How to Choose a Perfume Online Without Smelling It First

Buying perfume online is tricky: you can't smell it. But a perfume's notes tell you more than most people realise, once you know how to read them.

Step 1: Learn the four main families

• Fresh (citrus, green, aquatic): bergamot, lemon, neroli, verbena. Good for daytime and heat. Try Citrus Reverence or Glacial Instinct.
• Woody (cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, oud): calm and grounded. Try Sylvan Radiance or Obsidian Reverie.
• Floral (jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang): soft to opulent. Try Golden Bloom.
• Warm and gourmand (vanilla, coffee, tonka, amber): sweet, cosy, evening-friendly. Try Velour Roast or Amber Pulse.

Step 2: Read the notes in order

Top notes are what you smell first, heart notes appear after about half an hour, and base notes are what stays. If you love the base notes listed, you'll probably like how the perfume settles, even if the opening surprises you.

Step 3: Match it to when you'll wear it

Office, outdoors and summer suit fresh or light woody scents. Evenings, winter and weddings suit warm, oud or floral ones. Our season-by-season guide goes into more detail.

Step 4: Sample before you commit

• The Discovery Pack has six 5 mL vials for ₹999, and the ₹999 comes back as credit toward a full-size bottle.
• A 10 mL bottle (₹499) is enough to wear a scent for a couple of weeks.
• In Delhi, you can also try Khuloud in person at Alt.Tribe, M Block Market, Greater Kailash 2.

Step 5: Choose the size

Bigger bottles cost less per millilitre: about ₹50/mL at 10 mL, ₹40/mL at 30 mL and ₹30/mL at 100 mL. See the size guide.

Still unsure? Try the Fragrance Finder or read the FAQ.

Khuloud Perfumes is a New Delhi fragrance brand making Middle Eastern-inspired perfumes (40% perfume oil) and alcohol-free attars for Indian weather. Shop at khuloudperfumes.com.