Last updated on June 5th, 2026 at 11:24 pm
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Note: this blog post was originally published in 2023 and has now been republished and updated for 2025/2026.
Perfumes are essential to many people. In this guide, I’ll go through all the steps of your perfume journey – from finding your perfect perfume to where to buy to making the scent last on your skin.
Let’s get started!
Part I: Finding Your Signature Scent – Research Phase
Your signature scent should reflect your personality and lifestyle. With millions of options available, how do you choose the right one? The next part of this blog post will explain exactly how to do that.
Explore Perfume Brands
Start researching brands you’re interested in and make sure there are stores in the city (I’ll explain why later).
If you don’t know where to start, look at niche perfume brands. Niche brands focus on using the finest ingredients to create unique scents, prioritizing quality over quantity.
For niche brands, here are the top spots to shop for perfumes in Hong Kong:
- Penhaglions
- Serge Lutens
- Santa Maria Novella
- Parisine
- Diptyque
- Byredo
- Memo
- Maison Margiela
- Jo Malone
- Byredo
- Le Labo
- Acqua di Parma
- Creed
- Aesop
- Nonfiction
Many of these names should sound familiar, as they have carved out a niche in the high-end perfume market. With the brands above, you’re bound to find at least a few that you are interested in.
Identify Preferred Perfume Family
Just so you know- narrowing down to the brands you are interested in is the first step. Even within a brand, there are likely dozens of perfumes.
The next step is to familiarize yourself with the different fragrance families: floral, fruity, woody, and amber.
If you are unsure about which perfume family you like, visit Fragrantica, a website where you can learn more about perfumes and read reviews from people who have bought them.
What are some perfumes you’ve liked in the past?
Look for its individual listing on Fragrantica, which will include the perfume family, a description, and the top, middle, and base notes (the base notes are what people smell on you).
Repeat this process a few more times. You’ll eventually see a pattern and get a sense of your preferred perfume family.
Choose EDP or EDT
Perfumes are usually divided into Eau de Parfum (EDP) and Eau de Toilette (EDT).
(There are a bunch of others like Eau de Cologne, but they are not as common.)
The difference between EDP and EDT is the oil concentration. EDP has a higher concentration, meaning the scent on your skin lasts longer and tends to be stronger. It’s also more expensive than EDT.
If you like a particular scent, there might be an EDP and EDT version.
What’s your preference (and budget)?
Create Sample List
After the research phase, it’s time to create a list of perfumes you want to smell in person and find out the addresses of these stores.
You might be thinking, ‘Why do I have to do all this research? Can’t I visit a store and just wing it?’
Technically, you can.
Nothing is stopping you from doing so.
However, researching perfumes before visiting a store in person is wise, as it gives you a better idea of what’s worth trying and what to pass on.
Smelling too many perfumes at once can clog up your nose.
You can always smell coffee beans to clear up your nose, but a study shows that it doesn’t do much.
Create a list of about 3-5 perfumes to smell at each visit, and be picky about what you smell in the store.
Part II: Finding Your Signature Scent – In-Person Methods
1) Visit Physical Stores
After researching, it’s time to smell all these perfumes in person. For beginners, I recommend places that house multiple perfume brands under one roof. You can smell a few scents from a brand and get the general idea of whether it is your style. Also, it’s a great way to explore a wide range of scents from different brands, letting you compare fragrances in one place.
Here are some options to look at perfumes in Hong Kong:
- Lane Crawford – Hong Kong’s most well-known luxury department store, with locations throughout the city.
- Facesss Cosmetics – Located inside the city’s largest mall, Harbour City, a tourist attraction that locals and tourists alike always flock to.
- Sasa – This beauty chain is THE store that comes to mind for anything beauty-related, including perfumes. There are branches everywhere around Hong Kong; you’re bound to run into one during your time here.
- Colourmix and Bonjour are both less well-known than Sasa, but they are also beauty chain stores in Hong Kong.
- DFS Galleria – Stands for Duty Free Shoppers Galleria. There are locations in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. The perfume brands sold here are similar to those found in high-end department stores.
- Joyce Beauty – A niche beauty store. It’s a place to visit if you’re looking for more abstract perfume brands.
- Sephora – A familiar global brand, loved by beauty enthusiasts for its brand variety.
- SOGO – A department store in Causeway Bay that has everything you can imagine in one building. Wander around the beauty floors to see what’s available.
