scents longer, while dry skin may not retain them as effectively. 

“Diet and hormones can change our body odour, which mixes with the fragrance and personal care products like lotions and soaps can interact with the perfume. These variables can enhance or diminish certain notes, leading to a slightly different scent experience for some people.”

If you feel like you’re looking for something longer-lasting, seek out a more intense fragrance with these specific notes. 

“Amber brings warmth, richness and a sensual depth to the scent,” says Gilbert. “While pink peppercorn is a fresh, elegant spicy note that adds sophistication.” 

With these notes found in both BOSS The Scent Elixir For Her  and BOSS The Scent Elixir For Him, these twinned scents are ideal for gifting to a couple or for someone with a more defined scent palette. 

For more info on the BOSS The Scent range and to shop the whole collection, go to theperfumeshop.com