Perfumes

Perfumes for women and men

Perfumes are the finishing touch of your daily routine and the scent people remember you by. Here you will find women’s, men’s and unisex fragrances from well-known fashion and perfume houses, as eau de parfum (EDP) and eau de toilette (EDT), often also as gift sets.

A perfume is a personal choice: the same scent behaves a little differently on everyone because it blends with your own skin. That is why the best perfume is always the one that makes you feel good, whether it is a fresh everyday scent or a deep evening one.

How to choose a perfume

First decide whether you want a scent for everyday wear or for special occasions. Then pick the scent family that suits your taste and the concentration that gives the staying power you want. If you are shopping for yourself, browse our women’s perfume selection; men have a dedicated men’s perfume category.

• Scent family: fresh and citrus scents suit everyday wear and summer, florals suit refined occasions, woody and spicy notes suit autumn and evenings, sweet and vanilla scents suit winter.
• Concentration: eau de parfum contains more fragrance oils and usually lasts longer, while eau de toilette is lighter and fresher.
• Size: a smaller bottle is good for trying a new scent, a larger one for a favourite you already know.
• Sets: a perfume packed with a shower gel or body cream makes an easy gift.

Perfumes for women

Among women’s fragrances there are light, airy eaux de toilette and deeper eaux de parfum. Well-known names include Versace Bright Crystal EDT and its more intense sibling Bright Crystal Absolu EDP, DKNY Be Delicious EDP, Yves Saint Laurent Libre EDP and Ariana Grande Ari EDP. For warm days, the Hugo Boss Orange Woman eau de toilette for women is a light choice. The Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue EDP is an eau de parfum that suits an evening out. See the women’s category for even more choice.

Perfumes for men

Men’s perfumes include classics and newer scents. Paco Rabanne 1 Million EDT and Paco Rabanne Invictus EDT are well-known names in men’s fragrance, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio EDT and Armani Code for Men EDT are familiar scents from a classic house, Hugo Boss Bottled EDT is one of the Hugo Boss perfumes in the range and Dsquared2 Wood Pour Homme EDT rounds out the choice. You will find Versace men’s fragrances and Calvin Klein perfumes in our range too.

Popular brands

The range includes Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani and Hugo Boss, as well as Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Lancôme and many others. Each perfume house brings its own style: some classic and elegant, others youthful and playful, others sporty and fresh.

Scents by season and time of day

In spring and summer, light, fresh and fruity scents work best because they do not turn heavy in the heat. In autumn and winter it is the moment for deeper, warmer and spicier fragrances. Choose an eau de toilette for the day and an eau de parfum for the evening. If you keep two or three scents at home, you can pick one to match your mood and outfit. A discreet scent suits the office, a bolder one a party.

Wearing perfume: everyday tips

Both the spot and the amount matter. Wrists, neck and inner elbows are places where skin is warm and the scent develops beautifully. Two to three sprays are usually enough, and with a more intense eau de parfum, start with fewer. Let the scent dry on the skin. Moisturise your skin first and the scent lasts longer. Keep the bottle away from the bathroom, in a cool, dark place.

Structure of a scent and trying something new

A perfume has three layers. You notice the top notes right after spraying, the heart notes open next and the base notes stay on the skin longest. Give a new scent a few hours before you decide. Try one scent at a time and wear it through the day, then you will feel how it develops on your skin. When you find a favourite, choose a size to match: a smaller bottle for travel, a larger one for home.

Scent as part of your routine

Perfume works best together with body care. A shower gel and body cream from the same scent family create a soft background layer, to which the perfume adds depth. If you prefer a discreet scent, choose an unscented body cream and let the perfume be the only source of fragrance. A morning shower, a light cream and a couple of sprays are a simple way to start the day, and the scent will remind you of it in the evening.

Perfume as a gift

Perfume is a gift that stays in use and reminds the recipient of you every time they reach for the bottle. If you know their favourite, choose a new scent from the same brand or a larger bottle of the same scent. If you do not, pick a classic, calm scent that suits many people. Look at sets where the perfume comes with a body cream or shower gel, because that makes the gift complete.

Gift sets and unisex scents

Gift sets bring together a perfume and extras such as a shower gel or body cream. They are easy to give for a birthday, for Christmas or just for joy. For example, the My Burberry EDP set suits a woman. Unisex scents suit everyone who does not want to divide fragrance by gender. Complete the choice with body care products that match the scent.

Frequently asked questions