The Definitive Guide To Blind Buy Perfumes Safely
If you were to look across from you right now, what would you see? If it’s a depressing fragrance collection full of perfumes you hardly even recognise anymore, it’s likely you’re a frequent victim of “Perfume Blind Buys Gone Wrong”.
Buying fragrances online will always carry some risk. But you have the power to remove the guesswork and significantly increase the chances that your gift gets more than an “It’s the thought that counts” with this ‘definitive guide to blind buying fragrances safely’.
Blind Buying Perfumes Tip #1
Be A Sheep
In a scenario where you’re unsure of where you’re going, it’s always best to follow the crowd. Social media is the best way for try a perfume with even purchasing as you’ll have thousands of influencers and regular people who taken the risk before you and shared their honest thoughts on a given perfume. This doesn’t make it a 100% guarantee that you’ll love it too, however, if there’s that many people flocking to a given perfume, there’s a high likelihood that there’s a good reason for that.
Blind Buying Perfumes Tip #2
Ain't Broke, Why Fix It?
During Spring Fair 2026, a man came up to the French Arabian Stand I was working on, looking for a fragrance to surprise his wife with on her birthday. Although he quickly admitted he knew nothing about perfumes or what she’d even like. So after trialling perfume after perfume to no avail, he remembered a designer perfume she always loved to wear. ‘Burberry Her Perfume’, this immediately stuck accord with me and found our popular fruity, Strawberry perfume ‘Noor’ that takes inspiration from ‘Burberry Her’. He took one whiff to know she’d love it, and later confirmed via email that she was in love with it too. Describing him as a “mind reader”
By finding out the fragrance they’re already fond of and working backwards to find a fragrance that’s either similar in notes or takes direct inspiration from their favourite perfume, not only takes all the guesswork from blind buying fragrances, but it also shows you’ve taken extra notice of the small things they may have thought you missed. Earning you extra Mother’s Day brownie points.
Blind Buying Perfumes Tip #3
To Oud or Not to Oud
This fragrance note is your ‘all in’ moment for anyone looking to strike it big this Mother’s Day. During the same Spring Fair 2026 event, out of all perfume requests, the no.1 was an Oudy Perfume. I’m obsessed with its Musky, leathery undertones. “I’ll take an Oud-like aroma over soft-florals anyday” However, there was one single comment that stuck with me. It reminds me of a man’s BO (Body Odour)
The first thing you need to keep in mind with oud-focused aromas is that they’re mostly loved but sometimes hated, with no in between. This is particularly intertwined with how familiar they are with arabian perfumes to begin with, as the aforementioned positive reviews and negative were split between veterans of arabian perfumes and those new to the world
So to break it down simply: If you know who you’re buying for loves arabian perfumes, then a beloved Oud Fragrance is your best bet; however, if they’ve never partaken in a niche fragrance, maybe hold off until they’re more acquainted.
Blind Buying Perfumes Tip #4
Small Slice Of a Big Pie
A key strategy employed by blind buy enthusiasts trying to extend their budget is to buy small first. Either via sample or travel-sized perfume. Although you’ll be exchanging hands with your money, it’ll be at a be at lower cost than the whole perfume bottle. Allowing you to test whether they’ll love the fragrance in person before committing to the real thing.
In particular, I would recommend purchasing travel-sized gift sets as they’ll allow you to cover a wider variety of scent profiles, typically around the cost of a single 100ml perfume. This’ll significantly decrease the chance of that special someone being disappointed with their gift.
Blind Buying Perfumes Tip #5
Personality Test
You can tell a lot about a person just from their hobbies and interests. Perfumes are no different. Smells themselves have ability to capture a wide variety of emotions in their bottles and evoke certain feelings or memories from us. You, as a result, will be more drawn to a scent based on who you are and what you experienced. This means if you know and understand the type of person you’re gifting to, your perfume blind buys will be a lot safer.
Use the list below to find the perfect perfume based on personality:
SweetTooth
Travel Enthusiast
Chill Vibe
Romantic
Lumberjack
Girls Girl
Conclusion
There will never be 100% gurauntees when purchasing online however, these tips will allow you to blind buy perfumes safely and increase the odds that you’ll make someone’s day this mother’s day.
