4 Tips To Gift The Perfect Fragrance From An Industry Insider

By Trisha Chawla 
 
Whether you’re gifting your family, friend or host, fragrances make for unique and cherished gift. Our affinities towards scents are strongly influenced by our memories. While it’s easy to find a perfume for yourself, picking the right one for someone else can be a Herculean feat. To make sure you make a perfect choice and show them you know them the best, we gathered some pro advice from Abdulla Ajmal, perfumer and business mentor at Ajmal Perfumes. Turns out, all you need is a mix of scent and sentimentality.

HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE? 
Picture this: you’re invited to a friend’s house for the first time. Gifts like a cheese platter or desserts are a safe bet (because who doesn’t like chocolate and cheese?). But fragrances? Not so much. “Fragrances are very personal to each individual which makes them a tricky gifting choice. You should steer clear of gifting them to someone you’ve just met or don’t know well enough,” says Ajmal.  
 
WHO’S THEIR FASHION ICON? 
On the other hand, if they are someone you know well enough, you can start by observing their sartorial choices. Do they love to be the centre of attention at a party or keep it soft and feminine? Ajmal says, “If they love bold, abstract prints or glitter, they will naturally be inclined towards bold oriental, woody and spicy notes that demand attention. Similarly, if they are fond of floral prints, whimsical floral notes are more likely to be easy on their nose. If they play it safe with pastels and classic silhouettes, they may prefer elegant fragrances with musk and powdery notes in the base.”

WHAT’S THEIR FLAVOUR? 
Never buy a fragrance for someone just because it smells good on you, your sister or your dad. “Think about their personality; if they are decisive and analytical in their mindset, it is possible that they may not like a dreamy, romantic perfume that’s laden with roses. A structured oriental perfume or clean aromatic scents will appeal more. If they are sporty or love their fitness routine, they will veer towards citrus or marine notes,” says Ajmal. While these rules are not set in stone, they’re helpful to try and gauge a person’s inclinations. 
 
WAIT, YOU CAN TRY SEARCH ENGINES TOO! 
When you’re shopping for fragrances online, it’s best to put yourself in the driver’s seat and do your research. “If you already know what fragrances they wear, run a search on their top three choices and narrow down on the fragrance family [like fruity florals or citrus notes]. Then look for either new or classic fragrances within that family for a fail-proof choice,” advises Ajmal. Who knows, you may even be able to move them from her signature scent.