Fresh perfume samples for winter

For winter, 32 of our samples carry the family label fresh. This guide walks through 8 of them using only what is on record: names, concentrations, note lists and tags. The order is not a ranking; it is a way to choose where to begin.

The selection

Khadlaj Onyx Silver

With Khadlaj Onyx Silver, Khadlaj has an Eau de Parfum for which Black Pepper, Bergamot, Ginger, Cardamom, Petitgrain Oil, Benzoin and others are on record. By family it is filed as fresh, oriental and woody. Season on record: autumn and winter. Notice how close it stays to the skin and how much of it others pick up.

Velixir Apollo

Velixir Apollo is an Eau de Parfum by Velixir. The notes on record are Green Apple, Ginger, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Juniper, Amberwood and others. Its family tags read fresh, oriental and woody. For season the tags say autumn and winter. Pay attention to what is still there by the evening, since that is the part you live with longest.

Bujairami 2000

From Bujairami comes Bujairami 2000, a Parfum. On paper it lists Bergamot, Lemon, Black Pepper, Lavender, Violet Leaf, Musk and others. The scent families on record: citrus, floral, fresh and woody. The listing names autumn, summer and winter as its season. Smell it right after applying and again later in the day, because the first minutes rarely tell the whole story.

French Avenue Thunder

With French Avenue Thunder, French Avenue has a Parfum for which Elemi, Pink Pepper, Lavender, Bergamot, Iris, Vanilla and others are on record. It is tagged fresh, gourmand and woody. Season on record: autumn and winter. Give it time to settle before you judge it.

Bujairami Special Day

Bujairami Special Day, a Parfum from Bujairami, has Bergamot, Berries, Jasmine, Rose, Musk, Vanilla and Powdery Notes on record. The scent families on record: citrus, floral, fresh and gourmand. For season the tags say autumn, summer and winter. Do not judge it next to other perfumes on the same arm, as they blur each other.

Arabiyat Prestige La Di Da For Him

Arabiyat Prestige La Di Da For Him is an Eau de Parfum by Arabiyat Prestige. The notes on record are Geranium, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Tonka Bean, Aromatic Notes, Black Pepper and others. Its family tags read citrus, fresh and gourmand. For season the tags say autumn and winter. Try it on a normal day, not only on a special one, to see whether it fits your routine.

Maison Asrar Muharib

With Maison Asrar Muharib, Maison Asrar has a Parfum for which Lavender, Lemon, Bergamot, Honey, Cinnamon, Cashmere Wood and others are on record. It is tagged fresh, oriental, woody and spicy. For season the tags say autumn, spring and winter. Clothes hold a scent differently from skin, which makes a scarf or sleeve a useful second test.

Fragrance Du Bois Oud Bleu Intense

From Fragrance Du Bois comes Fragrance Du Bois Oud Bleu Intense, a Parfum. On paper it lists Cardamom, Nutmeg, Mandarin, Frankincense, Ciste, Myrrh Essence and others. It is tagged woody, fresh and amber. For season the tags say autumn and winter. Wear it on more than one day before you make up your mind.

Also in this selection: Dumont Nitro Green, Zoologist Penguin, Mykonos Satin Blanc, Aroma Concepts Lush Layal Intense, Assaf Arrogate Girl, Alezz Oud Hersh Lahab, Mykonos MyEgo, Afnan Lynked Freedom, Atralia Absolute Ice, French Avenue Ravine Ice.

How to test them

Apply one or two sprays to clean skin, without other scented products nearby. Wear it on at least three different days before you decide. Leave other perfumes off that day, so nothing interferes. Test it on skin and not only on paper.

A sample is the sensible first step: a perfume on paper and a perfume on skin are rarely the same thing. Keep short notes per perfume; after a week the choice usually makes itself. The small size, 2, 5 or 10 ml, is meant for exactly that: a few honest wearings before anything bigger.

Where to go next

• Fresh samples
• Winter samples
• all samples
• find your scent
• sample sets
• how we fill your sample
• what a decant is
• how to build a sample set
• how to test perfume on skin

Questions

Which sizes do the samples come in?

Every sample comes as 2, 5 or 10 ml in a glass spray vial. The smallest is enough for a first impression, the larger ones for many wearings.

How many samples should I try at once?

Two or three is a good number. Wear one per day, on clean skin, and write down what you notice in the morning and in the evening before you move to the next.

Why do some perfumes show no notes?

Because we only print notes we can trace to a source. Where no note list is on record, the page says so and leaves the judging to your own skin.