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Most people think they know how to test a fragrance—spray, sniff, and decide. But if you’re doing it that way, you might be missing the full experience. Whether you're a casual perfume lover or a budding connoisseur, learning the right way to smell can unlock a whole new world of fragrance.

Here are five common myths about testing perfume—and the truth that will elevate your scent game.

1. Myth: Coffee beans cleanse your scent palate

Coffee beans are often handed out at perfume counters, but here’s the truth—they don’t really “reset” your sense of smell. In fact, they can overwhelm it.

What actually works? Smelling the inside of your elbow or your shirt. Why? Because your own neutral scent helps recalibrate your nose without introducing more fragrance notes.

2. Myth: You should press a blotter to your nose

Resist the urge to shove that scent strip right up to your nostrils. When you place a blotter too close to your nose, it floods your olfactory receptors and actually dulls your ability to distinguish notes.

Instead, hold the blotter a few inches away and gently wave it beneath your nose. Bonus tip: don’t touch it to your skin either—unless you’re intentionally layering and testing wear.

3. Pro tip: Keep your mouth slightly open

This might sound odd, but it works. Smelling with your mouth slightly open lets air circulate more freely, helping you better pick up the full spectrum of the perfume.

Fragrance experts and perfumers use this method daily—so if you want to smell like a pro, this is a simple habit to adopt.

4. Pro tip: Move your head, not the blotter

Instead of waving the blotter under your nose, keep it still and slowly move your head side to side. Why? Because only one nostril is dominant at a time. This natural process, called the “nasal cycle,” means you’ll pick up different nuances depending on which nostril is more active in that moment.

By moving your head, you’re giving both nostrils a chance to take in the scent—helping you experience the full profile of the perfume.

5. Myth: You’ll know right away if you love it

Not true. A great perfume evolves over time. What you smell in the first 5 seconds isn’t the full picture—it’s just the top notes.

To really understand a fragrance, let it sit for 10–15 minutes and revisit it. Better yet, spray it on your wrist and live in it for a day before making a decision.

Why This Matters

Fragrance is personal. And testing it properly makes all the difference between a scent that fades fast—and one that becomes your signature. At MAIR, we believe perfume should feel intimate, effortless, and unforgettable. But that experience starts with how you discover it.