- Parfumerie Tresor – A fancy perfume boutique whose target audience is luxury shoppers. The brands here are quite exclusive, so don’t be surprised if you step in and realize you’ve never heard half of the names in this Tsim Sha Tsui boutique!
- Scented Niche – Similar to Parfumerie Tresor, Scented Niche is a niche perfume store that carries several high-quality brands, many of which are relatively unknown unless you are a fine-fragrance aficionado.
- Wing On – another chain of department stores in Hong Kong. It’s considered a more affordable department store, especially compared to SOGO and Lane Crawford. There aren’t as many perfume brands here, but it’s a good place to start if you get overwhelmed easily.
This list alone is enough to introduce you to dozens of brands. It’s impossible to list all the places you can buy perfumes.
There are also fashion-brand stores, from Zara to Louis Vuitton, that carry scents. If you’re a fan of a particular brand, go check it out.
But for those who are not perfume experts or have a strong opinion on which perfume brand they are interested in, it’s better to go to the stores listed above to hunt for your signature scent.
a) First Impression
Reading a perfume’s online descriptions doesn’t always match the scent. You might think it’s what you want, but that is not always the case in real life (and that’s why you need to visit physical stores when looking for your signature perfume).
Smell the cap first to get a sense of it.
Is it worth spraying directly on a blotter sheet or your skin?
If yes, proceed to the next step. If not, discard this perfume and repeat this step with another scent.
b) Testing on Blotter Sheets
Once you have smelled the cap and decided you like the scent, spray it onto a blotter sheet.
Depending on the perfume’s longevity, some scents can last on your skin for 5+ hours. That’s a long time to be smelling something you don’t like.
Spraying on blotter sheets is easy because if you don’t like the perfume, you can toss it out before moving on.
c) Spraying Perfume Directly onto Skin
Did this perfume pass both tests?
If you like the smell on the blotter sheet, it’s time to spray it onto your skin.
You might be wondering what the difference is, but there is!
It’s your body chemistry.
Before committing to an entire perfume bottle, I highly recommend you spray the perfume directly onto your skin.
Leave it on for a few hours to see how you feel about the scent.
In an ideal world, spray the perfume on yourself again on another day.
Do you still like it?
The novelty might wear off, and there is a chance that you realize you don’t like perfume that much anymore.
Assess Perfume Quality
Think about the following questions when you shop for perfumes:
- Is this perfume from a well-known brand?
- Are the ingredients blending well?
- Is the scent complex?
- How’s the lasting power?
- Can you see yourself wearing this scent for the next year?
Items such as perfume bottles and box packaging are also indicators of perfume quality. High-quality perfumes are pricey and have exponentially better perfume longevity. At the same time, consider the price point. You might want a Tom Ford perfume as your signature scent, but is it economically sustainable to keep buying one bottle after another?
Perfumes from Zara will not be the same quality as perfumes from a department store or a niche brand like Byredo or Le Labo.
If you’re going for more affordable perfumes, longevity and perfume quality might not be the main concern. Instead, it’s about the price and scent preference.
2) Ask for Recommendations
If necessary, approach a salesperson to ask for recommendations. Inform them of your preferred perfume family, and they can recommend a few scents.
They should be exceptionally knowledgeable about the products.
You can also ask your friends and family for perfume recommendations, but keep in mind that fragrances are subjective, and you guys might not have the same taste. At least you know they’re honest with you and not trying to make a buck off you!
3) Shop Discovery Sets
Many brands sell discovery sets, which are collections of perfume samples.
Purchasing discovery sets to bring home allows you to experience these fragrances at your own pace.
This is my favourite way to discover new scents and get a feel for a brand.
It also makes a great small gift for yourself and others. These little bottles will hardly take up any space, making them perfect for those with limited luggage space.
4) Request for Samples
Depending on where you live, there might not be the best option.
For example, stores in Hong Kong aren’t generous with samples unless you’re a frequent customer. Perhaps they’re concerned about people abusing the policy?
Try asking for samples here, but don’t be surprised if you’re rejected (there’s a good chance they’ll say yes, though, especially if they know you’re a tourist).
5) Buy Smaller-Sized Perfume Bottles
Those who get sick of scents quickly should opt for smaller perfume bottle sizes. This way, you’re more likely to use up the perfume.
Perfumes can be expensive!
It’s better to finish the bottle than let it sit on your dresser for years, since most perfumes expire within 2-4 years.
Part III – Finding Your Signature Scent – Make Perfume Last
After dedicating time to finding and buying your perfect perfume, you want it to last on your skin. Here are the secrets.
