From your outfits to your hairstyle to your music choices, there are countless ways to put your personality on display. But one of the most important—and often overlooked components—of self-expression is your signature scent.
Whether you’re getting ready for date night or doing laundry, we all want to smell our best. But discovering a fragrance that authentically complements your personality requires more than a quick sniff and a glance at a label.
To guide your decision, we’re sharing insights from our Principal Perfumer and Scent Artist, Sabine. But before we dive into the details, let’s explore what it means to have a “signature scent” in the first place.
What Is a Signature Scent?
A signature scent is a fragrance that’s closely associated with your personal style and identity—whether it’s your perfume, cologne, or laundry detergent. It's the one fragrance you wear consistently and become known for. A signature scent is often chosen because it resonates deeply with your personality, evokes positive emotions or memories, and complements your lifestyle.
Having a signature scent makes a powerful impression, as it becomes a recognizable part of your presence. It also creates a sense of consistency and familiarity, both for you and for those around you.
While some people stick to one signature scent for years, others may have a small rotation of fragrances that they consider their signature scents, depending on the occasion or season.
The Fragrance Families
Your signature scent will most likely fall into one of these “scent families,” which categorize fragrances into groups based on their dominant characteristics.
Floral: Fragrances dominated by floral notes, such as rose, jasmine, lily, or gardenia.
Fruity: Sweet and juicy scents reminiscent of fruits such as berries, peach, apple, or citrus fruits.
Woody: Warm and earthy scents derived from woods like sandalwood, cedarwood, or vetiver.
Fresh: Crisp and clean scents featuring citrus notes like lemon, bergamot, or orange, as well as green notes like grass or herbs.
Aquatic: Clean and watery scents inspired by the ocean or water, often featuring marine notes like sea salt, algae, or aquatic florals.
Citrus: Bright and refreshing scents dominated by citrus fruits like lemon, lime, grapefruit, or orange.
Fragrance Notes Explained: Top, Middle, and Base
When you start researching fragrances, you’ll hear about “notes.” Fragrance notes refer to the different scents that you notice when you smell a perfume or cologne. These notes are categorized into three main types: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Each plays a role in the overall scent profile of a fragrance, and they unfold over time as the fragrance evolves on your skin.
Top Notes
These are the initial scents that you smell when you first apply a fragrance. Top notes are light, volatile molecules that evaporate quickly, usually within the first few minutes after application. They provide the first impression of the fragrance and are often fresh, bright, and uplifting.
Middle Notes (Heart Notes)
After the top notes evaporate, the middle notes emerge. These notes make up the heart of the fragrance, adding depth and complexity to the scent. Middle notes are more stable than top notes and typically last longer on the skin, lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or more.
Base Notes (Dry Down)
Base notes are the final phase of the fragrance and emerge after the top and middle notes have faded. These notes are typically rich, warm, and long-lasting, providing the foundation of the scent. They can last for several hours or even days, depending on the concentration of the fragrance
How to Find Your Signature Scent
Finding your signature scent is both an art and a science. Here are a few tips to guide your selection.
1. Consider the Other Fragrances In Your Life: Take some time to reflect on what types of scents you naturally gravitate towards. Are you drawn to a crisp ocean breeze? A smoky campfire? Fresh flowers? Consider the scents of products you already use, such as body washes or candles, as they can provide clues to your fragrance preferences.
2. Consider Your Personality: Your fragrance should be a reflection of your natural vibe. Would most people say you’re bold and daring? Relaxed and easygoing? Bright and bubbly? The last thing you want is a scent that’s misaligned with your mood.
3. Allow Yourself to Experiment: Don’t feel pressured to commit to the first fragrance you try. Test a few out and pay attention to how the scent makes you feel and how it influences your mood throughout the day.
Discovering your signature scent can feel confusing—that’s why we made a 2-minute Laundry Sauce Scent Quiz. Just answer a few quick questions about your vibe and we’ll give you an expert recommendation to elevate your next laundry day into a sensual experience.
Whether you match with the rugged warmth of Australian Sandalwood or the velvety sweetness of French Saffron, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for boring-smelling laundry.
