How do you rotate through fragrances?

Since we redid our closet, we have shelves in a corner space that was previously unused, and I’m using it to showcase some photos and fragrances. It’s a lot easier to remember to put something on in the morning when I’m getting dressed! I plan on rotating in and out different scents every couple of months.

— Christine

15 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

Mostly it’s just a mood thing, informed to some extent by the season (I have some fragrances that are “cold weather only”) and also by what I’m doing (generally, lighter, “friendlier” scents on days when I’m teaching). Lately I’ve been putting on something a bit heavier every day mostly so I can tell if my sense of smell is starting to come back (it’s not!)

Leonor Jurado Avatar

I use scentbird to help me with that… each month i set up my queue based on seasons…but mostly figure out what i love as for scents go such as : vanilla, lily of the valley, patchouli, gardenias, berries, violet, sandalwood, rose and then try to find scents that are tailored with these , the floral reserve for spring time, summer more fresh scent and fruity and fall and winter stick to woodsy or gourmand (like caramel, or vanilla scents) but my go to scent of all time is Hypnotic Poison….always get compliments.

Genevieve Avatar

I don’t really rotate my fragrances, but I guess I should. I have some really expensive ones that I have hesitated to use up, as replacing them would be so, so expensive.
The ones I rotate most of all are: Clinique’s Aromatics Elixir, Lancome’s Poeme, Estee Lauder’s Knowing and D & G The One. I tend to like strong, striking scents.

Denise S. Avatar

I have a lot of perfumes so I wear them based on my mood. Some wear better in cold/heat. I’m looking for a new way to store my collection. Wish I had closet space but my clothes obsession has taken over in my closet. I’ve alway loved perfumes and makeup since I was a little girl. I made my own scents when I couldn’t afford to buy them. Now they’re one of my most expensive hobbies.

miska Avatar

My mood 100% dictates what scent I wear for sure. Sometimes the weather plays a part as well. For example smoke and incense notes really shine in cold weather. On the other hand, some notes are just too cloying in extreme heat and humidity. Since COVID-19 ruined my makeup game, I’ve been way more into scent. Maybe it’s me but I swear smelling fabulous helps me cope. There’s a lot to be said for scent memory.

Mary Avatar

I have my perfumes on my antique vanity .. along with vintage flapper photos and images of French artist models along with Frida , Coco Channel and other rebellious beauties .. seeing them out reminds me to be a bit more unique and wear perfumes that match my mood and weather.
I usually wear a more unisex fragrances in the winter …in Spring summer lighter floral .. fresher fragrances .

brendacr1 Avatar

I have quite the collection of fragrances. When I worked I would pick one to wear for the week. Then because of sensitivities we were not allowed to wear perfumes at work anymore, I kept mine in my car and would put it on before I drove home. Scent is so important, I didn’t feel dressed for the the day without it on. Any way now that I am retired I wear a different perfume every day, I don’t have any rhyme or reason I just have them on a shelf in my closet and wear whatever one I feel like, I do have favorites that I might use more on special occasions but this year I have still used them because who knows when we will be going anywhere again.
I know some people get headaches from some scents but for me it works the opposite it makes me feel better. So if it works it works, I’ll take it.

Jen Avatar

I have a rotating tower on my nightstand where I keep my perfumes and other things so that they’re always visible and within reach. However, my perfume choices, like most of my other makeup choices are dictated by mood more than anything else so I haven’t put much effort in to rotating through them, especially compared to things like lipsticks or shadow palettes.

Nikki Avatar

I have the scents I own (including the Demeter x Elvira set that’s on its way) in a numbered list in my Notes app and when I feel like wearing a fragrance, I go on Random.org and generate a number from the list.

Gilad Avatar

I wear scent based on the weather/season, day vs night, and my mood. I would say, by occasion too but there aren’t many lately! I pick out a new set of daytime scents from my stash (stored in drawers) every couple of months that suit the season, and cluster them on a closet shelf. Most evening fragrances stay in their place, and might get used if the day was scentless, or it’s faded, or to shift me out of work mode. Like Miska I love incense in winter, also spice and ambers. Spring is green and floral, summer adds citrus and acquatics to those, in fall I especially love chypres, vetiver and woods.

Pamela Avatar

I am a creature of habit. My gourmand, spicy, amber scents are reserved for fall/winter, my florals for spring, citruses and aquatics for summer. I don’t deviate from that plan because it works for me.

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