Layer Products from the Same Line
Once you find a perfume you love, check whether the same line offers shower gels, body lotions, or body creams.
Layering these products will ensure you smell amazing for hours.
Focus on Your Pulse Points
When applying perfume, focus on your pulse points, as they will hold the scent longer.
The most common places are your wrists and neck. However, pulse points include the backs of your knees, the insides of your elbows, and the backs of your ears.
Pick a pulse point or two and spray one to two spritzes of perfume (but don’t do this before the next step).
DON’T be that person who overuses perfume. We’ve all met those people who use their perfume like they’re taking a shower with it.
It’s not going to be you, though.
Apply Vaseline Beforehand
Before you apply perfume, you can dab a little Vaseline first. This simple tip will help the scent cling to your skin longer since your skin is moisturized.
I know Vaseline feels sticky and heavy. This ointment makes it inconvenient to touch anything else afterward, as the greasiness will transfer.
This is a slight annoyance, but if you are determined to smell nice all day, this small sacrifice is worth it.
Spray Perfume Right After a Shower
Most of the time, we spray perfume when we leave our house or carry a small perfume bottle and spray it on the go throughout the day.
But the best time to spray perfume to prolong its longevity is right after a shower.
When your skin is clean and moist, it can hold perfume better.
Don’t Rub
Please do not, and I mean do not, rub your wrists together after spraying your perfume.
Rubbing your wrists together after spraying your perfume will cause the scent to evaporate even faster.
After applying one to four spritzes of perfume, let it dry completely. Your skin will quickly absorb the fragrance, and then you can go on your merry way.
Store Your Fragrance Correctly
People tend to place their perfume bottles in their bathroom.
This is a no-go, as the scent will deteriorate in humidity.
Don’t put your perfume bottles directly in the sunlight, either. The heat will damage the scent, causing it to last shorter or even smell differently from when you first bought it.
Instead, store your perfume in a cool, dry place, such as a drawer or bedroom.
Don’t Shake Your Bottle
You might be tempted to shake your perfume bottle, but don’t do this. When you shake your bottle, you accelerate the perfume’s scent breakdown. This seemingly innocuous action will allow oxygen into the bottle.
This will change the scent, and the perfume might not even last until the expiration date.
Part IV – Finding Your Signature Scent – Rebuying Your Favourite Perfume
Now that you have finished using your perfume bottle, it’s time to repurchase.
You may have noticed that earlier in the blog post, I only discussed physical stores when perfume shopping, but there’s, of course, online shopping as well.
This method is not recommended for those unsure of the perfume they want.
I emphasize this because Hong Kong does not accept returns and exchanges as easily as the US and Canada do. Some stores may offer an exchange for an unopened perfume bottle, but once it is opened, that option is no longer available.
Shopping online is for those who know exactly what they want. It’s more convenient because you don’t need to make time in your schedule to visit a brick-and-mortar store. Depending on the website, there might even be more discounts.
Online platforms to shop for perfume in Hong Kong include:
a) Individual Online Brand Stores – Many fashion brands and niche perfume stores have their own online stores. Add it to your cart and pay with your credit card right away. It will only take a few minutes to complete the transaction, and you won’t even have to leave your chair or bed!
b) Sephora – Do I have to say more? It’s a store that even people who aren’t into perfume or skincare have heard of. This beauty chain from France has made a name for itself globally and ships to many countries.
c) Strawberry Net – A lifestyle website that has skincare, makeup, fragrances, and other accessories. Although it leans toward more Western brands, there are some great deals available.
d) Godwell Cosmetics – Along with Lung Fung and Fanda Pharmacy, Godwell is one of the most reputable pharmacies in Hong Kong that offers skincare, hair care, and other beauty products. Many street pharmacies in the city sell perfume, but these stores usually have a limited online presence. I’ve personally shopped from Godwell over a dozen times because they have an online store. It’s easy, convenient, and cheaper than buying perfumes at places like Facesss and Lane Crawford. Shipping costs will be higher when shipping your order abroad.
Final Thoughts – Perfumes in Hong Kong
Going through this entire perfume journey might seem arduous, but it’s worth it, I promise. You’ll have a perfume (or a few) that you will fall in love with, and it can become a part of your identity. By following this guide, you’ll undoubtedly find at least a few scents that you adore and make their scents last on you. Enjoy the full process of discovering scents that you love!
Now to You – Perfumes in Hong Kong
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Xoxo,
Nicole
